Maj.-Gen. Yoav Galant, Head of IDF Southern Command, awarded a posthumous Head of Regional Command Citation (Tzalash Aluf Pikud) to the parents of First Sgt. Yedidya Geffen. Geffen was a Company Medic who was killed while treating wounded soldiers under fire in Lebanon, in the year 2000.
Maj.-Gen. Galant hands award to Geffen's parents (IDF website)
“A platoon from the ‘palchod’ company went on a path-clearing patrol near the outpost where we served,” Lt. Col. Yehuda HaCohen recalled in the ceremony. “It was hit by an explosive device and nine soldiers were hurt, including the Company Sergeant and the force commander. Yedidya began treating the wounded and a short time later, Hizbullah began firing mortars at the forces that showed up on the scene, making it more difficult to carry out extrication.”
Yedidya Geffen (L). Photo from Yedidya Geffen memorial site.
“Seven more soldiers were hurt by the shelling but the extrication continued,” he said. “In the end, Yedidya was killed by one of the shells in the course of treating the wounded. He carried out his duty while displaying courage and personal sacrifice, and chose not to take cover but to continue to treat his friends. This behavior is worthy of citation. He was able to save lives in this way.”
The citation to First Sgt. Yedidya Geffen was awarded in the course of an event last week at Ramat Efal, which honored the soldiers of Givati Regiment who were wounded since the 1980s, when the purple-beret regiment was re-established. In attendance, besides Galant, were Chief Infantry and Paratroopers Officer Brig.-Gen. Yossi Bachar, Regiment Commander Col. Ilan Malka and other commanders.
Photo from Yedidya Geffen memorial site.
“For one evening, an entire regiment gathered in order to salute those upon whose valor the regiment was established,” said Col. Malka.
Yedidya was a graduate of Paul Himmelfarb High School in Jerusalem.