![\"File](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/NTTFY6IZJRC5RIARWGMBOL6BZQ.jpg\")
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 August 28, 2013.(Advance\/SILive.com | Jan Somma-Hammel)<\/p>\n
In July, Schumer, a New York Democrat, wrote a letter to Chief of Staff of the Army General Randy A. George,<\/a> urging the Army to recommend Ollis for the distinction.<\/p>\n \u201cSSG Michael Ollis was among the best that our nation has to offer,\u201d the letter read. \u201cHe 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\u2019 Distinguished Service Cross decoration and recommending him for the Medal of Honor.\u201d<\/p>\n This renewed effort by Schumer follows another in 2022. At that time, Schumer wrote a letter to Gen. James McConville<\/a>, former chief of staff of the Army, asking the U.S. Department of Defense to recommend Ollis for the Medal of Honor.<\/p>\n The 2025 bipartisan push generated momentum and the backing of Republican South Shore Councilman Frank Morano<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cStaff Sgt. Michael Ollis made the ultimate sacrifice, stepping into harm\u2019s way to protect his fellow soldiers,\u201d Morano said in a written statement back in August. \u201cHis courage that day not only saved lives \u2014 it defined what it means to be an American hero.\u201d<\/p>\n In September, a spokesperson from Schumer\u2019s Office told the Advance\/SILive.com that the recommendation was being presented to the Army Decorations Board for review<\/a>.<\/p>\n As explained by the U.S. Army<\/a>, after merit review, the recommendation goes to the Senior Army Decorations Board, which recommends approval, disapproval or downgrade. From there, Manpower and Reserve Affairs, as well as the chief of staff of the Army, can either concur with the board recommendation or not.<\/p>\n Should they concur, the recommendation goes to the secretary of the Army for approval. If the secretary approves, the recommendation will find itself with the secretary of defense and then, ultimately, the president, who will make the final decision. The Department of Defense was renamed to the Department of War in September at the order of President Trump.<\/p>\n Bob Ollis, Michael\u2019s father, discussed the renewed effort with the Advance\/SILive.com in August. <\/p>\n \u201cYou got a mom and a dad who lost their child, and everybody wants to honor him…,\u201d he said. \u201cYou have no idea what that feels like.\u201d <\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t thank them (Schumer, Morano, the Richmond County American Legion) enough. We hope and we pray. It\u2019s up to God now to push it through,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n Ollis\u2019 valiant sacrifice<\/p>\n Ollis died in 2013 during a Taliban raid on Forward Operating Base Ghazni in Afghanistan.<\/p>\n As noted in Schumer\u2019s letter, at the time, Ollis, 24, was serving as a squad leader in Bushmaster Company, 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division during his third combat deployment.<\/p>\n It was on Aug. 28 that the base came under fire and Ollis mobilized the men under his command to a secure location and \u201cwithout pause or hesitation answered the call to duty\u201d and advanced towards the assailants, according to Schumer\u2019s letter.<\/p>\n Ollis rallied with coalition forces, among them Polish Officer 2nd Lt. Karol Cierpica. It was at this time that Ollis and Cierpica came in contact with a suicide bomber.<\/p>\n In an act of heroism, Ollis positioned himself between the bomber and Cierpica, firing upon the target.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s life.<\/p>\n As further indicated in the letter, witnesses present at the base that day claim that Ollis\u2019 sacrifice not only saved Cierpica, but it preserved the lives of more than 40 military and civilian personnel.<\/p>\n Ollis has since been recognized with the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, the Audie Murphy Medallion, and the Polish Armed Forces Gold Medal \u2014 that nation\u2019s highest honor for non-citizens.<\/p>\n In 2019, Ollis\u2019 Silver Star was upgraded to the Distinguished Service Cross.<\/p>\n Among the best the borough has to offer<\/p>\n If the president approves this latest push for the Medal of Honor, Ollis will become the third Staten Islander to receive the distinction.<\/p>\n The Rev. Lt. Vincent R. Capodanno received the Medal of Honor in 1969 for his service during the Vietnam War and Joseph F. Merrell Jr. received the award in 1946 for his service during World War II.<\/p>\n![\"File](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ZHKNCHFIMZHINLVMUYVRG67IME.jpg\")
This photo from Aug. 28, 2014, shows the memorial to Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis on S. Railroad Avenue at the intersection of SSG Michael H. Ollis Way (Burbank Avenue) in Staten Island.(Advance\/SILive.com | Maura Grunlund)<\/p>\n![\"Michael](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/SJ7BUTJPIBELFJPADTJTASWZFU.jpg\")
This photo from 2020, shows Linda Ollis holding a photo of her son Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis, who died in Afganistan, in a room dedicated in his honor at their New Dorp home.Advance\/SILive.com | Jan Somma-Hammel<\/p>\n