Dan Shomron
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Lt. Gen. Dan Shomron | |
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| Born | August 5, 1937 Ashdot Ya'akov, Mandatory Palestine |
| Died | February 26, 2008 (aged 70) Herzliya, Israel |
| Allegiance |  Israel |
| Service |  Israel Defense Forces |
| Years of service | 1955–1991 |
| Rank |  Rav Aluf (highest rank) |
| Commands | Nahal Brigade, Paratroopers Brigade, Commander GOC Army Headquarters, Commander of the IDF |
| Battles / wars | Suez Crisis Six-Day War War of Attrition Yom Kippur War Operation Entebbe 1982 Lebanon War South Lebanon conflict First Intifada |
| Awards | Medal of Distinguished Service |
| Other work | Chairman of Israeli Military Industries |
Lt. Gen. Dan Shomron (Hebrew: דן שומרון) (August 5, 1936 in Kibbutz Ashdot Yaakov – February 26, 2008) was the 13th Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), from 1986 to 1991.
Shomron first saw combat in the 1956 Sinai campaign. During the Six-Day War, he commanded a unit on the Egyptian front, and was the first paratrooper to reach the Suez Canal. He was decorated with the Medal of Distinguished Service for this action.
In 1974, Shomron received the command over the Infantry Corps and Paratroopers Brigade of the IDF. He planned and commanded Operation Entebbe in 1976, during which Yonatan Netanyahu (brother of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu) was killed fulfilling his duty as breaching force commander.[1] Although Shomron was proclaimed a hero for that role, he did not always feel comfortable with that appellation, saying
I also felt some kind of envy from the military and it was not comfortable for me. Around the world, until today, they look at me like something from a different world, a super super-hero, something not natural. I don't like that feeling of being an advertisement.
When asked what he most remembered about Operation Entebbe and the rescuing of the hostages, he said,
When the hostages board the evacuation plane, are helped up, each one checking his family that everyone is present. That was a strong moment that I can't forget.
In 1978, Shomron was in charge of the evacuation and dismantling of Yamit and army bases in the Sinai Peninsula, which occurred within the framework of the Camp David Accords with Egypt.
In 1983, Shomron established the ground forces command, to be in charge of the infantry, tanks, artillery and engineer corps. He was its first commander.
In 1986, Shomron became the 13th Chief of Staff of the IDF, holding this position until 1991. After finishing his term, he served as the Chairman of the Israeli Military Industries.
Shomron died on February 26, 2008, from complications of a brain aneurysm three weeks earlier. He was 70 years old.[2][3]
Shomron was played by Harris Yulin in the film Victory at Entebbe (1976). He was portrayed by Charles Bronson in Raid on Entebbe (1977).
See also
References
- ^ The Forgotten Hero of Entebbe Ma'ariv, 16 June 2006
- ^ Former chief of staff Dan Shomron dies at the age of 70[permanent dead link] The Jerusalem Post, 26 February 2008
- ^ Dan Shomron, ex-IDF chief and Entebbe raid commander, dies at 70 Haaretz, 26 February 2008
External links
- Obituary, The Guardian, 27 February 2008
- Obituary, The Times, 27 February 2008
- Obituary, The Daily Telegraph, 29 February 2008
- Obituary, The Independent, 10 March 2008
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