Howard Koslow (American, 1924 - 2016) "America's Heroes of Desert Storm"" Signed lower right. Origina Acrylic Painting on Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This piece was originally published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for U.S. 29c Desert Storm stamp booklet issued July 2, 1991. Iraqi President Saddam Hussein's quest for domination of the Middle East took fearful form in 1980. In a bid to become a powerful arbiter of regional oil supplies, Hussein invaded Iran and initiated a savage eight-year war. The conflagration drained Iraq's coffers, and Hussein turned to the Emir of Kuwait for additional financing. The Iran-Iraq war ended in stalemate in 1988. Enraged over Kuwait's refusal to cancel Iraq's legitimately-incurred debts and resentful of Kuwait's elevated status in the Islamic community, Hussein invaded the tiny country on August 2, 1990. United States President George Bush mobilized reserve and active-duty personnel from all branches of America's armed forces. Deployment to Saudi Arabia began immediately and by January of 1991, United Nations coalition forces from thirty-four member nations stood ready to answer the call to arms. On January 16, war commenced. Commanded by Army General H. Norman Schwarzkopf, the coalition forces executed text-book perfect maneuvers. While the Coast Guard patrolled the Persian Gulf, Navy and Air Force pilots shattered Iraqi entrenchments. Marine and Army divisions stealthily assumed positions along Iraq's southern borders in preparation for the ground offensive and rolled across the borders in pursuit of the Iraqi army. In less than one hundred hours, victory belonged to the coalition. Image Size: 20.75 x 15 in. Overall Size: 25 x 19 in. Unframed. (B13184)