Col. Shai Siman-Tov ,who was critically wounded during the 2014 Operation Protective Edge in Gaza, was awarded a medal of honor for his successful return to IDF service after recovering from his injury.
"Victory for me is to return to the army, to continue serving in the army, to wear uniforms," Siman-Tov said in a video shown at the annual ceremony honoring disabled IDF veterans. "The fact the commanders decided I could stay in the army, to me, is a badge of honor, and I'm very appreciative."
He went on stage to accept the medal in a wheelchair.
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IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot gives Siman-Tov his new colonel ranks (Photo: IDF Spokesman's Office)
(צילום: דובר צה"ל)
Sima-Tov returned to service in October 2015 at the end of a long rehabilitation and now serves as a team commander at the IDF's tactical command college.
IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot has recently promoted Siman-Tov to colonel in a show of appreciation for his contribution to the army.
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IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot gives Siman-Tov his new colonel ranks (Photo: IDF Spokesman's Office)
(צילום: דובר צה"ל)
Col. Siman-Tov, who was commanding the Golani Brigade's Barak Battalion during the operation, recounted the incident in Gaza City's Saja’iyya neighborhood that led to his injury.
"Our mission was locate an attack tunnel reaching (the Israeli community) Nahal Oz. We managed to locate the tunnel, and I decided to go with my smaller command team to examine the entrance shaft," he said
The tunnel collapsed on top of them. "I didn't believe this could happen to me, certainly not on that day. (A concrete beam) hit my helmet and broke five vertebrae in my spine. I was airlifted in critical condition to the Soroka Medical Center," he continued. "I remember waking up in the hospital. Danielle (his wife) told me I was wounded, and the injury was severe, and I might be left paralyzed."
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Siman-Tov along with two others receives the medal of honor (Photo: Motti Kimchi)
(צילום: מוטי קמחי)
Siman-Tov went on to talk about his rehabilitation. "My first victory was to get back to breathing on my own. I was able to get off the respirator. That is a significant moment in rehabilitation," he said.
The head of the Defense Ministry's Disabled Rehabilitation Division, Hezi Meshita, said at the ceremony, "The message is that one can return to maximum activity after the injury and even more."
Also awarded the Medal of Honor was Anat Yahalom-Rimshon, the first woman to be awarded the medal, who was wounded during the Yom Kippur War from a bomb being dropped by enemy aircraft.
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Siman-Tov along with two others receives the medal of honor (Photo: Motti Kimchi)
(צילום: מוטי קמחי)
In addition, Noah Hertz, a fighter pilot who was returned from captivity, also received the medal after dedicating his life to public service.
Yoav Zitun contributed to this story.