Arieh Atzmoni

Following his discharge from the military, Atzmoni settled in the Hadar neighborhood in Haifa with his wife Lea Atzmoni (née Lustig), and worked as a cab driver. Concurrently, he imported and sold car parts. Later, Atzmoni and his wife established the Haifa branch of the car rental company Hertz, which flourished and brought the family much success and status. The Atzmonis then established their own car rental agency, which was also successful, allowing Atzmoni to use his resources to help the lesser fortunate. After decades of activity, Atzmoni and his wife retired to the 'Ahuza' retirement home. A few years later, Atzmoni's health deteriorated and in March 30, 2005, he passed away at his home, and was buried in Haifa at a military ceremony. He was married and the father of a son and daughter, as well as 4 grandchildren. Atzmoni is the maternal grandfather to noted Israeli comedian, journalist and event organizer Erez Ben-Ari.

In January 1949, Atzmoni's unit was attacked near Rafah. A military car was blocking the artillery's line of sight, preventing an effective response. Atzmoni ran, under heavy fire, and was able to start the car and move it, thus clearing the way for the artillery to act and destroy 18 enemy vehicles. For this he was awarded the Hero of Israel commendation, which is the highest commendation ever awarded by the IDF, and only ever given to 12 soldiers:

After immigrating to Palestine, Atzmoni joined the Jewish Settlement Police and dealt with Naharayim. Following an Arab Legion attack, he retreated with the guards and reached the nearby base of the 12th Battalion of the Golani Brigade. He joined the ranks of the brigade and after a sergeant course was stationed as a company sergeant and served in this position during the 1948 Arab–Israeli War. Later, Atzmoni joined the Artillery corps, where he served in reserves for many years. In 1969, following severe manpower shortage in the IDF, Atzmoni responded to a request by the IDFs Chief of the General Staff and returned for a full year of voluntary service in the Artillery corps.

In September 1948, Atzmoni cleared a fire-focused ammunition box during battle and received a commendation from the brigade commander.

Atzmoni was born Leib Markowicz in Uzhhorod (then in Czechoslovakia, now in Ukraine). During World War II, when he was 13, he left his parents home and lived alone in Budapest. During the Holocaust, his mother and two younger sisters were murdered, while his father, brother and older sister were saved. Later, he was taken to a labor camp in Yugoslavia and worked in copper mining until he was liberated by local partisans, whom he joined in fighting the Germans until his immigration to Palestine in 1944 at age 18. Atzmoni wanted to join the military, but was concerned that his slim figure would cause him to be rejected, and so he presented himself as older by 2 years than he really was.

Arieh Atzmoni (born Leib Markowicz; Hebrew: אריה עצמוני; 2 November 1926 – 30 March 2005) was a Czechoslovak-born, Israeli soldier rewarded with the Hero of Israel.