Norman Schwarzkopf was one of the greatest leaders in American history. He was destined to be a leader of men from birth. Schwarzkopf was born on 22 August 1934 in Trenton, New Jersey. He grew up as an Army brat, living on bases all around the world. His father who is credited for the founding of the New Jersey state police, was honorably discharged from the army as a Brigadier General after had served in both World War I and World War II. Norman tried hard to follow in his father’s footsteps. Like his father, Norman graduated from West Point University in 1956 with a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering. While attending West Point he was a member of both the football and wrestling teams. One of the most defining moments of his very …show more content…
Eventually Schwarzkopf, returned home in a body cast that covered him from his shoulders all the way down to his hips. For his time served during the war Schwarzkopf received numerous awards and medals. Once he was well enough to speak to the public about his experiences he was shocked by how hostile many were about the war and that the public was directing their anger towards the military. Schwarzkopf assumed that this wrath from the community had been spawned by the realities that the government went into the war without clear intentions. This appeared to cause a great personal conflict for Schwarzkopf who contemplated hanging up his uniform. After much thought and consideration Schwarzkopf came to the conclusion that he would stay in the fight but that as long as he was in command his soldiers would never fight in a war like Vietnam again. The Vietnam War was coming to an end and the soldiers were back to their families, who’s had been waiting and praying stateside for their safe return. But that didn’t mean complacency for Schwarzkopf he continued to rise up the ranks taking on more responsibilities with each promotion. He received his first star in the 70’s and would successfully lead troops during the invasion of Grenada in 1983. Five more time would pass and General Schwarzkopf would finally receive his fourth star in 1988. He was assigned as the commander of the Central Command. While Schwarzkopf was commanding the
He assumed, well educated people should not have been sent to war to fight for something they do not agree with. In fact, he believes that only those who agree with the Vietnam War should be the ones forming the military lines.
The public was on board the war train for the first few years of the war, until they found out what it was actually like in Vietnam. Public view of the war immediately changed negatively. When the news reached the soldiers in Vietnam, reactions were mixed. While they could understand why the people didn't like the prospect of war, they were still killing-even when they didn't want to-for their country. Some soldiers didn't know how to respond. One solder wrote to his mother and told her that for one second he felt as if he was on vacation because it was so beautiful in Vietnam. Another one told his mom “not to worry, there is nothing I can't handle”. While the soldiers could handle the physical horrors happening to them, it was the mental stuff that was breaking them down.
Wars are a difficult place to be. “THE VIETNAM WAR transformed a generation” (Roberts 1). With all that happened during the war such as exposure to
During the Vietnam War, these soldiers has shed their blood and sacrificed their future for their homeland, but their government, their society and their families alienates and forsakes them. Unlike any other wars happened throughout the history of America, the reason for United States to get involve in the Vietnam War is to stop the spread of communism, a very simple but also very unreasonable. Instead of volunteer, the majority of the soldiers in Vietnam War were drafted without any prior notice. Hence, before going to war, the soldiers find themselves having a difficult time of trying to seek for a reasonable purpose of going to war. Some people try to escape from the drafting process and stay home or continue their education. Other people, who actually go to war say “’I just want
George S. Patton was one of the most highly regarded and successful military leaders in the history of the United States. His military career spanned from the expedition into Mexico throughout WWII. His ability to inspire his troops with his profane filled speeches and his position of always leading from the front gained him vast popularity and fame. Many political leaders considered him too controversial and intemperate at times. This reputation often overshadowed his determination and success as a commander. His bravery and many contributions to several of America’s war efforts has established him as one of the greats in American military history.
The root of the questions regarding Vietnam War is why did so many soldiers come home from this war so drastically transformed? Coleman addresses, in the early years of the war, volunteers filled most of the ranks. As the war continued and the public became more aware of the inhumanity the government implemented a draft (Coleman 66). Statics show the poor led this war and very few wealthy were recruited (Coleman 67). Coleman claims, the average age of the soldiers who died were seventeen and twenty-one (68). She writes this certainly contributed to the psychological wounds (68).
President Eisenhower was the greatest president in United States history because he instilled firsthand his experiences from times of war and times of peace, to increase the government’s power during his presidential term and years to follow. He was a well-established military general during many United States campaigns, before he took office as president of the United States. The most notable campaign he took part in was World War II, where he was the Supreme Allied Commander of European Forces and held the highest rank a United States officer can obtain, 5-Star General. He was one of nine generals to ever hold the rank of 5-Star General, which greatly gave him an advantage when he later ran for president. But he also used the side of
He was always placed in a situation that, it can be alleged that in order to stay alive, or at least survive emotionally sane, one has to think that there is a validation for war and that skirmishing in it is more than an responsibility, but an opportunity, chance, and a necessity. For the person it has to be mentally fulfilling and for a nation it means that it sharps one of its blades. Ernst informs us, "...all success springs from individual action, while the mass of troops give impetus and weight of fire."(301)
Vietnam is the subject of Journal #1, but more importantly the effect of Vietnam on individuals. Tim O'Brien, in his book, describes a number of personal events that he experienced as a result of his experiences in Vietnam. One of the most interesting assertions he makes is when he claims that because he went to war, he was a coward. (O'Brien) He makes this claim because he was really opposed to the war but did not have the courage to stand up an announce his opposition. Instead he simply obeyed orders and sent to war. But he forgets that there is a difference between the courage to stand up for one's convictions and the courage to face actual death. His claim of being a coward is a personal judgment based on his personal emotions, while his acceptance of actual danger and the risk of death proved that he was not. I believe that his guilt over not opposing the war publicly, not evading the draft, was the source of his feelings of cowardice. However, the horrors faced in Vietnam were the true test of courage, and he passed that test.
Douglas MacArthur was a US soldier, born in Little Rock, Arkansas, USA. The son of a Union army hero during the Civil War (they are the only father and son to win the Congressional Medal of Honor) and a mother ambitious for his success, he trained at West Point (1903), rose steadily in the army, and demonstrated his bravado on a secret mission to Mexico (1914). In World War 1 he commanded a brigade in combat in France (1918), where he earned a reputation for bravery (wounded three times) as well as foppery - he carried a muffler and a riding crop into the line, but not a helmet or a gas mask. After serving as the superintendent of West Point (1919–22), he completed his second tour of duty in the Philippines.
The impact of the Vietnam War upon the soldiers who fought there was huge. The experience forever changed how they would think and act for the rest of their lives. One of the main reasons for this was there was little to no understanding by the soldiers as to why they were fighting this war. They felt they were killing innocent people, farmers, poor hard working people, women, and children were among their victims. Many of the returning soldiers could not fall back in to their old life styles. First they felt guilt for surviving many of their brothers in arms. Second they were haunted by the atrocities of war. Some soldiers could not go back to the mental state of peacetime. Then there were soldiers Tim O’Brien meant while in
During Kovic’s life before joining the army and even when he was first fighting, he supported the war. He believed in the political rhetoric that Vietnam was about containment of Communism. This paralleled the majority of American support for Vietnam. In the beginning of the war, the “wounds” caused by Vietnam seemed to be worth the pain. However, this changes when Kovic is personally wounded, and the wounds on America begin to be too much.
Dr Martin Luther King Jr. on the Vietnam War Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. builds his arguments to support his claims towards the audience that America's involvement in the Vietnam War is unjust, by using devices like facts and examples, as well as quotes that affect your emotions. His use of persuasive devices helps him get his point across because they make the reader feel emotions towards what he is saying, and facts that make him sound credible. Dr Martin Luther King Jr. believes that America's involvement in the Vietnam War was unjust and unfair. One of the first statements he makes that supports his claim is that he, "knew that America would never invest the necessary funds or energies in rehabilitation..."
For this action he was stripped of his command over the 2nd Armored Division in Africa. Patton could not stand to have a soldier that was anything less than what he thought a true soldier should represent. Patton believes that “courage and fear are phenomena which can be governed by training and discipline,” and that fear is lost through intense training and patriotism. Patton did not hate his men, but he didn’t want to see his soldiers hospitalized as injured men with battle fatigue or neurosis, but as a spectacle of American bravery. Visiting his troops in the hospital got him emotional and he state once that, “They’re the best damned soldiers the world has ever seen. One day I bawl the hell out of them and the next I weep over them.”
My landings are poor, but my recoveries are good” (Williamson, 115). Looking at his next principle of decisions, Patton made the decision to speak out against the war. He broke all the current rules at the time and said that the only reason why the war came about was because no one spoke out against Hitler. He made a decision to speak of his belief even if it meant things would be done against him.