Jewish Legion Jubilee

The Jewish Legion Jubilee
State Medal, 5727-1967

'The Mule Drivers Corps", recruited in Egypt from among Palestinian Jews was the original link and it participated in the 1915-16 Galipoli Campaign. Joseph Trumpeldor was the chief instigator in organizing this military unit. Several infantry units, composed of Jewish soldiers were formed in 1917 by the British Army. The first unit was organized through the efforts of Ze'ev Jabotinsky. At the same time, a Jewish legion was organized by Pinchas Rothenberg in the United States. Yitzhak Ben Zvi and David Ben Gurion served in it and came back to Palestine with it. A Jewish Legion was formed by volunteers from the Jewish settlements in Palestine in 1918. Ze'ev Jabotinsky headed the recruitment effort and Eliyahu Golomb was one of its organizers (later, Chief of Hagannah).
At the end of the war, the three units combined to form a Legion "The First Judeans" which was intended to be part of the troops permanently stationed in Palestine. The Legion was dissolved in 1921 as punishment for rushing to the defence of Tel Aviv which was attacked by Arab mobs.

Obverse
A figure of an Israeli soldier and all around a citation: "Armed vanguard of Israel's sons" (Numbers 32:17) in Hebrew and English, the source at the bottom.

Reverse
The three emblems of the Jewish Legion and an inscription "The First Judeans" in Hebrew and English. Beneath, the dates 1917-1967, 5677-5727.

Edge
The State emblem and the words "State of Israel" in Hebrew and English. The silver medals bear "Sterling" in English and "Silver 935" in Hebrew.

Serialization
All medals are numbered. Silver 59mm 10 issued. 6 have been melted.

Designer
The Shamir Brothers.

Engraving
Kretschmer.

Mint
Kretschmer