Frank Sinatra has been awarded the annual Medallion of Valor by the State of Israel for his “unprecedented humanitarian efforts.” The award was presented here several days ago at a dinner in his honor sponsored by the Los Angeles Committee for Israel Bonds. Baron Edmond de Rothschild, French financier and philanthropist, made the presentation. Gov. Ronald Reagan acted as honorary chair man. Actor Burt Lancaster was master of ceremonies. Heading the list of local, state and federal leaders at the dinner, attended by more than 1500 persons, was Vice President Spiro Agnew.
“By bestowing this Medallion of Valor,” Rothschild said, “we are offering you our biggest title, and, if you will allow me to say so, our brotherhood.” Sinatra said he was “pleased to be honored by a nation of people who yearn for peace with dignity and who treasure justice and morality.” Agnew said Sinatra had “earned the distinction of a humanitarian,” and “we honor you for your contributions to the freedom of Israel.”
A Frank Sinatra Youth Center has been established in Nazareth, Israel, under the sponsorship of the Israeli Labor Organization, Histadrut. Sinatra has endowed annual scholarships for many of the center’s children. He has been prominently active in the National Conference of Christians and Jews and an avid supporter of Israel Bonds for many years, Bond officials said.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
