The son of Josef and Rachel, Maklouf Maman was born in Zarivel, Algeria, on 17th December 1915. He completed elementary school, and made a living for himself and his family in a successful business that produced sandals, but he was not content with his way of life.
In World War II, he volunteered for the Free French Army to liberate France. He participated in the Tunisian Campaign and then in the invasion of Germany, until the final victory was achieved. Discharged in 1945, he returned to his home and business.
When he learned about Israel’s War of Independence, he volunteered his services. He left his elderly parents (his father was then 80-years-old), and promised them that they would join him in Eretz Yisrael after victory.
He arrived in Israel in June 1948 and was mobilized into the Alexandroni Brigade. On 21st December 1948, he was killed in an accident while carrying out his duties. He was laid to rest on 24th December at the Nachlat Yitzhak military cemetery.
Source: Translated from the Yizkor website by Joe Woolf.