Friday, December 28, 2012

The Bear Remembered

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"
BornAugust 22, 1934
Trenton, New Jersey, U.S.
DiedDecember 27, 2012 (aged 78)
Tampa, Florida
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Army
Years of service1956–1991
RankUS-O10 insignia.svg General
Commands held1st Battalion, 6th Infantry198th Infantry Brigade
1st Brigade, 9th Infantry Division
24th Mechanized Infantry Division
I Corps
U.S. Central Command
Battles/warsVietnam War
Grenada
Gulf War
AwardsDefense 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:

Coffeypot said...

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.

LL said...

Coffeypot - the lament of retirement.

WoFat said...

Retirement doesn't pay well, but the working conditions are great.

Opus #6 said...

I always liked him. And now to learn that his decision-making may have saved your life? Wow!

Race Bannon said...

NJ State Troopers still kick some ass thanks to the Bear's paw, er Pa...

LL said...

Opus, "I" am bullet proof... but it saved the lives of others.

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