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Subscribe to RSSOne of the most celebrated generals of the 20th century, Norman Schwarzkopf, is being lauded by presidents and military leaders as a true patriot. NBC's Andrea Mitchell reports.
Retired Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf, the blunt, bulldog-like commander of U.S.-led coalition forces in the first Persian Gulf War, died Thursday in Florida. He was 78.
Schwarzkopf died from complications of pneumonia after a long illness at his home in Tampa, where he lived in retirement.
Schwarzkopf, a highly decorated Vietnam War veteran who rose quickly through the Army's ranks during the 1970s and '80s, drew up the initial plans for the successful U.S.-led ejection of Saddam Hussein's forces from Kuwait, which Iraq invaded in 1990.
He then became famous for his pointed and inventive language during the almost-daily televised briefings he gave reporters as commander of Operation Desert Storm in 1991, invariably clad in desert camouflage, which he is credited with introducing.
Schwarzkopf described the key maneuver that led to the end of the ground war, a redeployment of forces into Iraq behind Iraqi lines, with a boxing metaphor: He called it a "left hook." And he memorably dismissed one report he disagreed with as "bovine scatology."
In his 1992 autobiography, "It Doesn't Take a Hero," Schwarzkopf related that he meant to send a message in those briefings.
"With those cameras grinding away, I knew I wasn't talking just to friendly audiences, but that Saddam and his bully boys were watching me on CNN in their headquarters," he wrote.
Schwarzkopf said he agreed with President George H.W. Bush's decision not to pursue Hussein all the way to Baghdad. At the February 1991 briefing during which he described the coalition's victorious operations, he made it clear that he could have done so, however, had he been given the order:
"If it had been our intention to take Iraq, if it had been our intention to destroy the country, if it had been our intention to overrun the country, we could have done it unopposed for all intents and purposes from this position at that time."
Consolidated News Pictures / Getty Images file
Click to view scenes from the life of the retired Army general.
Schwarzkopf emerged from the war with the nickname "Stormin' Norman" and a career in television, much of it as a military analyst for NBC News.
The decision to go to war to oust Hussein was the defining moment of Bush's presidency. In a statement from Houston, where he is being treated at Methodist Hospital for complications related to bronchitis, Bush called Schwarzkopf "one of the great military leaders of his generation."
"More than that, he was a good and decent man," Bush said.
In January 2003, Schwarzkopf said on NBC's TODAY that he thought Bush's son, the 43rd president, had made a "very compelling" case for removing Hussein from power.
But by December 2004, he was criticizing Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld for his handling of the second war, telling MSNBC that war policy was being controlled by civilians in the Defense Department who "showed a total lack of understanding of the culture that we were dealing with" in Iraq.
As a result, he said, "things have gone awry," especially in terms of adequate armored protection for troops on the ground.
Dec. 13, 2004: Norman Schwarzkopf tells MSNBC's Chris Matthews that civilians in the Defense Department were mishandling the war in Iraq.
Obama, Powell hail general
In a statement Thursday night, President Barack Obama called Schwarzkopf "an American original."
"From his decorated service in Vietnam to the historic liberation of Kuwait and his leadership of United States Central Command, General Schwarzkopf stood tall for the country and Army he loved."
Colin Powell, who was Schwarzkopf's boss as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during Desert Storm, remembered him Thursday as "a great patriot and a great soldier."
"He was a good friend of mine, a close buddy," Powell said in a statement. "I will miss him."
Schwarzkopf, who had been based in Tampa for many years on the way to leading U.S. Central Command in 1988, was a prominent spokesman for campaigns to promote awareness of prostate cancer, with which he was diagnosed in 1993. He is survived by his wife, Brenda, and their three adult children.
Andrea Mitchell and Courtney Kube of NBC News contributed to this report.
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Leave a Comment:
I'll never forget how he answered a reporter's snide question with another question: "Have you ever been in a minefield?" Schwartzkopf was a true American success story from his Vietnam days until the day he died. Rest in Peace, General, you earned it.
Schwarzkopf in his press briefings reminded me of another war time general, Patton. Neither would tolerate the questions of idiots.
He was the embodiment of what a field commander should be, intelligent, blunt, self-assured and, above all else, a true patriot.
LONG NIGHT BAD MOON RISING EarthSky 12.27.12
Stormin' Norman has crossed over, and Pappy Bush hasn't broke fever, while the country they loved teeters on a 'Fiscal Cliff'.
And we argue...
Some may argue that the founding fathers of this country, never envisioned anything other than a single shot rifle in the hands of our fellow citizens.
Do you reckon they imagined thermal nuclear weapons, in the hands of a standing army?
What about cameras at every intersection, store, or bank?
Are we prepared for a long night in America?
Creedence Clearwater Revival ~ Bad Moon On The Rise ~
General Schwartzkopf, America bids you a long night's farewell.
Jupiter3...
Have another joint...
The last of a dying breed. If only our government had his balls.
R.I.P. General !
Update:
S C H W A R Z K O P F
'There's a Bad Moon On The Rise' Creedence Clearwater Revival
Old soldiers never die they just fade away...
Thanks for your service General
LG-267159 Go F— — — yourself with a joint...
Godspeed "storming norman" another great leader lost... RIP
Proud to be an Americal 23rd Infantry Division soldier along with this General.
Comparing to Patton is fair.
Rest in Peace, Sir.
I would have voted for this General for President. The only problem would have been the number of body bags needed when he got there for a worthless Congress in DC. He always took the hill and will be greatly missed. My condolences to his family..........
History is written and it is that General Norman Schwarzkopf was a GREAT MAN.
a TRUE American HERO
American to the bone... a man of NO BULLSHlT ... America needs more REAL MEN like Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf
*salutes with pride and honor he well deserves*
A soldier's man. An American's soldier. A man who, like many of his era, did what they said they'd do decisively and without questions and second guessing. He also had no reservations about questioning the wisdom of going into Iraq in 2003. Another example of what great patriotic non-partisan leadership can be about.
I'll never forget his words to his troops captured on live TV in 1991 after Saddam surrendered Kuwait: "I said we were going to go in and kick ass and that's what we did." You will likely not find reference to that anywhere on the web, but I remember it as clear as day on live TV. He looked like a big loveable teddy bear, and he could be that way, but he was still no-nonsense hard core badass to the bone. A rare American asset.
RIP SIR.
Gen. Schwarzkopf was one of the original men & women who stood their ground for our country! Take no flack from anyone. Understand right from wrong, what it takes to keep our country safe. No mamby, pamby here folks.
It's not for everyone, but thanks to the few, and many who had & now still have the guts & grit to uphold our beliefs to make our country the best. If only we could carry that belief forward with more generations. He, along with thousands & thousands of other military personnel dedicated their lives for that purpose. What a true American Hero, along with all those that served under him, and many other great leaders!
I never knew him personally, however I am old enough to have seen a great deal of his active career played out over the years. I also have a father, 4 brothers & countless uncles & a couple aunts who served our country.
This career is not the best paying job, but sometimes the most rewarding job that anyone could hope for if they are dedicated. And I believe the most of the military personnel are in the long haul for the right reasons.
When you drop to your knees tonight to pray, remember to pray for the Lord to.....God Bless America! And God Bless Stormin Norman!
R.I.P. general.
Godspeed General!
I wrote to the General after Desert Storm to thank him, feeling tremendous relief after being so concerned over my then 19 year old son who was serving there. I received a letter from him in response, where he stated all thanks should be directed to the outstanding efforts of each and every member of the military who served their country so bravely and were the reason the mission was successful. I'm going to thank him again now though. He can't deny me. God speed, General.
A true Patriot.....Rest in peace Sir.......
When I was a young child, my father was in the service and we lived overseas when my father was deployed to Iraq. Seeing him in charge and handling things with a no BS attitude was reassuring to see when many reporters were trying to make a political football out of this. Young as I was, I was thankfully aware enough to know that he was doing his best to make sure the mission was accomplished and that all of our soldiers returned home.
Rest in peace, sir. You've done more than just earn the chance to do that.
Rest well Good and Faithful Servant. Condolences to his loved ones. He was an honest and trustworthy individual.
He was a true patriot. He actually loved America and all she stands for. I agree he knew right from wrong and it was clear to all his troops.
It is unfortunate that this administration and the congress do not love America like this man did and they are unable to separate right from wrong. All is gray to them so they think they are never wrong. Bengahzi comes to mind and all the lies from the Secretary of State and president. To watch this bunch must have made the general sick to the core.
General I was one of many that truly respected you for who you were...a true patriot and a man among men...a real leader.
Some generals are merely politicians with the right connections; others are true soldier-leaders....we just lost one of the latter. I salute him.
Thoughts and prayers to family and friends and from the sound of most of these posts he had lots of friends. Bigger than life man that was always there for his fellow service men. Not many of them left in this country any more.
Whoops I didn't mean that to sound like the service men aren't great. They are fantastic. What I ment was not many bigger than life men that would stand up to Washington like the General. Again thoughts and prayers.
One of the best. RIP. Too bad, like always, our elected representatives get in the way. Let the Military fight the wars! He got pulled up short, just like MacArthur. Exactly who do our elected representatives represent? Maybe Piers Morgan can discuss that subject with our elected representatives. Don't hold your breath. RIP General!
This was my kind of man and my kind of General. Hard charging get her done. God Speed, Sir and RIP
He was my commander my blood and guts, I will always be proud to have served under him during the Gulf War. Thanks to his awesome planning and guidence we lost so few and changed the world. RIP Sir!
The man earned this very well-deserved rest--just like he earned everything else in life.
RIP General.
R.I.P., General Schwarzkopf. Thanks for leading from the front, even in retirement, because by taking Rummy to task for the disgraceful lack of personal protection during the early phases of OIF , you showed that the welfare of the troops ALWAYS came first for you, Sir !! I wish I could say those that have followed have stepped up to fill the big boots you left behind, but I don't think I can and I'm not sure I ever will be able to.
In 1991, we charged hard into Iraq with the purpose of destroying the Iraqi military. We accomplished that mission with a massive initial air assault and then went in on the ground fiercely with overwhelming force. Much different than the bull@!$%# counter-insurgency operations that we're doing now. Iraq II and Afghanistan could have been over years ago had the politicians let our military fight. Damn it, if we're going to invade and go to war, let's go to war...no more police action bull@!$%# that leaves our troops vulnerable. If we're not going to do that, let's bring everyone home.
RIP General.
hey Norman, remember that comment you made about arranging the meeting? I hope your meeting went well. wish i could have listened in.
A most honorable man. It was a pleasure to severe under his command.
R.I.P. Sir
Notice that folks like Feisty Redhead, Seeking Sanity, Bev, and so on, cannot even bring themselves to offer any respects. Really telling about them as human beings
Jay...did you really expect the blathering blatherskites to render homage to a genuine paradigm of American values, a person who believed in the oath to "uphold and defend"; a person who genuinely put himself in harm's way so that they could continue carping about what a bunch of miserable SOBs the rest of us are?
You're most generous by equating them as human beings, I was thinking more along the line of pond scum.
Thank you for your service and example, General.
Jay,
That is because those clowns hate America and want to turn it in to a European Utopia. We lost a true patriot and one of the best Generals this country has ever seen. Thanks for your service Stormin Norman, there are many that will miss you and never forget what you did for our country.
A true patriot and a great leader. RIP Sir!
The end of a breed. Orchestrating the demise of the worlds fourth largest army in a matter of months. I will also hand it to Bush Sr, for standing aside and letting the man do his job, rather than a bunch of bureaucrats determine policy. I wonder if there are any more that believe what he did. If you go to war, you go kill them and come home.
RIP
I fail to see the problem...... :)
Anyway, God's speed and God bless you General. Take your rest. You've done your share.
Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf was a true military leader. He will be missed.
He was truly honest and trustworthy...an example to all, unlike the mafia types in DC today.
God speed General. Your service to our country, courage and honor are greatly appreciated.
True hero's don't turn their backs on troops and units they made sick and let the government cover up things like Gulf War Illness. Desert Storm vet sick gets me angry every time I see people say how sucessful war it was well over 300k sick from Desert storm time frame. Got love CIA coverstory and propganda. Vets who have enough evidence to convince any jury they should be service connected and you people sing praises about those responsible for covering it up. Got love that. After all who cares if 10,000 or even 15,000 are cheated to protect the government from admitting responsibility. Flies in the face of the oath you took as veterans to protect the constitution that includes the part about seating jury trials to determine the truth in cases btw. Guess you forget that oath when you sing praises of people who were surely behind covering up what happened.
Wes-720;
So, I guess you'll be at the funeral? With a picket sign?
BTW; your English sucks. Either you are a foreigner or the educational system failed horribly in your case.
Either way, enjoy your freedom to post as someone paid for it with their life.
RIP Gen. Schwarzkopf. I was a military brat overseas during the Gulf War, and watching you on SEB (Italy) was a daily event. As a kid scared about the Marines with guns on the top of my school, you were a reassuring presence during a difficult time. Thank you for your service to our country. You will be missed.
Just to repost all these people singing praise about these leaders the truth:
Intresting enough alot people making positive comments. Strange about that. How many sick with Gulf War Illness lets see that's about 300k, government states only 250k why because only select few got sick with Gulf War Illness. Troops in line to deploy got sick in the States they not sick. Troops that supported combat with weapons attacks into Iraq not sick they can't be wouldnt lie twice about Gulf War Illness.
Where the hell are any the leaders that took credit for sucesses in Desert Storm in all this? Oh wait that's right they stay above that issue. Won't comment the old say never abandon a memeber of the military only applies to TV adds and shows. Reality is different you have non deployed sick with Gulf War Illness cheated and treated like dirt at VA. You have deployed that don't match the CIA and government coverstories cheated. Where is the leaders of the Desert Storm battle from this? NO comment refuse to go on record about it remain above it. I am Desert Storm veteran fighting the VA sick, I am vulnerable to chemical weapons, chemical spills, and also vaccines, including anthrax vaccine btw. Deneid jury or justice. I am desert storm veteran but also told by VA that they will take legal loophole and deny 10,000's vets justice and compenstation. Where is your famous leader on this? Like I said part of it so he says NO COMMENT. Got love all these people pushing propganda about how sucessful it was. Desert Storm veterans have the worst casualty rating causing disablity of any veteran population and you singing praises about the people who worked tireless for years to cover it up. Treating veterans as if they second class citziens denying them a trial that would anger Americans who have to listen to evidence and you still wave your flags and say they treat veterans great. Propganda bunk
I will never forget. "...the luckiest guy in Baghdad." I liked General Schwarzkopf very much. Rest in peace, sir.
I remember that. A car crossing a bridge just seconds after a bomb hit. He was an awesome general and didn't take any B.S. from anyone, especially the Iraqi generals who signed the cease fire agreement with him. Rest In Peace, Stormin'. You did your duty well and your time is called to stand down.
Thank you Gard I remember that brief as well. I also remember being in charge of a computer lab at U of D and when I heard that war was over I announced it. None of those brainwashed fools in the computer lab reacted. And I muttered under my breath...."Warmongers"
Yes, one of the best statements to come out of the war. I never served in the military but the General was everything we needed a Military leader to be at the time.
Be glad you didnt serve. The dirty side of this approx about 800k served. Of that time frame about 300k are sick bad. Some got sick outside areas recognized by the government. Then the government started this little dog and pony show to distract about it. Finally when they realized there was to many sick they started a coverstory. Definition of sucessful coverstory is it has to be based on true event and somewhat believable. We destroyed a chemical weapons depot. True enough that part. Now heres the bunk part that gas dispersed all over the Middle East selectivley only making some vets sick. Vets that got to sick to deploy well they lying. Vets that got sick not in the gas wind dispersal area they lying. Iraqi's are being poisioned with DU so government says see some in middle east are sick. They ignore that many people in that region are genetically vulnerable to chemical weapons, it's why the hell they gas each other all the time btw. So we got vets that flew out Middle East Airports they are sick. We got vets boots on ground they are sick. Then you got vets that deployed that are sick who's truth does not match the coverstory. THey are not sick. Regardless of how much evidence they have. You have non deployed got to sick to deploy they are not sick. Where is the leaders in all this ? Bush, Schwarzkopf, Powell, Cheney etc? No comment stay above that. Be glad you did not serve odds are if you served in the wrong area you would be cheated of benefits and called liar while these great men parade about and say no comment about why so many fell ill. They would sit back and allow the coverstories to be spun and allow that bunk to be aired publically and state NO comment time and time again.
I loved the comment as well. Even if the fact was that car was probably destroyed by the blast.
Condolences and prayers go to his family and relatives and friends.
His great service and leadership will be learned by others; and he will be forever missed.
R.I.P. "Stormin' Norman." Your service to our Country was exemplary. You sir, will be sorely missed!!!
On a side note, I was not aware that NBCNews was clairvoyant. In the original article, they indicate that he died on Friday, but the flash notice was posted at approximately 7:50 PM on Thursday!
Yeah, I was pretty impressed by that as well! Crack detective work, finding out tomorrow's news today! I tried to give them the benefit of the doubt that he was overseas somewhere so that it could have been Friday local time, but alas, it was Florida, definitely still a few hours away from Friday.
Stormin' Norman, you'll be missed!
F__K NBC! Not ONE of them is worthy of even asking the general a question!! America has had a few MEN lately, and he was one of them. God bless his family.
OK, right up till comment #6.2 @ 6:55PM , all comments were good ones; dignified words and tributes to Stormin' Norman.
I guess from here on down, all the grubs of our NewsVine are gonna spout off now. Oh Well...
----------
Rest In Peace, Commander Schwarzkopf.
At least Stormin' Norman did not PetraeUs like that other general did...
Thank you sir for your inspired leadership and service our country Rest in Peace.
Regulars By God!
General Schwarzkopf didn't care for the BS of the media and told it like it was. General Patton did the same. Both were great warriors that protected this country. Rest in Peace General you will be in great company.
I don't recall Patton having over 300k unified troops under his command getting sick and being disabled. I call that something other than being similar to Patton. Never recall Schwarzkopf investigating it and trying to get to the bottom of it. So your statement is pure utter propganda.
English isn't your strong point, is it Wes? If Patton had over 300k of his troops get sick, and if Schwartzkopf had slapped soldiers in hospitals, they would be identical. (Or at least have had identical experiences.) Look at it another way: The difference between "similar" and "identical" is kind of like the difference between "mistaken" and "willfully ignorant."
RIP General Sir, your service is appreciated.
Afternoon Bill, you said it. Wes just has a bug up his arse to stir a pot, just a troll from some other country. Maybe Iraqi ex-republican guard? Who knows
RIP "Stormin Norman". Thank you for your service! You were a true hero in our lifetime.
Thank you General. You did us proud.
Thank you for your service General.
R.I.P. Sir! An American hero in a very challenging time for our nation. Thank you for your service.
Rest In Peace Commander. Thank You for your service
Cause of Death not disclosed? sounds like the CIA retirement plan to me...
???WHAT??? JG...
Less time watching tv & playing video games would serve you well young man.
What business is it of YOURS what the cause of death was? An absolutely great man that served our country so well, sacrificed his & his family to serve & all you have is: disclosure? Are you on meds? Or need to be on meds?
None of your business or ours, the man has passed away a true hero. Did you not read, or understand what you read?
I think you are really just some dolt who needs attention, and trying to get it from a pathetic posting.......paranoia, destroya....stop smoking the weed little boy!
James Griffin, get a job and stop being a stupid tool.
I'm a 56 year old special forces trained ex Ranger, a university educated manufacturing Engineer, and I'm NOBODIES tool. You two @!$%#s only have to let me know, anytime ANYPLACE. I'll show you TOOL you punk assed faggots.
Keep it clean; keep the wordage of your baser emotions in check, James, like a Real Man should.
This comment page is a tribute to General Schwarzkopf.
James G:
Isn't 56 a little old to be living in your parents basement?
James per the article it looks like he died after a long illness, didn't say what kind. Thank you for your service.
RIP Commander Schwarzkopf, thank you for your service.
James, I don't generally call people names, but you are a moron.
It just gets old, having to put up with that mouthy cr@p all the time.
James Griffin
The article said
Maybe one or both of these diagnoses was the cause, as chemotherapy for prostrate cancer treatment really lowers the body's immunity system and the pneumonia could have been the "final nail". Hope this helps.
James Griffin.."It just gets old, having to put up with that mouthy cr@p all the time".
If that's the impression which we have imparted to you, perchance our mission is fulfilled. That you might take umbrage at grownups figuratively rapping your knuckles with a ruler is no coincidence. If you postulate verbiage which is looked upon as ignorant 'bovine scatology', you will be recognized for your achievement. As you have offended several of us on this blog, logic and societal decency requires that there should be a common thread of disapproval.
Complications of pneumonia - Which is a nicer way of saying he drowned in his own fluids. I guess some people aren't satisfied until they lean the chemical composition of that fluid.....
you guys really broke this story first, if he is gonna die "Friday" with is tomorrow.
We all have to die eventually, and with Norman dies a breed of Generals we used to have in this country that we will probably never see again. Gen Schwartzkopf and General Luck were two from the same breed from the same time period. We used to have these large Generals, 6'2 plus and larger than life. All were very physical, hard working, and quick to make their point known, even if it meant a good old fist fight. We used to have men like this, but now we are cursed to be overrun with the snivveling little coward Generals whom are promoted for nothing more than Political Squable, the Petreus of sorts comes to mind, not to mention the many others that only fill their position because of skin or sex.
I am sorry to see Storming Norman go, he made this country believe in America's Military once again, and he created that with his dedication and devotion to this nation. The Generation below mine does not even consider Desert Storm a War because hardly anybody died on our side, what they don't realize is that it was the most well performed strategic war of all times and Stormin Norman deserves the highest honors in any militaries history books. His Guidance saved the lives of thousands, if not tens of thousands of Americans.
I am proud to have served with him, Godspeed,
re comment 16: Angrous Spinous, I don't think that the end of the last sentence of the first paragraph applies to Colin Powell (the Chairman, Joint Chief of Staff during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm), as he was qualified to help lead our Armed Forces..
Anyone who served with General Schwarzkopf, as you did, served with a soldier in the most true sense. Just as President Reagan, like it (and like him) or not, restored a sense of patriotism in America and in Americans, you're right: General Schwarzkopf made America once again believe in her military, and did so-as you also said-"with dedication and devotion" thereto. May he rest in peace.
Thank you Angrous.....Well said my fellow American!!!
How lucky you are, and I suspect how lucky he was to have served with you as well!
I never ever want to lose faith in who we have in the service now, because I truly believe many are the children of parents who served before them. Of course, there are those who enlist for various reasons, and we can only pray it's for the right reasons. We as a country need, and want it to play out for the better of our country.
On another note...without sounding naive or childish....
He was outstanding in his field, and I so admired him, but I also felt like he could've been my grandpa & would have picked flowers out in the back forty to put in a vase on the dinner table. I hope that is exactly what his family actually did experience, even with all the pressures he lived with. He just seemed that kinda guy. :)
David;I would say that Colin Powell would indeed be included. He rode Schwarzkopf's coat tails right into the White House.
His tour here is done. R.I.P. - you have certainly earned it.
Rest in peace with our fallen troops General.
You were on of the first of the new generation with true balls.
NO REPORTERS IN THE FIELD.
The way it should be.
You knew what war was, and how to fight it.
Suspicious timing.
Another conspiracy theorist are you? Or do you have some proof that his death is " suspicious " that you would care to share with the rest of the class?
? or just simple
RLTW..... :) Simple needs to show & tell
I met the General during the First Gulf War. The man truly was "larger than life". Go in peace General... it was an honor serving with you.
God send us one of these men once in a while so we have someone to look up to.
Godspeed to one hell of a MAN! I served under Gen. Schwarzkopf at SOCCENT, McDill AFB in Tampa, Fl. He was a big man who brooked no bullsh-t. He told you like it was, what he wanted done and not to come back until it completed. He will be truly missed. These are the type of people that should be put on a pedestal for others to emulate. These are our true heroes.
I wonder if he will get more publicity than some dead movie star or singer that never did anything for their nation. Probably not, most people's hero description is utterly and truly misguided these days.
To better days BEAR! Drink one at the Pearly Gates with St. Peter, for all the fallen warriors.
Good point... RLTW Rangers3/75 11Z5V
RTLW Ranger
HUA!
Whoa, partner! I think the number of comments on this story says it all. Try remembereing that all those who you sneer at for the attention their deaths receive are sons, daughters, husbands and wives of others. They all deserve the same amount of respect in their passings. I admire the General just as much as the others but you're being way too hard on those whose professions you don't agree with.
!
A sad day and passing of a true American hero. RIP Sir.
Mega Dittos Fed!
A superb General who took no crap from the politicians or the media, he got the job done and didn't worry about what people said after the fact. Many have said he was Patton like, I say he was also the type of General that people like General Stanley McChrystal emulated and yet in this day and age; Stormin Norman was a legend and outspoken General while McChrystal, who was the same type of leader was relieved of his command. Different time, different era right.....?
general McCRYSTAL has a pair, all of his bosses in washington who don't know their ass from a hole in the ground,should be drive-thru burger boys,instead of handling wars,rip general schwarzkoph.
I don't recall Patton having over 300k unified troops under his command getting sick and being disabled. I call that something other than being similar to Patton. Never recall Schwarzkopf investigating it and trying to get to the bottom of it. So your statement is pure utter propganda.
Wes, quit trolling. Your statistics are bunk.
Wes we heard you the first million times.......
I heard Jesus wants to give him a good whippin'. Any truth to that?
Big loss of a big man. Our hearts are with you America all the way from Australia..
RIP, Big fella.
Storming Norman did not want to stop after 100 hours, it was political correct Colin Powell who talked him and President Bush into the cease fire. Had we listened to General S, we would have taken Saddam out and not have had to go back.
Better late than never, desselle!
Sec. of Defense Dick Cheney...
I think that, at least in this case, Cheney got it right. The fact that we spent ten years there after Bush Jr's misbegotten adventure bears that out.
Armchair quarterbacks should stick to Sunday afternoon games and leave the real ones to professionals like the good General... in my humble opinion anyway...
I believe that the United Nations mandate ONLY extended to booting Saddam out of Kuwait, so much though many would have liked to go further into Iraq they did not have the (international political) authority.
You are absolutely correct. President Bush knew that taking down Iraq would have divided the coalition forces overnight. Actually, it was amazing they got such agreement. I doubt anyone will ever see that kind of cooperation again. Too bad.
One of the few things Cheney said I agree with. Occupying a country, supposedly for its own good, is a dangerous prospect and G.H.W. Bush knew it.
I served from 83-07 and will say that ending the war at Iraq's border made it "clean", but we ended up with a rogue country for 12 years that refused to adhere to the cease fire agreement and brough both Clinton's Desert Fox Operation and Bush's 03 invasion on himself.
I heard it was the head honcho, Bush Number One, who called the shots. Please explain your total lack of simple U.S. knowledge on Commander in Chief.
Or, *gasp*, are you just another 'bagger from no-wheres-ville?
Thank you, and god bless.
hmmm... one guy gets his daily news by reading the Encyclopedia... the other guy gets his worldly knowledge by reading the intro to his latest computer game...
If you read the original quotation from Cheney, as posted above, all the way through, you will see that, in fact, it was President Bush (the First) who made the decision to end the war.