Yishai Zimmerman, Last of Unit 101 Fighters, Dies at 93
Translated & summarized from NEWSru Israel by baba
Yishai Zimmerman, a veteran of the legendary Unit 101, died at nearly 93 in Kibbutz Ein Harod Ihud. He served with Ariel Sharon and fought in multiple wars, earning a Medal of Courage. Zimmerman remained in IDF reserves until his 80s and later worked to preserve military history. His initiatives included installing a Kfir jet and returning a historic Uzi submachine gun.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Yishai Zimmerman, a last surviving member of Unit 101, died at nearly 93.
- Zimmerman served with Ariel Sharon in the elite Unit 101, founded in 1953.
- He fought in multiple wars including the Six-Day and Yom Kippur Wars.
- He received a Medal of Courage for actions during Operation "Har Gaash" in 1955.
- Zimmerman remained in IDF reserves until his 80s and worked to preserve military history.
- He initiated the installation of a Kfir jet and the return of a historic Uzi.
Yishai Zimmerman, one of the last surviving members of the elite Unit 101, passed away at nearly 93 years old in Kibbutz Ein Harod Ihud. Born in 1933, Zimmerman was drafted into the Armored Corps in 1952 and later joined Unit 101, established in 1953 under Ariel Sharon. He served alongside Sharon and childhood friend Meir Har Zion.
After Unit 101 was disbanded, Zimmerman continued in reconnaissance and commando units of the Paratroopers. He fought in Operation "Har Gaash" against Egyptian forces in 1955, earning a "Medal of Courage" for his actions. He also participated in the 1956 Sinai Campaign, the 1967 Six-Day War, and the 1973 Yom Kippur War, being wounded in the latter two. During the First Lebanon War in 1982, Zimmerman, a licensed pilot, and another officer commandeered a Cessna from a Beirut airfield to fly to Israel, resulting in a month's imprisonment after landing in Haifa.
Zimmerman remained active in the IDF reserves for decades, most recently driving heavy tank transporters, and continued voluntary service until around age 80. He celebrated his 80th birthday during reserve duty in 2013. In his later years, he dedicated himself to preserving IDF history.
His initiatives included the installation of a decommissioned "Kfir" fighter jet at Kibbutz Ein Harod Ihud in 2021 and the return of a historic "Uzi" submachine gun, gifted by David Ben-Gurion to settlement founder Shlomo Lavi, to the kibbutz in 2023. Zimmerman is survived by six children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren; his son and two grandsons served as Israeli Air Force pilots.
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