Friedman, Philo-Shraga (Yedidya)

Son of Sarah and Shmuel was born on September 17, 1929, in Poland. On April 19, 1936, he immigrated to Israel with his parents, who settled in Jerusalem. The meantime the war of Independence broke out and he enlisted and served in the Yiftah Brigade. Participated in the defense of flames of Bashan and conquest of Halisa. Served as a police officer in Metula. Commanded the second attack on the Nabi Yusha police force, which took place on the night of 19-20 April 1948. The saboteurs broke through the fences, approached the building and began to lay down the explosives. In the process, grenades were thrown at them, causing casualties. The evacuation of the casualties delayed the explosion, and in the meantime, additional fighters were injured, including the terrorists, and the bomb was not activated. At dawn, orders were given to withdraw. The withdrawal was carried out with the combat of considerable enemy forces summoned to the scene and there were many casualties. he remained with two seriously wounded soldiers. He transferred them to a rocky ravine and when he ran out of ammunition he shot the wounded and himself so that they would not fall alive by the Arab rioters who were approaching them. This battle took place on the 11th of Nissan 5708 (April 20, 1948). He was buried in Kfar Giladi. After he fell, he was awarded the rank of Lieutenant. A military camp in the Upper Galilee was named after him. His memory was mentioned in the booklet “On the Death” of his kibbutz Ma’ayan Baruch. On the 4th of Elul 5710 (4.9.1950), he was put to rest at the military cemetery on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem.