• 2024-02

Colin Powell

Colin Luther Powell (April 5, 1937 – October 18, 2021)

Personal Information

Full name: Colin Luther Powell
Date of birth: April 5, 1937
Place of birth: Harlem, New York City, U.S.
Date of death: October 18, 2021
Place of death: Bethesda, Maryland, U.S.
Nationality: American
Spouse: Alma Vivian Powell (m. 1962-2021)
Children: Michael Powell, Linda Powell, Annemarie Powell
Education: City College of New York, George Washington University

Political and Military Career

1987-1989: National Security Advisor to President Ronald Reagan
1989-1993: Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under President George H.W. Bush
2001-2005: United States Secretary of State under President George W. Bush

Awards and Honors

Presidential Medal of Freedom (1991, 2004)
Congressional Gold Medal (1993)
Secretary of State Distinguished Service Medal (2005)
Order of the Bath (United Kingdom, 1993)
Légion d'honneur (France, 1994)
Peace Prize of the United Nations Association of the United States of America (2003)

Colin Powell was an American politician, statesman, diplomat, and four-star general in the United States Army. He served as the 65th United States Secretary of State from 2001 to 2005 under President George W. Bush. Powell was the first African American to serve as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (1989-1993) and as Secretary of State. He also served as National Security Advisor (1987-1989) under President Ronald Reagan.

Early Life and Education Powell was born in Harlem, New York City, to Jamaican immigrant parents. He grew up in the South Bronx and attended Morris High School. Powell went on to study geology at the City College of New York and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1958. He later earned a Master of Business Administration degree from George Washington University in 1971.

Military Career Powell was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Army in 1958. He served two tours of duty in the Vietnam War, where he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Legion of Merit, and the Distinguished Flying Cross. Powell rose through the ranks, becoming a brigadier general in 1979 and a major general in 1982. In 1987, he was appointed National Security Advisor to President Reagan.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff In 1989, Powell was appointed Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the highest-ranking military officer in the United States. He served in this position under President George H.W. Bush during the Gulf War. Powell was praised for his leadership during the war, which resulted in the liberation of Kuwait from Iraqi occupation.

Secretary of State In 2001, Powell was appointed Secretary of State by President George W. Bush. He served in this position until 2005. Powell was a key figure in the administration's foreign policy, including the War on Terror and the invasion of Iraq. Powell resigned from his position in 2005, citing differences with the administration over the Iraq War.

Later Life and Death After leaving government, Powell remained active in public life. He was a visiting professor at Pepperdine University and a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. Powell was also a vocal critic of the Trump administration. He died of complications from COVID-19 and cancer on October 18, 2021, at the age of 84.

Legacy Powell was a highly respected figure in both the military and political arenas. He was known for his intelligence, integrity, and leadership. Powell's legacy will be remembered for his service to the United States and his commitment to peace and diplomacy.