He was the commander of the 101st airborne division during the initial invasion of Iraq.

NPR: Army Gen. Abizaid Will Retire in March

Elmore says the battle for Fallujah made the initial invasion look like a cakewalk.

NPR: Multiple Tours in Iraq Begin to Take Toll

Britain has been Washington's greatest ally in the Iraq war, contributing troops to the initial invasion.

NPR: Rice and Straw Visit Baghdad, Prod Negotiators

McKiernan, a former armor officer, seems to have been of a similar piece, even though the general, who oversaw the initial invasion of Iraq in 2003, has been uniformly praised to us as forthright and capable.

WSJ: A General for Afghanistan

But after long-running reports that he had changed his mind as the planned invasion approached, his initial lengthy advice given to Mr Blair on 7 March was leaked and then published in 2005.

BBC: Straw vetoes Iraq minutes release