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Staff Sgt. Michael H. Ollis was 24 years old and was an Infantryman with Company B, 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division in Afghanistan. On August 28, 2013, the company was stationed at Forward Operating Base Ghazni in Afghanistan when the base was attacked. After accounting for his soldiers, he along with a Coalition Forces Officer moved to the point of attack. They were not wearing their personal protection equipment and were armed with only rifles. While fighting along the perimeter, an insurgent came around a corner and immediately engaged them with small-arms fire. With complete disregard for his own safety, Ollis positioned himself between the insurgent and the Polish officer, 2nd Lt. Karol Cierpica, who was wounded and unable to walk. Ollis fired on the insurgent and incapacitated him, but as he approached, the insurgent's suicide vest detonated, mortally wounding Ollis. Michael Ollis saved the life of Karol Cierpica. Now a captain, Karol Cierpica and his family were at the ceremony. His youngest son is named for Michael. Following the ceremony, I heard from Captain Cierpica and we are hoping to meet when we are in Poland this July with teachers.
The Medal of Honor was presented to his parents Robert and Linda Ollis. The family is from Staten Island, NY. Members of Company B attended the ceremony.
Staff Sgt. Terry P. Richardson was serving as the Lima Platoon leader near the Cambodian border. On September 14, 1968, their task was to secure Hill 222. After the assault began, three members of his squad were severely wounded. Going back on three separate occasions, Richardson advanced forward under heavy enemy fire and recovered his wounded soldiers. By the time he made it back to join his unit, his entire company had been completely surrounded by the enemy. Richardson on his own advanced to the top of Hill 222 for better sight lines to direct tactical air strikes. While he was directing air strikes he was wounded by an enemy sniper. Richardson continued to direct air strikes for seven more hours. Staff Sgt. Richardson saved the lives of 85 soldiers. Terry Richardson is from Michigan and attended the ceremony in person with his family and several members of Lima Platoon.
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