Stormin' Norman Moves On

[SAYIT]

Ret. General Norman Schwarzkopf, the often thoughtful commander of the US led Gulf War coalition has died. He was 78.
RIP, General, and thanks for your service to our country.

 

[bitterlyclingin]

The lads in the WhiteHouse Press Office were probably busy humpin' each other, delivering the latest WhiteHouse LeftMedia marching orders to mediamatters for dissemination out to the larger media community, or otherwise too busy to care. Question, how many "I's" will Obama be able to cram into an address should he delivers one for the late General? Schwarzkopf was a Republican the Libs hated bitterly so it wouldn't be entirely unexpected if he delivered one filled wall to wall with his favorite pronoun. The only Generals Libs really like, anyway, are the ones with Eric Holder applied pairs of vicegrip pliers clamped to their testicles, ie David Petraeus

White House Botches Schwarzkopf Statement | The Blog on Obama: White House Dossier

 

[longknife]

Stormin' Norman Gone

General Schwarzkopf passes and the news is all over the media, including the blogosphere. We all remember his reputation from the first Iraq war but few talk about what made is reputation of being a soldier's soldier.

Read the following and see what earned him two Silver Stars, a Distinguished Service Cross, two Bronze Stars for Valor, and two Purple Hearts – none of it for political purposes like some we all know.

In Vietnam in March 1970, Schwarzkopf was involved in rescuing men of his battalion from a minefield.[4] He had received word that men under his command had encountered a minefield on the notorious Batangan Peninsula, and rushed to the scene in his helicopter, as was his custom while a battalion commander, in order to make his helicopter available. He found several soldiers still trapped in the minefield. Schwarzkopf urged them to retrace their steps slowly. Still, one man tripped a mine and was severely wounded but remained conscious. As the wounded man flailed in agony, the soldiers around him feared that he would set off another mine. Schwarzkopf, also wounded by the explosion, crawled across the minefield to the wounded man and held him down (using a "pinning" technique from his wrestling days at West Point) so another could splint his shattered leg. One soldier stepped away to break a branch from a nearby tree to make the splint. In doing so, he too hit a mine, which killed him and the two men closest to him, and blew an arm and a leg off Schwarzkopf's artillery liaison officer. Eventually, Schwarzkopf led his surviving men to safety, by ordering the division engineers to mark the locations of the mines with shaving cream. (Some of the mines were of French manufacture and dated back to the Indochina conflict of the 1950s; others were brought by Japanese forces in World War II). Schwarzkopf says in his autobiography It Doesn't Take a Hero that this incident firmly cemented his reputation as an officer who would risk his life for the soldiers under his command.

He was the type of officer men willingly followed anywhere, any time. My he find peace eternal.

 

[freedombecki]

Stormin' Norman Gone

General Schwarzkopf passes and the news is all over the media, including the blogosphere. We all remember his reputation from the first Iraq war but few talk about what made is reputation of being a soldier's soldier.

Read the following and see what earned him two Silver Stars, a Distinguished Service Cross, two Bronze Stars for Valor, and two Purple Hearts – none of it for political purposes like some we all know.

In Vietnam in March 1970, Schwarzkopf was involved in rescuing men of his battalion from a minefield.[4] He had received word that men under his command had encountered a minefield on the notorious Batangan Peninsula, and rushed to the scene in his helicopter, as was his custom while a battalion commander, in order to make his helicopter available. He found several soldiers still trapped in the minefield. Schwarzkopf urged them to retrace their steps slowly. Still, one man tripped a mine and was severely wounded but remained conscious. As the wounded man flailed in agony, the soldiers around him feared that he would set off another mine. Schwarzkopf, also wounded by the explosion, crawled across the minefield to the wounded man and held him down (using a "pinning" technique from his wrestling days at West Point) so another could splint his shattered leg. One soldier stepped away to break a branch from a nearby tree to make the splint. In doing so, he too hit a mine, which killed him and the two men closest to him, and blew an arm and a leg off Schwarzkopf's artillery liaison officer. Eventually, Schwarzkopf led his surviving men to safety, by ordering the division engineers to mark the locations of the mines with shaving cream. (Some of the mines were of French manufacture and dated back to the Indochina conflict of the 1950s; others were brought by Japanese forces in World War II). Schwarzkopf says in his autobiography It Doesn't Take a Hero that this incident firmly cemented his reputation as an officer who would risk his life for the soldiers under his command.

He was the type of officer men willingly followed anywhere, any time. My he find peace eternal.

No wonder. Thanks for sharing, Longknife.

God bless Stormin' Norman and bring comfort to his loved ones at their terrible loss, and the nation's.

 

[waltky]

Old soldiers never die - they just fade, fade away...

Reaction to death of Norman Schwarzkopf
Dec 28,`12

"Barbara and I mourn the loss of a true American patriot and one of the great military leaders of his generation. A distinguished member of that `Long Gray Line' hailing from West Point, Gen. Norm Schwarzkopf, to me, epitomized the `duty, service, country' creed that has defended our freedom and seen this great nation through our most trying international crises. More than that, he was a good and decent man - and a dear friend. Barbara and I send our condolences to his wife, Brenda, and his wonderful family." - former President George H.W. Bush.

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"With the passing of Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf, we've lost an American original. From his decorated service in Vietnam to the historic liberation of Kuwait and his leadership of United States Central Command, Gen. Schwarzkopf stood tall for the country and Army he loved. Our prayers are with the Schwarzkopf family, who tonight can know that his legacy will endure in a nation that is more secure because of his patriotic service." - White House press secretary Jay Carney.

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"With the passing of General H. Norman Schwarzkopf, America lost a great patriot and a great soldier. Norm served his country with courage and distinction for over 35 years. The highlight of his career was the 1991 Persian Gulf War, Operation Desert Storm. `Stormin' Norman' led the coalition forces to victory, ejecting the Iraqi Army from Kuwait and restoring the rightful government. His leadership not only inspired his troops, but also inspired the nation. He was a good friend of mine, a close buddy. I will miss him. My wife, Alma, joins me in extending our deepest condolences to his wife, Brenda, and to her family." - former Secretary of State Colin Powell.

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"The men and women of the Department of Defense join me in mourning the loss of Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf, whose 35 years of service in uniform left an indelible imprint on the United States military and on the country. The son of a decorated Army officer, Gen. Schwarzkopf followed his father's legacy of service by enrolling in West Point in the 1950s. His bravery during two tours in Vietnam earned him three Silver Stars, and set him on the path lead our troops into battle in Grenada, and then to take charge of the overall allied effort in the first Gulf War as commander of United States Central Command. Gen. Schwarzkopf's skilled leadership of that campaign liberated the Kuwaiti people and produced a decisive victory for the allied coalition. In the aftermath of that war, Gen. Schwarzkopf was justly recognized as a brilliant strategist and inspiring leader. Today, we recall that enduring legacy and remember him as one of the great military giants of the 20th century. My thoughts and prayers are with the Schwarzkopf family in this time of sadness and grief." - Defense Secretary Leon Panetta.

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