Grippel, Isaac (Igo)

Son of Sarah and David, was born in 1928 in the city of Krosno, Poland. He graduated from elementary school and studied dental technicians. Yitzhak’s brother, who was an officer in the Polish army, was seriously wounded and remained disabled. Then Yitzchak made a vow: to be a Jewish soldier in the army of Israel, not to pour blood for strangers. While in Germany (where he arrived from Poland after the liberation), he joined the Haganah and in July 1948 he arrived in Israel as a conscript. He was offered work in his profession as a dental technician, but he rejected it. He even gave up the six weeks of vacation given to every new immigrant. He demanded that he be transferred immediately to the front and assigned to the Jerusalem Brigade. Elem was tall and sturdy and cheerful. His wish – to ensure the possibility of his parents following him to Israel. Yitzhak was seriously injured standing on guard at Shaar Hagai and died in the hospital on 17 October 1948. He was buried in Sheikh Bader Aleph. On the 17th of Elul 5706 (August 30, 1950) he was transferred to the eternal rest of the military cemetery at Mount Herzl in Jerusalem.