Yitzhak Kat

Yitzhak Kat was born in 1931 in Haifa

Yitzhak Kat was born in Haifa on January 10, 1931, to Yehudit and Yirmiyahu, who had immigrated from Russia and worked as manual laborers. He grew up on HaNevi'im Street and sailed boats with friends from childhood. At 17 he joined the Palyam.

In 1949 he entered a naval officers course and was commissioned in 1950. He was then one of 6 young officers sent to the French naval academy École Navale in Brest, and he signed on for 9 years of service.

After returning in 1955 he served on the frigate INS Mivtach and then on the destroyer INS Yafo, taking part in the Sinai War. In 1960 he took command of Torpedo Boat Flotilla 914 in Haifa. In 1966 he became commander of INS Yafo and led it in the Six-Day War, including the Port Said operation.

From July 1972 he headed the Navy's personnel department, including during the Yom Kippur War, and retired in 1975. He then worked at Tadiran, mainly managing projects for the Singapore Navy.

He married Rina Mintzer in 1955, and they had 3 daughters. He died at his home in Rosh HaAyin on February 3, 2021.