Shachar (Vangel), Yaakov

Son of Dov and Rivka. Born on November 20, 1947 in Terrina, Italy, he immigrated to Israel with his family in 1948. Yaakov studied at the Ganot Elementary School in Nesher Hill, and completed his studies at the Mevo’ot Yam Fishing and Shipping High School in Hadera. When he was a student in the last grades of elementary school, Yaakov showed great interest in technical subjects and he studied technology and drawing in a pre-professional framework, and after completing two years of high school education, he completed a year of practical training on the Eshel. That same year, he was allowed to take the third officer’s certification exams and finish his naval training, and was drafted into the IDF in October 1966 and volunteered for the IDF In. After basic training and after completing various professional courses. He was sent to the naval base in Haifa, where he served as a chemist. During his service, Yaakov stayed in Sherburg, France, and returned with the ships to Israel. After completing his military service, he returned to the Merchant Navy, and in 1972 took part in the course “Captain Shift A”. A year later, he took the course of a “captain on second shift” and in 1974 decided to abandon his position in the Merchant Navy. He volunteered for the career army. He was sent to take an officer’s course and graduated as an outstanding apprentice. His advancement in his various positions as part of the maintenance corps was very fast. He was loved by his commanders and was considered an excellent and responsible officer. In 1977 he was sent to the Maintenance Officers Course. Shortly before the course began, Yaakov decided to establish a home in Israel and married Rimona. On July 8, 1977, Yaakov was killed while serving in the military cemetery in Haifa and left behind a wife, parents and two sisters, and five months after his death, his daughter, Zivia, was born in a letter of condolence to the bereaved family: Even at the beginning of his career in the unit, we saw Yaakov as a dedicated and loyal soldier who fulfilled his role with talent and satisfaction. He was sent to various courses and graduated as an outstanding trainee. In my conversations with him I insisted on his strong desire to advance and succeed in his position as an officer. He was quiet and kind, and everyone admired him. Many friends left behind him in the unit. “