I was minding my own business when US Ambassador April Glaspie tacitly gave Saddam Hussein a wink, a nod and what amounted to a green light to invade Kuwait. Some people believe that the US Government had the ability to watch tanks and troops marshall on the border and fuel trucks line up to service and refill the armored spearhead that gathered. I don't know about that. America is a long way from the Iraq/Kuwait Border. How could they see that? I'm a skeptic...
When Iraq invaded Kuwait, the President of the United States made Saddam Hussein's business -- my business. I deployed with SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team One, Delta Platoon to the Gulf Region. Later to be transferred to SEAL Team Five Alpha Platoon at Ras Al Mishab, where in my role as N2, I planned missions for the US Naval Special Warfare operation in the Gulf. We waited - and I planned - and most of those plans were shot down by none other than General H. Norman Schwarzkopf, US Army as being too dangerous and too likely to lead to serious loss of life. For a young man who had more balls than brains, I was offended.
Then I had an epiphany. The General was correct. And I came to love General Schwarzkopf because of the man that he was. And I personally mourn his passing. They broke the mold when they made General Schwarzkopf.
| Herbert Norman Schwarzkopf | |
| Nickname | "Stormin' Norman"; "The Bear" |
|---|---|
| Born | August 22, 1934 Trenton, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Died | December 27, 2012 (aged 78) Tampa, Florida |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Service/branch |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1956–1991 |
| Rank |  General |
| Commands held | 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry, 198th Infantry Brigade 1st Brigade, 9th Infantry Division 24th Mechanized Infantry Division I Corps U.S. Central Command |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War Grenada Gulf War |
| Awards | Defense Distinguished Service Medal Army Distinguished Service Medal Navy Distinguished Service Medal Air Force Distinguished Service Medal Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit Distinguished Flying Cross Bronze Star Purple Heart |
6 comments:
I was impressed with him,too. He made me laugh, though, after he retired. He told one reporter that for years he could move thousands of men across a nation with one word. But now he couldn't get the pool boy to skim the pool.
Coffeypot - the lament of retirement.
Retirement doesn't pay well, but the working conditions are great.
I always liked him. And now to learn that his decision-making may have saved your life? Wow!
NJ State Troopers still kick some ass thanks to the Bear's paw, er Pa...
Opus, "I" am bullet proof... but it saved the lives of others.
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