Comprehensive Scoring Analysis

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The White House has approved the Medal of Honor for fallen Army Staff Sgt.

Michael Ollis, a Staten Island, New York, native who died in Afghanistan in 2013, while shielding an allied soldier, ac…

Nicole Malliotakis, R-N.

, who said she was notified of the decision in a statement posted to social media.

The decision follows years of advocacy from veterans' groups, elected officials and the Staten Island community to form…

In a Facebook post, Malliotakis said she had been notified directly by the White House.

"We were notified by the White House that Staten Island’s hometown hero, U.

Army Staff Sergeant Michael Ollis, has been approved for the Medal of Honor for his extraordinary act of heroism," Mall…

REP BRIAN MAST: CONGRESS HAS THE PERFECT WAY TO HONOR OUR NATION’S FALLEN HEROES Ollis was killed in Afghanistan on Aug.

28, 2013, when he used his body to shield a Polish Army officer during a suicide bombing.

"In 2013, Staff Sergeant Ollis gave his life to an allied soldier, and his courage, selflessness, and sacrifice represe…

Malliotakis credited years of advocacy efforts, adding: "After years of advocacy from the American Legion, our elected …

" The Medal of Honor is the nation’s highest military decoration and is awarded for acts that go above and beyond the c…

While the standards for awarding the medal have evolved over time, it has always recognized "conspicuous gallantry and …

The current criteria were established in 1963 during the Vietnam War.

TRUMP SIGNS MEDAL OF HONOR ACT TO RAISE PENSIONS FOR AMERICA'S MILITARY HEROES Under those standards, the medal may be …

, during military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force, or while serving alongside friendly for…

Awarding the Medal involves a rigorous review process.

Each recommendation requires detailed reports on the act itself and battlefield conditions, at least two sworn eyewitne…

Recommendation packets must be approved through the full military chain of command before reaching the president, who s…

Federal law also imposes strict timelines on the process, with recommendations requiring submission within three years …

Any submission outside those limits requires an act of Congress to waive time restrictions.

NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERS ATTACKED BY AFGHAN REFUGEE IN DC HONORED BY UNANIMOUS HOUSE VOTE Ollis' family also addressed th…

"We are extremely grateful to the President of the United States for recognizing the heroism of our son, U.

Michael Ollis, with the Medal of Honor," the statement said.

"Knowing that Michael's life, legacy and final act of courage have not been forgotten leaves us with a feeling of overw…

" The statement also thanked supporters in a separate statement who have advocated for the recognition.

"We also greatly appreciate the letters, emails and phone calls of support from government and military officials, loca…

It is deeply moving to know that you haven't forgotten Michael or our family