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A bomb disposal expert killed in Afghanistan will be awarded a posthumous George Cross. Staff Sergeant Olaf Schmid, 30, of the Royal Logistic Corps, died near Sangin in central Helmand Province on October 31 last year. The Ministry of Defence will announce the award on Friday, senior military sources have revealed. His widow, Christina, is expected to receive the medal from the Queen later this year. The George Cross ranks along with the Victoria Cross as the country's highest award for gallantry - but is awarded to military personnel for acts of heroism not in the presence of the enemy.

This page is devoted to the pre-eminent heroes of the War on Terror. The men who have been awarded their nations very highest decorations for bravery in service in this war. This page will be updated to include all people who receive those decorations. The decorations are:

A Royal Marine who threw himself on to an exploding grenade to save the lives of his comrades is to receive the George Cross. Lance Corporal Matthew Croucher stepped on a trip-wire which triggered the device during a night raid on a Taliban compound in Afghanistan. Realising that three other members of his patrol would be killed if he did not act, he launched himself forward to smother the explosion, managing to twist on to his back to let his rucksack take the full force of the blast. Lance Corporal Matthew Croucher with his shredded rucksack. Having stepped on a...

The ultimate tribute: Iraq-hero Hall nominated for George Cross medalBy JONATHAN POWELL - More by this author » Last updated at 22:53pm on 13th October 2007  A British security guard who died as he saved the lives of four colleagues in Iraq is to be recommended for Britain's highest civilian honour, the George Cross. Simon Hall and his companions were unarmed when they were overpowered by gunmen near the Kuwait border, bundled into a pick-up truck and taken on a terrifying journey to almost certain death. But the captives launched a daring escape attempt, with Simon heroically grabbing hold...

Trooper who saved friend in face of friendly fire awarded George CrossTeenager among 350 armed forces members honoured for action in Iraq Audrey Gillan and Richard Norton-TaylorFriday October 31, 2003The GuardianThe highest British honour for gallantry has been awarded to a 19-year-old soldier for his bravery after being attacked by US aircraft in a "friendly fire" assault during the war in Iraq, it is revealed today. Trooper Chris Finney of the Household Cavalry Regiment was awarded the rare George Cross, which has equal status with the Victoria Cross, after he struggled to haul his colleagues from a burning tank while...