Berdichevsky Scher, Jose

views updated

BERDICHEVSKY SCHER, JOSE

BERDICHEVSKY SCHER, JOSE (d. 2000), general of the Chilean army born in Santiago (Chile). He realized a brilliant military career. In 1952 he was the personal pilot of President Gabriel Gonzalez Videla and rose to the rank of general in the Air Force, becoming the first Jewish general there. During the military regime of Augusto Pinochet (1973–89) he was named chief of staff of the Air Force, chief of the garrison of Santiago, and a member of the Military Junta. As chief of the garrison of Santiago he commuted death sentences handed down in court martial proceedings. He retired from the Air Force in 1978 and then served as ambassador to Israel.

[Moshe Nes El (2nd ed.)]

About this article

Berdichevsky Scher, Jose

Updated About encyclopedia.com content Print Article