US soldier posthumously awarded for saving Polish troops in Afghanistan

Father and mother of dead soldier Michael H. Ollis receive medal in New York: photo - Marek Wałkuski/PR

The 24 year-old from Staten Island, who served in the 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light) stepped in front of a suicide bomber so as to shield Polish colleagues as the Ghazni base in eastern Afghanistan came under attack on 28 August this year.

The Gold Polish Army Medal, which was received by the dead soldier's father and mother, Robert and Linda Ollis, at the Polish consulate in New York, is awarded by Poland for acts of bravery by foreign civilians and military.

"I did not realize that such a brotherhood exists between our two nations and soldiers. I'm impressed, I'm honored," Linda Ollis said during the award ceremony attended by members of the US Congress and army personnel.

Staff Sgt. Michael H. Ollis: photo - US Army

Staff Sgt. Michael H. Ollis was killed after a blast from a truck bomb breached the base’s eastern perimeter wall, allowing 10 insurgents in suicide vests to infiltrate the compound.

Polish, Afghan and American troops fought back as insurgents rained mortar shells, shoulder-fired rockets and hand grenades from outside of the base.

"Staff Sgt. Ollis stepped in front of a Polish officer as a Taliban insurgent detonated his vest," said a US army report shortly after the attack from repelled.

Seven Afghan soldiers and police died, with ten Poles wounded in the attack - one dieing from his injuries later in hospital. (pg)

source: IAR