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\u2014the nation\u2019s highest military decoration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The emotional phone call, captured on video, shows Ollis\u2019 father, Robert, answering the call on speakerphone, visibly stunned as the president delivers the news.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019re very nervous,\u201d Robert Ollis says at the start of the call.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\u201cYou should be, because your son is going to get the highest honor that you can have,\u201d President Trump replied. \u201cThere is no higher honor than the Congressional Medal of Honor.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Robert\u2019s disbelief quickly turned to joy, his mouth hanging open before breaking into a wide smile as the weight of the moment set in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\u201cHe\u2019s looking down at you right now,\u201d Trump told the family. \u201cHe\u2019s saying, \u2018Well, my mom and dad are handling this pretty well.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThank you so much, Mr. President. You have no idea the happiness we have,\u201d Robert responded.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Ollis\u2019 mother, Linda, expressed gratitude not only for the recognition, but for the years-long effort it took to make it happen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThank you for facilitating this! This is so wonderful,\u201d she said, explaining that the family had advocated for years, reaching out to countless officials and organizations to ensure their son\u2019s heroism was properly recognized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
President Trump acknowledged that persistence, noting that grassroots advocacy\u2014often led by families and veterans\u2014is essential to ensuring acts of valor are not forgotten.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOtherwise, how are we going to know, right?\u201d Trump said. \u201cPeople don\u2019t know. So I think that\u2019s fantastic.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The decision comes after sustained advocacy from veterans\u2019 groups, elected officials, and the Staten Island community, all of whom argued that Ollis\u2019 actions clearly met the standard for the Medal of Honor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u2014an act emblematic of the selflessness and courage that define America\u2019s warriors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n