Nicole Malliotakis: “this past Monday, I joined President Trump at the White House as he posthumously awarded United States Army Staff…”

“this past Monday, I joined President Trump at the White House as he posthumously awarded United States Army Staff Sergeant Michael Ollis of Staten Island, New York, the Medal of Honor, the Nation's highest military honor that can be bestowed. Madam Speaker, I rise to share the bravery exhibited by my district's hometown hero. On August 28, 2013, Staff Sergeant Ollis gave his life weeks before his 25th birthday. He gave his life to save an allied soldier during a Taliban raid on Forward Operating Base Ghazni in Afghanistan, after a truck carrying 3,000 pounds of explosives slammed into the base and terrorists advanced. Without wearing any armor, Staff Sergeant Ollis fired back, then chose selflessness and placed himself between a suicide bomber and a fellow allied soldier. He did not pause. He did not stop to calculate. He acted, knowing that the cost would be his life, but he chose to save the life of a NATO ally, Polish Second Lieutenant Karol Cierpica. Michael's courage, selflessness, and sacrifice represent the very best of our Nation, earning him the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Silver Star, Distinguished Service Cross, as well as the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland, the highest Polish decoration for a foreigner. On Staten Island, we are so proud of Michael. We have a ferry named after him. The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9587 is also named for Michael.”