Colin Powell

Colin Luther Powell, (pronounced koh-lihn, born April 5, 1937) was the 65th United States Secretary of State, serving from January 20, 2001 to January 26, 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 (1987–89) and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (1989–93).

Military career

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. In his autobiography My American Journey, Powell mentioned several officers he served under that inspired and mentored him.

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As a young 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.

Related Topics:
South Korea - Henry "Gunfighter" Emerson - Brian's Song

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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.

Related Topics:
1980s - Fort Carson, Colorado

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His last 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. During this time, he oversaw 28 crises, including Operation Desert Storm in the 1991 Persian Gulf War. During these events, Powell earned a reputation as being a very dovish military leader. He rarely advocated military intervention as the first solution to an international dispute, and instead usually prescribed diplomacy and containment.

Related Topics:
October 1 - 1989 - September 30 - 1993 - Joint Chiefs of Staff - Department of Defense - Operation Desert Storm - 1991 - Persian Gulf War - International dispute - Diplomacy - Containment

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Powell mentioned in his autobiography that he is haunted by the nightmare of the Vietnam War. He felt the leadership was very ineffective. Powell served a tour in Vietnam as a military advisor, and was badly injured when he stepped on a bamboo "punji stick". The massive infection nearly killed him and it shortened his first tour. It was also during his Vietnam service, his second tour, that Powell was decorated for bravery. He single-handedly rescued several men from a burning helicopter, one of them being Maj. Gen. Charles Gettys, the commander of the Americal Division.

Related Topics:
Vietnam War - Vietnam - Punji stick - Charles Gettys

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He was opposed to the majority of George H.W. Bush Administration officials who advocated the deployment of troops to the Middle East to force Iraqi president Saddam Hussein to withdraw his armies from neighbouring Kuwait, believing the dictator could instead be contained through sanctions and a buildup of forces around Kuwait, a plan soon dubbed Powell doctrine.

Related Topics:
Middle East - Iraq - Saddam Hussein - Kuwait - Sanctions - Powell doctrine

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As an officer, Powell also values loyalty very highly, and as a result, does not usually undermine policies he disagrees with after they are implemented. Thus, while initially opposing the plan that would become Operation Desert Storm, Powell nevertheless supported it once it became official policy, and gave it his full dedication.

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Powell's successful career within the military has not been entirely free of controversy, however. During the Vietnam War, Powell, as deputy assistant chief of staff at the Americal (the 23rd Infantry Division) with the rank of Major, 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's response was largely seen as a cover-up; he wrote: "In direct refutation of this portrayal is the fact that relations between American soldiers and the Vietnamese people are excellent."

Related Topics:
Americal - 23rd Infantry Division - 11th Light Infantry Brigade - My Lai massacre

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Another controversial part of his career is that Powell also had an operational role in the illegal Iran-Contra affair, acting as the initial coordinator for selling missiles to Iran in exchange for American hostages.

Related Topics:
Iran-Contra affair - Iran

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Dates of rank

• Second Lieutenant: 9 June 1957
• First Lieutenant: 30 December 1959
• Captain: 2 June 1962
• Major: 24 May 1966
• Lieutenant Colonel: 9 July 1970
• Colonel: 1 February 1976
• Brigadier General: 1 June 1979
• Major General: 1 August 1983
• Lieutenant General: 1 July 1986
• General: 4 April 1989

Awards and decorations

• Defense Distinguished Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
• Army Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
• Navy Distinguished Service Medal
• Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
• Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal
• Defense Superior Service Medal
• Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster
• Soldier's Medal
• Bronze Star Medal
• Purple Heart
• Air Medal
• Joint Service Commendation Medal
• Army Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
• National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star
• Vietnam Service Medal with one silver service star
• Army Overseas Service Ribbon with numeral 3
• Combat Infantryman Badge
• Ranger Tab
• Air Assault Badge
• Parachutist Badge
• Presidential Service Badge
• Office of the Secretary of Defense Identification Badge
• Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge
• Army Staff Identification Badge
• Vietnam Campaign Medal
• [[Vietnam Gallantry Cross|Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm