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Staten Island Soldier Awarded Medal of Honor Years After Heroic Death
Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis to receive nation's highest military honor for shielding Polish officer from suicide bomber in Afghanistan
Feb. 4, 2026 at 4:55am
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The White House has approved the Medal of Honor for fallen Army Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis, a Staten Island, New York native who died in Afghanistan in 2013 while shielding a Polish Army officer from a suicide bomber with his own body. The decision follows years of advocacy from veterans' groups, elected officials, and the Staten Island community to formally recognize Ollis' actions, which supporters have long argued met the standard for the nation's highest military honor.
Why it matters
The Medal of Honor is the U.S. military's highest decoration, awarded for acts of valor that go "above and beyond the call of duty." Ollis' selfless sacrifice in protecting an allied soldier has been celebrated by his local community, but the long process to receive this prestigious award highlights the rigorous review required to earn the Medal of Honor.
The details
On August 28, 2013, 24-year-old Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis was killed in Afghanistan after using his own body to shield a Polish Army officer from a suicide bomber's attack. Ollis' heroic actions that day have been praised, but it has taken years of advocacy from veterans, politicians, and his hometown to secure the Medal of Honor recognition.
- Ollis was killed in Afghanistan on August 28, 2013.
- The White House approved the Medal of Honor for Ollis in 2026.
The players
Michael Ollis
A 24-year-old Army Staff Sergeant from Staten Island, New York who was killed in Afghanistan in 2013 after shielding a Polish Army officer from a suicide bomber with his own body.
Nicole Malliotakis
A U.S. Representative from New York who announced that the White House had approved the Medal of Honor for Ollis after years of advocacy from the local community.
SSG Michael Ollis Freedom Foundation
A non-profit organization that has advocated for Ollis to receive the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions.
What they’re saying
“We were notified by the White House that Staten Island's hometown hero, US Army Staff Sergeant Michael Ollis, has been approved for the Medal of Honor for his extraordinary act of heroism.”
— Nicole Malliotakis, U.S. Representative
“We are extremely grateful to the President of the United States for recognizing the heroism of our son, US Army Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis, with the Medal of Honor. Knowing that Michael's life, legacy and final act of courage have not been forgotten leaves us with a feeling of overwhelming pride and eternal gratitude.”
— Ollis Family
What’s next
The White House and Department of Defense will now coordinate the formal presentation of the Medal of Honor to Ollis' family in a ceremony honoring his sacrifice.
The takeaway
Ollis' selfless actions in protecting an allied soldier, at the cost of his own life, exemplify the highest ideals of military service and heroism. His long-overdue recognition with the Medal of Honor is a testament to the perseverance of his local community and the rigorous process required to earn the nation's highest military decoration.
