THE widow of fearless bomb disposal hero Olaf Schmid yesterday proudly accepted his George Cross citation – posthumously awarded for his "selfless gallantry, devotion to duty and indefatigable courage".

Christina Schmid attended the ceremony in her husband's honour as he was praised for extraordinary bravery before he was killed tackling Taliban explosives in Afghanistan.

Cornish Staff Sergeant Schmid, 30 – known as Oz – of the Royal Logistic Corps, was killed trying to defuse an improvised explosive device (IED) last October.

He was killed just a week before he was due to fly back to his family in Britain.

Staff Sgt Schmid, who was born in Truro but lived in Winchester, Hampshire, with his wife and stepson Laird, five, made 64 IEDs safe and found 11 bomb-making centres during his five months in Afghanistan.

Over the summer, he took part in Operation Panther's Claw, a major British-led offensive to clear populated areas in central Helmand of Taliban insurgents.

After his death, Lieutenant Colonel Rob Thomson, commanding officer of 2 Rifles Battle Group, described him as "simply the bravest and most courageous man I have ever met".

The George Cross ranks along with the Victoria Cross as Britain's highest award for bravery.

Yesterday, his heartbroken but proud widow Christina, 34, attended the ceremony in London where Chief of the Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup and Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth MP congratulated her.

At the same ceremony, Staff Sgt Schmid's comrade Staff Sgt Kim Hughes, 30, from Telford, Shropshire, of the Royal Logistic Corps, was also awarded the George Cross.

The men were deployed to Afghanistan last year as part of the elite and close-knit high-threat bomb disposal unit.

The George Crosses will be presented by the Queen at a royal investiture at a later date.

Sir Jock 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.

"The actions of Staff Sgt Hughes and the late Staff Sgt Schmid meet this most demanding test in full measure.

"Their selfless commitment, unswerving devotion to duty and unsurpassed courage are both awe-inspiring and humbling."

Mrs Schmid received a framed copy of her husband's citation for the medal from Sir Jock.

She said she was hugely proud of the award and described it as a "legendary award for my legendary husband".

Mrs Schmid added: "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."

The citation describes how Staff Sgt Schmid did "one of the most physically draining, mentally intense and hazardous jobs in Helmand".

It includes examples of the dangers he exposed himself to every day including his final act of bravery.

The citation reads: "At the end of October 2009, Schmid was involved in an operation near Forward Operating Base Jackson in Battle Group North's area.

"Having dealt with three IEDs already that day, Schmid and his team were transiting to another compound when a searcher discovered a command wire running down the alleyway they were using.

"Schmid and his team were trapped in the alleyway with no safe route forward or back as they did not know in which direction the IED was situated.

"Knowing that his team were in potential danger, he immediately took action to reduce the hazard.

"Schmid eventually traced the wire to a complex command wire IED in that it incorporated three linked buried main charges.

"He was killed whilst dealing with the device.

"Schmid's actions on that fateful day, when trapped in an alleyway with no safe means of escape, probably saved the lives of his team.

"These occasions are representative of the complexity and danger that Schmid had faced daily throughout his four-month tour.

"His selfless gallantry, his devotion to duty, and his indefatigable courage displayed time and time again, saved countless military and civilian lives and is worthy of the highest recognition."

More than a 1,000 people attended the solider's funeral at Truro Cathedral.

As a youngster, the former Penair and Polwhele schoolboy had sung in the Truro Cathedral choir where he had been head chorister.

Sitting next to Mrs Schmid, Staff Sgt Hughes paid tribute to his fallen 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 the Defence Secretary, on a visit to Afghanistan, that more troops were needed on the ground.

The George Cross is presented to civilians and members of the armed forces who carry out acts of great heroism not in the presence of the enemy.

A total of 161 people have received the George Cross, including the two soldiers whose awards were announced yesterday.