Shemesh, Ovadia-Haim

Ovadia-Haim (Andre), son of Leah and Eliezer, was born on the 5th of Adar 5714 (April 5, 1953) in Kfar Saba. He studied at the “Degania” Elementary School and at the “Makif Gimel” High School in Be’er Sheva, in the course of aircraft mechanics. Ovadia was drafted into the IDF in May 1971 and volunteered for the Artillery Corps. After that, he took part in a course for team commanders and other professional courses. His commanders said he was an excellent, responsible and resourceful team commander with excellent technical knowledge and a sense of responsibility. He was always careful to keep all the rules of safety, and was a model fighter and friend in times of trouble. He spent his military service throughout Sinai and was given the “Operational Service Award”. During the Yom Kippur War, Ovadia participated with his unit in the difficult battles of containment and break-ins. On October 19, 1973, when the battery was given a skipping instruction, Ovadia was hit in the stomach by a machine-gun bullet. For forty days he fought for his life until he died of his wounds on Tuesday, November 28, 1973. He was laid to rest in the cemetery in Be’er Sheva, leaving behind his parents and two sisters. His parents dedicated a library of sacred books in his synagogue to the” Avot “synagogue in Be’er Sheva.