Gilboa, Shaul

Son of Rachamim and Frida. He was born on the 13th of Adar 1, February 14, 1946, in Mishmar Ha’emek. He was educated in the “Omer-Dagan” group, which is the educational group of Mishmar Ha’emek and Hazorah. From childhood, he excelled in the wisdom of hands. He apparently received this skill from his father, a teacher of wood and metal crafts, at the educational institution in Mishmar Ha’emek. He always cut and built wood and metal objects. His pockets were full of screws and tools. He attended high school in the Shomria school in his kibbutz. He was a member of the HaShomer HaTsair youth movement. In his youth, he was active in many areas, and was an outstanding athlete in basketball, running, and jumping. He was drafted into the Israel Air Force, in October 1963. He completed all stages of training in dangerous situations successfully, and completed his regular service in the air force a few months before. He worked hard and without end, and at the same time he had to continue with his personal training. In the meantime, he would jump home quickly to see his parents. His father wanted him to come home for a year, but felt otherwise. “The IDF needs trained pilots and it is my duty to continue serving for at least another year,” he said. They didn’t argue with him. On the 2nd of Nissan, March 21, 1969, a squad of sappers was discovered hiding in the vicinity of the Allenby Bridge. An IDF force immediately attacked the squad members who crossed the Jordan River. The terrorists retreated, while light weapons were fired at Israeli forces. Later, the Jordanian outposts also used mortars and artillery. IDF forces responded with fire, and the exchange of fire continued for nearly two hours. When Israeli planes were paralyzed by the Jordanian artillery fire, and after they bombed the positions, it was apparent that one of the planes had been hit by anti-aircraft fire and finally crashed, 200 meters south of the Allenby Bridge on the Jordanian side. Shaul Gilboa, apparently fell when the plane hit or crashed. At the request of the IDF, the Red Cross took care of Shaul’s body, and was brought to eternal rest in his kibbutz. His father said, “To us, Shaul was the object of admiration and affection, and to the kibbutz, he was a source of pride. The Minister of Defense, Moshe Dayan, the Commander of the Air Force, Maj. Gen. Mordechai Hod, and other senior officers came to the Gilboa family to extend their condolences to the bereaved parents, said that he had no words to comfort. For full report, see Hebrew translation. A booklet in his memory, bearing his name, appeared after he fell.