Yosef Haguel, Paratrooper Whose Story Inspired Famous Song, Dies at 80

Yosef Haguel, a paratrooper who was severely wounded in the Six-Day War battles for Jerusalem and whose rescue story became associated with the song "Ballad for a Medic," has died at the age of 80. Haguel fought in the 28th Battalion of the Paratroopers Brigade in the Jerusalem battles in June 1967. During Jordanian shelling, he was hit by a mortar shell, sustaining severe injuries to both legs.

Medic Shlomo Epstein reached Haguel and began treating him amidst ongoing fire. As others sought cover, Epstein refused to leave the wounded Haguel behind. When another shell landed nearby, Epstein shielded Haguel with his body, absorbing the shrapnel and losing his life, while Haguel survived. Epstein was posthumously awarded the Chief of Staff's citation, later upgraded to the Medal of Courage.

Haguel often said of Epstein, "He gave me my life." The story became linked with "Ballad for a Medic," written by Dan Almogor and composed by Efi Netzer, with Yehoram Gaon's rendition becoming a well-known memorial song in Israel. However, the song was written before the Six-Day War and not specifically about Haguel and Epstein; the similarity between its lyrics and their heroic story connected them in the Israeli consciousness.

Haguel's eldest son, born four years after the battle, was named Shlomo in honor of the medic who saved his life, with the Epstein family attending the 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).