Yairi (Leichter), Yosef

Son of Aharon Vital. Born on June 18, 1928 in the city of Santa, Yugoslavia, he immigrated to Israel in 1933. He studied in various yeshivas in Israel, and was a member of the Palmach from the age of 16. He was drafted into the IDF in February 1948 and during the War of Independence He was wounded twice. He loved the Negev with great love and as a driver he would pass through the desolate Negev roads. He had the love of people, he never took care of his honor, and he was always Simcha and even pleased those around him. A friend of Sde Boker, a secretary and a foreman there. On December 19, 1952, he fell in a battle near Sde Boker, and was brought to rest at the military cemetery in Kfar Warburg, where a three-year-old reading room was opened.