Norman Schwarzkopf

In August 1990, Schwarzkopf was appointed Commander-in-Chief of U.S. Central Command and overall commander of coalition forces in the Persian Gulf. He oversaw the buildup of over 500,000 troops in Saudi Arabia to deter Iraqi aggression after the invasion of Kuwait.

Schwarzkopf planned and executed the 100-hour ground offensive that began on February 24, 1991. Using a left-hook maneuver through the Iraqi desert, coalition forces outflanked Iraqi defenses, liberating Kuwait and destroying much of the Iraqi Republican Guard with minimal coalition casualties.

On March 3, 1991, Schwarzkopf met with Iraqi military commanders at Safwan airfield to negotiate the terms of the ceasefire ending the Gulf War. He secured Iraqi agreement to return prisoners, provide minefield maps, and cease military operations, though he allowed Iraqi helicopters to fly, later criticized as enabling suppression of uprisings.

Schwarzkopf published his autobiography 'It Doesn't Take a Hero' in September 1992. The book detailed his military career from Vietnam through the Gulf War, becoming a bestseller and providing his personal account of the decision-making process during Operation Desert Storm.