Arnon, Yaakov
Son of Aliza and Abba-Shmuel, was born on the 25th of Tammuz, July 13, 1928 in Jerusalem. He attended the Balfour Gymnasium in Tel Aviv, and from there, moved to Kadouri Agricultural School in Kfar Tavor. Afterward, he learned the art of the canning industry in the Asis factory. At every hour that he was free from work, he was fulfilling his obligations in the youth movement and the Haganah. He was diligent in Torah study, and in learning languages, history and chemistry. He was a member of the underground Haganah youth groups. In November 1947, he was drafted in the IDF, serving in the Givati Brigade. He participated in activities in the vicinity of Jaffa and Cholon, and in preventing the attack on the Jewish National Fund in Beit Dagon. He took part in securing the road to the south, and in the Sha’ar Hagai, Latrun, Ashdod, etc. Between battles, he taught his soldiers a chapter in the Bible. He was blessed with unthinkable courage, and always filled his role, above and beyond the call of duty. He was among the conquerors of Village Julis. In preparation for the “Yoav” operation, as an experienced navigator, he took charge of the reconnaissance squad, which consisted of commanders only. For full report, see Hebrew translation. Yaakov fell on the 14th of Tishrei, October 17, 1948, and was laid to rest in the military cemetery, in the village of Warburg. His “Combat Diary” sheds precious light on his personality, and on the order of the systems and battles fought by the heroes of Israel, for the conquest and restoration of the State of Israel.
