STATEN ISLAND — A U.S. Army soldier from Staten Island was killed in Afghanistan on Wednesday, the Department of Defense said.
Staff Sgt. Michael H. Ollis, 24, an infantryman, died from wounds he sustained when his unit was attacked with an improvised explosive device and gunfire in Ghanzi Province, the DOD said.
"Today, we are mourning the loss of a New Yorker who volunteered to put himself in harm’s way to protect the freedoms we all enjoy," Mayor Michael Bloomberg said in a statement. "As New Yorkers, we owe a special debt of gratitude to those who serve in our military, because New York City is in many ways America’s greatest symbol of freedom."
Ollis joined the army in August 2006 and was deployed to Iraq from 2008 to 2009 and Afghanistan in 2010 to 2011, a spokesman for the U.S. base in Fort Drum, N.Y. said.
He's received numerous awards and medals for his service, including the Bronze Star and four Army commendations, the Fort Drum spokesman said.
Ollis was assigned to Fort Drum in the 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light), the DOD said.
He was survived by his mother and father.
