The Office of Staten Island Borough President
02/04/2026 | Press release | Archived content
'His Sacrifice Is Immortalized Forever': Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis Awarded Medal Of Honor
Borough President Vito Fossella visited the home of Linda and Bob Ollis after President Donald Trump called them with the news that he was awarding their son, Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis, with the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest military decoration.
"If there ever was an American hero, a son of Staten Island, it was Michael Ollis," said Borough President Fossella during his visit in a CBS interview.
A graduate of the Petrides School, Staff Sgt. Ollis sacrificed his life while protecting a Polish soldier from a suicide bomber at their base in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom on Aug. 28, 2013. He was only 24.
In the years since, his parents, elected officials and community leaders have advocated for his sacrifice to be officially recognized and honored at the national level.
"SSG Ollis' legacy is one of courage and selflessness," said Borough President Fossella in applauding President Trump's announcement. "With this honor, his sacrifice is immortalized forever as a tremendous example of the enduring American spirit, for many on Staten Island and across the country. To Robert and Linda Ollis, you and Michael deserve this moment many times over."
He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart, the Silver Star, and the Bronze Star, as well as the Polish government's highest military award, the Polish Medal of Honor.
Now, his parents can add the Medal of Honor to the display of awards in their son's childhood bedroom in New Dorp.
"I am extremely proud, but very sad," said Bob Ollis in the CBS interview. "I'd rather have Michael than the medal."
"If there ever was an American hero, a son of Staten Island, it was Michael Ollis," said Borough President Fossella during his visit in a CBS interview.
A graduate of the Petrides School, Staff Sgt. Ollis sacrificed his life while protecting a Polish soldier from a suicide bomber at their base in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom on Aug. 28, 2013. He was only 24.
In the years since, his parents, elected officials and community leaders have advocated for his sacrifice to be officially recognized and honored at the national level.
"SSG Ollis' legacy is one of courage and selflessness," said Borough President Fossella in applauding President Trump's announcement. "With this honor, his sacrifice is immortalized forever as a tremendous example of the enduring American spirit, for many on Staten Island and across the country. To Robert and Linda Ollis, you and Michael deserve this moment many times over."
He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart, the Silver Star, and the Bronze Star, as well as the Polish government's highest military award, the Polish Medal of Honor.
Now, his parents can add the Medal of Honor to the display of awards in their son's childhood bedroom in New Dorp.
"I am extremely proud, but very sad," said Bob Ollis in the CBS interview. "I'd rather have Michael than the medal."
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