Former Gulf War Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf dies at 78

TAMPA, FLA. — Retired Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf, who commanded coalition forces during the Gulf War, died Thursday, a U.S. official said. He was 78.

After Iraq invaded Kuwait in 1990, Schwarzkopf directed 700,000 coalition troops that engaged in a six-week air assault of Iraqi forces in January 1991. That was followed by a swift ground campaign that pushed the Iraqis out of Kuwait.

Schwarzkopf went to the U.S. Military Academy and graduated in 1956, according to Britannica Online.

He was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Army. The officer served two tours of duty in Vietnam.

In 1988, Schwarzkopf was appointed commander of U.S. Central Command.