Donald Trump is known for making a difference. That’s why he was elected as president twice.
And President Trump just made a phone call that changed these Americans’ lives.
In a heartfelt moment that captures the essence of true American heroism, President Trump personally called the parents of fallen Army Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis to deliver news that honors their son’s ultimate sacrifice.
The Staten Island native, who gave his life in Afghanistan more than ten years ago, will receive the Medal of Honor posthumously, recognizing his extraordinary bravery on the battlefield.
Robert and Linda Ollis were at home in their kitchen on Staten Island when the call came in on Monday.
A video shared on the SSG Michael Ollis Freedom Foundation’s Facebook page shows the president checking in on the couple, asking about their well-being amid the anticipation.
“We’re very nervous,” Robert stated.
Trump’s response cut straight to the point, building the excitement. “You should be, because your son is going to get the highest honor that you can have,” he said.
“There is no higher honor than the Congressional Medal of Honor.”
The father’s face transformed in an instant, beaming with pride as the weight of the words sank in. This upgrade from the Distinguished Service Cross, which Ollis had received earlier, marks a long-overdue tribute to a soldier who embodied selfless courage.
Trump added a touching personal note, imagining Ollis watching over them. “He’s looking down at you right now, he’s saying, ‘Well, my mom and dad are handling this pretty well,’” the president stated.
At just 24 years old, Ollis served as an infantryman in the Army when tragedy struck on August 28, 2013.
During a fierce Taliban assault on Forward Operating Base Ghazni in Afghanistan, he faced unimaginable danger head-on.
In the midst of the attack, Ollis spotted a suicide bomber closing in on a Polish officer. Without hesitation, he positioned himself as a human shield, taking the full force of the explosion and saving the officer’s life in the process.
His quick thinking and valor didn’t stop there—witnesses credit his actions with shielding over 40 fellow service members and civilians from harm, turning what could have been a devastating loss into a story of triumph through sacrifice.
For years, the Ollis family, along with veteran organizations, local leaders, and especially U.S. Rep. Nicole Malliotakis from New York, pushed relentlessly to see this recognition elevated.
Their persistence paid off when Trump greenlit the Medal of Honor.
