When Schwarzkopf was first directed to plan an assault upon Kuwait to drive out Saddam’s forces, he came back with a frontal assault, right into the teeth of the Republican Guard’s best elements.  And he had far fewer forces than deemed necessary by more senior people.

Powell, the President, and Cheney looked over that plan and quickly decided it was useless, worse than useless really, and Powell drew up the “end around” idea which was presented to and adopted by Schwarzkopf.  And then claimed by Schwarzkopf.

In the rush to glorify the commanders which occurs in any war, the earlier plan was forgotten, purged, and Stormin’ Norman was credited as being the architect of the new one.

About 1 in 10 of the “smart” bombs hit their targets, in sharp contrast to the news conferences he had.

Altogether not the person the Administration promoted, but they didn’t have any choice but to glamorize him.