Just Days Before General Schwartzkopf’s Full Ground Assault, President George HW Bush Promises to “Provide the ‘Smoke’ Against Saddam Hussein” and Is “Reinvigorated” By a Heartfelt Veteran’s Gesture

On August 2, 1990, 100,000 Iraqi troops invaded Kuwait and announced complete control just 2 days later.  On January 12, 1991, the US Congress passed a joint resolution authorizing the use of force to drive Iraq from Kuwait, and on January 16, President Bush addressed the nation on the subject. The war itself began the very next day with a US-led Apache Helicopter attack.  Hussein followed by burning oil wells and dumping of oil in the ocean.  On February 1, with a coalition of Middle Eastern countries, the US defeated Hussein's forces, driving them  from a Saudi Arabian town they had invaded in the Battle of Khafji.  This was the first major ground engagement of the war.  On February 12, a large air raid destroyed infrastructure in Baghdad itself and set the table for a more sustained assault.  Hussein's troops were proving no match for America's military might. 

In mid February, a supporter, Michael Maher, the son of a deceased US Marine and himself a veteran, wrote to President Bush, sending along a baseball card of Guy Bush, which on the back states that he was a "fastball pitcher and has plenty of smoke."  Maher wrote, "I inherited this card from my deceased father three years ago.  He was a decorated Marine in the Pacific in World War II.  On behalf of my father and myself, we would like for you to have this card.  In this time of crisis, my firm belief is that you possess the leadership and have "Plenty of Smoke" to deal with the likes of Saddam Hussein."  Maher praised Bush's team and also Colin Powell and urges them to have the "smoke" to win.  "It is my opinion that you will, as with Guy Bush, have to give Saddam Hussein and the Iraq military 'Plenty of Smoke.'"

Typed letter signed,"Dear Mr. Maher, I got a big kick out of your supportive letter, and I especially enjoyed looking over the Guy Bush card.  After due reflection and much enjoyment, I am sending you back this wonderful card.  I am an avid ball fan; however, I am not a card collector and would feel better about your keeping this special #67.  I will continue to provide the 'smoke' against Saddam Hussein, reinvigorated now by having seen old Guy's card.  Thank you ever so much for your generosity and even more for your words of support."

President Bush did just as he said in this letter.  Just 5 days after writing it, he rejected a Russo-Iraqi peace plan, and on February 22 he issued a 24-hour ultimatum: Iraq must withdraw from Kuwait or face a full scale ground war.  Two days later, General Norman Schwarzkopf implemented his famous critical "left hook" maneuver, which was originally used by General Grant in his 1863 Civil War campaign against Vicksburg.  On the 26th, Hussein announced Iraq's withdrawal, followed the next day by entrance into Kuwait City by coalition troops.  That day, President Bush announced Kuwait liberated, just 2 weeks after writing this letter.

Letters of President Bush during the 6-week period of open hostilities with Saddam Hussein are very uncommon, as we've seen just one other in the last two decades. This one specifically mentioning Hussein, and promising action against him (with some humor), is in a class by itself.