Senate Resolution No. 1758
BY: Senator SCARCELLA-SPANTON
HONORING Staff Sergeant Michael H. Ollis
posthumously upon receiving the Congressional Medal
of Honor and his induction into the Hall of Heroes
WHEREAS, Members of the Armed Services from the State of New York,
who have served so valiantly and honorably, deserve a special salute
from this esteemed Body; the quality and character of life in the
communities across New York State are reflective of the concerned and
dedicated efforts of those organizations and individuals who would
devote themselves to the welfare of the community and its citizenry; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Staff
Sergeant Michael H. Ollis posthumously upon receiving the Congressional
Medal of Honor at a special ceremony in the East Room of the White House
on Monday, March 2, 2026; and
WHEREAS, United States Army Staff Sergeant Michael H. Ollis, of New
Dorp, Staten Island, New York, was killed on August 28, 2013, during a
Taliban attack on Forward Operating Base Ghazni while serving with
Bushmaster Company, 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain
Division; and
WHEREAS, During the assault, Michael H. Ollis placed himself between
a suicide bomber and a Polish allied officer, shielding the officer from
the full force of the explosion and sacrificing his own life; witnesses
have said that his actions not only saved the life of the officer but
also helped preserve the lives of more than 40 military and civilian
personnel on the base; and
WHEREAS, Michael H. Ollis was committed to joining the United States
Army, and at the age of 17, he took the first step in fulfilling his
lifelong dream by joining the Delayed Entry Program; after a few months,
he officially entered the United States Army on August 3, 2006, and
underwent initial military training at Fort Benning, Georgia; and
WHEREAS, President Donald J. Trump presented the Congressional Medal
of Honor to Michael H. Ollis's parents, Robert and Linda Ollis, who
delivered remarks to the individuals at the ceremony; and
WHEREAS, One day after receiving the Congressional Medal of Honor,
Michael H. Ollis was recognized at the Pentagon and inducted into the
Hall of Heroes; and
WHEREAS, The Hall of Heroes is a room in the Pentagon dedicated to
those esteemed service members who have received the Congressional Medal
of Honor, the highest award for bravery that can be awarded to members
of America's armed forces for exceptional acts of valor; the room, which
opened in 1968, displays the names of every person to receive this medal
since the Civil War; and
WHEREAS, The induction ceremony, hosted at the Pentagon on Tuesday,
March 3, 2026, was attended by the Ollis family, as well as the families
of the two other Congressional Medal of Honor recipients; and
WHEREAS, At the ceremony, the Secretary of the Army presented Robert
and Linda Ollis with a Medal of Honor flag, framed Medal of Honor
Citation, and photo; and
WHEREAS, In addition to being inducted into the Hall of Heroes,
Staff Sergeant Michael H. Ollis's name is inscribed on the Medal of
Honor Garden Wall at the National Museum of the United States Army; and
WHEREAS, Exhibiting his patriotism and demonstrating his love for
his country, Michael H. Ollis merits forevermore the highest respect of
his State and Nation; and
WHEREAS, Our Nation's patriots deserve to be recognized, commended,
and thanked by the people of the State of New York for their service and
for their dedication to their communities, their State, and their
Nation; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Staff Sergeant Michael H. Ollis posthumously upon receiving the
Congressional Medal of Honor and his induction into the Hall of Heroes;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Staff Sergeant Michael H. Ollis.
