IDF tank commander killed in Lebanon leaves wife and two daughters

Lt. Col. Dor Ben Shimon, commander of the IDF’s 52nd Battalion in the 401st Armored Brigade, was killed overnight Thursday to Friday in Lebanon when a suspicious projectile hit the tank he was in. He is survived by his wife and two daughters. He had taken command of the battalion only about two months ago, in April, after his predecessor was seriously wounded.

Ben Shimon grew up in the Armored Corps and spent most of his service in important command roles there. The IDF said he led soldiers and officers in a series of operational posts. He later served as head of the Northern Command commander’s office during Operation Northern Arrows until residents were allowed to return, and finished that job in August. After that he attended a command and staff course, then returned to field command in April as battalion commander.

Military officials said that when needed, “Dor stepped under the burden and took command of the battalion in difficult moments of fighting.” They added that he “stood out for his professionalism and leadership” and that he fell in battle while leading his men on the front line, together with his tank crew, three other fighters who were killed alongside him.

The Jezreel Valley Regional Council, where he lived in Kibbutz Beit She'an, also paid tribute, saying he had taken command during intense fighting after the previous commander was badly wounded and had led his troops with determination, exceptional courage, and unusual responsibility. His wife serves as a combat officer in the Combat Intelligence Corps and received a Chief of Staff commendation only a month ago. His funeral is scheduled for today at 2:00 p.m. at the cemetery in Beit She'an.