Tamari was drafted into the IDF in 1954. He volunteered as a
paratrooper in the
Paratroopers Brigade. He served as a soldier and a
squad leader and took part in the
Reprisal operations. In 1956 he became an infantry officer after completing
Officer Candidate School and returned to the Paratroopers Brigade as a
platoon leader. On 10 October 1956, during Operation Samaria, in which the Paratroopers Brigade attacked the Jordanian military stronghold in
Qalqilya, Tamari's force was separated from the main force and came under heavy attack. Tamari showed extraordinary bravery and his force repelled the Jordanian force. For his actions he was decorated with the
Medal of Courage. Tamari fought in the 1956
Sinai War and was wounded during the battle for
Mitla Pass. Afterwards he led a paratrooper company and the Brigade's
reconnaissance company. He was appointed commander of
Sayeret Matkal, and led its men during
clandestine operations and in the
Samu Incident. For his actions as the commander of Sayeret Matkal Tamari received two
Chief of Staff (Ramatkal) Citations. During the
Six-Day War he commanded a reserve Paratroopers battalion. He later commanded the
401st Armored Brigade. During the
Yom Kippur War Tamari served as the deputy commander of the
162nd Division. After the war he commanded the 162nd Division and served as the first Chief
Intelligence Officer. He retired in 1979 in the rank of brigadier general. Tamari hold a
Ph.D. from
University of Haifa in
military history. ==References==