Tiran 5 Tank

TIRAN 5 TANK
STATE MEDAL 5763/2003
7th 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. During both the Six Day War and the Yom Kippur War, the IDF forces captured a bounty of Soviet-made T54, T55 and T62 tanks, The tanks were modified for use by the IDF, fitted with a 105mm barrel and renamed “Tiran” (tyrant). The tank’s relatively light weight, combined with its ability to maneuver in water, makes it particularly suitable for fording operations.

Obverse: The Tiran 5 in motion along mountainous terrain; the inscription “Tiran 5” appears along the bottom section in Hebrew and English, as well as the inscription “(T-55)”.

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

Engraving: Tidhar Dagan.

Mint: Hecht Ltd., Israel.