Nellus, Ronnie

Son of Zvi and Aviva. He was born on December 14, 1952, in Rehovot. His parents lived in Nes Ziona and four years later moved to Jaffa. Roni began his elementary studies at the Weizmann School in Jaffa, and in second grade moved to the Shivtei Israel School. He was a good student and an active child in all fields of activity at school. He spent four years of high school in the Tel Aviv Municipal High School. Since he was blessed with good reason, he chose the trend of industrial-laboratory. Here, too, he was a diligent student, admired by his teachers and fellow students. Roni was a member of the Hanoar Haoved Vehalomed movement in the “Amelim” group in the Tzithali group, participated in sports activities and trips around the country, the soccer game was one of his favorite sports, he had close ties with some friends, Was established after their recruitment and dispersal in IDF forces. At the end of May 1971, the date of his entry into regular service came. After basic training, Ronny was transferred to the Armored Corps School and successfully completed a course for noncommissioned officers, where he was trained as a tank commander. From the rank of corporal to sergeant, and when it was recommended to obtain the rank of first sergeant, the recommendation form noted in this form: “The soldier discovers initiative in his position, disciplined and performs his function efficiently. “The First Sergeant rank was already awarded to him in the midst of the Yom Kippur War, retroactively on October 6, 1973. During the war Roni was stationed with his battalion in the north and he took part in the bitter battles that took place on this front. He was about to be released from regular service on May 18, 1974, when the IDF prepared his release certificate, expressing his appreciation: “A good and professional commander, disciplined, and above his duty, comfortable for his comrades and Noah as commander of his soldiers.” However, he did not receive this certificate. The War of Attrition was still going on along the northern border. Roni was stationed with his tank near Mount Hermon. One night a Syrian commando force attacked the parking lot of the tanks in Bazooka. Roni was the first and only tank commander who came into action and returned fire. He fired an ammunition cartridge of the machine gun on the turret toward the assailants and went down to fetch additional ammunition. Then, when he was slightly exposed, two fatal bullets hit him, and he fell into the tank. For two hours, Ronny struggled for his life, but death overtook him. Thus he fell in battle on the Hermon – on the day of Iyar 5734 (2.5.1974). He was brought to eternal rest in the cemetery in Kiryat Shaul. Survived by his parents and brother. The Minister of Defense wrote to the bereaved family: “Roni z” l served in the Armored Corps, he was a devoted soldier and a loyal friend. Ronny was loved by everyone who knew him. “