Adios General Norman Schwarzkopf

U.S. Army General Norman Schwarzkopf passed 27 December 2013 at his home in Tampa, Florida at the age of 78. General Schwarzkopf commanded the US-led coalition that drove Saddam Hussein's forces out of Kuwait in the 1991 Gulf War, and later served as the Commander-in-chief of US Central Command.

A much-decorated combat soldier in Vietnam, Gen. Schwarzkopf was known popularly as Stormin' Norman for a notoriously explosive temper and his inability to suffer fools at any rank or grade.  .

Former president George H.W. Bush, himself sick in intensive care in Texas , was the first to issue a statement mourning the loss of the man he chose to lead the war that came to define both of their careers. "Barbara and I mourn the loss of a true American patriot and one of the great military leaders of his generation," his statement said. "A distinguished member of that Long Gray Line hailing from West Point, General Norm Schwarzkopf, to me, epitomised 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."

After retiring from the Army in 1992, Gen. Schwarzkopf wrote a best-selling autobiography It Doesn't Take A Hero. He was knighted by the Queen and honoured with decorations from France, Britain, Belgium, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Bahrain.

Ten memorial quotes of General Schwarzkopf from Forbes Magazine:

“Do what is right, not what you think the high headquarters wants or what you think will make you look good.”

“You learn far more from negative leadership than positive leadership. Because you learn how not to do it.”

“War is a profane thing.”

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

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

“It doesn’t take a hero to order men into battle. It takes a hero to be one of those men who goes into battle.”

“When placed in command, take charge.”

“The more you sweat in peace, the less you bleed in battle.”

“Any soldier worth his salt should be anti-war; and still there are things worth fighting for.”

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