STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — More than 12 years after sacrificing his life for another soldier’s safety, a Staten Island son has been awarded the Medal of Honor.

President Donald Trump awarded the nation’s highest military decoration posthumously to U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Michael H. Ollis on Tuesday, formally recognizing the Staten Island native’s extraordinary act of heroism during combat in Afghanistan in 2013, officials informed the Advance/SILive.com.

The Medal of Honor was approved following years of advocacy from Ollis’ family, veterans’ organizations, elected officials and members of the Staten Island community.

The decision was confirmed by the White House, said Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, a Republican who represents Staten Island and parts of South Brooklyn, and Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella.

For Ollis’ parents, Robert and Linda Ollis, the announcement brought an emotional sense of closure.

“My husband and myself are thrilled,” Linda Ollis told the Advance/SILive.com Tuesday night. “We’ve been hoping for it for a long time. We’re just so happy right now — we’re overjoyed. We’re so proud, and we want to thank so many people that have been supportive and helped us in this endeavor.”

Ollis, a New Dorp resident, was killed on Aug. 28, 2013, during a Taliban attack on Forward Operating Base Ghazni while serving with Bushmaster Company, 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division. During the assault, Ollis placed himself between a suicide bomber and a Polish allied officer, shielding the officer from the full force of the explosion and sacrificing his own life.

Witnesses have said Ollis’ actions not only saved the life of Polish Army 2nd Lt. Karol Cierpica but also helped preserve the lives of more than 40 military and civilian personnel on the base.

Fossella praised the president’s decision, calling Ollis a hero whose legacy will endure.

“We applaud the decision of President Trump to posthumously award Staff Sergeant Michael H. Ollis, a Staten Island hero who sacrificed his life in Afghanistan to save another, with the Medal of Honor,” Fossella said in a statement.

“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.”

Malliotakis said the White House notified her office of the approval and credited the unrelenting advocacy that helped bring the effort to fruition.

“Staff Sergeant Ollis gave his life to save an allied soldier, and his courage, selflessness and sacrifice represent the very best of our nation,” Malliotakis said.

“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 push to upgrade Ollis’ Distinguished Service Cross gained renewed momentum in 2025, drawing bipartisan support and the backing of the Richmond County American Legion. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth issued a favorable determination, stating Ollis’ actions met the criteria for the Medal of Honor. However, final authority rested with the president.

In July, Sen. Chuck Schumer wrote a letter to Chief of Staff of the Army General Randy A. George, urging the Army to recommend Ollis for the distinction.

“SSG Michael Ollis was among the best that our nation has to offer,” the letter read. “He is the quintessence of what it means to be American, and his life is a testament to the values of the US Army and the United States of America. As such, I urge you to consider upgrading SSG Ollis’ Distinguished Service Cross decoration and recommending him for the Medal of Honor.”

Ollis had previously been awarded the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Audie Murphy Medallion, Polish Armed Forces Gold Medal and the Distinguished Service Cross, which was upgraded from a Silver Star in 2019.

With Tuesday’s decision, Ollis becomes the third Staten Islander to receive the Medal of Honor, joining the Rev. Lt. Vincent R. Capodanno, who was awarded the honor for his actions during the Vietnam War, and World War II soldier Joseph F. Merrell Jr.

“This moment has been a long time coming,” Fossella said. “To Robert and Linda Ollis — you and Michael deserve this many times over.”