Norman Schwarzkopf biography

Synopsis

Early Life

Nicknamed "Stormin' Norman," General H. Norman Schwarzkopf was known for his fiery temper and his keen strategic mind. He grew up in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, with his two older sisters, Ruth Ann and Sally. Their father was Colonel H. Norman Schwarzkopf, who served in World War I and founded the New Jersey State Police. His father worked on the infamous kidnapping of Charles Lindbergh's son in 1936 and later served in World War II. After the war, Schwarzkopf and his family accompanied his father to Iran for work. He went to school there and later in Geneva, Switzerland. Schwarzkopf then attended the Valley Forge Military Academy.

Schwarzkopf went to the famed military academy at West Point where he played on the football and wrestling teams. He was also a member of the chapel choir. After graduating in 1956 with a degree in engineering, Schwarzkopf later earned a master's degree in the subject from the University of Southern California.

Military Career

Schwarzkopf volunteered to fight in the Vietnam War in 1966. During the war, he earned several honors for his service there, including three Silver Stars, a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart. Schwarzkopf had served as a battalion commander during the war. Plagued by a cracked vertebra, he underwent back surgery at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in 1971. Schwarzkopf then attended the U.S. Army War College the following year.

After the Vietnam War ended, Schwarzkopf stayed in the military and continued to rise up the ranks. He became a general in the late 1970s and served as the deputy commander of the U.S. forces during the 1983 invasion of Grenada. Five years later, he was called to lead the U.S. Central Command. He became one of the prominent figures in the military response to Iraq's invasion of neighboring Kuwait in 1990.

In 1991, Schwarzkopf led Operation Desert Storm, the U.S. military effort to liberate Kuwait. He and his troops managed to drive out Saddam Hussein's forces in only six weeks. During the war, Schwarzkopf became famous for his straightforward style and his short temper. He received numerous honors for his handling of this military conflict, including a knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II.

Schwarzkopf retired from military service in 1991. He shared his life experiences in his autobiography, It Doesn't Take a Hero, which was published the following year. His memoirs were a hit with readers, and the book became a nonfiction best-seller.

Final Years

In retirement, Schwarzkopf served as a military analyst for NBC. He also worked as a public speaker, giving lectures around the country.