Norman Schwarzkopf, RIP
Schwarzkopf became “CINC-Centcom” in 1988 and when Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait three years later to punish it for allegedly stealing Iraqi oil reserves, he commanded Operation Desert Storm, the coalition of some 30 countries organized by President George H.W. Bush that succeeded in driving the Iraqis out.
“Gen. Norm Schwarzkopf, to me, epitomized the ‘duty, service, country’ creed that has defended our freedom and seen this great nation through our most trying international crises,” Bush said in a statement. “More than that, he was a good and decent man — and a dear friend.”
At the peak of his postwar national celebrity, Schwarzkopf — a self-proclaimed political independent — rejected suggestions that he run for office, and remained far more private than other generals, although he did serve briefly as a military commentator for NBC.
Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
Comment pages: « Previous 1 2
Check my first post and cross-ref that with General Ham (any relation to MKH? It would be most appropriate…)
affenhauer on December 27, 2012 at 11:09 PM
Armchair
Why yes, but that doesn’t mean that my claim we outnumbered the Iraqi’s isn’t true….or that Gen Franks never had a clear idea of commander’s intent (Sure, that’s as much Franks fault). Or that neither Franks nor Schwarkopf ever noted that much of Gen. Schwarkopf’s “problems” with VII Corps had to do with the fact that VII Corps reported unit locations as of 2400, IIRC, but Schwarzkopf got his briefings at 0600, so his idea of Franks’ advance was hours out-of-date…and that neither staff ever put that simple fact into their brains and tried to “synch up” their battlefield picture.
JFKY on December 27, 2012 at 11:11 PM
The spiral tightens……….
dmann on December 27, 2012 at 11:11 PM
R.I.P.
xplodeit on December 27, 2012 at 11:13 PM
affenhauer on December 27, 2012 at 11:09 PM
No relation to MKH.
Schadenfreude on December 27, 2012 at 11:16 PM
Nite hawkdriver
Schadenfreude on December 27, 2012 at 11:16 PM
I believe the generals were cut of the same cloth
affenhauer on December 27, 2012 at 11:18 PM
Puller was a Colonel in the Korean War, C.O. of 1st Marine Regiment, not a General…
major dad on December 27, 2012 at 11:23 PM
Puller was a Colonel in the Korean War, C.O. of 1st Marine Regiment, not a General… My bad, I thought he was general by then…
JFKY on December 27, 2012 at 11:29 PM
Though Puller did become a Brigadier and then acting Officer Commanding 1MarDiv, during the Korean War. But I thought he was general during the Chosin Reservoir Campaign…
JFKY on December 27, 2012 at 11:32 PM
I hope when the day comes that your time is up your peers’ first reaction is to say you were an ok guy and belabor all your life decisions where you could have done better. Sheesh.
The Count on December 27, 2012 at 11:33 PM
I hope when the day comes that your time is up your peers’ first reaction is to say you were an ok guy and belabor all your life decisions where you could have done better. Sheesh.
Well I doubt my friends and colleagues are going to fall allover themselves extolling my “greatness”?
I hope they note my love and fidelity to my Life Partner, that I tried to be an active member of my spiritual community, but I don’t expect anyone to say, “JFKY was GREAT, superlative. Far beyond what we have today.” Which seems to be the thrust of the counter-arguments so far.
I’ll give greater props to Kilcullen and to McMaster wen they die, I’m sure.
And I’m sorry but Gen. Schwarzkopf made some poor decisions…he drove “Walt” Boomer out of Riyadh. He didn’t convey his vision to Franks…he did act as if the Iraqi’s were the Wehrmacht.
He did outnumber the Iraqis and he had the absolute advantage of the initiative and faced an thoroughly out classed opponent in Hussein and Hussein’s Army. If the truth is a bad thing, well then colour me bad.
JFKY on December 27, 2012 at 11:43 PM
I served under Franks and then Abizaid. Rodriquez for a while. But my Dad and Uncle Scott both served under Gen Schwarzkopf. Rest In Peace and thank you for getting them home safe. Thank you for your sacrifices to this country and God Speed!!!
smoothsailing on December 27, 2012 at 11:43 PM
The Truth is not a bad thing. Nor is tact, or graciousness. Just saying…
affenhauer on December 27, 2012 at 11:50 PM
I thought he was some pissed off Leg. Someone called him an armchair above. I’ll leave it at that. Like Chief once said, “Would you ask a person whose never been a chief for a recipe?”
I tend to respect the opinion of folks who were really there over those who read about it in bed.
smoothsailing on December 27, 2012 at 11:57 PM
So you want them to say something about your loyalty to your life partner, IOW, a compliment to you. This, while you consternate over the decisions of a dead general who served honorably and by all accounts was also a dedicated life partner.
Whatever, bud. I give your life partner credit for putting up with you – seems like an unenviable task.
The Count on December 27, 2012 at 11:59 PM
JFKY, please accept my apology for the SFTU earlier. Regardless, uncalled for and not like me.
hawkdriver on December 27, 2012 at 11:59 PM
I meant chef.
smoothsailing on December 28, 2012 at 12:05 AM
He didn’t cheat on his wife with some hack writer. Plus he’s 187. Anyway, served his country and went back and back again. RIP, sir.
Steven McGregor on December 28, 2012 at 12:27 AM
General Schwarzkopf deserved better than this thread. I hope Hot Air post a main article about him dying. JFKY, you’re to be pitied.
Chief, I wish you didn’t apologize to that freaking idiot. Not necessary.
smoothsailing on December 28, 2012 at 12:28 AM
Safe home, General Schwarzkopf.
juanito on December 28, 2012 at 12:49 AM
One can only hope JFKY outlives his “life partner,” so s/he will be spared being the subject of his eulogy, “As a wife, she was okay, although not as great as other wives in history (rattle off a couple names here), according to my thoughtful and informed analysis.” My land.
DrMagnolias on December 28, 2012 at 4:07 AM
Comment pages: « Previous 1 2