St.-Sgt. Nadav Kudinski

Dec 7, 2004 - St.-Sgt. Nadav Kudinski, 20, of Kiryat Gat, of the IDF Oketz canine unit, was killed by a bomb, along with his dog, when a booby-trapped chicken coup exploded northwest of the Karni Corssing in the Gaza Strip.

The explosion occurred before dawn as infantry soldiers from the Golani Brigade were searching an area several hundred meters from the Israel-Gaza border fence for weapons and terrorists. St.-Sgt. Kudinski, who served in the IDF canine unit, was hit by the bomb as he searched a booby-trapped chicken coop. Both he and his dog Diablo died before his comrades managed to pinpoint their location. Four soldiers were wounded in the exchange of fire while evacuating Kudinski. Hamas claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it had planted roadside bombs and land mines in the coop and detonated them as the soldiers approached.

A tunnel dug in the direction of Israel from inside the chicken coop was uncovered, apparently to smuggle terrorists into Israel to carry out attacks. The tunnel, containing electrical wires, was neutralized by IDF forces.

Nadav's uncle, Natan Kudinski, Director of the Magen David Adom Training Department, relates that his nephew wanted to follow in the footsteps of his father, who served as an officer in the Armored Corps. "Nadav grew up in a family which saw the army and the State of Israel as an integral part of their lives," Natan said. But Nadav, who loved animals, chose to serve in the IDF's Oketz, or Stinger, dog-handling unit. Nadav grew very attached to the dog with which he was paired, and he boasted about his dog's extraordinary accomplishments and loyalty to all who would listen.

Nadav also had a dog at his home, Lucy, that he loved very much. "It is very hard to explain his love for dogs," Nadav's uncle said. "He always talked about his warm connection with his dog, and with a twinkle in his eye would say, 'He always does what I ask.' His pet dog at home, Lucy, is sad. She can tell that something bad has happened."

"Nadav was special," added his uncle. "His army training was long and difficult, but he never complained. He never spoke about what he did in the army, which he kept secret. He loved the country, and spent every vacation hiking throughout Israel, from north to south." His local school principal, Leon Lederman, described him as an excellent student and a good friend.

Nadav's father, Hanoch, said, "Our parents are Holocaust survivors and Nadav was the only one of his generation who bore the family name, Kudinski. Who will carry on the family name?" Nadav had no brothers and no male cousins who carry the Kudinski name.

St.-Sgt. Nadav Kudinski was buried in the military cemetery in Kiryat Gat. He is survived by his parents, Hanoch and Hadassah, and two sisters, Ravit and Hila.