A Fort Drum soldier and Staten Island native killed in action in 2013 has been posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis, who put himself between a suicide bomber and a wounded Polish officer in Afghanistan while serving with the 10th Mountain Division — saving the officer’s life — was honored at the White House with both his family and the Polish officer on hand Monday.

What You Need To Know

Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis, a Fort Drum soldier and Staten Island native killed in action in 2013 has been posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor

Ollis, who put himself between a suicide bomber and a wounded Polish officer in Afghanistan while serving with the 10th Mountain Division — saving the officer’s life — was honored at the White House with both his family and the Polish officer on hand Monday

He was awarded a Silver Star by the U.S. Army and Fort Drum a few months after his death

As a staff sergeant at Forward Operating Base Ghazni, Ollis was a skilled infantryman who led soldiers during an attack on the base by enemy combatants on Aug. 28, 2013.

Ollis, 24 at the time, first directed soldiers to a bunker before returning to the building where they had been to check for any more endangered people, according to his citation. He came upon a Coalition Forces officer from Poland. They moved toward combatants who breached the base perimeter and joined other coalition forces.

During fighting, one enemy combatant came upon Ollis and the Polish officer.

“With complete disregard for his own safety, he positioned himself between the insurgent and the Coalition Forces Officer, who had been wounded and unable to walk,” his commendation reads. “Staff Sergeant Ollis fired on the insurgent and incapacitated him, but as he approached the insurgent, the latter’s suicide vest was denotated, mortally wounding him.”

“Michael saw the pillar of white smoke rising and ran to join the fight … wearing almost no gear,” said President Donald Trump during the ceremony. “No one was more brave than that.”

Ollis was awarded a Silver Star by the U.S. Army and Fort Drum a few months after his death.

The officer Ollis saved, Lt. Karol Cierpica, spoke briefly, referring to Ollis’ family as “my second family.” Cierpica’s wife gave birth to a son in 2015, who is named Michael in Ollis’ honor.

“My greatest gift is to cultivate the memory of true heroic courage that I witnessed by your son Michael,” Cierpica said to Ollis’ family.

In a statement after the White House ceremony, U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand said Ollis represents the very best of the U.S. and New York.

“His bravery, valor, and selfless sacrifice will forever stand as a testament to the courage of our armed forces and the strength of the American spirit,” she said.