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The White Home has accepted the Medal of Honor for fallen Military Workers Sgt. Michael Ollis, a Staten Island, New York, native who died in Afghanistan in 2013, whereas shielding an allied soldier, in accordance with Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, R-N.Y., who stated she was notified of the choice in an announcement posted to social media.
The choice follows years of advocacy from veterans’ teams, elected officers and the Staten Island neighborhood to formally acknowledge Ollis’ actions, which supporters have lengthy argued met the usual for our nation’s highest navy honor.
In a Fb put up, Malliotakis stated she had been notified instantly by the White Home.
“We have been notified by the White Home that Staten Island’s hometown hero, U.S. Military Workers Sergeant Michael Ollis, has been accepted for the Medal of Honor for his extraordinary act of heroism,” Malliotakis wrote.
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Cut up picture of Military Workers Sgt. Michael H. Ollis, of the 2nd Battalion, twenty second Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Fight Crew, tenth Mountain Division. Ollis gave his life to guard a Polish soldier throughout an assault within the Ghazni province, Afghanistan, Aug. 28, 2013. Ollis is being awarded a Medal of Honor. (I Have Your Again/Fb; DVIDs)
Ollis was killed in Afghanistan on Aug. 28, 2013, when he used his physique to defend a Polish Military officer throughout a suicide bombing. He was 24 years outdated.
“In 2013, Workers Sergeant Ollis gave his life to avoid wasting an allied soldier, and his braveness, selflessness, and sacrifice symbolize the perfect of our nation,” she continued.
Malliotakis credited years of advocacy efforts, including: “After years of advocacy from the American Legion, our elected officers, and the Staten Island neighborhood, we’re grateful to President Donald Trump for recognizing Workers Sergeant Ollis’ extraordinary heroism with our nation’s highest navy honor.”
The Medal of Honor is the nation’s highest navy ornament and is awarded for acts that go above and past the decision of obligation. Whereas the requirements for awarding the medal have developed over time, it has at all times acknowledged “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity on the threat of life,” in accordance with the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.
The present standards have been established in 1963 in the course of the Vietnam Warfare.
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Brig. Gen. Eric Riley, deputy commanding common, tenth Mountain Division, poses with troopers from the tenth Mountain Division, and uniformed college students from the Workers Sgt. M. Ollis Junior Coaching Corps in entrance of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier after a wreath laying ceremony in Warsaw, Poland, Aug. 28, 2023. (U.S. Military photograph by Spc. Devin Klecan)
Beneath these requirements, the medal could also be awarded for actions taken in opposition to an enemy of the U.S., throughout navy operations involving battle with an opposing international pressure, or whereas serving alongside pleasant international forces engaged in armed battle during which America isn’t a belligerent celebration.
Awarding the Medal entails a rigorous overview course of. Every advice requires detailed studies on the act itself and battlefield circumstances, at the very least two sworn eyewitness statements, and extra corroborating proof.
Advice packets should be accepted by the complete navy chain of command earlier than reaching the president, who serves as commander-in-chief.
Federal legislation additionally imposes strict timelines on the method, with suggestions requiring submission inside three years of the valorous act and the medal awarded inside 5 years. Any submission outdoors these limits requires an act of Congress to waive time restrictions.
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Military Workers Sgt. Michael Harold Ollis’ mother and father, Robert and Linda Ollis, sister Kelly Manzolillo, and the Polish Military officer whose life he saved, Lt. Karol Cierpika, joined to unveil his portrait and memorial plaque tribute throughout a ceremony renaming the eating facility the Workers Sgt. Michael Harold Ollis Warrior Grill, Oct. 27, 2023, at Camp Kosciuszko, Poland. (U.S. Military Reserve photograph by Sgt. Karen Sampson)
Ollis’ household additionally addressed the studies in an announcement shared by the SSG Michael Ollis Freedom Basis.
“We’re extraordinarily grateful to the President of the US for recognizing the heroism of our son, U.S. Military Workers Sgt. Michael Ollis, with the Medal of Honor,” the assertion stated. “Figuring out that Michael’s life, legacy and ultimate act of braveness haven’t been forgotten leaves us with a sense of overwhelming satisfaction and everlasting gratitude.”
The assertion additionally thanked supporters in a separate assertion who’ve advocated for the popularity.
“We additionally significantly recognize the letters, emails and telephone calls of assist from authorities and navy officers, native leaders, non-profit organizations and the numerous pals we’re blessed to know right here in Staten Island and past. It’s deeply transferring to know that you have not forgotten Michael or our household.”
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Fox Information Digital has reached out to the White Home and the Division of Warfare for extra particulars relating to the Medal of Honor course of, together with timing and ceremony plans.
The Ollis household didn’t instantly reply to Fox Information Digital’s request for extra remark.
