Itach, Shmuel (Shmulik)

Shmuel, son of Esther and Abba, was born in 1939 in Fez, Morocco, and immigrated to Israel with his family in 1949. He was drafted into the IDF in mid-August 1958 and asked to serve in the Armored Corps which he considered the source of the strength of the ground forces. After completing basic training he was trained as a gunner and after serving as a tank crew member, he completed a tank commander course and was sent to serve as a tank battalion in 1964. In 1961 he successfully completed an officers’ course at the IDF Officers School and an armored officers course at the Armored Corps School. In this capacity he was promoted to captain. During the Six-Day War he participated with his unit in the battles to conquer the Sinai Peninsula. In these battles he was wounded and taken to the hospital on the home front. He categorically refused to move to a rear unit, and despite his wounds he returned to serve in an armored unit. On October 18, 1973, his unit participated in the battles and Shmuel was killed. He was brought to eternal rest in the cemetery in Hadera and left behind a wife, daughter, and two sons.