Norman Schwarzkopf

West Point, 1956

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by LTG Harry E. Soyster USA(ret) on January 2, 2013:

Norm was an instructor at West Point at the same time that I had returned to teach. We were both bachelors at the time living in the BOQ and eating at the Officers Club routinely. The hostess at the dining room had her "bachelors table" and looked after us. The two captains had long dinners together and were frequently joined by Major Max Thurman. Little did we know then that Max would command during JUST CAUSE in Panama and Norm would command during DESERT STORM and I would be the Director of DIA supporting both operations. What I did know then was that both were headed to greatness as leaders in our army. Later Norm and Brenda became neighbors during assignments in the Pentagon and I saw Norm as the devoted family man as our families spent time together and Brenda as the devoted and special army wife. Norm was not only a great leader himself but developed those who would follow him. He emphasized competence and character as the essentials in leader development. Importantly, he lived and exemplified these attributes to the fullest. His high standards made him sometimes a challenge to work with but you always knew his compass was on true North. He not only designed and led the 100-hour victory in Kuwait with a difficult allied alliance but was the only officer in the army who could have captured the imagination of the American people and their essential support. It can be said, "Well done. Be thou at peace." So many share the sorrow of his loss with Brenda and family.

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