H. Norman Schwarzkopf

H. Norman Schwarzkopf
Name	H. Norman Schwarzkopf
Caption	General H. Norman Schwarzkopf
Birth date	22 August 1934
Death date	27 December 2012
Birth place	Trenton, New Jersey, U.S.
Death place	Tampa, Florida, U.S.
Allegiance	United States
Branch	United States Army
Serviceyears	1956–1991
Rank	General
Commands	United States Central Command, United States Army Forces Command, 24th Infantry Division, 1st Brigade, 9th Infantry Division
Battles	Vietnam War, Operation Urgent Fury, Gulf War
Awards	Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Army Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, Purple Heart, Presidential Medal of Freedom
Spouse	Brenda Holsinger, 1968

H. Norman Schwarzkopf. Herbert Norman Schwarzkopf Jr. was a senior United States Army officer who served as Commander-in-Chief of the United States Central Command and led the allied coalition to victory in the Gulf War. His leadership during Operation Desert Storm made him a prominent national figure, earning him the nickname "Stormin' Norman." Following a distinguished 35-year military career that included service in the Vietnam War and Operation Urgent Fury, he retired in 1991 and was later awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Early life and education

Born in Trenton, New Jersey, Schwarzkopf was the son of Herbert Norman Schwarzkopf Sr., the first superintendent of the New Jersey State Police who led the investigation into the Lindbergh kidnapping. His early years were spent in the United States and Iran, where his father served as a military advisor to the Shah. He attended Community School in Tehran before returning to the U.S., where he graduated from the Valley Forge Military Academy and College. He received an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point, graduating in 1956 with a Bachelor of Science degree. He later earned a Master of Science in Mechanical engineering from the University of Southern California and attended the United States Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth.

Military career

Commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army, Schwarzkopf's early assignments included tours in West Germany and at the USMA Preparatory School. He served two tours during the Vietnam War, first as an advisor to the Army of the Republic of Vietnam and later as a battalion commander in the Americal Division. He was wounded in action and awarded the Silver Star and three Silver Stars for valor. His post-Vietnam career included key staff positions in Washington, D.C., and command of the 1st Brigade of the 9th Infantry Division. He later commanded the 24th Infantry Division at Fort Stewart and served as Deputy Commander of the invasion of Grenada during Operation Urgent Fury. He was promoted to General in 1988 and assumed command of the United States Central Command at MacDill Air Force Base.

Operation Desert Storm

Following the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in August 1990, Schwarzkopf was tasked by President George H. W. Bush and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Colin Powell with planning and executing the military campaign to liberate Kuwait. He masterminded the extensive Operation Desert Shield buildup in Saudi Arabia and the subsequent air campaign against Iraq. The ground offensive, Operation Desert Storm, began in February 1991 and featured the "Hail Mary" maneuver, a massive flanking attack by VII Corps and XVIII Airborne Corps that decisively defeated the Iraqi Army. The campaign culminated in a ceasefire after 100 hours of ground combat, with Schwarzkopf negotiating the terms at Safwan Airfield.

Later life and death

After retiring from the United States Army in August 1991, Schwarzkopf declined opportunities for political office. He authored a bestselling autobiography, It Doesn't Take a Hero, and worked as a military analyst for NBC News. He served on the board of directors for several corporations, including Remington Arms, and was active with charitable organizations such as the Tampa General Hospital Foundation. In his final years, he battled health issues, including prostate cancer. He died from complications of pneumonia in Tampa, Florida, and was interred at the West Point Cemetery.

Awards and decorations

Schwarzkopf's military honors include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Army Distinguished Service Medal, the Silver Star (with two Oak Leaf Clusters), the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star Medal (with "V" device), the Purple Heart, and numerous service ribbons and foreign awards. For his service in the Gulf War, he received a Gold Star in lieu of a second Defense Distinguished Service Medal. In 1991, President George H. W. Bush presented him with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian award.

Legacy

Schwarzkopf is widely remembered as the commanding general of the Gulf War, a conflict that showcased advanced American military technology and coalition warfare. His leadership style and the swift victory of Operation Desert Storm led to a surge in American patriotism and his widespread popularity. Military historians often analyze the Gulf War and the subsequent Iraq War in relation to his strategies. His legacy is commemorated by namesake institutions, including the USNS Schwarzkopf and the Schwarzkopf Elementary School at Fort Benning. He remains a significant figure in the history of the United States Central Command and modern American military leadership.

Category:United States Army generals Category:Gulf War commanders Category:1934 births Category:2012 deaths