Thirteen years after shielding a Polish officer from a suicide bomber in Afghanistan, Army Staff Sgt. Michael H. Ollis will be awarded the Medal of Honor, his family says. Ollis, 24, absorbed the blast that mortally wounded him while saving Lt. Karol Cierpica on Aug. 28, 2013. The family says President Donald Trump called to inform them of the decision; no official ceremony date has been announced. Supporters hope the recognition underscores the enduring value of military alliances.
Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis To Receive Medal Of Honor 13 Years After Sacrificing Himself To Shield Polish Soldier
President Donald Trump called the family of Staff Sgt. Michael H. Ollis to confirm that their son was approved for the award. (Fort Drum Public Affairs)
Thirteen years after he died shielding a Polish comrade from a suicide bomber in Afghanistan, Army Staff Sgt. Michael H. Ollis will be awarded the Medal of Honor, his family says. Ollis, 24, absorbed the blast that would have killed a Polish army officer, giving his life to save another on Aug. 28, 2013.
Family Notification And Background
Robert and Linda Ollis said they received a late-night call from President Donald Trump informing them that Michael’s Medal of Honor had been approved. The family described the call as “bittersweet,” with Robert Ollis saying, “We wanted this for Michael, but being his father, I want my son back.” The family was later told by Pentagon officials that the announcement had been released prematurely; no official ceremony date has been announced.
What Happened At FOB Ghazni
Ollis was assigned to the 10th Mountain Division, 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, when Forward Operating Base Ghazni in Afghanistan was attacked on Aug. 28, 2013. A car bomb breached the base perimeter and a group of insurgents—some wearing suicide vests—penetrated the outer defenses while others fired mortars and grenades at the base.
According to his medal citation, Ollis quickly accounted for his soldiers, checked for casualties and then moved toward the assaulting fighters. He linked up with Lt. Karol Cierpica, a Polish officer who had been wounded in both legs and could not walk. The two men engaged the attackers without full protective gear and armed only with rifles.
“With complete disregard for his own safety, Staff Sergeant Ollis positioned himself between the insurgent and [Cierpica],” the citation states. Ollis fired and incapacitated the attacker, but the insurgent’s suicide vest detonated as Ollis approached, mortally wounding him.
Legacy And Recognition
Ollis had previously been awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the Army’s second-highest combat honor, for his actions that day. His sacrifice has been honored internationally: a mess hall at Camp Kościuszko in Poznań, Poland, is named the SSG Michael H. Ollis Warrior Grill, and Lt. Cierpica later named his son Michael in tribute.
Author Tom Sileo, who documented Ollis’s story in the 2024 book I Have Your Back, and advocates such as Eric Geressy helped press for an upgrade to the Medal of Honor. Sileo noted that Ollis’s willingness to die protecting a soldier from another country powerfully symbolizes the strength of military alliances.
Supporters hope the award will not only honor Ollis’s bravery but also serve as a reminder of the importance of partnership and burden-sharing among allied forces. The announcement comes amid renewed policy emphasis on alliance cooperation reflected in recent U.S. defense documents.
Note: The White House had not offered public confirmation at the time family members spoke to reporters. Details about the medal ceremony and official Pentagon statements remain pending.
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