General Norman Schwarzkopf, RIP.

I've found that the older I've got and more cynical I've become the less so called heroes I have.
In spite of both age and cynicism I still held General Norman Schwarzkopf in the highest regard and would have loved to have met him as a friend of mine had done on more than one occasion.
RIP.

Soon afterwards he experienced the most terrifying episode in his life, when his battalion was moved into the Batangan peninsula. On May 28 one of his companies strayed into a minefield and triggered an explosion. One soldier was injured. Schwarzkopf, who was already airborne in his own helicopter, immediately flew back to the rescue, giving up his place in the helicopter to the injured soldier and some others who were then evacuated by air.

On the ground, he then started to direct the remaining trapped soldiers towards him, only for another soldier to tread on a mine. The new victim fell, thrashing about in agony and threatening to explode other mines. His nearby comrades started to panic: “We’re all gonna die!”
“Knock that bullshit off,” roared Schwarzkopf. “We’re gonna get you out.”

Slowly, eyeing the ground for the telltale prongs or bumps, Schwarzkopf inched towards the screaming soldier. He lowered himself to cover the man and stop his flailing. “Calm down and quit screaming,” he told the soldier. “You’re scaring the shit out of people.” The youngster obeyed.

Then Schwarzkopf asked his accompanying officer for a splint to set the broken leg. But as the medic moved he too stepped on a mine, which blew off his right arm and leg. A piece of shrapnel thudded into Schwarzkopf’s chest. The soldiers panicked again, but their commander bellowed them into silence. It was 20 minutes before a rescue helicopter and mine detecting team arrived. Schwarzkopf led his remaining men to safety, and was awarded his third Silver Star.



http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/military-obituaries/army-obituaries/9769376/General-Norman-Schwarzkopf.html