Ben-Moshe, Yaakov (Jackie)

Son of Yona and Yosef, was born on May 15, 1929 in Tel Aviv. With the outbreak of the War of Independence, he was one of the first to defend the borders of his city. When Yaakov learned that some of his comrades had fallen in combat, he returned to the Yiftah Brigade and went down with it to the Negev. Yaakov participated in reconnaissance activities behind enemy lines. His battalion carried out the opening operation of Operation Yoav to break through to the Negev – the capture of the Beit Hanoun wedges on the night of 15-16 October 1948. This move was intended to disconnect the Egyptian forces north of Gaza and to mislead them regarding the main effort. The Egyptians attacked the fortresses with great force. On the 14th of Tishrei, 5709 (October 17, 1948), Yaakov was slightly wounded in the hand. He received an order to withdraw, but he did not obey and remained to take care of his friend, who was also wounded. Yaakov fell and was buried in Dorot. On the 17th of Iyar 5709 (4.5.1950) he was transferred to the military cemetery at Nahalat Yitzhak.