Application for the Cross of the Grand Order of Merit of Poland for a US Army soldier

“His death is simply a symbol of the brotherhood of weapons. Polish and American soldiers fought together and together took the highest sacrifice. Poland will never forget it!’, wrote MON head Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz on page X. He besides informed that he had requested the president of the Republic of Poland to posthumously appoint the sergeants. Michael Ollis as the Cross of the Grand Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland.

The Cross of the Grand Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland is the highest honour that can be awarded to the foreigner for outstanding merits in cooperation with Poland. The Minister of National Defence applied to the president of the Republic of Poland to honour him with the American Petty Officer Michael H. Ollis, who died on August 28, 2013 during the bombing of the Ghazni base in Afghanistan. During the attack, 1 of the attackers detonated an explosive device. According to the findings and accounts of the witnesses, Ollis at the last minute shielded his own body of the Polish officer – then Lieutenant Karol Sufferka. American died at the scene, Pole survived.

Ollis' case returned to public opinion in connection with a fresh decision by the U.S. authorities to grant him the Medal of Honor – the highest U.S. military award, broadcast for acts beyond the work of service, made with the hazard of life in direct combat. The medal is awarded on behalf of the US legislature and presented by the president of the United States to persons or representatives of their families.