Lt Col James Woodham was praised for 'delicate' negotiations

Head of the Army Gen Sir Mike Jackson gave medals to troops who had served in Iraq, Afghanistan and Northern Ireland.

Several troops who helped to free two soldiers from an Iraqi militia during a day of unrest in Basra last September were among those honoured.

The highest award was given to Capt Peter Norton, 43, who received a George Cross for bravery in Iraq.

Capt Norton became only the 22nd British armed forces member since 1945 to receive the George Cross - which ranks alongside the Victoria Cross as Britain's highest medal for bravery.

After I hit the ground it was really life or death for me Captain Peter Norton George Cross for Iraq hero Full list of honours

The soldier, of the Royal Logistics Corps, lost a leg and part of an arm while dealing with a bombing which killed four US soldiers near Baghdad in July.

Sir Mike hailed Capt Norton's exploits as a "remarkable achievement" by a "brave person".

In the same incident, his commanding officer Lt Col Robert Seddon moved US troops to safety and defused another bomb in the area.

Col Seddon, who had been in Iraq for less than a month at the time, was awarded the Queen's Commendation for Bravery.

'Humility and pride'

Paying tribute to all 70 troops, Sir Mike said he was proud of their "remarkable courage and selflessness".

He said they were "testimony to the quality of our training, and to the character, ability and determination of our people".

Find out more about Britain's bravery medals In pictures

Defence Secretary John Reid said they had shown "outstanding courage, bravery and tenacity", adding he was filled "with a great sense of humility and pride".

Among other honours, Lt Col James Woodham received a Military Cross for helping to negotiate the freedom of two Special Forces soldiers on 19 September in Iraq.

The two men had been arrested in Basra for allegedly shooting dead a policeman and wounding another.

In one of the most dramatic days of the Iraq conflict, British forces smashed down the walls of Basra's main police station in an attempted rescue operation, only to find that the two men were not there.

They were eventually freed from a house in Basra, where they were being held by militants.

Col Woodham, of the Royal Anglian Regiment, displayed the highest levels of leadership and composure in the face of a "highly-charged" environment, the Ministry of Defence said.

HAVE YOUR SAY Congratulations to an exceedingly brave man James McGraw, United Kingdom Send us your comments Where are UK troops? Basra police station drama

The day's drama culminated in an angry mob surrounding and setting fire to a British armoured car.

Several soldiers involved in those clashes were awarded for their bravery.

Meanwhile, Colour Sgt Matthew Tomlinson was credited with saving the lives of many US Marines while fighting with insurgents near Falluja in November 2004.

Under attack on the Euphrates River, Colour Sgt Tomlinson chose to attack the insurgents, creating an "element of surprise which unhinged the enemy", the MoD said.

He was awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross.