Staff Sergeant Olaf Schmid: He served, because others choose not to…

Via Michael Yon: Great Britain Loses one of its Finest

British soldiers at war are an incredible group. Courageous, competent, and committed in very difficult conditions. An email came today from London, from a BBC correspondent who has been to Afghanistan saying that Staff Sergeant Olaf Schmid had been killed.

Via the BBC:

Staff Sgt Schmid, born in Cornwall, lived in Winchester with his five-year-old stepson and wife.

Christina Schmid said: “Oz was a phenomenal husband and loving father who was cruelly murdered on his last day of a relentless five-month tour.

“The pain of losing him is overwhelming. I take comfort knowing he saved countless lives with his hard work.”

Lieutenant Colonel Robert Thomson, commanding officer of 2 Rifles Battle Group, said: “Staff Sgt Oz Schmid was simply the bravest and most courageous man I have ever met.

“No matter how difficult or lethal the task which lay in front of us, he was the man who only saw solutions.

“He saved lives in 2 Rifles time after time and for that he will retain a very special place in every heart of every rifleman in our extraordinary battle group.”

Lt Col Gareth Bex, commanding officer of the counter IED (improvised explosive devices) task force, said Staff Sgt Schmid had been a “legend”.

He added: “Staff Sgt Oz Schmid was a brilliant operator and a superb soldier. We loved him like a brother. He was a much adored member of our close knit family.

“With his tousled hair and boyish grin his effervescent presence was always good for morale and he had an infectious enthusiasm.

“His courage was not displayed in a fleeting moment of time – he stared death in the face on a daily basis.

“Many soldiers and ordinary Afghans owe their lives to Staff Sgt Schmid’s gallant actions and his sacrifice will never be forgotten.”