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Ya'akov Dori, the son of Zvi and Miriam Dostrovsky from Odessa, emigrated to Palestine with his family in 1904. He married Badana and they had a daughter and two sons. Dori was buried in Haifa with full military honors.
Dori's life story mirrors the story of the Jewish military organization for the defense of the Jewish population in Palestine - the Hagana. After serving with the British Army during the First World War his career led to active duty in the Hagana. During the "Arab Revolt" Dori was involved with all Hagana's activities and took part in the "Chanita", "Wingate", "Wall and Watchtower", and "Clandestine Immigration" operations. He headed the Hagana's Mission to the U.S.A. Towards the end of the British Mandate he commanded all Hagana's Forces.
With the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, Ya'akov Dori was appointed the first Chief of Staff of Israel Defense Forces.
He was Chief of Staff during the War of Independence. Under the direction of David Ben-Gurion, Dori was charged with mobilizing, organizing, instructing and commanding the forces with most limited resources in the battle for Israel's survival.
Dori retired from IDF after the armistice agreements in 1950 and became the President of the Technion. He himself graduated in engineering from Ghent University, Belgium in 1925.
Dori left his mark on the character of the new Israeli regular army and in determining its characteristics he was attentive to past experience. As a man and commander he instilled into his soldiers profound respect for men and a spirit of devotion to fulfilling duty with integrity, solemnity and loyalty.
General (Rtd) Shlomo Shamir
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