STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Borough President Vito Fossella penned a letter to President Donald Trump on Thursday, conveying support for the latest push to posthumously honor U.S. Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis, a New Dorp resident killed in 2013 during the War on Terror, with the Medal of Honor.
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the U.S.
“He is remembered by many Staten Islanders for the example of his sacrifice, his selflessness and unyielding commitment to defending this country until the very end,” Fossella’s letter read, in part. “In fact, his former high school, the Michael J. Petrides School, adopted a motto in his living memory – “Live Like Mike” – sharing his example of leading from the front and putting others before oneself for Staten Island’s youth. I am humbled to have shared a long friendship with Robert and Linda Ollis, patriotic Americans who live their lives with the legacy of their son in their minds and hearts every day.”
“I am deeply appreciative of the friendship I have developed with you over the years, and our shared dedication as public servants to the advancement of our country,” the letter added. “Your tremendous and unwavering support for the military and your successful efforts to bring about peace around the globe are emblematic of the American spirit. Staff Sergeant Ollis embodied that very spirit – endurance, courage, selflessness and loyalty to our principles – in his service and in giving the ultimate sacrifice.”
It’s the borough president’s hope that Ollis is awarded the distinction so that “his name and legacy may be kept alive for generations to come, that they may learn from the example set by a true American hero.”
Ollis died in 2013 during a Taliban raid on Forward Operating Base Ghazni in Afghanistan.
A renewed Staten Island effort
Fossella is among the leaders who have expressed support for the latest effort to honor Staff Sgt. Ollis. The effort began last summer, when the Richmond County American Legion penned a resolution advocating Ollis’ Distinguished Service Cross be upgraded to the Medal of Honor.
In July, U.S. 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.
The recommendation worked its way up the chain of command, finding itself before Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.
Hegseth wrote a letter to Schumer, a New York Democrat, in December, informing the Senate minority leader that he believed Ollis’ actions merit the Medal of Honor award.
“I am writing to inform you of my favorable determination regarding the award of the Medal of Honor to Staff Sergeant Michael H. Ollis, U.S. Army,” Hegseth’s letter read in part. “I reviewed a recommendation from the Secretary of the Army to upgrade the Distinguished Service Cross awarded to Staff Sergeant Ollis, to the Medal of Honor, for his valorous actions on August 28, 2013 during Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. After giving the recommendation careful consideration, I agree that Staff Sergeant Ollis’ actions merit award of the Medal of Honor.”
The final determination on whether or not Ollis receives the Medal of Honor now rests with President Trump.
This photo from 2019 shows the Distinguished Service Cross, the second highest military award that can be given to a member of the United States Army. It was awarded posthumously, to the family of Staff Sgt. Michael H. Ollis who earned the award for extraordinary heroism in Afghanistan on Aug. 28, 2013.(Advance/SILive.com | Jan Somma-Hammel)
Bob Ollis, Michael’s father, discussed the renewed effort with the Advance/SILive.com in August.
“You got a mom and a dad who lost their child, and everybody wants to honor him…,” he said. “You have no idea what that feels like.”
“I can’t thank them (Schumer, Morano, the Richmond County American Legion) enough. We hope and we pray. It’s up to God now to push it through,” he added.
The ultimate sacrifice
As previously noted in Schumer’s letter, at the time of his death, Ollis, 24, was serving as a squad leader in Bushmaster Company, 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division during his third combat deployment.
On Aug. 28, the base came under fire and Ollis mobilized the men under his command to a secure location and “without pause or hesitation answered the call to duty” and advanced towards the assailants, according to Schumer’s letter.
Ollis rallied with coalition forces, among them Polish Officer 2nd Lt. Karol Cierpica. Ollis and Cierpica then encountered a suicide bomber.
In an act of heroism, Ollis positioned himself between the bomber and Cierpica, firing upon the target.
Although Ollis was able to effectively drop the attacker, the vest detonated and killed him, but he shielded Cierpica from the full blast, saving Cierpica’s life.
As further indicated in the letter, witnesses present at the base that day claim that Ollis’ sacrifice not only saved Cierpica, but it preserved the lives of more than 40 military and civilian personnel.
Ollis has since been recognized with the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, the Audie Murphy Medallion, and the Polish Armed Forces Gold Medal — that nation’s highest honor for non-citizens.
In 2019, Ollis’ Silver Star was upgraded to the Distinguished Service Cross.