IDF Decorations

The ribbon of the decoration "Hero of Israel"
 

Read here more on the history of this decoration.

It was not before January 1970 that the Knesset passed the Law of Decorations in the Israel Defense Forces and a committee was instituted to define the layout and rules of granting the decorations. In 1973 the government accepted the committee's recommendations. The law defined three types of decorations: Itur HaGvurah, Itur HaOz and Itur HaMofet, generally translated as the Medal of Valor, Medal of Courage and the Medal of Distinguished Service.

The medals and citations may be awarded to IDF soldiers as well as Border Policemen, if the act on account of which the decoration is granted, was done in accordance with IDF command, or in cooperation or coordination with IDF. The Law of Decorations relates to acts performed after June 4, 1967, but also to those earlier acts for which the title "Hero of Israel" or the Chief of Staff citation was given. These 256 citations were reviewed and most of them were "upgraded" to one of the 3 decorations.

In April 1973, the first medals were presented. Thirty-two Medals of Valor were presented, among these, twelve to the holders of the title "Hero of Israel". In addition to this, 113 Medals of Courage and 382 Medals of Distinguished Service were awarded. Of the 527 medal eligibles, 102 were no longer alive, including the three soldiers to whom more than one medal was awarded.

In addition to the above high decorations, several levels of citations were established. Click here to read about the citations.

Who determines the different decorations?
 

Medals of Valor, Courage and Distinguished Service
 

Material: The medals were originally made of silver, including the clasp. Since about 2004, the medals are made of nickel, with a clasp of chrome plated metal. At the back of the medal a number is imprinted.

Multiple awards

If justified, more than once the same decoration may be awarded, however, no additional medal can be presented. In this case, a clasp of a miniature version of the medal should be mounted on the ribbon. Despite this law, this clasp is not in use. As a matter of fact, pictures of multiple recipients may be found who wear two identical ribbons, as shown below.
Here is a list of people with multiple decorations.
 

When can the decorations be worn?

IDF regulations allow wearing the ribbon of the decoration at all times, however, the medal may only be worn on the following occasions:

• Independence Day

• Remembrance Day for Israel’s Fallen Soldiers

• State ceremonies, military parades and IDF shows

• Other occasions as determined by the Minister of Defense

It is very hard, if not impossible to find a picture of someone wearing one of the above medals on a uniform. Usually, only the yellow, red or blue ribbon is worn. The law forbids convicted criminals to wear the decoration but does not annul the award.
See also Guidelines for wearing medals and decorations.

Ribbon sizes:
All ribbons (decorations, campaign and service ribbons, with the possible exception of "Hero of Israel") are sized 40 x 10 mm.

Who produces the medals?

The first decorations of Valor, Courage and Distinguished Service as well as Police and Prison Service decorations were issued by the Israel Government Coins and Medals Corporation, established in 1958 by the government of Israel. In 2008, this corporation was privatized, according to a decision made by the Israeli Government, and purchased by G.R.A.S Design Combinations Ltd. The name was changed to Israel Coins and Medals Corporation. This new body no longer produces or issues any decorations. The small remaining stock of original, silver medals was sold by G.R.A.S to collectors.
Later versions of medals were issued by Zechovoy company, Tel Aviv. It is not clear whether during some period medals were produced outside of Israel.

Are the medals numbered?

The first decorations of Valor, Courage and Distinguished Service that were issued by the Israel Government Coins and Medals Corporation were numbered on the back. However, in contrast to what is usual in most countries, no records were kept of which number of medal was awarded to which soldier. One may consider this as another evidence of the lack of appreciation for the idea of decorations in Israel. When some decorations of Distinguished service were found at flea markets, it was impossible to trace the original owner by the number imprinted on the medal. IDF records show how many decorations were awarded and to whom. However, it is not known how many medals were produced.
After the privatization of the Israel Government Coins and Medals Corporation, their records were not saved. Samples of the original decorations appear in musea and government offices and probably also reached private hands. The small remaining stock of original, silver medals that was sold by G.R.A.S to collectors were all numbered. This indicates that the numbers were imprinted long before the medals were awarded to recipients.
Modern issues of the decorations are no longer numbered.

Samples:

Original versions of the three decorations as displayed in the IDF collection in Tel Aviv

Summary of numbers of Decorations and Chief of Staff citations awarded, of which data are published till 2010