Israeli, Uzi

Uzi, son of Jonah and Menahem, was born on January 19, 1932 in Kfar Yehoshua. The IDF authorities released him from active service in the IDF so that he could be with his parents and help them in the agriculture. Despite this, Uzi was called up for reserve duty every year, during which he underwent courses and was promoted to the ranks of the IDF After completing his training courses and serving as a noncommissioned officer, he was sent to an officer’s course in 1952, He also served as a battalion commander in the Northern Command, and after completing the course he was assigned to the Armored Corps and in 1957 completed a course for Armored Corps officers. The opinion of his commanders attests to their deep appreciation for Uzzi the commander and the devoted military man. One of them says: “Very devoted and jealous of his men and tools, responsible and diligent, excellent agriculture man and organization … with a good spirit and an exemplary friend.” During the Six-Day War, Uzi was a deputy company commander and commanded two armored divisions in the battles to conquer the city of Nablus. He was wounded in the battle and spent some time in hospitals in Haifa and Afula until he recovered. In 1970 he completed a course for commanders of armored companies. Uzi built a magnificent farm in Kfar Yehoshua, and with his girlfriend, Biba, he established a warm home and Meir Panim. His friends said: “Uzi … an unforgettable and perhaps symbolic figure of the ‘good Israeli’, the farmer on weekdays, who knew how to make the profession of agriculture a glorification of success, who saw his work as a mission and who during the war and reserve duty converted from a farmer of peace to a commander. “Uzi moved from his agricultural being to that of the commander, and his subordinates saw him as a charismatic figure who hypnotized them, feeling close to him even at the most difficult times. They also said: “To be first – was the urge to create in everyday life, it was also the urge to go to battle.” When the Yom Kippur War broke out, Major Uzi was alerted to his unit in Sinai. On October 14, 1973, he headed an armored column that stormed toward Ismailia. Few against many, low in arms but firm in spirit, the company commanded by Uzi stopped the thousands of Egyptians who threatened the vital lines of our forces. In this battle, Uzi’s tank was hit and he was killed. He was brought to eternal rest in the Kfar Yehoshua cemetery. He left behind a wife, two sons and a daughter and parents.