Staff Sergeant Michael Ollis Honored With Medal of Honor, June 15

Staff Sergeant Michael H. Ollis received the Medal of Honor for his heroism on August 28, 2013, when he shielded a Polish officer from a suicide bomber during an attack in Ghazni province, Afghanistan. The Army upgraded his Distinguished Service Cross to the nation’s second-highest military decoration. On June 15, Poland rededicated a dining facility at Camp Kosciuszko in his honor, marking the 251st birthday of the U.S. Army.

From Silver Star to Medal of Honor

Ollis first received the Silver Star for his actions during the 2013 attack. His award was upgraded to the Distinguished Service Cross in 2019 after advocacy by his family and veterans groups. Earlier this year, the Army elevated his decoration to the Medal of Honor, the highest military award for valor. His parents, Robert and Linda Ollis, received the medal at a White House ceremony on March 2.

Poland Marks the Sacrifice

Military leaders from both the United States and Poland gathered at Camp Kosciuszko on June 15 for the rededication ceremony. The dining facility, named the Michael H. Ollis Warrior Grill, received an updated plaque reflecting his Medal of Honor status. The event coincided with the Army’s 251st birthday and took place at a base named after Tadeusz Kosciuszko, a Polish military engineer who fought in the American Revolutionary War.

The Act of Heroism

During the insurgent attack on Forward Operating Base Ghazni, Ollis charged toward enemy fire to protect Polish 2nd Lieutenant Karol Cierpica. When a suicide bomber approached, Ollis shielded Cierpica from the blast, absorbing the explosion and sacrificing his own life. His actions demonstrated the military partnership between the United States and Poland that continues to this day.

Honoring His Legacy Across America

On June 15, the New York State Department of Veterans’ Services participated in the SSG Michael Ollis 5K Run and Walk on Staten Island, Ollis’s home state. Veterans Benefits Advisor Vadym Panasyuk, a U.S. Army sergeant, signed up to honor Ollis’s service. The SSG Michael Ollis Freedom Foundation and partners sponsored the event to recognize his selfless valor and inspire New Yorkers.

Final Thoughts

Ollis’s Medal of Honor recognizes his sacrifice to protect an ally. Nearly 13 years after his death, his legacy strengthens the U.S.-Poland military partnership and inspires veterans and civilians across America.

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