Orders, Decorations and Medals

A pair of Israeli commemorative medallions for “Operation Jonathan” - the raid on Entebbe in July 1976:

(a) Circular silver striking, obverse, an aircraft with fuselage in the form of a dagger, and overlaid olive branch, and ‘Operation Jonathan, 4th July 1976’ to lower left field, with matching Hebrew text, reverse, ‘He Sent From Above And Took Me’ and ‘Psalm 18, 17’ to lower left, 58mm. diameter, the edge bearing assorted silver marks, contained in original hinged wooden box of issue, with velvet lined fitted tray, the outer lid with an engraved metalled strip, ‘Mr. & Mrs. Henry Tintner, 22.10.1977’ and facsimile signature of Menachem Begin, extremely fine

(b) Circular bronze striking, obverse, a map showing the distance of the journey undertaken by the Israeli Commandos, and ‘Operation Jonathan To Free The Entebbe Hostages’ to left, with matching Hebrew text, reverse, a Hercules aircraft with the hostages below, arms waving, the date ‘4.7.1976’ above, with related Hebrew text, 58mm. diameter, in its Israel Government Coins, Jerusalem fitted card box of issue, good very fine (2) £400-500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Ron Penhall Collection.

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Due to its legendary status in annals of post-war military achievement, little needs to be said about this spectacular raid on the airport at Entebbe, Uganda, on 4 July 1976, when Israeli Commandos under General Dan Shomron rescued 103 hostages - with just hours to spare before the terrorist deadline expired. But given the presentation format of at least one of these medallions, it is worth speculating whether Dr. & Mrs. Tintner were among the hostages; also sold with a set of uniform ribands, as gifted to Ron Penhall by General Dan Shomron.