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 an allied soldier, according to Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, R-N.Y., who said she was notified of the decision in a statement posted to social media.
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 our nation’s highest military honor.
In a Facebook post, Malliotakis said she had been notified directly by the White House.
„We were notified by the White House that Staten Island’s hometown hero, U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Michael Ollis, has been approved for the Medal of Honor for his extraordinary act of heroism,“ Malliotakis wrote.
REP BRIAN MAST: CONGRESS HAS THE PERFECT WAY TO HONOR OUR NATION’S FALLEN HEROES
Ollis was killed in Afghanistan on Aug. 28, 2013, when he used his body to shield a Polish Army officer during a suicide bombing. He was 24 years old.
„In 2013, Staff Sergeant Ollis gave his life to save an allied soldier, and his courage, selflessness, and sacrifice represent the very best of our nation,“ she continued.
Malliotakis credited years of advocacy efforts, adding: „After years of advocacy from the American Legion, our elected officials, and the Staten Island community, we are grateful to President Donald Trump for recognizing Staff Sergeant Ollis’ extraordinary heroism with our nation’s highest military honor.“
The Medal of Honor is the nation’s highest military decoration and is awarded for acts that go above and beyond the call of duty. While the standards for awarding the medal have evolved over time, it has always recognized „conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life,“ according to the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.
The current criteria were established in 1963 during the Vietnam War.
TRUMP SIGNS MEDAL OF HONOR ACT TO RAISE PENSIONS FOR AMERICA’S MILITARY HEROES
Under those standards, the medal may be awarded for actions taken against an enemy of the U.S., during military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force, or while serving alongside friendly foreign forces engaged in armed conflict in which America is not a belligerent party.
Awarding the Medal involves a rigorous review process. Each recommendation requires detailed reports on the act itself and battlefield conditions, at least two sworn eyewitness statements, and additional corroborating evidence.
Recommendation packets must be approved through the full military chain of command before reaching the president, who serves as commander-in-chief.
Federal law also imposes strict timelines on the process, with recommendations requiring submission within three years of the valorous act and the medal awarded within five years. Any submission outside those limits requires an act of Congress to waive time restrictions.
NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERS ATTACKED BY AFGHAN REFUGEE IN DC HONORED BY UNANIMOUS HOUSE VOTE
Ollis’ family also addressed the reports in a statement shared by the SSG Michael Ollis Freedom Foundation.
„We are extremely grateful to the President of the United States for recognizing the heroism of our son, U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis, with the Medal of Honor,“ the statement said. „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.“
The statement also thanked supporters in a separate statement who have advocated for the recognition.
„We also greatly appreciate the letters, emails and phone calls of support from government and military officials, local leaders, non-profit organizations and the many friends we are blessed to know here in Staten Island and beyond. It is deeply moving to know that you haven’t forgotten Michael or our family.“
Fox News Digital has reached out to the White House and the Department of War for additional details regarding the Medal of Honor process, including timing and ceremony plans.
The Ollis family did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for additional comment.
White House approves Medal of Honor for fallen Army Staff Sgt Michael Ollis after years-long push 2026 IUSTITIA.BG – Investigations 2009-2025 2026-02-04 02:47:54 Latest news World news Country news Most important news latest news most important latest of the day Justice Petar Nizamov Feathers Petar Nizamov- Feathers Justice bg iustitia.bg iustitia iusticia usticia investigation Burgas Bulgaria news news of the last hour news of the day news of today Bulgaria news The news from Bulgaria blitz news top news most important most commented latest news Boyko Borisov news weather coronavirus news news weather facebook youtube facebook instagram news today news of the last minutes news today today news news bg news leading news hot news bg news site for news all news news bg news of the last hour latest latest news bg news of today news today news today news of the last hour latest news today news bg news news 24 hours news vesti bg novini news world bird bg bivol bg bivol trud bg novini latest news today novinite bg news hello bulgaria political party coat of arms delyan peevski scandalous Bulgarian National Television Free Europe Television scandal exclusive live tv live right now tv tv online tv program bg live now tv news online tv online live court Burgas court Burgas district court Burgas court Burgas district court Burgas district court Burgas appellate court Burgas prosecutor Burgas prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Prosecutor General Ivan Geshev Prosecutor Geshev Tsatsarov Ministry of Internal Affairs Burgas ODMR Burgas ODPR Burgas police Burgas district police Burgas prosecutor Tsatsarov SGS cases Varna court chairman of the SGS court decisions on civil cases decisions on cases Plovdiv court decision of the court decisions cases Varna court criminal cases district district court decisions work in the court SGS chairman of the SGS judges Sofia court post judges Plovdiv court Plovdiv judges Plovdiv Supreme Court Inspectorate Supreme Court Supreme Judicial Council lawyer lawyer criminal cases lawyer civil cases lawyer marriage cases lawyer administrative criminal law criminal process civil law civil process administrative law constitutional law
