Moshe Levy

MOSHE LEVY
OFFICIAL MEDAL 2008/5769
Eighth Medal in the “CHIEFS OF STAFF OF THE ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES” Series

Moshe Levy was born in Tel Aviv in 1936, the son of Iraqi immigrants. Even as a youth his height earned him the nickname “Moshe VaHetzi” - “Moshe and A Half”. He began his army service in 1954 in the Golani Brigade, and then transferred to Paratroopers where he served for most of his years in the IDF. Interestingly, he was the first Chief of Staff to begin his military service in the IDF, rather than in one of the pre-state defense groups. In the 1956 Sinai Campaign he served as battalion commander in the first operational combat parachute jump at the Mitle Pass.
During the 1967 Six Day War, Moshe Levy was a senior commander of the paratroopers in Sinai and later on the Golan Heights. In 1968 he was appointed commander of the paratroopers in the Jordan Valley and personally took part in actions against terrorist infiltrators from Jordanian territory.
Rising steadily in the command hierarchy, Moshe Levy served as Commander of the Central Region of the IDF from 1977-1981, and from 1981-1983 as Head of Operations and Deputy Chief of Staff. He became the 12th IDF Chief of Staff in April 1983, at the height of the war in Lebanon. Under his command, in 1983 the army withdrew south of the Awalli River and in 1985, in accordance with a government decision, to a security zone north of the Israeli border. As COS he was instrumental in establishing a united Ground Command for all field forces (infantry, paratroop, artillery, armor, engineer and field intelligence) and for supplying them with the most up-to-date weaponry. He retired from the IDF in 1987 after 33 years of active service.
After leaving the army he was a member of the Board of Directors of the Israel Aircraft Industries, the Israel Electric Company, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Trans-Israel Highway. He died in January 2008.

Obverse: On the medal face, the likeness of Lieutenant General Moshe Levy.

Reverse: "Chief of Staffs of the Israel Defense Forces".

Edge: All medals have smooth edges.

Designer: Igal Gabay.

Engraving: Slovakia.

Mint:
Bronze and Silver medals: Slovakia.
Gold medal: ICMC Mint.