STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The parents of Staff Sgt. Michael H. Ollis say they are thrilled and relieved that their son has finally received the Medal of Honor after years of persistent advocacy to secure the nation’s highest military decoration for his sacrifice.
Linda and Bob Ollis can now “sit back in his glory and enjoy it” after their long campaign to upgrade their son’s Distinguished Service Cross to the Medal of Honor. The recognition marks what they describe as a validation of Michael’s sacrifice and the end of a lengthy period of waiting and advocating.
Michael, who died saving another soldier during a Taliban attack on a military base in Afghanistan in 2013, posthumously received the nation’s highest military decoration during an emotional White House ceremony on March 2.
The journey to the Medal of Honor
The family’s persistence proved crucial in the successful Medal of Honor campaign. Operating on the belief that “the squeaky wheel gets the grease,” they maintained faith that their letter-writing efforts would eventually succeed…