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Medal of Distinguished Service

Hebrew name: Itur HaMofet
This decoration is awarded by the Chief of Staff for an act of exemplary bravery. The Medal of Distinguished Service was instituted by the Law of Decorations in the Israel Defense Forces of 1970. This Law of Decorations relates to acts performed after June 4, 1967, but also to those earlier acts for which the title "Hero of Israel" or the Chief of Staff citation was given.

At a ceremony at the Binyanei Ha'ooma Congress Center in Jerusalem, 12 April 1973, 382 medals of Distinguished Service were presented.
Design:
The medal shows a balanced torch between sword and olive branch, symbolizing controlled strength. The designer was Dan Reisinger. The medal was first minted in 1973 by Kretschmer of Jerusalem and issued by the Israel Government Coins and Medals Corporation. The original medal was made of 25 gr. silver and 43 mm diameter. Most likely no register was kept of the serial numbers of medals awarded, so recipients can not be identified by the serial number.

The ribbon is blue as in the national colors.

Multiple awards:
If justified, more than once the same decoration may be awarded,however no additional medal can be presented. In this case a clasp of a miniature version of the medal should be mounted on the ribbon.

Medal of Distinguished Service twice awarded ribbon

Samples of used ribbons:

Medal of Distinguished Service ribbon sample

Medal of Distinguished Service ribbon sample back

Medal versions found:

		Early version 1 - Minted by Kretschmer Medal: The medal was first minted in 1973 by Kretschmer of Jerusalem and issued by the Israel Government Coins and Medals Corporation. The original medal was made of 25 gr. silver and 43 mm diameter, without silver mark but with serial number (here covered). The reverse of the medal has a screw and nut holding the ribbon that is folded over a bar. Clasp: Dimensions ~40x13 mm. Pin without safety lock. Ribbon width 38 mm Pictures by Igor Ostapenko
		Early version 2 - Minted by Kretschmer Medal: The medal was first minted in 1973 by Kretschmer of Jerusalem and issued by the Israel Government Coins and Medals Corporation. The original medal was made of 25 gr. silver and 43 mm diameter, without silver mark but with serial number (here covered). The reverse of the medal has a screw and nut holding the ribbon that is folded over a bar. Clasp: Dimensions 40.7 x 13.4 mm. Silver mark 925 on lower right corner. Pin with safety lock Ribbon width 38 mm.
		Modern version, pictures from 2001 Medal: nickel The reverse of the medal has a screw and nut holding the ribbon that is folded over a bar. Clasp: Dimensions 41.5 x 15 mm, chrome covered metal. Pin with safety lock. Ribbon width 41 mm.
		Modern version, pictures from 2012 Medal: nickel The reverse of the medal has a screw and nut holding the ribbon. Clasp: Large clasp. Pin with safety lock. Ribbon: the ribbon fits well in the clasp
		Modern version, since about 2012 Medal: nickel Clasp: Large clasp. Clutch back
		Modern version, since about 2022 Medal: nickel The reverse of the medal has a screw and nut holding the ribbon. Clasp: Clutch back

During many years the medal was presented in an olive wood box.

Medal of Distinguished Service in olive wood box

Pictures of the Medal of Distinguished Service and the presentation box as presented in the year 2007, produced by Zechovoy, Israel

Medal of Distinguished Service in presentation box

Medal of Distinguished Service Igor Rothstein

The decoration was awarded in 2007 to Captain Dr. Igor Rothstein, killed in the village of Markhava by terrorists,
during the Second Lebanon War. The medal was presented to his family; his parents as well as his son received the medal.
Medal of Distinguished Service box cover

Medal of Distinguished Service box cover

Medal of Distinguished Service with campaign ribbon

The ribbon of the decoration together with the campaign ribbon, both enamel

Samples of decorated soldiers:

Lieutenant General Ehud Barak, with four Chief Of Staff Citations
and a Medal of Distinguished Service.

Major General Danny Yetom, Medal of Distinguished Service
and three campaign ribbons

More pictures of recipients can be found here.