AJR159

A Joint Resolution designating August 22 of each year as General Norman Schwarzkopf Day in New Jersey.

Whereas, Herbert Norman Schwarzkopf Jr. was born on August 22, 1934, in Trenton, New Jersey into a military family, with his father, Colonel H. Norman Schwarzkopf, having served in both World War I and World War II and also as the first Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police; and

Whereas, Norman Schwarzkopf traveled frequently in his youth, due to his father’s service in the United States military, attending school in Iran and Switzerland before returning home to the United States to attend college at the United States Military Academy at West Point in New York; and

Whereas, In 1956, Norman Schwarzkopf graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army; and

Whereas, While in the Army, Norman Schwarzkopf continued his education by earning his master’s degree in guided-missile engineering from the University of Southern California in 1964 which allowed him to teach engineering at the United States Military Academy at West Point; and

Whereas, Norman Schwarzkopf served two tours in the Vietnam War, first as an advisor to the South Vietnamese Army and then as a battalion commander; and

Whereas, During Norman Schwarzkopf’s second tour in the Vietnam War, he and his men became trapped in a minefield and Norman Schwarzkopf exhibited great bravery by risking his life to lead his men to safety; and

Whereas, During Norman Schwarzkopf’s tours in the Vietnam War, he earned several honors for his bravery and leadership including three Silver Stars, a Bronze Star, and a Purple Heart; and

Whereas, In the years following the Vietnam War, Norman Schwarzkopf continued to rise through the ranks in the United States Army where he was promoted to Major General, in 1983, and given the command of the 24th Mechanized Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, Georgia; and

Whereas, Within one year of his promotion to Major General, Norman Schwarzkopf served as Deputy Commander of the United States forces during the 1983 invasion of Grenada; and

Whereas, In 1988, Norman Schwarzkopf was promoted to a full General and became the Commander-in-Chief of the United States Army Central Command based at MacDill Air Force Base near Tampa, Florida; and

Whereas, In response to Iraq invading Kuwait and defying the request of the United Nation Security Council to remove all Iraqi troops from Kuwait by mid-1991, General Schwarzkopf planned and lead Operation Desert Storm, a successful air campaign and 100-hour ground offensive of more than 750,000 troops which defeated the Iraqi Army during the Persian Gulf War and liberated Kuwait; and

Whereas, During the Persian Gulf War, General Schwarzkopf’s no-nonsense, tough disposition and his focused objective of getting Iraq out of Kuwait as quickly as possible granted him the nickname “Stormin Norman”; and

Whereas, In 1991, General Schwarzkopf retired from the Army, after serving his country with courage and distinction for more than 35 years, earning an extensive list of awards, medals, badges, and honors some of which include five distinguished service medals, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Congressional Gold Medal, and the National of the Legion of Honor; and

Whereas, In 2012, General Schwarzkopf passed away, at the age of 78, and his bravery and service to the American people should be remembered and celebrated by all New Jersey citizens; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. August 22 of each year is designated General Norman Schwarzkopf Day to honor the life of General Schwarzkopf, his bravery, and his service to the American people.

2. The Governor is respectfully requested to annually issue a proclamation calling upon public officials, private organizations, and all citizens of this State to observe “General Norman Schwarzkopf Day” with appropriate events and activities.

3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

This joint resolution designates August 22 of each year as General Norman Schwarzkopf Day in New Jersey. General Norman Schwarzkopf served his country with courage and distinction for more than 35 years in the United States Army. When the country entered into the Vietnam War, Norman Schwarzkopf did not shy away from serving, instead he volunteered. During his service in the Vietnam War, General Norman Schwarzkopf risked his life for the men in his command and returned his surviving men home safely.

He continued to serve in the United States Army rising through the ranks to become Major General where he served as Deputy Commander of the United States forces during the 1983 invasion of Grenada. Out of his many impressive accomplishments within the United States Army, General Norman Schwarzkopf, also known as “Stormin Norman”, is most remembered for his role in the Persian Gulf War. General Norman Schwarzkopf planned and lead Operation Desert Storm, which resulted in the removal of Iraqi troops from Kuwait and the liberation of Kuwait.

General Norman Schwarzkopf’s long and accomplished career within the United States Army should be remembered and celebrated among the citizens of New Jersey.