American History Hit

Episode: America's Most Innovative General

Host: Don Wildman
Guest: Professor Cecily Zander, University of Wyoming
Date: January 12, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the lives and legacies of four transformative U.S. military generals, examining their innovative approaches and the ways they revolutionized warfare. Host Don Wildman and Civil War historian Professor Cecily Zander discuss the complex notion of "innovation" in military leadership, debating which U.S. general most deserves this title. Generals featured include George Crook, William Tecumseh Sherman, George Patton, and Norman Schwarzkopf.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Defining Military Innovation (03:01)

• Don Wildman introduces the main question: Which American general was the most innovative, radically changing military strategy or operations?
• Criteria: Innovation can mean tactical, technological, or philosophical shifts that altered warfare and left an enduring legacy.

2. General George Crook – Humanitarian Tactics and “Hearts and Minds” (03:17–07:18)

Who Was Crook?

• Civil War veteran, more renowned for his later campaigns in the Indian Wars
• Notable for his nuanced and empathetic approach to Native Americans

Innovations

• Utilized Native Scouts: Pushed for and implemented large-scale use of Native American scouts, recognizing their unmatched terrain knowledge.
  “One way in which Crook does innovate is by really advocating for and then utilizing a battalion of Native American scouts as an attachment and adjunct to the U.S. Army.” — Cecily Zander (04:41)
• Respect for Native Peoples: Gained a reputation for fairness and, unlike many contemporaries, sought to minimize cruelty. “Chief Red Cloud said of him, ‘He at least had never lied to us. His words gave people hope.’” — Don Wildman (06:59)

Lasting Impact

• Precursor to Modern Counterinsurgency: Crook's emphasis on winning “hearts and minds” mirrors later COIN (counterinsurgency) doctrines.
  “A key way that you fight people who are trying to elude capture...is to win hearts and minds. And that's a key part of that doctrine.” — Cecily Zander (06:33)

3. William Tecumseh Sherman – Total War and Civilian Targeting (07:51–17:31)

Who Was Sherman?

• Union General (Civil War), iconic for “March to the Sea”

Innovations

• "Total War" Doctrine: Expanded targets to civilian infrastructure and morale, not just enemy troops. “Civilians and civilian property are justifiable targets…because this is a war in which the Confederacy is relying on all elements of its society to sustain and support the war effort.” — Cecily Zander (08:26)
• Modern Warfare Precedent: Considered a forerunner to 20th-century warfare. “The Union's behavior in the Civil War [is] the beginning of modern warfare.” — Don Wildman (09:43)

Memorable Moment

• Famous Letter & Quote:
  Sherman writes—“Every member of this nation is bound by natural and constitutional law…if they fail…they can be punished or deprived of all advantages arising from the labors of those who do.” (15:14)
• Sherman on War’s Horrors:
  “We cannot change the hearts and minds of those people of the south, but we can make war so terrible…that generations would pass away before they would again appeal to it.” — Sherman (16:31, read by Don Wildman)

Lasting Impact

• Breaking Confederate Morale: Demonstrated how destroying infrastructure could collapse enemy will to fight.
• Criticized and Mythologized: Sherman became a villain in “Lost Cause” narratives (17:31).

4. George Patton – Operational Audacity and Mechanized Warfare (18:46–25:35)

Who Was Patton?

• Famed WWII general, key figure in U.S. armored warfare

Innovations

• Tank Integration: Pioneered linking tanks with infantry for breakthrough attacks “He understood how the cavalry worked…He designed a saber that was still in use by the U.S. Army…But tanks were the future.” — Cecily Zander (19:21)
• Emphasis on Speed & Initiative: Advocated for decisive, rapid actions “A good plan, violently executed now, is better than a perfect plan next week.” — Don Wildman (24:47)
• Training and Morale: Hands-on leader, revitalized morale in North Africa

Memorable Moments

• Tank School in France: Built America’s first tank battalion despite limited resources.
• Personal Leadership:
  “Morale is a battlefield weapon to this guy.” — Don Wildman (24:03)

Lasting Impact

• Redefined Mobility and Tempo: His approach influenced later generations’ concepts of maneuver warfare.
• Popular Culture Legend: Both revered and caricatured, but his tactical vision endures.

5. Norman Schwarzkopf – High-Tech, Globalized Command (27:17–35:49)

Who Was Schwarzkopf?

• Commander of Coalition Forces in 1991 Gulf War (“Operation Desert Storm”); called “Stormin’ Norman”

Innovations

• Integrated High-Tech Warfare: Skillfully fused air power, satellite intelligence, stealth aircraft, and precision munitions “He fused all these tools into a coherent battlefield system before most armies even understood what that meant. I mean, that’s Norman Schwarzkopf there.” — Don Wildman (31:57)
• Media Savvy: Used open communication to build public and troop morale, contrasting with earlier generals who distrusted press “Let’s give [the press] some insight into what we’re doing…There’s going to be more morale back home…” — Cecily Zander (28:41)
• Multi-National Coalition Leadership: Commanded not just all U.S. military branches, but 30+ allied nations
• The "Left Hook" Maneuver: Flanking through the desert after air and artillery softened up Iraqi defenses
  “What Schwarzkopf liked to do was sort of obliterate with air warfare…then send in the tanks and troops behind it.” — Cecily Zander (33:12)

Memorable Moments

• Victory Parade: After crushing victory, celebrated by the public, an unusual outpouring of support for returning troops (29:35)
• Personal Background: International upbringing and high intelligence contributed to his broad perspective and coalition skills (34:40)

Lasting Impact

• Prototype for 21st-Century War: Precision, immensity of reach, and coalition command structure became enduring model “If Patton embodied the birth of armored warfare, Schwarzkopf showcased the sort of modern, integrated, globalized warfare.” — Don Wildman (35:46)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Quote | Speaker | |-----------|-------|---------| | 04:41 | "Crook actually advocates to make these scouts a permanent part of the United States Army..." | Cecily Zander | | 06:59 | "Chief Red Cloud said of him, 'He at least had never lied to us. His words gave people hope.'" | Don Wildman | | 08:26 | "...Sherman knows...in pursuit of the objectives that the Union army is trying to achieve...civilians and civilian property are justifiable targets..." | Cecily Zander | | 14:39 | "To break Confederate morale...Sherman is going to make them sort of feel the result of that failure to prevent the United States from getting this deep in Confederate territory." | Cecily Zander | | 16:31 | "We cannot change the hearts and minds of those people of the south, but we can make war so terrible that...generations would pass away before they would again appeal to it." | William T. Sherman (read by Wildman) | | 19:21 | "He understood how the cavalry worked. He understood its importance. He understood how swords and sabers functioned. He designed a saber...But tanks were the future." | Cecily Zander | | 24:47 | "A good plan, violently executed now, is better than a perfect plan next week." | Don Wildman (on Patton's principle) | | 28:41 | "Whereas Norman Schwarzkopf said, they can be our best friend. Let's give them some insight into what we're doing." | Cecily Zander | | 31:57 | "He fused all these tools into a coherent battlefield system before most armies even understood what that meant." | Don Wildman |

Verdict: America’s Most Innovative General (35:49–36:35)

Professor Zander’s Pick:

• Norman Schwarzkopf
  “Just gut reaction. I'm going to have to go with Schwarzkopf.” — Cecily Zander (36:20)
• Schwarzkopf exemplifies integration of multinational coalitions, high-tech systems, and information warfare, setting the template for the modern era.
• Honorable mention for William Tecumseh Sherman’s enduring legacy.

Don Wildman’s View:

• Agrees, noting Schwarzkopf “echoes all the guys we’ve talked about,” with unique adaptability to a tech-driven, globalized world.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:35–03:01 — Episode introduction and guest bio
• 03:17–07:18 — George Crook’s humanitarian approach and innovation
• 07:51–17:31 — William Tecumseh Sherman and the invention of total war
• 18:46–25:35 — George Patton’s operational audacity and mechanized transformation
• 27:17–35:49 — Norman Schwarzkopf’s high-tech, coalition-led modern warfare
• 35:49–37:39 — Final verdict and reflection on innovation

Tone and Style

• Insightful, historically grounded, occasionally irreverent; celebrates both complexity and personality in America's military history.
• Don Wildman brings warmth and curiosity; Professor Zander provides clarity and depth, with accessible, vivid storytelling.

Summary

This episode presents a compelling journey through American military innovation, profiling four generals whose creative strategies and leadership altered the course of history. From Crook’s counterinsurgency roots, to Sherman’s total war, Patton’s armored breakthroughs, and Schwarzkopf’s modern coalition operations, each figure embodies the spirit of adapting to new challenges. Professor Zander ultimately gives the nod to Norman Schwarzkopf as the U.S.'s most innovative general, for his synthesis of technology, strategy, and global leadership—while acknowledging the foundational contributions of his predecessors.