"The inspiring story of a boy who yearned to be a soldier, achieved his dream, served three tours with distinction, and died a hero...[Sileo] narrates his tale with evenhandedness and a refreshing lack of empty declarations of patriotism...A well-deserved eulogy for an American warrior." -Kirkus Reviews
“Engrossing… Sileo captures the heart and soul of the American soldier, reminding us that heroes come in all sizes, nationalities, genders, races and creeds. Ollis epitomizes the highest standards of the Army’s NCO corps. We are in Sileo’s debt for making Ollis’ story accessible to the Army and the American public.” —ARMY magazine
“A riveting account of one of the true heroes of America’s New Greatest Generation – the young men and women who volunteered in the wake of the 9/11 attacks, many of whom I was privileged to command during five combat assignments. Staff Sergeant Mike Ollis was one of the greatest of the many extraordinary soldiers who selflessly served our country during multiple tours in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan, repeatedly having the back of those on his left and right in tough combat – and ultimately putting his own life at risk to save the life of a soldier from a coalition country. It is impossible not to be inspired by his example – and not to be motivated to ‘live like Mike’ after reading I Have Your Back – a great book about a great American.” -General David Petraeus, US Army (Ret.), former Commander of the Surge in Iraq, US Central Command, and NATO/US Forces in Afghanistan; former Director of the CIA; and author of the New York Times bestseller Conflict: The Evolution of Warfare from 1945 to Ukraine.
“Tom Sileo continues his important mission of honoring the sacrifices of our American defenders in his new book I Have Your Back, the remarkable true story of U.S Army Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis who gave his life to save a member of the Polish armed forces on August 28, 2013 while serving in Afghanistan. We can never do enough to remember those who lay down their lives in defense of our freedom, and the families left behind. Tom Sileo’s work is to be admired for his skill and appreciated for never letting us forget the sacrifices of selfless Americans like Michael Ollis.” -Gary Sinise, Award-winning actor, bestselling author of Grateful American and founder of the Gary Sinise Foundation
"I lost my two brothers in Afghanistan. After reading I Have Your Back by Tom Sileo, I feel like I've lost a third. Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis embodied everything my brothers stood for: family, faith, service and sacrifice. We must never forget heroes like Michael, Jeremy, Ben and thousands more who gave all to keep us safe." -Sergeant Beau Wise, U.S. Marine Corps (Ret.). Afghanistan combat veteran, Gold Star brother & bestselling author of Three Wise Men
“Staff Sergeant Michael Ollis made the ultimate sacrifice in Afghanistan one year after four of my friends lost their lives in a suicide bombing. While I will always miss them, it is comforting to know that long after our mission ended, fellow soldiers like Michael continued confronting the enemy and saving lives. Michael's final act of heroism embodied the Ranger creed that we both served and lived by: Rangers lead the way!" -Captain Flo Groberg, U.S. Army (Ret.). Medal of Honor recipient and author of 8 Seconds of Courage
"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." -Frank Siller, Chairman/CEO of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation
2024-03-23
The inspiring story of a boy who yearned to be a soldier, achieved his dream, served three tours with distinction, and died a hero.
Military historian Sileo, author of Three Wise Men and Brothers Forever, chronicles the life of Army Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis (1988-2013), who idolized his Vietnam veteran father, played soldier obsessively in childhood, and enlisted in the Army at age 17 with his parents’ approval. For a school assignment at age 13, he wrote, “I want to join the US Army. I want to jump out of airplanes and helicopters.” He clearly loved the life of an infantry grunt, impressing superiors as well as those who served with him. The author delivers an entertaining account of Ollis’ service, including tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. The end came in the summer of 2013 when Afghan insurgents invaded his base, and he saved the life of a Polish officer by shooting an attacking suicide bomber but died when the bomb exploded. The final 50 pages describe what followed: delivery of the tragic news; funeral ceremonies; testimonials from friends, fellow soldiers, and high officials, including then-President Obama; many awards; and subsequent memorials. Readers may be inclined to skim Sileo’s long excerpts from personal letters, speeches, and official condolences. The author narrates his tale with evenhandedness and a refreshing lack of empty declarations of patriotism, so pacifist readers curious to experience the life of an American warrior, the nuts and bolts of training, family life, horseplay, camaraderie, and battlefield fireworks will be satisfied. “Not only was I in awe of the young soldier’s willingness to sacrifice his life to save a foreign service member he had only just met,” writes Sileo, “but also by the way his story had quickly inspired so many, both in Poland and the United States.”
A well-deserved eulogy for an American warrior.
