Born on August 22, 1934 in Trenton, New Jersey, General Herbert Norman Schwarzkopf was the youngest of three siblings. His parents were Ruth Alice and Herman Norman Schwarzkopf. He had two older sisters named Ruth Ann and Sally. While Sally and Herman enjoyed outdoor activities together, Ruth Ann preferred indoor pursuits like reading or playing the piano (“It Doesn’t Take A Hero” Petre, Peter.).
Herbert Norman’s father, Herman Norman, served as an officer in World War I and fought in the battle of Marne. During the war, he was exposed to mustard gas, which left him susceptible to pneumonia for the rest of his life. Upon returning from the war, he established the New Jersey State Police and dedicated himself to training military police officers rather than commanding soldiers. In 1932, he took on a leading role in investigating the infamous kidnapping case involving Charles Lindbergh’s son (“It Doesn’t Take A Hero” by Peter Petre). In June 1942, Herbert received a call from General George C Marshall summoning him for a meeting in Washington D.C. to discuss an important matter.
During the time when the Nazis were getting closer to Stalingrad, the Soviets required urgent military aid and supplies. However, transporting these necessities through the Iran mountains presented difficulties because of mountain tribes’ ambushes and blockades with tariff demands. Ensuring successful transportation of these supplies was crucial for the war effort. To tackle this problem, Herman Schwarzkopf was given the responsibility of advising the Imperial Iranian Gendarmerie. The goal was to train them proficiently in defensive tactics and convert them into the national police force, ultimately eliminating ambushes on Iran’s mountain slopes.
Herman Schwarzkopf established the SAVAK, a covert police force under the Shah’s rule, while his family stayed elsewhere. He resided in Iran while they remained in another location. In 1942, he initiated Operation Ajax and departed for Tehran, Iran. At that time, his son Norman was seven years old. Prior to leaving, Herman appointed Norman as the “man of the house” during his absence. As a symbol of this responsibility, Herman entrusted his Army saber to Norman’s care – a sword he had received in 1917 upon graduating from West Point Military Academy in New York. While transferring it to Norman’s hands, he uttered these words: “I’m entrusting this sword to you until I return.”
Now son, I’m relying on you and the responsibility is yours. ” Herman then recited the army creed engraved in the sword to Herbert, “Duty, Honor, Country. ” Herman stated that Herbert had to fulfill the “duty” of being the man of the house, that Norman had to “honor” his father’s wish, all while he served his “country” (“It Doesn’t Take A Hero” Petre, Peter.). With Herman Schwarzkopf being absent, the situation at home within the family became difficult. The burden of maintaining their large house became overwhelming so they relocated to a smaller apartment which was more affordable and easier to manage.
Herbert Schwarzkopf’s mother resorted to alcohol as a way of coping with her husband’s absence. She could often be seen sitting on the front steps of their apartment building, drinking and crying while speaking in a slurred manner (“It Doesn’t Take A Hero” Petre, Peter.). In contrast, Herman Norman fully embraced a military lifestyle throughout his life. He joined his father on a trip to Iran in 1943 and enrolled at the Iranian International Academy. After that, he attended an academy in Geneva, Switzerland. When he returned to the United States in 1949, he continued his education at Valley Forge Military Academy.
In 1952, Herbert Schwarzkopf joined West Point Military Academy. During his time there, he engaged in various activities such as wrestling, football, and being a member of the chapel choir. This military education helped develop his leadership abilities. In 1969, Norman began teaching at West Point but soon volunteered to serve in Vietnam. He became a task force advisor for the South Vietnamese Airborne Division. In March of 1970, Schwarzkopf played a crucial role in rescuing his troops from a dangerous minefield.
Upon discovering that his troops were trapped in a minefield, he swiftly proceeded to the site with his personal battalion commander helicopter. Utilizing his helicopter’s capacity, he embarked on evacuating as many injured individuals as possible, witnessing the aircraft take off while he remained on the battlefield. Norman then endeavored to assist his men in navigating the minefield by retracing their steps. Tragically, one soldier triggered a mine, resulting in the loss of his leg and causing him to wail and flail in excruciating pain. Although injured by shrapnel himself, Schwarzkopf apprehensively crawled towards the soldier fearing additional mines would be activated.
Norman Schwarzkopf led by example when he laid on a man to pin him down and allow other soldiers to place a splint on his leg. In the midst of this, a soldier went to get a branch from a tree, but triggered another mine that killed him and two others instantly and caused severe injuries to Schwarzkopf’s liaison officer. Eventually, the remaining soldiers managed to escape the minefield by marking the mines with shaving cream, thanks to the efforts of the engineers who found them. This incident showcases Schwarzkopf’s leadership style, as he never asked his soldiers to do something he wouldn’t do himself. (“It Doesn’t Take A Hero” Petre, Peter.)
Norman Schwarzkopf, known for his fiery temper during his time in Vietnam, used it effectively to give orders and gained notoriety. He showcased exceptional leadership skills that led to a promotion as General after returning from the war. In 1983, he faced another challenge as the main commander for the invasion of Grenada. Once again, he demonstrated outstanding abilities and achieved a resounding victory with minimal US casualties. Consequently, when Iraq invaded Kuwait in 1990, there was no better choice than Schwarzkopf to lead the United States’ efforts in liberating Kuwait in 1991.
The United Nations issued a demand for Iraq to withdraw its troops from Kuwait, but the request was refused. As a result, at 3 am on January 17, 1991, the United States launched an air campaign. General Schwarzkopf utilized American military aircraft and patriot missiles in a five-week bombing mission aimed at incapacitating important targets in Iraq such as their air force, radar stations, and communication services (Tristam, Pierre, “Operation Desert Storm”).
On February 4, 1991 at 0400 hours, United States forces under Norman’s command, along with coalition forces, launched a massive offensive across Kuwait. Their objective was to capture, destroy, and push back Iraqi forces and equipment, driving them back into Iraq. Remarkably, this operation was completed in just 38 days with minimal casualties to the coalition. Norman’s incredible leadership skills and moral compass guided him to utilize only the necessary resources and inflict the minimum necessary damage to secure victory in the war. The conflict came to an end on February 28, 1991, when a ceasefire was officially declared (Tristam, Pierre, “Operation Desert Storm”).
Norman Schwarzkopf achieved the highest point of his career and brought it to a close during the Desert Storm operation and the liberation of Kuwait. After retiring from the military in 1992, he wrote his autobiography called “It Doesn’t Take A Hero.” In 1995, Schwarzkopf was diagnosed with prostate cancer. During his retirement, he found comfort in nature and enjoyed outdoor activities (source: “General H Norman Schwarzkopf” Academy of Achievement). With a military background, Schwarzkopf inherited valuable leadership qualities from his father which he successfully utilized while leading American forces in three different conflicts.
Norman Schwarzkopf, a highly respected individual in American history and widely recognized as one of the greatest generals of the 20th century, passed away on December 27, 2012 at the age of 72 in Tampa, Florida. The cause of his death was complications from pneumonia. He was laid to rest at West Point Military Academy on February 28, 2012, which is a fitting final resting place considering his deep connection to the institution. Not only did Schwarzkopf attend West Point as a student but he also served as a faculty member, sharing his knowledge with future members of America’s military.
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3 Feb 2013. Petre, Peter. It Doesn’t Take A Hero. New York, New York: Linda Grey/Bantam Books, 1992. Print. . “General H Norman Schwarzkopf. ” Academy of Achievement. American Academy of Achievement, 28 Dec 2012. Web. 3 Feb 2013. Tristam, Pierre. “Operation Desert Storm. ” n. d. n. page. Print. . Pandey, Kundan. “Desert Storm Facts. ” Buzzle. Buzzle. com, 27 Sep 2011. Web. 12 Mar 2013. . “Norman Schwarzkopf Biography. ” Your Dictionary Biography. Encyclopedia of World Biography, n. d. Web. 12 Mar 2013. . “Air Force Fact Sheet. ” About.com US Military. About.com, n. d. Web. 12 Mar 2013.
