President Donald Trump personally called the family of Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis to inform them that their son would be awarded the Medal of Honor—the nation’s highest military decoration.
The emotional phone call, captured on video, shows Ollis’ father, Robert, answering the call on speakerphone, visibly stunned as the president delivers the news.
“We’re very nervous,” Robert Ollis says at the start of the call.
“You should be, because your son is going to get the highest honor that you can have,” President Trump replied. “There is no higher honor than the Congressional Medal of Honor.”
Robert’s disbelief quickly turned to joy, his mouth hanging open before breaking into a wide smile as the weight of the moment set in.
“He’s looking down at you right now,” Trump told the family. “He’s saying, ‘Well, my mom and dad are handling this pretty well.’”
“Thank you so much, Mr. President. You have no idea the happiness we have,” Robert responded.
Ollis’ mother, Linda, expressed gratitude not only for the recognition, but for the years-long effort it took to make it happen.
“Thank you for facilitating this! This is so wonderful,” she said, explaining that the family had advocated for years, reaching out to countless officials and organizations to ensure their son’s heroism was properly recognized.
President Trump acknowledged that persistence, noting that grassroots advocacy—often led by families and veterans—is essential to ensuring acts of valor are not forgotten.
“Otherwise, how are we going to know, right?” Trump said. “People don’t know. So I think that’s fantastic.”
The decision comes after sustained advocacy from veterans’ groups, elected officials, and the Staten Island community, all of whom argued that Ollis’ actions clearly met the standard for the Medal of Honor.
Staff Sgt. Ollis, a U.S. Army Ranger from Staten Island, was killed in Afghanistan on August 28, 2013. During a suicide bombing, the 24-year-old soldier threw himself over a Polish army officer, sacrificing his life to save that of an allied serviceman—an act emblematic of the selflessness and courage that define America’s warriors.
The Medal of Honor is awarded for acts that go far beyond the call of duty, recognizing “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life,” according to the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. While criteria have evolved, the standard has always reflected extraordinary courage. The current guidelines were formalized during the Vietnam War in 1963.
As the call continued, President Trump reflected candidly on the magnitude of Ollis’ sacrifice.
“I read what your son did, and it’s—I wouldn’t do it, Linda,” Trump said.
“I’m not brave enough either,” Linda replied softly.
“Neither am I,” Robert added. “Even though I’m a Vietnam vet, I still wouldn’t have done it.”
Trump urged the family to come together and celebrate their son’s legacy, telling them that Michael Ollis would be proud of them.
Near the end of the call, a woman could be heard excitedly shouting in the background: “Yes, we’re going to the White House, we love you, we’re praying for you every day. Yes, let’s do this MAGA.”
Robert identified the woman as his daughter, gently signaling for her to calm down.
“Hey Robert, bring them all down,” Trump said, inviting the family to the White House before ending the call.
Watch the heartwarming moment below:
