Oleszno Cultural Center dedicated to Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis, honoring U.S.-Poland bond

OLESZNO, POLAND — On Sept. 16, 2026, the town of Oleszno in Poland’s Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship named its community cultural center after Medal of Honor recipient Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis, honoring his heroism and reaffirming the enduring bond between the United States and Poland.

The ceremony was attended by the President of the Republic of Poland, U.S. and Polish government officials and military dignitaries.

Ollis, of the 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division, gave his life for his country on Aug. 28, 2013, during a fierce insurgent attack at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Ghazni, Afghanistan. Ollis participated in the defense of the FOB and joined in a counterattack under heavy enemy fire. He then crossed paths with Polish Armed Forces, 2nd Lt. Karol Cierpica, who was a part of the Polish Army presence at the FOB. Ollis engaged an approaching insurgent, and neutralized him. He placed his own body between the insurgent and Cierpica, but the insurgent’s suicide vest detonated, fatally wounding Ollis, but shielding Cierpica from the explosion.

The naming ceremony not only reflects Ollis’s Medal of Honor, but also the enduring legacy and significance of his sacrifice to the U.S.-Polish military relationship and history.

“Today is not only a special day with the cultural center being open, it’s also Michael’s birthday today,” said Linda Ollis, The mother of Michael Ollis. "We've been comforted immensely by the way Michael is remembered and honored by you. Thank you for keeping his memory alive.”

The naming and ceremony of the new community cultural center in the town of Oleszno has equal importance. The new cultural center is also located in Cierpica's hometown.

This new relationship between the Ollis family and Cierpica may have started under different circumstances, but has manifested into a new type of relationship that no one would have seen. (To the Ollis Family) Cierpica said, “Your deeds speak louder than words, you welcomed me like you would your own son.”

After the White House Medal of Honor ceremony on March 2, Poland awarded Ollis the

Grand Cross of the Order of Merit, its highest honor for foreign citizens.

“Michael Ollis gave his life for his friend and country, in the service of the United States and illustrating the true strength of the Polish-American alliance.” said Karol Nawrocki, The President of the Republic of Poland.

He added that the bonds between the United States and Poland go back centuries, from Brigadier Generals Tadeusz Kosciuszko and Casimir Pulaski, to the present. The continual cooperation and bonds are not just evident in words, but in actions, sacrifice, and legacy.

“This alliance, built upon shared values and history has many faces,” said Karol Nawrocki, The President of the Republic of Poland. “Ollis was an exemplary American and May God Bless the United States of America.”