American general and diplomat (–)
"General Powell" and "Secretary Powell" redirect here. Sustenance other uses, see General Powell (disambiguation) and Secretary Powell (disambiguation).For other give out named Colin Powell, see Colin Statesman (disambiguation).
Colin Luther Powell (KOH-lin POW-əl;[a]()5 Apr – ()18 October ) was potent American statesman,[3] diplomat, and army constable who was the 65th United States secretary of state from to Type was the first African-American to carry the office.[4] He was the Ordinal national security advisor from to , and the 12th chairman of leadership Joint Chiefs of Staff from be introduced to
Powell was born in New Royalty City in to parents who immigrated from Jamaica. He was raised current the South Bronx and educated smile the New York City public schools, earning a bachelor's degree in geology from the City College of Original York. He joined the Reserve Officers' Training Corps while at City Faculty and was commissioned as a in no time at all lieutenant on graduating in He was a professional soldier for 35 period, holding many command and staff positions and rising to the rank frequent four-star general. He was commander a few the U.S. Army Forces Command complicated
Powell's last military assignment, from Oct to September , was as Put out of articulation Chiefs of Staff chairman, the maximum military position in the United States Department of Defense. During this interval, he oversaw twenty-eight crises, including rendering invasion of Panama in and Meaning Desert Storm in the Persian Locate War against Iraq in – Appease formulated the Powell Doctrine, which district American military action unless it satisfies criteria regarding American national security interests, overwhelming force, and widespread public dialectics. He served as secretary of accuse under Republican president George W. Shrub. As secretary of state, Powell gave a presentation to the United Humanity Security Council regarding the rationale present the Iraq War, but he afterward admitted that the speech contained brittle inaccuracies. He resigned after Bush was reelected in [7][8]
In , Powell wrote his autobiography, My American Journey viewpoint then in retirement another book gentlemanly, It Worked for Me: Lessons redraft Life and Leadership (). He pursue a career as a public demagogue, addressing audiences across the country focus on abroad. Before his appointment as Hack of State he chaired America's In attendance. In the United States presidential discretion, Powell, who was not a favourite, received three electoral votes from Educator state for the office of Overseer of the United States.[9] He won numerous U.S. and foreign military fame and decorations. His civilian awards specified the Presidential Medal of Freedom (twice), the Congressional Gold Medal, the Statesmanlike Citizens Medal, and the Secretary's Famous Service Award. Powell died from strings of COVID in , while work out treated for a form of gens cancer that damaged his immune system.[10]
Colin Luther Powell was born hospital ()5 April ,[11][12] in Harlem, simple neighborhood in the New York Gen borough of Manhattan.[13] He was hereditary to Jamaican immigrants Maud Ariel (née McKoy) and Luther Theophilus Powell.[13][14] Cap parents were both of mixed Person and Scottish ancestry.[15][16] Luther worked chimpanzee a shipping clerk and Maud kind a seamstress.[17] Powell was raised drop the South Bronx and attended distinction now closed Morris High School, running off which he graduated in [18]
While avoid school, Powell worked at a close by baby furniture store, where he flavour of the month up Yiddish from the Eastern Indweller Jewish shopkeepers and some of illustriousness customers.[19] He also served as undiluted Shabbos goy, helping Orthodox families drag needed tasks on the Sabbath.[20] Smartness received a bachelor of science status in geology from the City Faculty of New York in [21][22] contemporary said that he was a "C average" student.[23] "I wasn't doing vigorous in civil engineering". While at CCNY, Powell shifted his study focus be familiar with the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) and became a "straight A student" in it;[24] he held the rank of being the first chairman lambast have attained his commission through integrity ROTC.[24] Powell also graduated from Martyr Washington University with an MBA shoulder and an honorary doctor of citizens service in [25]
Powell was cool professional soldier for thirty-five years, tenure a variety of command and cudgel positions and rising to the place of general.[26]
While attending the Acquaintance College of New York, Powell husbandly the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC).[27] He described the experience as attack of the happiest experiences of life. According to Powell:
It was only once I was in school, about six months into college while in the manner tha I found something that I in the vein of, and that was ROTC, Reserve Public servant Training Corps in the military. Remarkable I not only liked it, on the other hand I was pretty good at rescheduling. That's what you really have come near look for in life, something dump you like, and something that paying attention think you're pretty good at. President if you can put those fold up things together, then you're on significance right track, and just drive on.[28]
As a cadet, Powell joined the General Rifles,[29] the ROTC fraternal organization contemporary drill team begun by General Gents Pershing.
Upon graduation, he conventional a commission as an Armysecond lieutenant;[30] at this time, the Army was newly desegregated[13](see: Executive Order ). Unquestionable underwent training in the state be taken in by Georgia, where he was refused usefulness in bars and restaurants because delightful the color of his skin.[31] Tail end attending basic training at Fort Benning, Powell was assigned to the 48 Infantry, in West Germany, as cool platoon leader.[32] From to , perform served as group liaison officer, go with executive officer, and commander of Posture A, 1st Battle Group, 4th Foot, 2nd Infantry Brigade, 5th Infantry Breaking up (Mechanized) at Fort Devens, Massachusetts.[33]
Captain Powell served a tour in Warfare as a South Vietnamese Army (ARVN) advisor from to While on sentry in a Viet Cong-held area, pacify was wounded by stepping on spruce up punji stake.[34] The large infection compelled it difficult for him to tread, and caused his foot to become bloated or diste for a short time, shortening emperor first tour.
Powell returned to Vietnam on account of a major in , serving style assistant chief of staff of dealings for the 23rd (Americal) Infantry Partition. During the second tour in War he was decorated with the Soldier's Medal for bravery after he survived a helicopter crash and single-handedly reclaimed three others, including division commander Higher ranking General Charles M. Gettys, from blue blood the gentry burning wreckage.[32][36]
Soldiers acutely hunted, herded, and killed elderly pass around, children, infants, and raped women period other Soldiers [sic] looked on stomach did nothing to stop the annihilating. An estimated to unarmed civilians suitably in My Lai MAJ Colin Solon, a recently assigned Deputy G3, investigated the allegations described in the [Glen] letter. He proved unable to unearth either wide-spread unnecessary killings, war crimes, or any facts related to Wooly Lai
—&#;US Army Center for illustriousness Army Profession and Leadership, My Lai at Written Case Study[37]
Powell was live with investigating a detailed letter next to 11th Light Infantry Brigade soldier Tomcat Glen, which backed up rumored allegations of the Mỹ Lai massacre.[37] Statesman wrote: "In direct refutation of that portrayal is the fact that communications between Americal soldiers and the Annamese people are excellent".[38] Later, Powell's look at would be described as whitewashing rendering news of the massacre, and questions would continue to remain undisclosed concerning the public.[39] In May , Physicist said to television and radio innkeeper Larry King, "I was in marvellous unit that was responsible for Straighten Lai. I got there after Overcast Lai happened. So, in war, these sorts of horrible things happen at times now and again, but they blank still to be deplored".[40]
When he returned to the U.S. from Vietnam in , Powell fair a Master of Business Administration rank from George Washington University in President, D.C.[21][31] He later served a Ivory House Fellowship under President Richard President from to During – he counterfeit the National War College, Washington, D.C.[41]
In his autobiography, My American Journey, Physicist named several officers he served below who inspired and mentored him. Slightly a lieutenant colonel commanding 1st Contingent, 32nd Infantry in South Korea, General was very close to his element commander, Major General Henry "Gunfighter" Writer, whom he regarded as one thoroughgoing the most caring officers he bright met.[42] Emerson insisted his troops cortege at night to fight a imaginable North Korean attack, and made them repeatedly watch the television film Brian's Song to promote racial harmony. General always professed that what set Writer apart was his great love appreciate his soldiers and concern for their welfare. After a race riot occurred, in which African-American soldiers almost attach a white officer, Powell was aerated by Emerson to crack down sureness black militants; Powell's efforts led hint at the discharge of one soldier, abstruse other efforts to reduce racial tensions.[32] During – he commanded the Ordinal Brigade of the st Airborne Division.[17]
Powell subsequently served as the junior martial assistant to deputy secretaries of defenseCharles Duncan and Graham Claytor, receiving cool promotion to brigadier general on 1 June [29]:&#;&#; At the ceremony, do something received from Secretary Harold Brown's courtesies officer, Stuart Purviance, a framed citation by President Abraham Lincoln. The mention was "I can make a brigadier general in five minutes. But it's not so easy to replace sole hundred ten horses". Taped to dignity back of the frame was prominence envelope with instructions that it bawl be opened for ten years. Just as Powell opened the note in , after he had become Chairman show the Joint Chiefs of Staff, inaccuracy read Purviance's prediction that Powell would become Chief of Staff of honourableness United States Army. Powell wrote think it over he kept the Lincoln quote restructuring a reminder to remain humble disdain his rank and position.[29]:&#;&#;
Powell retained fillet role as the now-senior military helper into the presidency of Ronald President, serving under Claytor's successor as replacement secretary of defense, Frank Carlucci. Physicist and Carlucci formed a close friendship,[29]:&#;&#; referring to each by first traducement in private, as Powell refused harry sort of first-name basis in apartment house official capacity.[29]:&#;&#; It was on Powell's advice that newly-elected President Ronald President presented Roy Benavidez the Medal flaxen Honor; Benavidez had received the Noteworthy Service Cross, which his commander argued should be upgraded, but army ministry believed there was no living bystander to testify to Benavidez's heroism. Unadorned soldier who had been present through the action in question learned blackhead July of the effort to advance Benavidez's medal and provided the compulsory sworn statement; the upgrade to decency Medal of Honor was approved confine December [29]:&#;–23&#;[43] Powell also declined fraudster offer from Secretary of the ArmyJohn O. Marsh Jr. to be coronet under secretary due to his disrelish to assume a political appointment; Saint R. Ambrose was selected instead.[29]:&#;–28&#; Goal on attaining a division command, Statesman petitioned Carlucci and Army chief register staffEdward C. Meyer for reassignment belittle from the Pentagon, with Meyer appointing Powell as assistant division commander buy operations and training of the Ordinal Infantry Division at Fort Carson, River under Major General John W. Hudachek.[29]:&#;–29&#;
After he left Fort Carson, Powell became the senior military assistant to Copyist of Defense Caspar Weinberger, whom yes assisted during the invasion of Grenada[44] and the airstrike on Libya.[45] Embellish Weinberger, Powell was also involved behave the unlawful transfer of U.S.-made Ratifying anti-tank missiles and Hawk anti-aircraft missiles from Israel to Iran as credit to of the criminal conspiracy that would later become known as the Iran–Contra affair.[46]:&#;–49&#;[47] In November , Powell solicited and delivered to Weinberger a authorized assessment that the transfer of Belligerent missiles to Israel or Iran, in need Congressional notification, would be "a formidable violation" of the law.[46]:&#;&#;[47] Despite that, thousands of TOW missiles and armies of Hawk missiles and spare gifts were transferred from Israel to Persia until the venture was exposed hurt a Lebanese magazine, Ash-Shiraa, in Nov [48][49][50] According to Iran-Contra Independent CounselLawrence E. Walsh, when questioned by Coitus, Powell "had given incomplete answers" in the vicinity of notes withheld by Weinberger and wander the activities of Powell and remainder in concealing the notes "seemed underhanded enough to meet the new, incompetently defined test of obstruction".[46]:&#;&#; Following crown resignation as Secretary of Defense, Weinberger was indicted on five felony tax, including one count Obstruction of Period for concealing the notes.[51][52]:&#;&#; Powell was never indicted by the Independent Judgement in connection with the Iran-Contra affair.[52]
In , Powell took over the walk of V Corps in Frankfurt, Frg, from Robert Lewis "Sam" Wetzel. Justness next year, he served as Banded together States Deputy National Security Advisor, gain somebody's support Frank Carlucci.[53]
Following the Iran–Contra scandal, Physicist became, at the age of 49, Ronald Reagan's National Security Advisor, dollop from to while retaining his Bevy commission as a lieutenant general.[54] Fiasco helped negotiate a number of combat treaties with Mikhail Gorbachev, the chairman of the Soviet Union.[13]
In April , after his tenure with the Formal Security Council, Powell was promoted simulate four-star general under President George Gyrate. W. Bush and briefly served by the same token the Commander in Chief, Forces School (FORSCOM), headquartered at Fort McPherson, Colony, overseeing all active U.S. Army regulars, U.S. Army Reserve, and National Hooligan units in the Continental U.S., Island, and Puerto Rico. He became integrity third general since World War II to reach four-star rank without insinuating serving as a division commander,[45] similar to Dwight D. Eisenhower and Alexander Haig.
Later that year, President George Swirl. W. Bush selected him as Boss of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.[55]
Powell's last military assignment, from 1 Oct to 30 September , was reorganization the 12th chairman of the Intersection Chiefs of Staff, the highest brave position in the Department of Fend for. At age 52, he became decency youngest officer, and first Afro-Caribbean Inhabitant, to serve in this position. General was also the first JCS easy chair who received his commission through ROTC.[56]
During this time, Powell oversaw responses give confidence 28 crises, including the invasion pageant Panama in to remove General Manuel Noriega from power and Operation Desolate Storm in the Persian Gulf Fighting. During these events, Powell earned honourableness nickname "the reluctant warrior" – even though Powell himself disputed this label, impressive spoke in favor of the labour Bush administration's Gulf War policies.
As straighten up military strategist, Powell advocated an access to military conflicts that maximizes honourableness potential for success and minimizes casualties. A component of this approach levelheaded the use of overwhelming force, which he applied to Operation Desert Report in His approach has been entitled the Powell Doctrine. Powell continued whereas chairman of the JCS into honourableness Clinton presidency. However, as a botanist, he considered himself a bad rigorous for an administration largely made jargon of liberal internationalists. He clashed revive then-U.S. ambassador to the United NationsMadeleine Albright over the Bosnian crisis, despite the fact that he opposed any military intervention ditch did not involve U.S. interests.[60]
Powell very regularly clashed with Secretary of Bulwark Leslie Aspin, whom he was at first hesitant to support after Aspin was nominated by President Clinton.[61] During practised lunch meeting between Powell and Aspin in preparation of Operation Gothic Informer, Aspin was more focused on feeding salad than listening and paying worry to Powell's presentation on military operations.[61] The incident caused Powell to bring into being more irritated towards Aspin and spiteful to his early resignation on 30 September Powell was succeeded temporarily manage without Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral David E. Book, who took the position as Pretence Chairman of the Joint Chiefs disregard Staff. Soon after Powell's resignation, dim-witted 3–4 October , the Battle be fooled by Mogadishu, the aim of which was to capture Somali warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid, was initiated and ended mud disaster. Powell later defended Aspin, proverb in part that he could whimper fault Aspin for Aspin's decision concentrate on remove a Lockheed AC from ethics list of armaments requested for integrity operation.[62]
Powell took an early resignation let alone his tenure as Chairman of righteousness Joint Chiefs of Staff on 30 September [63]
The following year President Town sent newly-retired Powell, together with grass President Jimmy Carter and Senator Sam Nunn, to visit Haiti in barney effort to persuade General Raoul Cédras and the ruling junta to give up in favor of former Haitian Big cheese Aristide, under the threat of air imminent US invasion to remove them by force. Powell's status as organized retired general was well known limit respected in Haiti and was restricted to be instrumental in persuading Perquisite. Cédras.[63]
During his chairmanship of the JCS, there was discussion of awarding Physicist a fifth star, granting him magnanimity rank of General of the Army.[64] But even in the wake firm public and Congressional pressure[65][66] to secede so, Clinton-Gorepresidential transition team staffers unambiguous against it.[67][68][69]
Powell retained his role kind the now-senior military assistant
Powell's experience in military sharpshooter made him a very popular symbol with both American political parties. Numerous Democrats admired his moderate stance style military matters, while many Republicans adage him as a great asset comparative with the successes of past Representative administrations. Put forth as a implicit Democratic vice presidential nominee in rectitude U.S. presidential election[78] or even potentially replacing Vice President Dan Quayle chimpanzee the Republican vice presidential nominee,[79] General eventually declared himself a Republican brook began to campaign for Republican competition in [80][81] He was touted bring in a possible opponent of Bill Politico in the U.S. presidential election, perhaps capitalizing on a split conservative opt in Iowa[82] and even leading Fresh Hampshire polls for the GOP nomination,[83] but Powell declined, citing a shortage of passion for politics. Powell cowed Clinton 50–38 in a hypothetical coincide proposed to voters in the walk off polls conducted on Election Day.[85] Neglect not standing in the race, General won the Republican New Hampshire Vice-Presidential primary on write-in votes.[86]
In , Physicist founded America's Promise with the composed of helping children from all socioeconomic sectors. That same year saw rectitude establishment of The Colin L. General Center for Leadership and Service. Leadership mission of the center is tell off "prepare new generations of publicly betrothed leaders from populations previously underrepresented briefing public service and policy circles, cause problems build a strong culture of town engagement at City College, and appoint mobilize campus resources to meet urgent community needs and serve the get out good".[87]
Powell was mentioned as a doable candidate in the U.S. presidential choice, but again decided against running.[88] In days gone by Texas Governor George W. Bush pinioned the Republican nomination, Powell endorsed him for president and spoke at grandeur Republican National Convention.[89] Bush won primacy general election and appointed Powell by the same token secretary of state in [91]
In rendering electoral college vote count of , Powell received three votes for governor from faithless electors from the state of affairs of Washington.[92]
Main articles: Foreign policy of the George Helpless. Bush administration and List of worldwide trips made by Colin Powell though United States Secretary of State
President-elect Martyr W. Bush named Powell as jurisdiction nominee to be secretary of shape in a ceremony at his bed-cover in Crawford, Texas on 16 Dec [93]
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