The White Home has accepted the Medal of Honor for fallen Military Workers Sgt. Michael Ollis, a Staten Island, New York, native who died in Afghanistan in 2013, whereas shielding an allied soldier, based on Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, R-N.Y., who mentioned she was notified of the choice in a press release posted to social media.
The choice follows years of advocacy from veterans’ teams, elected officers and the Staten Island group to formally acknowledge Ollis’ actions, which supporters have lengthy argued met the usual for our nation’s highest army honor.
In a Fb submit, Malliotakis mentioned she had been notified straight by the White Home.
“We have been notified by the White Home that Staten Island’s hometown hero, US Military Workers Sergeant Michael Ollis, has been accepted for the Medal of Honor for his extraordinary act of heroism,” Malliotakis wrote.
Ollis was killed in Afghanistan on Aug. 28, 2013, when he used his physique to protect a Polish Military officer throughout a suicide bombing.
He was 24 years previous.
“In 2013, Workers Sergeant Ollis gave his life to save lots of an allied soldier, and his braveness, selflessness, and sacrifice symbolize the easiest of our nation,” she continued.
Malliotakis credited years of advocacy efforts, including: “After years of advocacy from the American Legion, our elected officers, and the Staten Island group, we’re grateful to President Donald Trump for recognizing Workers Sergeant Ollis’ extraordinary heroism with our nation’s highest army honor.”
The Medal of Honor is the nation’s highest army ornament and is awarded for acts that go above and past the decision of responsibility. Whereas the requirements for awarding the medal have advanced over time, it has at all times acknowledged “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity on the threat of life,” based on the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.
The present standards have been established in 1963 throughout the Vietnam Warfare.
Underneath these requirements, the medal could also be awarded for actions taken in opposition to an enemy of the US, throughout army operations involving battle with an opposing overseas drive, or whereas serving alongside pleasant overseas forces engaged in armed battle through which America shouldn’t be a belligerent celebration.
Awarding the Medal includes a rigorous assessment course of. Every advice requires detailed studies on the act itself and battlefield circumstances, no less than two sworn eyewitness statements, and extra corroborating proof.
Advice packets should be accepted via the total army chain of command earlier than reaching the president, who serves as commander-in-chief.
Federal regulation additionally imposes strict timelines on the method, with suggestions requiring submission inside three years of the valorous act and the medal awarded inside 5 years. Any submission outdoors these limits requires an act of Congress to waive time restrictions.
Ollis’ household additionally addressed the studies in a press release shared by the SSG Michael Ollis Freedom Basis.
“We’re extraordinarily grateful to the President of america for recognizing the heroism of our son, US Military Workers Sgt. Michael Ollis, with the Medal of Honor,” the assertion mentioned. “Figuring out that Michael’s life, legacy and last act of braveness haven’t been forgotten leaves us with a sense of overwhelming satisfaction and everlasting gratitude.”
The assertion additionally thanked supporters in a separate assertion who’ve advocated for the popularity.
“We additionally tremendously respect the letters, emails and telephone calls of assist from authorities and army officers, native leaders, non-profit organizations and the various buddies we’re blessed to know right here in Staten Island and past. It’s deeply shifting to know that you simply haven’t forgotten Michael or our household.”
Fox Information Digital has reached out to the White Home and the Division of Warfare for added particulars relating to the Medal of Honor course of, together with timing and ceremony plans.
The Ollis household didn’t instantly reply to Fox Information Digital’s request for added remark.
