The military committee that examined soldiers' activities during Operation Protective Edge recommended to Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz that the Medal of Courage -- the second highest military honor -- be given to the soldier who ran into a Hamas tunnel to try to save a comrade. Lt. Eitan Fund, 23, of the Givati Brigade's reconnaissance company, endangered his life in an effort to save Lt. Hadar Goldin after Goldin was kidnapped by Hamas terrorists. During a confrontation between IDF soldiers and Hamas in Gaza this summer, Fund noticed a hidden entrance into a tunnel. When Goldin was discovered missing, Fund did not hesitate to run into the tunnel to try to find him, despite the obvious danger. He found some of Goldin's equipment, but nothing more. Goldin was later declared killed in action. The Medal of Courage is granted for "an act of gallantry during combat duty at the risk of one's life." As early as October, Gantz said in an interview with Israel Hayom that he would recommend that some soldiers be honored for their service in the Gaza operation. Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon, who is a relative of Goldin's, said of the soldiers, "The torch they carry was given to them from generations past and they will pass it along to future generations. It is a torch that proudly lights the path of responsibility, leadership, sticking to the mission at hand and willingness to contribute to the greater good, even at the risk of one's life." The committee further recommended that the military grant four Medals of Distinguished Service, 12 Chief Of Staff Citations and 27 citations from GOC Southern Command Maj. Gen. Sami Turgeman for service in the operation. A further 12 citations were recommended for combat units. The IDF Spokesperson's Office released a statement saying, "The recommendations will go before the General Staff Honors Committee and Military Court of Appeals President Maj. Gen. Shai Yaniv, and will require the approval of the chief of staff."
