Medal of Distinguished Service
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Hebrew name: Itur HaMofet
This decoration is
awarded by the Chief of Staff for an act of exemplary bravery.
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The Medal of Distinguished Service was instituted by the Law of Decorations
in the Israel Defense Forces of 1970. This 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.
At a ceremony at the Binyanei Ha'ooma Congress
Center in Jerusalem,
12 April 1973, 382 medals of Distinguished Service were presented.
Design:
The medal shows a balanced torch between sword and olive branch,
symbolizing controlled strength. The designer was Dan Reisinger. The medal was
first minted in 1973
by Kretschmer of Jerusalem and issued by the Israel Government Coins and
Medals Corporation. The original medal was made of 25 gr. silver and 43 mm
diameter.
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Ribbon:
The ribbon is blue as in the national colors. |
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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. |
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Olive wood presentation box |
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© Igor
Ostapenko |
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Samples of used ribbons: |
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Most likely no register was kept of the serial
numbers of medals awarded, so recipients can not be identified by the
serial number. |
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| Total awarded medals: 602
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Last medal was awarded in 2015 |
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Medal versions:
No documents have been found
yet that describe the development of versions of this decoration.
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Medal versions found: |
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Early version 1 - Minted by Kretschmer
Medal: The medal was first minted in 1973 by Kretschmer
of Jerusalem and issued by the Israel Government Coins and Medals
Corporation. The original medal was made of 25 gr. silver and 43
mm diameter, without silver mark but with serial number
(here covered).
The reverse of the
medal has a screw and nut holding the ribbon that is folded over a
bar.
Clasp: Dimensions ~40x13 mm. Pin without safety lock.
Ribbon width 38 mm
Pictures
© Igor
Ostapenko |
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Early version 2 - Minted by Kretschmer
Medal: The medal was first minted in 1973 by Kretschmer
of Jerusalem and issued by the Israel Government Coins and Medals
Corporation. The original medal was made of 25 gr. silver and 43
mm diameter, without silver mark but with serial number
(here covered).
The reverse of the
medal has a screw and nut holding the ribbon that is folded over a
bar.
Clasp: Dimensions 40.7 x 13.4 mm. Silver mark 925 on
lower right corner. Pin with safety lock
Ribbon width 38
mm.
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Modern version, pictures from 2001
Medal: nickel
The reverse of the
medal has a screw and nut holding the ribbon that is folded over a
bar.
Clasp: Dimensions 41.5 x 15 mm, chrome covered metal.
Pin with safety lock.
Ribbon width 41 mm. |
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Modern version, pictures from 2012
Medal: nickel
The reverse of the
medal has a screw and nut holding the ribbon.
Clasp: Large
clasp. Pin with safety lock.
Ribbon: the ribbon fits well
in the clasp
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Modern version, since about 2012
Medal: nickel
Clasp: Large clasp. Clutch back |
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Modern version, since about 2022
Medal: nickel
The reverse of the
medal has a screw and nut holding the ribbon.
Clasp: Clutch back |
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Pictures of the Medal of Distinguished Service and
the presentation box as presented in the year 2007, produced by Zechovoy, Israel |
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The decoration was awarded in 2007 to Captain Dr.
Igor Rothstein, killed in the village of Markhava by terrorists, during
the Second Lebanon War. The medal was presented to his family; his
parents as well as his son received the medal. |
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The ribbon of the
decoration together with the campaign ribbon, both enamel |
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Samples of decorated soldiers:
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Lieutenant
General Ehud Barak,
with four Chief Of Staff Citations and a Medal of Distinguished Service. |
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Major General Danny Yetom,
Medal of Distinguished Service and three campaign ribbons |
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(Pictures: Government
Press Office, Sa'ar Ya'acov) |
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More pictures of recipients
can be found here. |
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