Continuing His Mission To Honor Those Who've Sacrificed Tom Sileo Releases I Have Your Back

Arroe Collins Unplugged and Totally Uncut

In the early morning hours in Afghanistan on August 28, 2013, Staff Sergeant Michael Ollis gave of himself in a way most of us could never imagine. An act of courage, and the greatest sacrifice one can make, would prove to be an inspiration to all who knew him and fought alongside him.

Ever since he was a youngster, Ollis wanted to be like his soldier father, who fought valiantly in Vietnam. His deep desire to serve in the military was hardened when on September 11, 2001, his beloved New York City (born and raised on Staten Island) was attacked. From that tragic day on-ward his only goal was to serve and to protect. Award-winning and bestselling author Tom Sileo captures the true heart and soul of Michael Ollis in his new book, I HAVE YOUR BACK: How an American Soldier Became an International Hero (St. Martin's Press, On Sale Date June 4, 2024, $27.00).

In 2013, Staff Sergeant Ollis was serving with the 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light). Following two tense combat deployments in the mountains of Afghanistan, Ollis earned the U.S. Army's Ranger tab. On August 28, however, Ollis and his entire coalition military base, Forward Operating Base Ghazni, were caught in the middle of a major Taliban assault. Though he was ordered to retreat, Ollis took up the fight. At that moment he encountered a desperate Polish army officer, Lt. Karol Cierpica. Surrounded by enemy fighters, and running low on ammunition, Ollis would not leave Cierpica's side. He would have his back. His bravery would cost the 24-year-old Ollis his life. A life given saving a man he didn't know.

Posthumously, Ollis was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and The Audie Murphy Medallion. Perhaps as equally distinguished as these honors from his own country for his service, Ollis received the highest honor that the nation of Poland can bestow upon an allied soldier: The War Order of Wojenny Virtuti Militari, the oldest military decoration in the world still in use.

Today his spirit lives on in the SSG Ollis Freedom Foundation, founded in 2014 and based out of Staten Island. As an American - and internationally honored - soldier, he proved he had all our backs. His spirit also lives on with Lt. Karol Cierpica, or rather, with Cierpica's young son, whom the Polish Lieutenant named in honor of Michael Ollis at his birth in 2015. Tom Sileo's powerful account of Ollis' brave 24-year journey will motivate all of us to "live like Mike," and always put family, friends, and country first.