'A fitting tribute to Oz for his outstanding bravery'

Published on Thursday 18 March 2010 21:38

TWO army bomb disposal experts were hailed as "the bravest of the brave" after being awarded the George Cross for their heroism in Afghanistan.

Close friends Staff Sergeant Olaf Schmid, 30, and Staff Sergeant Kim Hughes, 30, made safe scores of Taleban improvised explosive devices (IEDs) – many by hand.

Staff Sgt Schmid, known as Oz, who was born in Truro, Cornwall, and lived in Winchester, Hampshire, was killed attempting to disarm a bomb in the Sangin area of Helmand province in October. He had dealt personally with 70 IEDs, saving the lives of many of his comrades and Afghan civilians.

Mrs Schmid received a framed copy of her husband's citation for the medal from the Air Chief Marshal.

She spoke of her huge pride at the award, which she described as a "legendary award for my legendary husband". She said: "I am as proud of my husband as he was magnificent, and I'm truly thrilled. The George Cross is a fitting tribute to decorate Oz for his outstanding bravery."

Staff Sgt Hughes, from Telford, Shropshire, was honoured for what was described as "the single most outstanding act of explosive ordnance disposal ever recorded in Afghanistan".

One day last summer he dismantled seven IEDs in a minefield in Sangin by hand without any protective clothing so that five seriously wounded soldiers and the bodies of two dead comrades could be recovered.

Sitting next to Staff Sgt Schmid's widow, Staff Sgt Hughes paid tribute to his friend.

He said: "To be honoured, to be sat here with Chrissie, to know that I've achieved the award and Oz has achieved that award, is out of this world, to be honest. It's really good."

Staff Sgt Hughes caused a stir in October when he told Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth, on a visit to Afghanistan, that more troops were needed on the ground.

Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, Chief of the Defence Staff, said the two soldiers were "exceptions in an already exceptional group, the bravest of the brave".

He said: "As one of our top two operational honours, the George Cross is awarded only rarely. Its recipients must have displayed the very highest levels of gallantry."