Trump calls parents of fallen Staten Island war hero Michael Ollis to reveal their son will receive Medal of Honor
President Trump had an emotional phone call with the parents of Staten Island native and Army Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis informs them that their son will be posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for sacrificing his life in Afghanistan ten years ago.
Robert and Linda Ollis were in the kitchen of their Staten Island home Monday when a superintendent greeted the couple on the phone and asked how they were getting along, according to a video posted on SSG’s Michael Ollis Freedom Foundation Facebook page.
“We are very shocked,” said Robert on the phone.
“You should be, because your son is going to receive the highest honor you can have,” Trump said. “There is no higher honor than the Congressional Medal of Honor.”
The soldier’s father’s eyes rejoiced at this announcement, his expression changing into a proud smile.
“Looking down right now, you’re saying, ‘Yeah, mom and dad are handling this well,'” Trump said of their son.
Ollis was only 24 years old, serving as an infantryman, when he was killed in Afghanistan on Aug. 28, 2013, during a Taliban attack on Forward Operating Base Ghazni.
In the chaos of the attack, Ollis threw himself between a suicide bomber and a Polish officer, took the fatal blast and laid down his life in an act of pure self-sacrifice.
Witnesses said his actions may have saved more than 40 members and residents in the area.
Ollis was initially awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the Army’s second-highest combat award, before efforts began to raise the Medal of Honor, according to Military Times.
After years of advocacy by his family, veterans groups, elected officials — especially Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, R-NY — and the Staten Island community, Trump approved the nation’s largest military honor for Ollis.
The Medal of Honor is reserved only for service members who go above and beyond the call of duty by displaying extraordinary bravery and self-sacrifice in the heat of battle, risking their own lives.
The medal is awarded after the cases are rigorously reviewed, a process that requires detailed battlefield reports, at least two sworn eyewitness accounts, and additional corroborating evidence.
The couple expressed deep gratitude to the president for approving the Medal of Honor, which has been awarded posthumously 618 times, according to the Army.
“Thank you very much, Mr. President. You have no idea how happy we are,” said Robert.
“Thank you for running this! This is very good,” said Linda, adding that the family had encouraged their son to receive this honor for many years and reached many people before finally approving it.
Trump also applauded the parents for their hard work to keep their son’s story alive for more than a decade.
“Besides, how are we going to know, right? You know, people don’t know. So I think that’s good,” Trump said.
Trump then told the couple that they would be heading to the White House for the event, where “a few” of the recipients would receive the honor, noting that “they are all brave people.” The president did not specify who he was talking about.
“I read what your son did, and — I wouldn’t have done it, Linda,” Trump told Ollis’ mother about her son’s bravery.
“I don’t have the courage either,” said Linda with a small laugh.
“Neither am I. Even though I’m a Vietnam vet, I wouldn’t do it,” added Robert.
Trump encouraged them to gather the family and “go celebrate,” reminding them that their son would be proud before ending the call.
