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The Chief Of Staff Medal of Appreciation (Hebrew: אות הערכה מטעם הרמטכ"ל) is an Israeli military decoration.
The medal was instituted in 1981. It is awarded to both civilians and military personnel who contribute to the strengthening of the IDF or the security of Israel; the medal could also be awarded to foreign civilians.
The medal's most well-known recipient is the Israeli astronaut Ilan Ramon, who was awarded the medal posthumously after his death during a mission of the Space Shuttle Columbia.
It has since been given 9 times; 4 posthumously, 2 group awards (Iron Dome and Patriot missile defense soldiers), and the rest to individuals (most of them American).
Design
The medal is round; on the front there is a Star of David with an olive branch and a sword rest on its left; the reverse is plain.
The medal is attached to a white ribbon with two blue strips on the edges, similar to those on the Israeli flag.