Colin Luther Powell (pron.: /ˈkoʊlɨn/; born April 5, 1937) is an American statesman and a retired four-star general in the United States Army. He was the 65th United States Secretary of State, serving under U.S. President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2005, the first African American to serve in that position.
During his military career, Powell also served as National Security Advisor (1987–1989), as Commander of the U.S. Army Forces Command (1989) and as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (1989–1993), holding the latter position during the Persian Gulf War. He was the first, and so far the only, African American to serve on the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and was the first of two consecutive African American office-holders to hold the key Administration position of U.S. Secretary of State.
| 65th United States Secretary of State | |
|---|---|
| In office January 20, 2001 – January 26, 2005 |
|
| President | George W. Bush |
| Deputy | Richard Armitage |
| Preceded by | Madeleine Albright |
| Succeeded by | Condoleezza Rice |
| 12th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff | |
| In office October 1, 1989 – September 30, 1993 |
|
| President | George H. W. Bush Bill Clinton |
| Deputy | Robert Herres David Jeremiah |
| Preceded by | William Crowe |
| Succeeded by | David Jeremiah |
| 16th National Security Advisor | |
| In office November 23, 1987 – January 20, 1989 |
|
| President | Ronald Reagan |
| Deputy | John Negroponte |
| Preceded by | Frank Carlucci |
| Succeeded by | Brent Scowcroft |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Colin Luther Powell April 5, 1937 (age 79) New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Alma Johnsonm. 1962) |
| Alma mater | City University of New York, City College George Washington University |
| Religion | Episcopalianism |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Service/branch |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1958–1993 |
| Rank | General |
| Unit |  3rd Armored Division  23rd Infantry Division |
| Commands |  V Corps Chairman of the Joint Chiefs  Army Forces Command |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War Invasion of Panama Persian Gulf War |
Vietnam War
In his autobiography, Powell said he is haunted by the nightmare of the Vietnam War and felt that the leadership was very ineffective.
Captain Powell served a tour in Vietnam as a South Vietnamese Army (ARVN) advisor from 1962 to 1963. While on patrol in a Viet Cong-held area, he was wounded by stepping on a punji stake.[15] The large infection made it difficult for him to walk, and caused his foot to swell for a short time, shortening his first tour.
He returned to Vietnam as a major in 1968, serving in the Americal Division (23rd Infantry Division), then as assistant chief of staff of operations for the Americal Division. During the second tour in Vietnam he was decorated for bravery after he survived a helicopter crash, single-handedly rescuing three others, including division commander Major General Charles Martin Gettys, from the burning wreckage. He was charged with investigating a detailed letter by Tom Glen (a soldier from the 11th Light Infantry Brigade), which backed up rumored allegations of the My Lai 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 assessment would be described as whitewashing the news of the massacre, and questions would continue to remain undisclosed to the public. In May 2004 Powell said to television and radio host 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."
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Powell in November 1989, on his official Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff portrait.
Powell's last military assignment, from October 1, 1989, to September 30, 1993, was as the 12th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the highest military position in the Department of Defense. At age 52, he became the youngest officer, and first Afro-Caribbean American, to serve in this position. Powell was also the first JCS Chair who received his commission through ROTC.