The sister of a Jewish soldier from Florida killed in action three years ago has launched a project to provide special kippot to all Jewish American servicemen.
Danny Agami, who was nicknamed “GI Jew”, died after being struck by a roadside bomb during a tour of duty in Iraq in 2007.
The 25-year-old, from Florida, had named his US-Army issued yarmulke the “Kombatika”.
Now his younger sister, Shaina, 11, hopes to honour her brother’s memory by issuing Kombatikas to other soldiers. Money raised from sales of the kippah will go to the Aleph Institute, an organisation which helps Jewish military personnel and their families.
In just a few months the project has raised more than £1,200.
She said: “He was in combat, and he wore a kippah, it’s a yarmulke…so it’s called a Kombatica.
“I think Jewish soldiers from around the world from the US Army would be very proud that this has all happened,” said the young girl.
Itzhak Agami, her father, added: “The response has been unbelievable. People are ordering the Kombaticas from all over the world.”
Mr Agami was killed alongside five other soldiers. He was posthumously given the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star and the Army Commendation Medal.
A devoted Jew and Zionist, Mr Agami had also called his rifle “the Hebrew Hammer” and slept with both the American and Israeli flags hung over his bed.