Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf gave his final salute Friday as commander of the army he led to victory in the Persian Gulf war, then handed over reins of the U.S. Central Command to his successor.
Defense Secretary Dick Cheney pinned a chest full of medals on the man whose name became a synonym for the victory of U.S. troops in Operation Desert Storm."The whole world knows you," Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Colin Powell told Schwarzkopf. "They know you because of the story of victory and courage you have written in the sand, skies and sea of the Persian Gulf."
The ceremony at MacDill Air Force Base included Schwarzkopf's final review of the troops and a 19-gun salute.
It marks only the latest tribute for the gulf war hero since his return in April. He's been showered by a New York ticker tape parade, knighted by Queen Elizabeth, pinned with the Medal of Freedom, honored by a joint session of Congress and signed to a reported $5 million book deal.
The 56-year-old four-star general has even hired an agent to sort out the job offers and possible political opportunities that await him when he retires at month's end.
It will close a 35-year Army career that began at West Point and ranged from platoon leader to corps commander in Vietnam to architect of the 100-hour lightning ground assault that vanquished Iraq. His public profile blossomed during his televised briefings from Saudi Arabia, where his combination of wit and will to win was beamed to millions.
Taking over as Central Command command
er-in-chief is Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Joseph P. Hoar, the deputy chief of staff for plans, policies and operations for the Marine Corps. He is in line for appointment to four-star rank.
A native of Boston, the 57-year-old Hoar is a Vietnam veteran who served as a battalion and brigade adviser to the Vietnamese marines. He commanded the 31st Marine Amphibious Unit, which participated in three Indian Ocean deployments and nine amphibious exercises.
The MacDill-based Central Command, one of eight joint U.S. commands around the globe, oversees military operations in 18 Middle Eastern countries.
Schwarzkopf announced this week he plans to retire to the Tampa Bay area "for at least a year" following his retirement.