Medal of Valor
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- For other medals of the same name, see Medal of Valor (disambiguation).
The Medal of Valor (O't Ha'gvora, Heb: עיטור הגבורה) is an Israeli Military decoration, and 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 president's residence in Jerusalem on 26 April 1973, the first Medals of Valor were presented. Thirty-two Medals of Valor were presented; among these, twelve were given to the holders of the title "Hero of Israel". The medals also included actions for 1955 (one award) 1956 (five), 1962 (one), and the 1967 Six-Day War (thirteen).
In May 1975 another eight Medals of Valor were awarded, all of them for acts of heroism during the Yom Kippur War.
The Medal of Valor is awarded by the Minister of Defense, upon recommendation by the Chief of Staff, for an act of supreme heroism in combat in the face of the enemy, at the risk of life.
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[edit] Design
The design of the Medal of Valor was in remarkable contrast to that of the "Hero of Israel". It uses the star of David and an olive branch on a yellow ribbon, an obvious reminder of the yellow star of the Holocaust.
The designer was Dan Reisinger. The medal was minted by Kretschmer of Jerusalem and issued by the Israel Government Coins and Medals Corporation.
The medal is accompanied by a yellow ribbon. A small copy of the medal is mounted on the ribbon, but more common is the plain yellow ribbon.
The medals are made of 25 grams of silver/935, and the clasp is chrome-plated metal. On the back of the medal a number is imprinted.
[edit] Privileges connected to the decoration
Wearers of the Medal of Valor are honored and often invited to attend official ceremonies. Some types of tax reductions are given.
