Norman Schwarzkopf

Date of Birth: August 22, 1934

Zodiac Sign: Leo

Date of Death: December 27, 2012

Biography

General H. Norman Schwarzkopf, also known as “Stormin’ Norman,” was a highly decorated United States Army officer who served from 1956 to 1991. Born in Trenton, New Jersey, Schwarzkopf graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1956. He gained national and international fame as the commander of the Coalition Forces in the Gulf War of 1991, which successfully liberated Kuwait from Iraqi occupation. His strategic brilliance, media presence, and leadership skills won him widespread acclaim. Schwarzkopf’s military career spanned over three decades, including two tours in Vietnam, where he was highly decorated for valor. After retiring from the military, he became a prominent public speaker and authored a best-selling autobiography, “It Doesn’t Take a Hero.”

5 Interesting Facts about Norman Schwarzkopf

1. Schwarzkopf was fluent in German and French, having spent part of his childhood in Iran due to his father’s military assignments.

2. He was a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, where he was a member of the engineering society and the varsity football team.

3. Schwarzkopf earned three Silver Stars, two Purple Hearts, and the Legion of Merit during his two tours in Vietnam.

4. He was known for his emotional intelligence and ability to inspire troops, often visiting wounded soldiers and writing letters to the families of fallen soldiers personally.

5. His autobiography, “It Doesn’t Take a Hero,” published in 1992, became a New York Times bestseller.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Norman Schwarzkopf

1. “Leadership is a potent combination of strategy and character. But if you must be without one, be without the strategy.”

2. “True courage is being afraid, and going ahead and doing your job anyhow, that’s what courage is.”

3. “You can’t help someone get up a hill without getting closer to the top yourself.”

4. “The truth of the matter is that you always know the right thing to do. The hard part is doing it.”

5. “I believe that forgiving them is God’s function. Our job is simply to arrange the meeting.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the peak of his career, General Schwarzkopf’s net worth was estimated to be around $5 million. This figure includes earnings from his military pension, public speaking engagements, and book royalties.