Ben-Tov (Bonfil), Shmuel

Born in 1929 in Izmir, Turkey, he studied at the “Alliance” school of Rabbi David Ashkenazi and his son, and during his youth he organized a group of Jewish children and moved them to immigrate to Israel. In 1945, when he left his parents and three brothers, he aspired to be a rabbi in Israel, but when he arrived in Israel he joined the religious youth village where he studied for 11 months and joined the Palmach. Was one of the most devoted and disciplined soldiers and prepared for any difficult and daring task. In 1946 he was arrested after going to Biriya, where he participated actively and was sentenced to two years in prison. In 1947 he received a 20-day vacation and returned to the Haganah. Until the outbreak of the War of Independence he was in Ramat Rachel. Participated in the battles of Castel and Sha’ar Hagai. When he returned from escorting a convoy to Kfar Etzion, he was seriously injured. He recovered a little, left the hospital, and rejoined his unit, even though his breathing was very heavy. On the eve of the first truce, on the eve of the first truce, Shmuel fell on the eve of the first truce, in which he displayed courage, alertness, and readiness, and on the 17th of Cheshvan 5710 (17.11.1949) he was put to rest at – The military cemetery at Mount Herzl in Jerusalem.