Two Army bomb disposal experts were awarded the George Cross today for the extraordinary bravery they displayed in tackling Taliban explosives in Afghanistan.

One of the pair, Staff Sergeant Olaf Schmid, 30, of the Royal Logistic Corps - based at Vauxhall Barracks in Didcot, was killed attempting to defuse one of the devices last October.

Staff Sergeant Kim Hughes, 30, from Telford, Shropshire, and also of the Royal Logistic Corps, received his award for what was described as "the single most outstanding act of explosive ordnance disposal ever recorded in Afghanistan".

Last August he dismantled seven insurgent bombs by hand without any protective clothing so four seriously wounded soldiers and the bodies of two dead comrades could be recovered.

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

Chief of the Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup 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 later 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."

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

It 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 today.

Staff Sgt Schmid, who was known as Oz, was born in Truro, Cornwall and lived in Winchester, Hampshire, with his wife Christina and stepson Laird, five.

He was killed trying to disarm an improvised explosive device (IED) near Sangin in central Helmand Province on October 31 last year, just a week before he was due to fly back to his family in Britain.

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.

During his five months in Afghanistan, he made 64 IEDs safe and found 11 bomb-making centres.

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".

Lieutenant Colonel Gareth Bex, commanding officer of the counter-IED task force, said he was a "legend" whose "gallant actions and sacrifice will never be forgotten".

At Staff Sgt Schmid's funeral in Truro Cathedral, his widow called on world leaders to do more to protect soldiers serving in the war-torn country.

Mrs Schmid said: "Olaf and troops like him join to serve traditional warrior values, to passionately protect the country they love, its ideals and especially their families, communities and each other."

The last George Cross recipient was Royal Marines reservist Lance Corporal Matthew Croucher, from Birmingham, who risked his life to save his comrades by throwing himself on a live grenade in Afghanistan in February 2008.