Schwarzkopf, architect of Operation Desert Storm, dies at 78

By C. Todd LopezDecember 31, 2012

Schwarzkopf, architect of Operation Desert Storm, dies at 78
1 / 16 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Retired Army Gen. Herbert Norman Schwarzkopf, who was nicknamed "Stormin' Norman," died Dec. 27, 2012, in Tampa, Fla., at the age of 78, due to complications from pneumonia. Schwarzkopf became well-known to Americans in 1991 as commander of U.S. Cent... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Schwarzkopf, architect of Operation Desert Storm, dies at 78
2 / 16 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Retired Army Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf gives an acceptance speech after receiving the Congressional Medal of Honor Society's Patriot Award during a ceremony in Shreveport, La., Sept. 12, 2002. The Patriot Award is the society's highest award, presen... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Schwarzkopf, architect of Operation Desert Storm, dies at 78
3 / 16 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Schwarzkopf, architect of Operation Desert Storm, dies at 78
4 / 16 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Schwarzkopf, architect of Operation Desert Storm, dies at 78
5 / 16 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Schwarzkopf, architect of Operation Desert Storm, dies at 78
6 / 16 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Schwarzkopf, architect of Operation Desert Storm, dies at 78
7 / 16 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Army Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf, commander of U.S. Central Command, waves to troops assembled for his departure as he prepares to board a C-21A Learjet aircraft, April 20, 1991. Schwarzkopf has been visiting coalition forces stationed at Riyadh Air B... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Schwarzkopf, architect of Operation Desert Storm, dies at 78
8 / 16 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Defense Secretary Frank C. Carlucci, center, transfers the reins of command of U.S. Central Command from U.S. Marine Corps Gen. George B. Crist, left, to Army Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf, Nov. 1, 1988. Schwarzkopf was a Vietnam veteran and one of the ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Schwarzkopf, architect of Operation Desert Storm, dies at 78
9 / 16 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Schwarzkopf, architect of Operation Desert Storm, dies at 78
10 / 16 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Army Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf, commander of U.S. Central Command, right, consults with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Army Gen. Colin L. Powell, May 14, 1992, as the leaders took part in a meeting to discuss the allied military coalition in ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Schwarzkopf, architect of Operation Desert Storm, dies at 78
11 / 16 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf, commander of U.S. Central Command, talks with U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Barry McCaffrey, commanding general, 24th Infantry Division (Mechanized), while at the tent city of the 18th Airborne Corps, Jan. 1, 1992. Schwarz... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Schwarzkopf, architect of Operation Desert Storm, dies at 78
12 / 16 Show Caption + Hide Caption – During a ceremony at defense forces headquarters, Maj. Gen. Shaikh Khalifa Bin Ahmed Al-Khalifa, minister of defense, presents Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf, commander of U.S. Central Command, with a sword in recognition of his role in the Allied success d... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Schwarzkopf, architect of Operation Desert Storm, dies at 78
13 / 16 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Schwarzkopf, architect of Operation Desert Storm, dies at 78
14 / 16 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Army Gen. Colin Powell, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, left, Army Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf, commander of U.S. Central Command, and his wife, Brenda, ride in the welcome home parade, June 10, 1991, to honor the men and women who served in De... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Schwarzkopf, architect of Operation Desert Storm, dies at 78
15 / 16 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Army Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf, center, salutes as he arrives in front of the reviewing stand at the head of the National Victory Celebration parade. The day-long celebration, June 8, 1991, was being held in honor of the coalition forces that libera... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Schwarzkopf, architect of Operation Desert Storm, dies at 78
16 / 16 Show Caption + Hide Caption – President George H.W. Bush, left, and Army Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf, commander of U.S. Central Command, walk to the reviewing stand at the beginning of the National Victory Celebration parade, June 8, 1991. The day-long celebration was being held i... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

WASHINGTON (Army News Service, Dec. 28, 2012) -- Retired Army Gen. Herbert Norman Schwarzkopf -- nicknamed "Stormin' Norman" -- died Dec. 27, in Tampa, Fla., at the age of 78, due to complications from pneumonia. Schwarzkopf became well-known to Americans in 1991 as commander of U.S. Central Command and commander of coalition forces during Operation Desert Storm.

"Our nation has lost a Soldier and Statesman with the passing of General Norman Schwarzkopf," wrote Secretary of the Army John M. McHugh and Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Ray Odierno in a joint statement. "Our prayers are with his family as we honor the memories of a man dedicated to family, his country and the many Soldiers he led in war and peace."

The Army's senior leadership went on to say that Schwarzkopf's legacy will be the Soldiers he left behind.

"His life story touches on much of the fabric of our nation's story, ensuring his memory will remain with us for generations," McHugh and Odierno wrote. "Our nation owes a great debt of gratitude to General Schwarzkopf and our Soldiers will hold a special place in their hearts for this great leader. While much will be written in coming days of his many accomplishments, his most lasting and important legacies are the tremendous Soldiers he trained and led."

Schwarzkopf graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., in 1956, twice served as an instructor at the school and went on to serve two one-year tours in Vietnam, first in 1965, and again in 1969.

From Nov. 1988 to August 1991, Schwarzkopf served as commander in chief, United States Central Command, at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. In that role he also served as commander of coalition forces in 1991 for both Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm.

As commander of USCENTCOM, Schwarzkopf developed a plan against an Iraqi aggression in the Persian Gulf. It was that plan that helped the U.S.-led coalition defeat Iraqi forces just 210 days after Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait. Operation Desert Storm lasted only 42 days, starting with the initial bombing campaigns on Jan. 17, 1991. The ground portion of the conflict lasted just 100 hours, beginning with initial U.S. entry into Kuwait on Feb. 24, and ending Feb. 28, with a cease-fire, an end to the war, and the liberation of Kuwait.

Key to the success of the ground war to liberate Kuwait was Schwarzkopf's "left hook" strategy -- a flanking maneuver where instead of attacking Iraqi forces in Kuwait by crossing directly into that country from Saudi Arabia, coalition forces instead entered Iraq from Saudi Arabia and then entered Kuwait from Iraq, by moving west across the Iraq-Kuwait border.

During his career, Schwarzkopf earned, among other awards, three Distinguished Service Medals, three Silver Stars, the Legion of Merit and a Distinguished Flying Cross. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Brenda, and his three children, Cynthia, Jessica and Christian.

Related Links:

Statement on behalf of McHugh, Odierno on passing of Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf

Army.mil: Inside the Army News

Army.mil: Veterans