Yaakov Dori (1899-1973) was the first Chief-of-Staff of the Israel Defense Force (IDF).
Born in Russia, his family emigrated to Palestine following the anti-Jewish pogrom in Odessa in 1905. Upon completing high school at the Reali School in Haifa, he enlisted in the Jewish Legion of the British Army during World War I. He later joined the Haganah and adopted the underground name of "Dan."
In 1939, Dori was appointed Chief-of-Staff of the Haganah, a position he held until 1946. From 1946 to 1947 he also headed the Palestinian Jewish delegation sent to purchase arms in the United States.
When the IDF was formed, Dori took over as its first Chief-of-Staff. Yet, despite his command and organizational skills, he was already suffering from failing health, and had difficulty commanding his troops during Israel's War of Independence, and was forced to rely heavily on his deputy, Yigael Yadin. He completed his term as Chief-of-Staff on November 9, 1949 and retired from the military. He was succeeded by his deputy, Yadin. Even after his release from the army, however, he continued to wear the officer's pin he was awarded when he first became a second lieutenant.
Upon leaving the IDF, Dori was appointed Chairman of the Science Council, attached to the Prime Minister's Office. He was later made President of the Technion in Haifa, a position he held until 1965.
His son, Yerachmiel Dori, served as commander of the IDF's Engineering Corps.
