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Staten Island's hero soldier Michael Ollis to receive Silver Star

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NEW DORP -- His heroism need not be validated.

Nonetheless, fallen Army Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis will receive the Silver Star, the military's third highest decoration for
valor, for his bravery during an insurgent attack in August in eastern Afghanistan.

During the skirmish at Forward Operating Base Ghazni, Ollis saved the life of a Polish officer by stepping in front of a
suicide bomber.

Ollis was killed when the attacker's explosive vest detonated.
The presentation of the award to his parents is being scheduled. In addition to the Silver Star, Ollis will receive the Gold
Medal of the Polish Armed Forces from the Polish government.

Ollis' parents, Robert and Linda Ollis, of New Dorp, told Army Times they have accepted an invitation to attend a
remembrance ceremony at Fort Drum, N.Y., where they will meet the members of their son's platoon for the first time.

The Ollis' said they are honored by the award, but the presentation will be bittersweet.
"I've been feeling sad, I've been feeling angry--'angry,' I say that because I talk to Michael and I say, 'Why, why did you
do what you did?'" his mother, Linda, told Army Times. "I guess I wanted him to run for cover too. I feel like he thought he
was invincible," she said. "I know he was doing what he was supposed to be doing, but it's very hard for me to
understand it."

Said his father Robert, a Vietnam vet, "I wouldn't want anybody to get hurt, but you're talking to two parents, and it's very
hard. It's very hard to say, 'Mikey, why didn't you duck?'""But it doesn't surprise me that he was out in front, that was
Michael," he said.

Ollis was killed in action on Aug. 28 in eastern Afghanistan after receiving wounds when insurgents attacked his platoon's
combat outpost.

Born and raised in New Dorp, Ollis graduated from Petrides High School, where he played soccer and was a member
of the Color Guard. He joined the U.S. Air Force Junior ROTC in his freshman year at Petrides and participated through
senior year.

His father, Robert, a Vietnam War combat veteran, served in the U.S. Army Infantry from 1967 to 1969. Sgt. Ollis served in
the 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team.