The story of U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis, who became an international hero for his courage and selflessness.
Ever since he was a young boy growing up on the streets of Staten Island, New York, Michael Ollis wanted to be a soldier. Inspired by his father, who fought in Vietnam, Mike’s deep desire to serve was cemented on the day his beloved city was attacked. From 9/11 onward, Mike’s one and only mission was to save lives.
After two tense combat deployments, Staff Sergeant Michael Ollis earned the US Army’s coveted Ranger tab and set his sights on the perilous mountains of eastern Afghanistan. On August 28, 2013, Mike was suddenly caught in the middle of a massive and unprecedented Taliban assault on a coalition military base. Rather than retreat to his bunker, Mike decided to fight. He then encountered a Polish army officer who needed his help.
Despite being surrounded by enemy fighters while running low on ammunition, Mike promised the foreign soldier that no matter what, he would have his back. For his final act of bravery, Staff Sergeant Michael Ollis would not only receive the Distinguished Service Cross from his own country, but the highest honor that Poland can bestow upon an allied soldier.
As an American warrior, Staff Sergeant Michael Ollis had all of our backs. This vivid and visceral account of Mike’s selfless 24-year journey will motivate us to “live like Mike” by always putting family, friends and country first.
A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin’s Press.
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"Some people search their entire lives to find their greater purpose, questioning “Why am I here?” Staff Sergeant Michael Ollis did not have a single doubt that he was put on this earth to serve his country. Emboldened by the tragedy of 9/11 and the effects it had on his hometown of Staten Island, Ollis set his sights on the United States Army, determined to make his family and friends proud as he defended our nation. Along the way, he made an immeasurable impact on every life he touched. His spirit and immense sacrifice have been memorialized by his family through the SSG Michael Ollis Freedom Foundation, returning each year to New Dorp to honor his life in the neighborhood where it all began, with the Annual SSG Ollis 5K. Though his life was cut tragically short, SSG Ollis serves as a pillar of heroism and patriotism as readers follow his story from humble beginnings in the streets of Staten Island, to his final act of service as he made the ultimate sacrifice.
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Frank Siller, Chairman/CEO of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation