I HAVE YOUR BACK

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.