Four soldiers receive new German award

BERLIN, July 6 (UPI) -- Four soldiers received the new German medal for bravery from Chancellor Angela Merkel for their bravery in Afghanistan, officials said.

In 2008, the four aided the wounded in a suicide attack near Kunduz, officials said. The defense ministry issued a statement on its Web site saying two soldiers and five children died in the attack.

The German soldiers dodged exploding munitions and moved through burning vehicles to get to the soldiers and civilians, the BBC said.

The new medal, called the Cross of Honor for Bravery, replaces the Iron Cross, which was discontinued due to its association with World War II, the BBC reported. It features a golden Maltese cross with an eagle in the center. The cross is on a black, red and gold ribbon with oak leaves.

The German contingent of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan is 3,830 troops.