General H. Norman Schwarzkopf is dead

The general credited with leading the US-allied forces to a victory in the first Gulf War, H. Norman Schwarzkopf, is dead.

Schwarzkopf, who was 78, died Thursday in Tampa, Florida.

Schwarzkopf, known by the nickname "Stormin' Norman" partly for his volcanic temper, led Republican administrations to two military victories: a small one in Grenada and a big one as de facto commander of allied forces in the Gulf War. 

His success driving Iraqi forces out of Kuwait in 1991 during what was known as Operation Desert Storm came under President George H.W. Bush.

Though Bush was hospitalised in Texas with a stubborn fever he released a statement expressing regret at Schwartzkopf's death.

Former Secretary of State Colin Powell, who was chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during Desert Storm, recalled Schwarzkopf as a great patriot and a great soldier.