Colin Powell | |
|---|---|
 Official portrait, 2001 | |
| 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 | |
| Deputy | |
| Preceded by | William J. Crowe |
| Succeeded by | John Shalikashvili |
| 15th United States 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 |
| United States Deputy National Security Advisor | |
| In office December 2, 1986 – November 23, 1987 | |
| President | Ronald Reagan |
| Preceded by | Peter Rodman |
| Succeeded by | John Negroponte |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Colin Luther Powell April 5, 1937 New York City, U.S. |
| Died | October 18, 2021 (aged 84) Bethesda, Maryland, U.S. |
| Resting place | Arlington National Cemetery |
| Political party |
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| Spouse | |
| Children | 3, including Michael and Linda |
| Education | |
| Signature |  |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1958–1993 |
| Rank | General |
| Unit | |
| Commands |
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| Battles/wars | |
| Awards | () |
Colin Luther Powell (/ˈkoʊlɪn ˈpaʊəl/ KOH-lin POW-əl;[a] April 5, 1937 – October 18, 2021) was an American statesman,[3] diplomat, and army officer who was the 65th United States secretary of state from 2001 to 2005. He was the first African-American to hold the office.[4] He was the 15th national security advisor from 1987 to 1989, and the 12th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 1989 to 1993.
Powell was born in New York City in 1937 to parents who immigrated from Jamaica. He was raised in the South Bronx and educated in the New York City public schools, earning a bachelor's degree in geology from the City College of New York. He joined the Reserve Officers' Training Corps while at City College and was commissioned as a second lieutenant on graduating in 1958. He was a professional soldier for 35 years, holding many command and staff positions and rising to the rank of four-star general. He was commander of the U.S. Army Forces Command in 1989.
Powell's last military assignment, from October 1989 to September 1993, was as Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman, the highest military position in the United States Department of Defense. During this time, he oversaw twenty-eight crises, including the invasion of Panama in 1989 and Operation Desert Storm in the Persian Gulf War against Iraq in 1990–1991. He formulated the Powell Doctrine, which limits American military action unless it satisfies criteria regarding American national security interests, overwhelming force, and widespread public support.[5] He served as secretary of state under Republican president George W. Bush. As secretary of state, Powell gave a presentation to the United Nations Security Council regarding the rationale for the Iraq War, but he later admitted that the speech contained substantial inaccuracies. He resigned after Bush was reelected in 2004.[6][7][8]
In 1995, Powell wrote his autobiography, My American Journey and then in retirement another book titled, It Worked for Me: Lessons in Life and Leadership (2012). He pursued a career as a public speaker, addressing audiences across the country and abroad. Before his appointment as Secretary of State he chaired America's Promise. In the 2016 United States presidential election, Powell, who was not a candidate, received three electoral votes from Washington state for the office of President of the United States.[9] He won numerous U.S. and foreign military awards and decorations. His civilian awards included the Presidential Medal of Freedom (twice), the Congressional Gold Medal, the Presidential Citizens Medal, and the Secretary's Distinguished Service Award. Powell died from complications of COVID-19 in 2021, while being treated for a form of blood cancer that damaged his immune system.[10]
- ^ "Major Player: Gen. Colin L. Powell (Ret.)". The Washington Post. July 28, 2000. Archived from the original on November 7, 2012. Retrieved April 30, 2010.
- ^ Chancellor, Alexander (August 9, 1993). "You Say Tomato". The New Yorker: 27.
- ^ Macias, Amanda (October 19, 2021). "Colin Powell, trailblazing soldier and statesman who made case for Iraq invasion, dies of Covid at 84". CNBC. Archived from the original on October 29, 2021. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
- ^ "Colin Powell: Former US secretary of state dies of Covid complications". BBC News. October 19, 2021. Retrieved November 7, 2021.
- ^ LaFeber 2009.
- ^ LaFeber 2009, p. 71.
- ^ "Powell resigns with three other Cabinet secretaries". CNN. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
- ^ "Secretary Powell's Letter of Resignation".
- ^ Richardson, Valerie (December 21, 2016). "Colin Powell places third in presidential race at Electoral College". The Washington Times. Archived from the original on October 20, 2018. Retrieved October 19, 2018.
- ^ "LLS Statement on the Death of Former Secretary of State Colin Powell". Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
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