b. 16/09/1988 New Dorp, New York. d. 28/08/2013 Forward Operating Base Ghazni, Ghazni, Afghanistan.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 28/08/2013 Forward Operating Base Ghazni, Afghanistan.
Michael H Ollis MOH
SSG Ollis enlisted in the Army at 17 after graduation from Michael J. Petrides School where he attended Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps. He attended basic training at Fort Benning in Georgia and his first assignment after training was Baumholder, Germany with the 1st Armored Division. Ollis was deployed to Iraq in 2008. He was next stationed at Fort Campbell in Kentucky with the 101st Airborne Division where he completed Air Assault School. He was deployed to Kandahar Province in Afghanistan during Operation Dragon Strike. After that deployment, Ollis was transferred to Fort Drum and the 10th Mountain Division. In 2012 he completed both Airborne School and Ranger School.
Ollis deployed with his unit to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in January 2013. On August 28, 2013, Ollis and his unit were attempting to repel an attack by 10 Taliban insurgents and a car bomber who had breached their base’s wall. He and Lt. Karol Cierpica engaged the insurgents without any personal protective equipment and only armed with their rifles. Lt. Cierpica was also wounded in the attack. Cierpica was a Polish Army officer. Ollis was killed trying to protect Cierpica during the suicide bombing. He was originally posthumously awarded the Silver Star for his actions, which was later upgraded to the Distinguished Service Cross.
Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-Staten Island) of New York’s 11th district, was among many advocates, along with the American Legion and the SSG Michael Ollis Freedom Foundation, for Ollis’ recognition by the Medal of Honor. President Donald Trump approved the award February 3, 2026. The medal was presented to his family at The White House by President Donald J. Trump on March 2, 2026.
DSC CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Staff Sergeant Michael Harold Ollis, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States while serving as an Infantryman with Company B, 2d Battalion, 22d Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light), in combat operation in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM on August 28, 2013, in Afghanistan. When a complex enemy attack involving vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices, suicide vests, indirect fire, and small arms fire against Forward Operating Base Ghazni began, Staff Sergeant Ollis ordered his fellow Soldiers who were located in a building to move to bunkers to shield themselves from fire. After accounting for his Soldiers, he reentered the building to check for any casualties and then moved toward the enemy force which had penetrated the perimeter of the forward operating base. Staff Sergeant Ollis located a Coalition Forces Officer and together they moved toward the point of attack without their personal protection equipment and armed only with their rifles. Upon reaching the attack point he and his comrade linked up with other friendly forces and began a coordinated effort to repulse the enemy from the airfield and adjacent buildings. While under continuous small arms, indirect, and rocket propeled grenade fires. Staff Sergeant Ollis and his comrades moved from position to position engaging the enemy with accurate and effective fire. While fighting along the perimeter of the forward operating base, an insurgent came around a corner and immediately engaged them with small arms fire. With complete disregard for his own safety. Staff Sergeant Ollis positioned himself between the insurgent and the Coalition Forces Officer who had been wounded in both legs and was unable to walk. Staff Sergeant Ollis fired on the insurgent and incapacitated him, but as he approached the insurgent, the insurgent’s suicide vest detonated mortally wounding him. Staff Sergeant Ollis’ actions are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, and the United States Army.
BURIAL LOCATION: CEMETERY OF THE RESURRECTION, STATEN ISLAND, NEW YORK.
VETERANS SECTION.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: FAMILY WHEN PRESENTED.
