Gottlieb, Ayalon

Son of Rivka and Gideon, he was born on the 23rd of Tevet, 5714 (29.12.1953) in Jerusalem. At an early age, Ayalon moved with his parents to live in Tel Aviv. He began his studies at the Ben-Yehuda elementary school, continued to study at the Gymnasium Herzliya and completed his studies in electronics. In the course of his service at the Academic Reserve, Ayalon fulfilled his obligations to the IDF and served in the infantry. At the end of September 1973 he was promoted to Corporal. A few days later, the Yom Kippur War broke out. Ayalon went to the front and never returned to the academic reserve. He could not sit in the rear, while his friends fought in front. After two years of study at the Technion, he returned to service in the Golani Brigade. After the war, Elon underwent a parachute training course and a course for TOLAR operators, and in December 1974 he was promoted to the rank of sergeant, sent to the officers’ course, and graduated summa cum laude in August 1975. At the end of 1977, Ayalon was discharged from the army and joined his father’s business. At the same time, he continued his studies at Tel Aviv University, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in statistics (expanded), and even began a master’s degree in business administration. He continued to fulfill his duties to the IDF in reserve duty in a combat unit, and was promoted to the rank of captain in August 1981. On the day of 15 Av, August 4, 1982, Ayalon and two of his soldiers left the jeep, where some of his men fought, to bring essential equipment to the fighters. they were hit by a rocket and killed. Ayalon was laid to rest at the military cemetery in Kiryat Shaul in Tel Aviv, leaving behind a wife, parents and a sister. Defense Minister Ariel Sharon wrote to his family: “Captain Ayalon gave his life for his country. He fell in the port of Beirut with his infantry. He was diligent and loyal. An excellent professional who always followed the company’s proper and efficient operation.” The commander of his unit wrote to his wife: “Throughout his career, Ayalon’s positive qualities have been prominent both as a person and as a commander. He was intelligent, diligent and loyal to himself and to his unit. Excellent professional and honest commander. As the company’s deputy commander, he stuck to the task of operating the company. That was the way he was trained, employed, and killed until he fell … He was pleasant and good-humored. In the course of his work he brought down many partitions and it was a pleasure to work with him.”