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PHOTOS: DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE'S TOP MILITARY PHOTOS

“We are so very proud of Michael,” his mother, Linda Ollis, told the Daily News Friday as the family waited for his flag-
draped coffin to arrive at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware.

Family photo

Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis (center, with family in Staten Island in 2009, and above) was killed
Wednesday.

“He always wanted to be a soldier, and we were very supportive of him. He had just received the Bronze Star a few
weeks ago.”

His father, Robert, earned the Bronze Star in Vietnam, but was not presented with the award until 2009. “Being a father, I
was doing backflips when he mentioned it,” Robert Ollis said of the award. “I thought it was wonderful; he was the only
squad leader to get one. But he didn’t get into any details. He just said, ‘Oh yeah, by the way. . .’ ”
His parents were vacationing in London when they were informed of their son’s death. U.S. Embassy workers ushered
them quickly home to the States, arranging for everything, they said.

PHOTOS: MEMENTOS LEFT ON MILITARY GRAVES AT ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

The parents were joined in their solemn vigil in Delaware by their daughters, Kimberly and Kelly and their husbands.
The family knows little about how Michael died. Killed in the same battle was Sgt. 1st Class Ricardo Young, 34, of
Rosston, Ark.

“For the moment it’s still classified, but they have promised us a full report,” Robert Ollis said.