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Norman ShwarzkopfAmerican military leader
Date of Birth: 22.08.1934
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Biography of Norman Schwarzkopf
Norman Schwarzkopf was an American military commander who led the multinational coalition forces during the Gulf War in 1990-1991. He was born in Trenton, New Jersey, into a family with a notable law enforcement background. His father was the superintendent of the New Jersey State Police and was involved in the infamous Charles Lindbergh Jr. kidnapping case.
Schwarzkopf Sr. graduated from West Point and served in both World War I and World War II, eventually reaching the rank of brigadier general. Schwarzkopf Jr. had always dreamed of a military career from a young age. After World War II, his father helped establish the police force for the Shah of Iran, and the family moved to the Middle East. Schwarzkopf attended schools in Iran, Switzerland, Germany, and Italy, becoming fluent in French and German.
After completing his education, Schwarzkopf graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1956. He began his service in the 2nd Airborne Battle Group at Fort Benning, Georgia. He later served in the 101st Airborne Division and the 6th Infantry Division in West Germany. In 1961, Schwarzkopf left Germany just a week before the Berlin Crisis. He then attended the University of Southern California for a year, earning a master's degree in guided missile engineering, and returned to West Point as a faculty member.
In 1965, Schwarzkopf requested to be sent to Vietnam. During his first tour (1965-1966), he served as an advisor to the elite South Vietnamese Airborne Division. His unit played a crucial role in the Battle of Ia Drang, cutting off retreating North Vietnamese forces near the American Special Forces camp at Duc Co. Schwarzkopf received several awards, including the Silver Star, and was wounded during this tour, rising to the rank of major.
Upon returning from Vietnam, Schwarzkopf continued to teach at West Point for two years before marrying Brenda Holsinger in July 1968. Promoted to lieutenant colonel, he returned to Vietnam for his second tour (1969-1970), commanding the 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 198th Light Infantry Brigade, 23rd Infantry Division. He gained recognition for rescuing his trapped unit from a minefield incident in Batangan, where he was injured. During his two tours in Vietnam, Schwarzkopf received three Silver Stars and developed a reputation as a tough commander who prioritized the safety of his soldiers.
Returning from the war, Schwarzkopf was assigned to conduct public outreach about the Vietnam War to the civilian population. This experience made him realize the importance of public support during military conflicts. Despite contemplating leaving the military, he decided to stay and contribute to the development of fully professional armed forces. In the 1970s and early 1980s, Schwarzkopf held various positions, including deputy commander of the U.S. military group in Alaska, working in the Army General Staff, commanding a brigade at Fort Lewis, Washington, and attending the U.S. Army War College. During this period, he also provided security during Pope John Paul II's visit to Mainz, Germany.
In June 1983, Major General Schwarzkopf was appointed commander of the 24th Mechanized Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, Georgia. Just four months later, the small Caribbean island of Grenada experienced a coup, and the United States launched a military intervention known as "Operation Urgent Fury" to prevent the establishment of a pro-Cuban regime. Schwarzkopf served as the deputy leader of the operation and commanded the ground forces that landed on the island. The mission was successful, and this operation further cemented his reputation as a skilled military commander.
After the Grenada operation, Schwarzkopf worked at the Pentagon until 1986 when he was promoted to lieutenant general and assumed command of the I Corps at Fort Lewis. The pinnacle of his Army career came in 1988 when he was promoted to full general and appointed as the commander of the United States Central Command responsible for operations in the volatile region between the Horn of Africa and South Asia. In this role, he applied lessons learned from Vietnam.
On August 2, 1990, Iraqi forces invaded Kuwait, and less than a week later, American troops began arriving in Saudi Arabia to defend the country against possible Iraqi aggression. The United Nations demanded Iraq's immediate withdrawal from Kuwait, but when Iraq instead annexed the country, the UN Security Council passed a resolution on November 29, 1990, authorizing the use of force by coalition forces to liberate Kuwait. Schwarzkopf was appointed as the commander of the American and European forces, with Saudi General Khaled bin Sultan serving as his co-commander for the Arab and Muslim contingent. The plan involved a prolonged air campaign to destroy Iraq's air force and disrupt its supply lines to Kuwait. On January 15, 1991, the ultimatum expired, and Operation Desert Storm began with massive missile and bombing strikes against strategic targets in Iraq. After the first two weeks of intense bombing, the Iraqi Air Force was effectively neutralized. On February 24, 1991, Operation Desert Sabre commenced, a ground offensive launched from the western region along the Saudi-Iraqi border. The capital of Kuwait was liberated within two days, and coalition forces advancing from the west nearly encircled the retreating Iraqi forces. On the morning of February 28, 1991, Saddam Hussein declared a ceasefire and accepted all UN demands. On March 3, 1991, Schwarzkopf and Khaled bin Sultan signed the ceasefire documents with the representatives of the Iraqi government at the captured Iraqi airbase of Safwan.
Upon his return from Saudi Arabia, Schwarzkopf was hailed as a hero. The minimal casualties suffered by the coalition forces (around 200 deaths) and the military triumph, as well as Schwarzkopf's media-friendly approach during the war, led to his widespread acclaim. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, became an honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath in the UK, and was inducted into the French Foreign Legion as an honorary Commandeur. When asked about the most memorable moment of the war, Schwarzkopf humorously mentioned how his wife learned to call a plumber during his absence.
However, Schwarzkopf caused controversy when he expressed his belief that the coalition forces should have continued the military operation to overthrow Saddam Hussein's regime in Iraq after liberating Kuwait. Many saw this statement, which contradicted President George H.W. Bush's position, as a reason for Schwarzkopf's retirement in August 1991. The disagreement between Bush and Schwarzkopf regarding the war with Iraq bore similarities to the dispute between General Douglas MacArthur and President Harry Truman about the prospects of the Korean War forty years prior. The Bush administration had reasons not to pursue further military action after Kuwait's liberation, as it was not sanctioned by the UN and could potentially lead to the dissolution of the international coalition.
After retiring, Schwarzkopf co-authored his memoir, "It Doesn't Take a Hero," with Peter Petre, which was published in 1992. Contrary to expectations, he did not enter politics. He occasionally appeared as a military analyst and also campaigned to raise awareness about prostate cancer, a disease he had battled and successfully overcome. Currently, Schwarzkopf resides in Florida with his wife, two daughters, Cynthia and Jessica, and son, Christian.