Yosef Chogal, Injured Soldier Immortalized in Song, Dies at 80
Translated & summarized from 0404 by baba
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Yosef Chogal, inspiration for "Ballad for a Medic," died at 80.
- He was severely wounded in the Six-Day War in East Jerusalem.
- A medic, Shlomo Epstein, died saving Chogal's life under fire.
- Epstein was posthumously awarded the Medal of Valor.
- Dan Almagor wrote the song about the incident.
Yosef Chogal, the soldier who was severely wounded during the Six-Day War and later became the subject of the well-known song "Ballad for a Medic," passed away on Sunday at his home at the age of 80. Chogal was serving in the reserves with the 55th Paratroopers Brigade at the time of his death.
During the Six-Day War, Chogal fought with the 28th Battalion of the Paratroopers Brigade in East Jerusalem against the Jordanian Legion. He sustained severe injuries during the battle. His company medic, Shlomo Epstein, treated him under fire. When mortar shells landed nearby, Epstein shielded Chogal with his own body to protect him, suffering mortal wounds in the process. Epstein's heroic act saved Chogal's life, and he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Valor for his bravery.
Later, Dan Almagor wrote the song "Ballad for a Medic," which became one of the most recognized memorial songs commemorating the heroism of soldiers and medics on the battlefield.
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