General Norman Schwarzkopf, A Hero Is Gone

Retired General H. Norman Schwarzkopf, Commander of all coalition forces during the Gulf War in 1991 has died from complications of pneumonia.  General Schwarzkopf was 78.

Schwarzkopf had a long and distinguished career in the The United States Army earning a reputation as having a hot temper which earned him the nickname, “Stormin’ Norman,” while serving in Vietnam as he would use that temper to demand helicopters in support of troops under his command. As a Battalion Commander Schwarzkopf risked his life and was wounded when he learned members of his Battalion were trapped in a mine field.  He came to the rescue of those trapped in the field and led them out of the mine field being wounded himself while carrying a wounded soldier who had been injured as a result of an exploding mine.

Schwarzkopf rose through the ranks of General in the 1970′s and early 80′s being awarded his fourth star in 1988 and assigned a Commander in Chief of US Central Command which included the Horn of Africa, the Middle East and South Asia. He developed a hypothetical plan to defend Persian Gulf oil fields from a invasion by Iraq, a plan that came to fruition in 1991 as Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait which led to the Gulf War placing Schwarzkopf in full Command of US and Coalition forces.

After quickly defeating the Iraqi military and ousting Iraqi forces from Kuwait defeating Saddam Hussein, Schwarzkopf was offered Chief of Staff of The United States Army making him the ranking officer in the Army and a member of The Joint Chiefs. Schwarzkopf declined the promotion and retired in August of 1991.  Many believed he would pursue a career in politics and make a run for President of The United States but he did not.

In 1993 General Schwarzkopf was diagnosed with prostate cancer and was successfully treated for it while becoming a spokesman advocating preventative measures against a cancer that affects 1 in 4 men.  General Schwarzkopf is survived by his wife Brenda and three children. A hero has gone and may he rest in peace. God bless the memory of General Herbert Norman Schwarzkopf.

Ken Taylor