Strochowski, David-Zalman

Son of Tonia and Shmuel, was born on January 24, 1927, in the city of Iasi, Romania. After graduating from elementary school, he studied blacksmiths and worked there. From the age of 10 he was active in the Hanoar Hatzioni movement, contributing to the national funds and aspiring to immigrate to Israel. The hardships of the Second World War and the turning point in the Romanian regime did not dissuade him from his path. In 1944 he joined the hachshara in the “Hanoar Hazioni” working village and during his two years of work there he excelled in his diligence and willingness to come to the aid of his comrades. In his great faith he encouraged them not to despair because of the obstacles in the way of immigration by the Communist regime. When he won the summer of 1946 to board the illegal immigrant ship “Max Nordau”, he could not stop his tears, and his girlfriend said, “This is the happiest day of my life.” When they arrived in Israel, they married and settled in Givat Shmuel. David Zalman worked as a construction worker. At the beginning of the War of Independence he joined the army and participated in all the difficult battles. On a short vacation he recognized his daughter, who was born to him in the meantime, and returned to fight with greater devotion, so that she would grow up and live in a free homeland. With the entry of the Arab Legion into the fighting, the situation in Jerusalem deteriorated and the road to it was cut off by the Legion system in Latrun. The breakthrough was planned for Operation son of-Nun A, and the mission was assigned to the newly established 7 Brigade. His battalion reinforced the 7th Brigade for this mission and was forced to conquer Latrun. The battalion’s fighters encountered better enemy forces and had to retreat. This battle fell on the 17th of Iyar 5708 (May 26, 1948). Survived by a wife and a girl. On the 17th of Cheshvan 5710 (17.11.1949) he was transferred to the eternal military cemetery at Mount Herzl in Jerusalem.