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The White House has approved the Medal of Honor for fallen Army Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis, a Staten Island, New York, native who died in Afghanistan in 2013, while shielding an allied soldier, according to Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, R-N.Y., who said she was notified of the decision in a statement posted to social media.
The decision follows years of advocacy from veterans’ groups, elected officials and the Staten Island community to formally recognize Ollis’ actions, which supporters have long argued met the standard for our nation’s highest military honor.
In a Facebook post, Malliotakis said she had been notified directly by the White House.
“We were notified by the White House that Staten Island’s hometown hero, U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Michael Ollis, has been approved for the Medal of Honor for his extraordinary act of heroism,” Malliotakis wrote.
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Split image of Army Staff Sgt. Michael H. Ollis, of the 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division. Ollis gave his life to protect a Polish soldier during an attack in the Ghazni province, Afghanistan, Aug. 28, 2013. Ollis is being awarded a Medal of Honor. (I Have Your Back/Facebook; DVIDs)
Ollis was killed in Afghanistan on Aug. 28, 2013, when he used his body to shield a Polish Army officer during a suicide bombing. He was 24 years old.
“In 2013, Staff Sergeant Ollis gave his life to save an allied soldier, and his courage, selflessness, and sacrifice represent the very best of our nation,” she continued.
Malliotakis credited years of advocacy efforts, adding: “After years of advocacy from the American Legion, our elected officials, and the Staten Island community, we are grateful to President Donald Trump for recognizing Staff Sergeant Ollis’ extraordinary heroism with our nation’s highest military honor.”
The Medal of Honor is the nation’s highest military decoration and is awarded for acts that go above and beyond the call of duty. While the standards for awarding the medal have evolved over time, it has always recognized “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life,” according to the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.
The current criteria were established in 1963 during the Vietnam War.
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Brig. Gen. Eric Riley, deputy commanding general, 10th Mountain Division, poses with soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division, and uniformed students from the Staff Sgt. M. Ollis Junior Training Corps in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier after a wreath laying ceremony in Warsaw, Poland, Aug. 28, 2023. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Devin Klecan)
Under those standards, the medal may be awarded for actions taken against an enemy of the U.S., during military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force, or while serving alongside friendly foreign forces engaged in armed conflict in which America is not a belligerent party.
Awarding the Medal involves a rigorous review process. Each recommendation requires detailed reports on the act itself and battlefield conditions, at least two sworn eyewitness statements, and additional corroborating evidence.
Recommendation packets must be approved through the full military chain of command before reaching the president, who serves as commander-in-chief.
Federal law also imposes strict timelines on the process, with recommendations requiring submission within three years of the valorous act and the medal awarded within five years. Any submission outside those limits requires an act of Congress to waive time restrictions.
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Army Staff Sgt. Michael Harold Ollis’ parents, Robert and Linda Ollis, sister Kelly Manzolillo, and the Polish Army officer whose life he saved, Lt. Karol Cierpika, joined to unveil his portrait and memorial plaque tribute during a ceremony renaming the dining facility the Staff Sgt. Michael Harold Ollis Warrior Grill, Oct. 27, 2023, at Camp Kosciuszko, Poland. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Sgt. Karen Sampson)
Ollis’ family also addressed the reports in a statement shared by the SSG Michael Ollis Freedom Foundation.
“We are extremely grateful to the President of the United States for recognizing the heroism of our son, U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis, with the Medal of Honor,” the statement said. “Knowing that Michael’s life, legacy and final act of courage have not been forgotten leaves us with a feeling of overwhelming pride and eternal gratitude.”
The statement also thanked supporters in a separate statement who have advocated for the recognition.
“We also greatly appreciate the letters, emails and phone calls of support from government and military officials, local leaders, non-profit organizations and the many friends we are blessed to know here in Staten Island and beyond. It is deeply moving to know that you haven’t forgotten Michael or our family.”
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Fox News Digital has reached out to the White House and the Department of War for additional details regarding the Medal of Honor process, including timing and ceremony plans.
The Ollis family did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for additional comment.
