The final number of Israeli dead during the Yom Kippur War and after that has reached 2521 of which 606 (about 24 percent) were officers. The ranks range from Major General to Lieutenants: One General, Abraham Mendler; two Colonels, one of them was a brigade commander in the armored corp which conducted bitter battles with the Syrians in an attempt to contain their advance; 25 Lieutenant-Colonels; 89 Majors; 204 Captains; 248 First Lieutenants; and 37 Lieutenants.
Among the non-commissioned officers killed there were 9 Regimental Sergeant Majors; 96 Sergeant Majors; 543 First Sergeants; 701 Sergeants, and 548 Corporals.
The percentage of officers killed in action is highest ever in Israeli battles. During the Six-Day War, 157 officers were killed of a total of 776. The preparations for the publication of the Sefer Hakedoshim,” book of the fallen, are nearing completion and it will be distributed beginning March 10.
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