Colin Powell Biography

Colin Luther Powell, (pronounced koh-lihn or call in, born April 5, 1937) was the 65th United States Secretary of State, serving from January 20, 2001 to January 23, 2005 under President George W. Bush. Nominated by Bush on December 16, 2000 and unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate, Powell became the highest ranking African American government official in the history of the United States (now having been tied by his successor, Condoleezza Rice). As a general in the United States Army, Powell also served as National Security Advisor (1987–1989) and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (1989–1993). He is a moderate Republican.
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Military career

Colin Powell as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.Colin Powell was born in The Bronx, New York City in 1937. His parents had immigrated from Jamaica. Powell always spoke warmly of his parents as loving and hard working. He wrote in his autobiography "Its the luck of the draw when you are given parents and I couldn't have been luckier". An indifferent student, Powell attended the City College Of New York and obtained a degree in geology. He later spoke of how he "found himself" when he joined ROTC. He later described it as one of the happiest experiences of his life finding something he loved and could do well. Cadet Powell joined the Pershing Rifles. This was the elite ROTC drill team named after General of the Army John Pershing. Even after Powell became a four star general, he still kept on his desk a pen set that he won for a drill team competition.

Powell was a professional soldier for 35 years, during which time he held a variety of command and staff positions and rose to the rank of 4-star General. Powell obtained an MBA from George Washington University in 1971 and then served a White House fellowship under President Richard Nixon. In his autobiography My American Journey, Powell mentioned several officers he served under that inspired and mentored him.

As a young Lieutenant Colonel serving in South Korea, for example, Powell was very close to General Henry "Gunfighter" Emerson. Powell said he regarded this man as one of the most caring officers he ever served under. Emerson was somewhat eccentric personally. For example, he insisted his troops train only at night and made them repeatedly watch the television film Brian's Song to promote racial harmony. Powell always professed, however, that what set Emerson apart was his great love of his soldiers and concern for their welfare.

Powell is connected with the My Lai Massacre. He was then a US Army Major, charged with investigating the massacre. Powell wrote: "In direct refutation of this portrayal is the fact that relations between American soldiers and the Vietnamese people are excellent." Later, Powell's refutation would be called an act of "white-washing" the news of the Massacre, and questions would continue to remain undisclosed to the public. On May 4, 2004, United States Secretary of State Colin L. Powell said to Larry King, "I mean, I was in a unit that was responsible for My Lai. I got there after My Lai happened. So, in war, these sorts of horrible things happen every now and again, but they are still to be deplored." [1]. Ward Churchill is one of those who has accused Powell of being reponsible for the 'cover-up'.

In the early 1980s, Powell served at Fort Carson, Colorado. It was there that he had a major clash with General John Hudachek his commander. Hudachek said in an efficiency evaluation that Powell was a poor leader who should not be promoted. Many of Powell's supporters have said this was pettiness and spite on Hudachek's part.

Profile:

Order 65th Secretary of State
Term of Office January 20, 2001 -
January 26, 2005
Predecessor Madeleine Albright
Successor Condoleezza Rice
Date of Birth April 5, 1937
Place of Birth New York, New York
Spouse Alma Vivian Johnson Powell
Profession Soldier, Statesman
Political Party Republican

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COLIN POWELL BIOGRAPHY