Chakmov (Chachmi), Yochai (Yorek)

Yochai (Yorek), son of Tzippora and David Chakmov, was born on Hanukkah in Tel Aviv.
During summer vacation, Yochai went to work and would bring home his wages to ease the burden at home. At the age of 17, Yochai joined the Haganah. He worked hard to expand the ranks and train the members, and it turned out that he had the ability to influence and lead. He wanted to join the Palmach, but was prevented to by his parents. He then went to Europe and worked in Aliyah Bet. At the time of the UN Resolution, he was on guard duty in the suburbs. Yochai participated in many activities under the harsh conditions of the double front against the attacking Arabs and against the British. He graduated from a training course in Sarona and from there, found his way to a combat unit in the Givati ​​Brigade, where he managed to make the most of his dedication and sacrifice. When one of his family members advised him to look after himself, he replied: “If I do not go to the Egyptians, they will come to me.”
Yochai took part in all his battalion’s operations, during Operation Nachshon, in blocking the Egyptian advance and in Operation Yoav. When he came to Tel Aviv to repair his glasses, he hurried back to his battalion without visiting home. Two days later, as part of the efforts to tighten the siege on the “Falluja pocket,” he led his department in an attack on the Egyptian Regiment in the Keretia region. Yochai broke through the barbed wire and led his men behind him. When he entered the third fence he was hit by an enemy bullet and fell on the night of the 19th of Tishrei, 5709 (October 22, 1948). After his fall, he was awarded the rank of lieutenant (deputy). Onthe 18th of Shevat, February 3, 1953, he was laid to rest at the military cemetery on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem.