Yosef Haguel, Hero of 'Ballad for a Medic,' Dies at 80

Yosef Haguel, the paratrooper whose survival story became famously linked to the song "Ballad for a Medic," has died at the age of 80. Haguel was severely wounded in the battles for Jerusalem during the Six-Day War in June 1967. While serving with the 28th Battalion of the Paratroopers Brigade, he was hit by mortar fire during Jordanian shelling, sustaining severe leg injuries.

Medic Shlomo Epstein rushed to Haguel's aid under heavy fire. As other soldiers sought cover, Epstein refused to abandon the wounded Haguel. When another shell landed nearby, Epstein shielded Haguel with his own body, absorbing the shrapnel and losing his life. Haguel survived.

Epstein was posthumously awarded the Chief of Staff's citation, later upgraded to the Medal of Courage, for his heroic act. Haguel often said of Epstein, "He gave me life." The story became associated with "Ballad for a Medic," written by Dan Almogor and composed by Efi Netzer, with Yehoram Gaon's rendition becoming a well-known Israeli memorial song. Although the song was written before the Six-Day War and not specifically about Haguel and Epstein, the parallels between its lyrics and their story led to the strong public connection.

Haguel named his first son Shlomo, after the medic who saved him, and Epstein's family attended the boy's circumcision. Decades after the war, Haguel continued to serve in the reserves with the 55th Brigade, sharing Epstein's story with younger generations. In 2023, after accumulating over 3,000 reserve duty days, he was promoted to the rank of Rav-Nagad (Master Sergeant Major).