01In brief
Uri Dahan (1954–1983) was an Israeli soldier and youth counselor who served in the Israel Defense Forces Engineering Corps and later in infantry reserve service, and was killed in action during the First Lebanon War. Born in Tel Aviv on November 3, 1954, he is commemorated on the Izkor memorial site of the Israel Ministry of Defense. His commander remembered him as a central and well-liked figure in his company, citing his warmth and near-constant smile.
02Early Life and Education
Uri Dahan was born in Tel Aviv on November 3, 1954, to Hana and David, as the youngest child in his family.[1] He attended the Tachkemoni elementary school and Municipal High School V in Tel Aviv, before leaving school after two years and relocating to Kibbutz Beit Alfa.[1] There he worked, studied, and completed his secondary education.[1]
03Military Service
Dahan enlisted in the Israel Defense Forces at the beginning of November 1972 and was assigned to the Engineering Corps.[1] He completed both sapper and squad-commanders courses, and served with his unit during the Yom Kippur War, earning the campaign ribbon and the operational service ribbon.[1] He finished his compulsory service holding the rank of sergeant.[1]
Following his compulsory service, Dahan was called up for annual reserve duty in an infantry battalion.[1] During the First Lebanon War he was deployed twice and returned safely from both tours.[1] On his third deployment—approximately two and a half months after the death of his father—he was killed in battle in Lebanon on April 29, 1983.[1] He was buried in the Holon Military Cemetery and was survived by his mother, one brother, and one sister.[1]
04Work with Youth in Distress
After leaving the IDF, Dahan worked in a printing house while simultaneously dedicating himself to mentoring young people in difficult circumstances.[1] He organized sports and social activities for children, and for five years served as a counselor at the Beit Hadar boarding school in Havatzelet HaSharon.[1] He spent his entire salary on candy and toys for the children in his care and regularly invited children from broken families to stay at his home on weekends and holidays.[1]
Beyond his formal role, Dahan played football and basketball, participated in folk-dance groups, and was a keen listener of music—qualities that made him a natural and beloved presence among the young people he worked with.[1] A radio program later profiled his life through the voices of children he had mentored, and his family published a memorial booklet in his honor titled Uri.[1]
05Legacy
In a condolence letter sent to Dahan's family, his military commander described him as central to the life of the company and exceptionally well liked.[1] The commander attributed Dahan's standing in the unit to his good nature, his nearly constant smile, and his consistently warm and friendly manner.[1] Dahan is memorialized on the Izkor, Israel Ministry of Defense commemoration site, which records his life and military service.[1]
Sources
- 1Izkor, Israel Ministry of Defense commemoration site (accessed September 16, 2026)
IsraelPedia Question & Answers
Who was Uri Dahan?
Uri Dahan (1954–1983) was an Israeli soldier and youth counselor who served in the Israel Defense Forces Engineering Corps and later in infantry reserve service. He was born in Tel Aviv on November 3, 1954, and was killed in action during the First Lebanon War. He is commemorated on the Izkor memorial site of the Israel Ministry of Defense, and his commander remembered him as a central and well-liked figure in his company, known for his warmth and near-constant smile.
What did Uri Dahan do after completing his military service?
After leaving the IDF, Uri Dahan worked in a printing house while dedicating himself to mentoring young people in difficult circumstances. For five years he served as a counselor at the Beit Hadar boarding school in Havatzelet HaSharon, organizing sports and social activities for children, spending his entire salary on candy and toys for those in his care, and regularly inviting children from broken families to stay at his home on weekends and holidays.
What did Uri Dahan do during his compulsory military service?
Uri Dahan enlisted in the Israel Defense Forces at the beginning of November 1972 and was assigned to the Engineering Corps. He completed both sapper and squad-commanders courses and served with his unit during the Yom Kippur War, earning the campaign ribbon and the operational service ribbon. He finished his compulsory service holding the rank of sergeant.
How was Uri Dahan killed during the First Lebanon War?
Uri Dahan was called up for reserve duty in an infantry battalion during the First Lebanon War and was deployed three times. He returned safely from his first two tours, but was killed in battle in Lebanon on April 29, 1983, during his third deployment — approximately two and a half months after the death of his father. He was buried in the Holon Military Cemetery.
How is Uri Dahan remembered and commemorated?
Uri Dahan is memorialized on the Izkor, the Israel Ministry of Defense commemoration site, which records his life and military service. His military commander described him in a condolence letter as central to the life of his company and exceptionally well liked, attributing this to his good nature, nearly constant smile, and warm and friendly manner. A radio program later profiled his life through the voices of children he had mentored, and his family published a memorial booklet in his honor titled Uri.