President Trump shared an emotional phone call with the parents of Staten Island native and Army Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis to tell them their son would be posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic sacrifice in Afghanistan more than a decade ago.
Robert and Linda Ollis were in the kitchen of their Staten Island home on Monday when the president called to check in on them, according to a video posted on the SSG Michael Ollis Freedom Foundation Facebook page.
“We’re very nervous,” Robert said on speakerphone.
“You should be, because your son is going to get the highest honor that you can have,” Trump replied. “There is no higher honor than the Congressional Medal of Honor.”
The news brought a proud smile to the soldier’s father. Trump added, “He’s looking down at you right now, he’s saying, ‘Well, my mom and dad are handling this pretty well.’”
Ollis was 24 years old and serving as an Army infantryman when he was killed in Afghanistan on Aug. 28, 2013, during a Taliban attack on Forward Operating Base Ghazni.
Amid the chaos, Ollis placed himself between a suicide bomber and a Polish officer, absorbing the blast and sacrificing his life. Witnesses said his actions likely protected more than 40 service members and civilians on the base.
He was originally awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the Army’s second-highest combat award. Over the years, his family, veteran organizations, elected officials — including U.S. Rep. Nicole Malliotakis — and members of the Staten Island community worked to have the recognition elevated to the Medal of Honor.
After that long effort, President Trump approved the award of the nation’s highest military honor.
The Medal of Honor is reserved for service members who display extraordinary valor and selflessness in combat, often at great personal risk. Each case undergoes an extensive review process that includes detailed battlefield reports, sworn eyewitness accounts, and additional evidence.
The Ollises expressed deep gratitude during the call.
“Thank you so much, Mr. President. You have no idea the happiness we have,” Robert said.
“Thank you for facilitating this. This is so wonderful,” Linda added, noting how long the family had advocated for the recognition.
Trump praised the parents for keeping their son’s story alive over the years. “Otherwise, how are we going to know, right? People don’t know. So I think that’s fantastic,” he said.
He also told them they would be invited to the White House for the ceremony, where several recipients would be honored, calling them “all brave people.”
“I read what your son did, and it’s — I wouldn’t do it, Linda,” Trump told Ollis’ mother. “I’m not brave enough either,” Linda replied with a soft laugh.
“Neither am I. Even though I’m a Vietnam vet, I still wouldn’t have done it,” Robert added.
Before ending the call, the president encouraged the family to gather together and celebrate, reminding them that their son would be proud.
