Capt. Tal Bardugo
Sept 23, 2004 - Capt. Tal Bardugo, 21, of Jerusalem was one of three soldiers killed by Palestinian terrorists, who infiltrated the military post near the community of Morag in the southern Gaza Strip. Two Fatah-related terror groups and the Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for the attack.
Early Thursday morning, several Palestinian terrorists, armed with AK-47 assault riffles and hand grenades, infiltrated the military post near the community of Morag, in southern Gaza. The gunmen infiltrated under cover of the community's greenhouses and opened fire at the soldiers, killing an IDF officer - Capt. Tal Bardugo - and two IDF soldiers - Staff-Sergeants Israel Lutati and Nir Sami. Another IDF soldier and a journalist were wounded in the exchange of fire in which the terrorists were killed.
Tal Bardugo was due to celebrate his 22nd birthday in another week. In March, he was slated to finish his army service as a deputy company commander, but the IDF had asked him to extend his service, and he was considering it. On Wednesday night, he spoke with his girlfriend, Adi Tal, for the last time. The two were planning to be married.
Tal grew up in the Gilo neighborhood of Jerusalem. After high school, he began his army service and was heavily involved in counterterrorism operations. His comrades described him as both brave and popular, the first to volunteer for every mission. "He believed in the State of Israel and the IDF, and when he returned from the army, he always said the streets were more dangerous than his company," said his aunt, Etti Bardugo.
Capt. Tal Bardugo was buried in the Mount Herzl military cemetery in Jerusalem. He is survived by his parents, Maurice and Ronit, and two brothers, Oz, 18, and Or,14, and a sister Shahar, 6.