Militaryיעקב חץ

Yaakov Hetz

Yaakov Hetz was an IDF soldier who received the Medal of Courage for his actions in the battle of Ammunition Hill during the Six-Day War.

1946 to 2026The battle of Ammunition HillMedal of Courage recipientIsrael Defense Prize

Born: 6 February 1946, Tel Aviv
Died: 6 October 2026
Occupation: military personnel
Rank: rav seren
Wars: Six-Day War, Yom Kippur War

Yaakov Hetz was born in 1946 in Tel Aviv

Yaakov Hetz was born on February 6, 1946, in Tel Aviv, where he grew up. He attended Yehuda HaMaccabi elementary school and Ironi D high school.

He served in the Paratroopers Brigade and later studied at the Technion. As a reservist in Battalion 66 of Brigade 55, he fought at Ammunition Hill in the Six-Day War. He took up a bazooka, led his platoon to a fortified bunker, fought there alone for several minutes, and the bunker was then blown up with explosives.

His action was commemorated in Yoram Taharlev's song Ammunition Hill. He later completed an officers course and commanded a platoon in Sinai during the Yom Kippur War.

He worked at Rafael and received the Israel Defense Prize in 1982. He was active in passing on the heritage of the battle for Jerusalem and lit a torch on Independence Day in 2017. He was married, a father of 8, lived in Yokneam, and died on October 6, 2026.

Yaakov Hetz's life in 5 milestones

1946
Born in Tel Aviv.
1982
Received the Israel Defense Prize for his work at Rafael.
2012
Received a certificate of appreciation from the Southern Command chief for rescuing a wounded soldier at the Chinese Farm.
2017
Lit a torch at the Independence Day ceremony.
2026
Died.

Yaakov Hetz served in Paratroopers Brigade

He served in the Paratroopers Brigade and, as a reservist in Battalion 66 of Brigade 55, fought at Ammunition Hill in the Six-Day War, earning the Medal of Courage. In the Yom Kippur War he commanded a platoon in Battalion 564 of Brigade 55 and fought in Sinai.

Paratroopers Brigade