Clearing the shadow: Celebrated American Col. David ‘Mickey’ Marcus’s true contribution to the IDF

Yael Driver, daughter of the late Maj.-Gen. Shlomo Shamir, seeks to correct misconceptions about American Col. David 'Mickey' Marcus's role in Israel's War of Independence. Driver argues Marcus's main contribution was converting inexperienced Palmach soldiers to accept regular army discipline, not the heroic feats depicted in the film 'Cast a Giant Shadow'. Marcus adapted US Army manuals for the fledgling IDF.

Yael Driver, daughter of the late Maj.-Gen. Shlomo Shamir, seeks to clarify misconceptions about American Col. David 'Mickey' Marcus's role in Israel's War of Independence. Driver maintains that Marcus's most important contribution was not the dramatic feats depicted in the film 'Cast a Giant Shadow', but rather his work in converting a specific group of IDF soldiers with no regular army experience to accept basic military structures and discipline. Marcus, a West Point graduate and World War II veteran, was recruited by Shamir in January 1948 after the preferred candidate, Maj.-Gen. Ralph C. Smith, declined the offer. Marcus brought US Army training manuals, which were adapted and translated into Hebrew, forming the basis for future IDF manuals. Driver notes that Marcus initially faced skepticism from the informal Palmach soldiers but won them over with his personality and friendly approach.