Captivity survivor Corporal Mia Leimberg was selected as the President's Distinguished Servicewoman at a ceremony held at the President's House as part of the 78th Independence Day events for the State of Israel.
Laimberg, who was kidnapped on October 7 from her home in Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak, was held captive by Hamas for 53 days alongside her mother and aunt.
Leimberg, who chose to enlist in the Air Force after her release from captivity, is among 120 soldiers and officers who received the President's Distinguished Service Medal, for their dedication, professionalism, and significant contribution to service in the IDF.
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The description of her choice stated: "A graduate of the training course in the Intelligence Branch, she currently serves as an information analyst in the Ofek 324 unit in the Air Force. Upon her release from captivity and return to Israel, she chose to enlist in significant service in the IDF and integrate into the technological-operational system of the Air Force. She is valued by her commanders as a high-quality and professional soldier who is a symbol of heroism, a choice in life, and an uncompromising contribution.".
The ceremony was pre-recorded in the presence of only the families of the honorees, and was held under the IDF's information security restrictions - without revealing the faces of the honorees.
