Maoz (Lapidot), Hillel
Hillel, son of Jonah and Eliahu, was born on Saturday, 19.8.1950, in Kibbutz Hazorea, He studied at the kibbutz elementary school and later attended the Shomria High School in Mishmar Ha’emek. Hillel was a diligent student, loved by his teachers and friends. The class teacher wrote about him: “He was, always active, busy and involved in everything that was going on around him … He seemed to be searching all the time – looking for interest, looking for friends, looking for himself.” His friend said: “He was deep in thinking, sensitive and wondering and asking, he was amazing in the technical field, he had ‘golden hands’ and he was a quick thinker.” Hillel was drafted into the IDF in late October 1968. He was first assigned to the IAF and began to study in a pilot course. After a few months, his commanders asked him to send him to take a course in navigational courses, but he preferred to serve in the Armored Corps. He completed a course in the Patton tank course and a tank commander course, where he was an outstanding trainee. After an excellent period of service, it was decided to advance him and he completed an officer’s course and a course for armored officers. When he finished, he was assigned to an armored unit and was considered by all to be an efficient, responsible, devoted officer, an outstanding leader and an outstanding commander. He was awarded the Operational Service Award for his part in operational activities. After completing his compulsory army service, he served for a few months in the career army, and then was discharged. After his discharge from military service, he became head of the Hashomer Hatzair branch in Holon. Here Hillel was revealed in his full organizational capacity. One of his fellow counselors says: “He had an inexhaustible energy, diligent and endlessly dedicated, did not make personal accounts and was willing to give himself more and more, he knew his personal weaknesses and his inability in various areas. Hillel was very sociable and kind, very devoted, responsible, thorough in his approach and meticulous in everything he did. He loved the work, and occasionally, during his vacations, he would return to the kibbutz carpentry shop to work there and create. In the future, he planned to study psychology at Tel Aviv University. During the Yom Kippur War, Hillel took part in the braking battles against the Egyptians on the Sinai front. On the 8th of Tishrei 5734 (October 8, 1973) Hillel fell in battle in the central sector. His battalion advanced along the Rafid-Ismailia axis in preparation for contact with the enemy. In the area of “Ziona” an armor battle developed in armor. The battalion entered the battle at dusk and began destroying the enemy’s armor. At the time of the battle heavy artillery bombardment was directed at the battalion and Hillel was hit and killed. He was brought to eternal rest in the cemetery at Kibbutz Hazorea. He was survived by a mother and two brothers. After his fall, he was promoted to captain.
