Armored Corps Memorial Site

ARMORED CORPS MEMORIAL SITE
STATE MEDAL 5762/2002
1st in the “Tanks that Made History” Series

Just as the Israeli Air Force controls the skies of the country and protects from above, the Armored Corps ensures ground protection. This series of medals is dedicated to the Armored Corps and salutes “the soldier in the tank” – the tens of thousands of men and women who have served and fought in the Armored Corps since the establishment of the State of Israel. The Armored Corps Memorial Site at Latrun is Israel's official memorial site for fallen soldiers from the Armored Corps. The center of the site includes “The Wall of Names” displaying the names of all the fallen soldiers from the Armored Corps, from the War of Independence to date, “The Hall of Heroes” and “The Tower of Tears”. The site is surrounded by a park with monuments and serves as one of the most diverse tank museums in the world. Nearby there is an educational center for activities related to the heritage and heroism of Israel. There is also a bird-watching facility equipped with radar to track migratory birds. Future plans call for the establishment of a museum that will tell the story of the Armored Corps and serve as a special memorial in honor of the members of the Jewish Brigade who fought along side the allies of World War II.

Obverse: The Tank on the Tower with familiar sites in the background – The Wall of Names, the police barracks from the time of British Mandate and the amphitheater; the inscription “THE ARMOR MEMORIAL SITE” appears in Hebrew to the right of the tower and in English to the left.

Reverse: A war chariot from the Period of Israel’s Kings with the words and source in Hebrew and English “Chariots of Salvation”, “Habakkuk”; the Armed Corps emblem appears in the lower part of the medal.

Edge: State emblem with the words "STATE OF ISRAEL" inscribed in Hebrew on the right and in English on the left; serial number and metal.

Designer: Eliezer Weishoff.

Sculpting and Dies: Tidhar Dagan

Mint: Hecht Ltd., Israel.