{"id":22739,"date":"2021-10-18T11:54:14","date_gmt":"2021-10-18T16:54:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/?p=22739"},"modified":"2021-10-18T11:57:17","modified_gmt":"2021-10-18T16:57:17","slug":"the-world-mourns-the-death-of-the-greatest-general-of-our-time-a-trailblazer-colin-powell-as-tributes-pour-in-from-the-entire-planet-of-earth-live","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/?p=22739","title":{"rendered":"THE WORLD Mourns THE Death of THE GREATEST GENERAL OF OUR TIME, A \u2018Trailblazer\u2019, Colin Powell,  as tributes pour in FROM THE ENTIRE PLANET EARTH"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"sliderBox\">\n<div class=\"middleBlock\">\n<div id=\"article_sector\" class=\"sector\">\n<article id=\"article-contents\" class=\"column at4-col4 at8-col8 at12-col11 at16-col15 interactives\"><main id=\"main\" role=\"main\"><\/p>\n<header class=\"article_header module\">\n<div class=\"zonedModule\" data-module-id=\"10\" data-module-name=\"article.app\/lib\/module\/slideshowHeadline\" data-module-zone=\"article_header\">\n<div class=\"wsj-article-headline-wrap\">\n<h1 class=\"wsj-article-headline slideshow-headline\">Colin Powell, a Four-Star General and Former Secretary of State<\/h1>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-22740\" src=\"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/COLIN-POWELL.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"290\" height=\"174\" \/><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"sub-head\">Powell served two tours in Vietnam, rose through military ranks to become chairman of the Joint Chiefs and served as secretary of state to former President George W. Bush<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"column at4-col4 at8-col8 at12-col7 at16-col11\">\n<div class=\"module\">\n<div class=\"zonedModule\" data-module-id=\"9\" data-module-name=\"article.app\/lib\/webui\/modules\/shared\/webuislideshow\" data-module-zone=\"article_slideshow_webui\">\n<hr class=\"web-ui-slideshow-hr\" \/>\n<div id=\"webui_slideshow_inset_SB11160954204945234207604588123040931025254\" class=\"webui-slideshow-inset\">\n<div class=\"\">\n<div class=\"\">\n<div class=\"WSJTheme--slideshow-3AIGj__E4Poc5isHY95RDF \">\n<div class=\"WSJTheme--slideshow-outer-1FFDzzpkR40u03czTAgsnG \">\n<div class=\"WSJTheme--slideshow-main-container-2HvZrABdVJmGeEpbBE3h_4 \">\n<div class=\"WSJTheme--slideshow-child-3jzhsRsrUky6uvBjFfoqMe \"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"WSJTheme--slideshow-img-3Bs29bInasrfDBRuGdvvJJ \" draggable=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/images.wsj.net\/im-418694\/?width=860&amp;height=573\" sizes=\"(max-width: 639px) 100vw, (max-width: 979px) 620px, (max-width: 1299px) 540px, 860px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.wsj.net\/im-418694\/?width=540&amp;size=1.5 540w, https:\/\/images.wsj.net\/im-418694\/?width=620&amp;size=1.5 620w, https:\/\/images.wsj.net\/im-418694\/?width=620&amp;size=1.5 620w, https:\/\/images.wsj.net\/im-418694\/?width=860&amp;size=1.5 860w, https:\/\/images.wsj.net\/im-418694\/?width=860&amp;size=1.5&amp;pixel_ratio=1.5 1290w, https:\/\/images.wsj.net\/im-418694\/?width=860&amp;size=1.5&amp;pixel_ratio=2 1720w, https:\/\/images.wsj.net\/im-418694\/?width=860&amp;size=1.5&amp;pixel_ratio=3 2580w\" alt=\"Gen. Powell and former military officials from the Gulf War salute the casket of the late former President George H.W. Bush at the U.S. Capitol in December 2018 in Washington, D.C. \" \/><\/div>\n<div>\n<h1 class=\"pg-headline\" data-act-id=\"article_head_0\">Colin Powell, first Black US Secretary of State, dies of Covid-19 complications amid cancer battle<\/h1>\n<div id=\"cn-featured-17cpeh2\" class=\"cn cn-carousel-medium-strip cn--idx-0 cn-featured-17cpeh2\" data-layout=\"carousel-medium-strip\" data-eq-pts=\"xsmall: 0, medium: 460, large: 780\" data-eq-state=\"xsmall medium\">\n<div class=\"js-owl-carousel owl-carousel carousel--fixed carousel-medium-strip owl-loaded owl-drag\" data-galleryname=\"Politics of the Day\" data-cut-format=\"\" data-is-gallery=\"\" data-slide-count=\"16\">\n<div class=\"owl-stage-outer\">\n<div class=\"owl-stage\">\n<div class=\"owl-item cloned\">\n<div class=\"cn__column carousel__content__item\">\n<article class=\"cd cd--card cd--video cd--idx-0 cd--medium cd--vertical cd--has-siblings cd--has-media cd--media__image\" data-vr-contentbox=\"\/videos\/politics\/2021\/10\/18\/colin-powell-dies-obit-blitzer-vpx.cnn\/video\/playlists\/this-week-in-politics\/\" data-eq-pts=\"xsmall: 0, small: 300, medium: 460, large: 780, full16x9: 1100\" data-video-id=\"politics\/2021\/10\/18\/colin-powell-dies-obit-blitzer-vpx.cnn\" data-bundle=\"one_tap\" data-ad-section=\"const-video-leaf\" data-section-name=\"politics\" data-video-playlist-url=\"\/video\/playlists\/this-week-in-politics\/\" data-eq-state=\"xsmall\">\n<div class=\"cd__wrapper\" data-analytics=\" (16 Videos)_carousel-medium-strip_video_video\">\n<div class=\"media\"><a><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"media__image media__image--responsive owl-lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.cnn.com\/cnnnext\/dam\/assets\/211018075038-06b-colin-powell-small-169.jpg\" alt=\"US Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff General Colin Powell addresses the Veterans of Foreign Wars 04 March 1991, Washington,DC. In his speech, Powell said the United States will demand that Iraq account immediately and fully for all US soldiers missing in action or held prisoner. AFP PHOTO\/Jerome DELAY (Photo credit should read JEROME DELAY\/AFP via Getty Images)\" data-src-mini=\"\/\/cdn.cnn.com\/cnnnext\/dam\/assets\/211018075038-06b-colin-powell-small-169.jpg\" data-src-xsmall=\"\/\/cdn.cnn.com\/cnnnext\/dam\/assets\/211018075038-06b-colin-powell-medium-plus-169.jpg\" data-src-small=\"\/\/cdn.cnn.com\/cnnnext\/dam\/assets\/211018075038-06b-colin-powell-large-169.jpg\" data-src-medium=\"\/\/cdn.cnn.com\/cnnnext\/dam\/assets\/211018075038-06b-colin-powell-exlarge-169.jpg\" data-src-large=\"\/\/cdn.cnn.com\/cnnnext\/dam\/assets\/211018075038-06b-colin-powell-super-169.jpg\" data-src-full16x9=\"\/\/cdn.cnn.com\/cnnnext\/dam\/assets\/211018075038-06b-colin-powell-full-169.jpg\" data-src-mini1x1=\"\/\/cdn.cnn.com\/cnnnext\/dam\/assets\/211018075038-06b-colin-powell-small-11.jpg\" data-eq-pts=\"mini: 0, xsmall: 221, small: 308, medium: 461, large: 781\" data-eq-state=\"mini\" data-src=\"\/\/cdn.cnn.com\/cnnnext\/dam\/assets\/211018075038-06b-colin-powell-small-169.jpg\" data-demand-load=\"loaded\" data-lazy-img-observe=\"true\" \/><i class=\"media__icon icon-media-video cnn-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-post-text=\"03:25\u00a0\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"cd__content\">\n<h3 class=\"cd__headline\" data-analytics=\" (16 Videos)_carousel-medium-strip_video_video\"><a><span class=\"cd__headline-text vid-left-enabled\">Colin Powell dies at 84<\/span><\/a><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"pg-rail-tall__body\">\n<section id=\"body-text\" class=\"zn zn-body-text zn-body zn--idx-0 zn--ordinary zn-has-multiple-containers zn-has-73-containers\" data-eq-pts=\"xsmall: 0, medium: 460, large: 780, full16x9: 1100\" data-vr-zone=\"zone-1-0\" data-zone-label=\"bodyText\" data-containers=\"73\" data-zn-id=\"body-text\" data-eq-state=\"xsmall medium large\">\n<div class=\"l-container\">\n<div class=\"el__leafmedia el__leafmedia--sourced-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"zn-body__paragraph speakable\" data-paragraph-id=\"paragraph_C5126B45-96EC-918F-A993-9315E638580E\" data-act-id=\"paragraph_0\"><cite class=\"el-editorial-source\"><\/cite><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2013\/08\/20\/us\/colin-powell-fast-facts\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Colin Powell<\/a>, the first Black US secretary of state whose leadership in several Republican administrations helped shape American foreign policy in the last years of the 20th century and the early years of the 21st, has died from complications from Covid-19, his family said on Facebook. He was 84.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"zn-body__paragraph\" data-paragraph-id=\"paragraph_C1026387-39EC-EFAD-23B1-9346F46EAE9A\" data-act-id=\"paragraph_1\"><strong>&#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/politics\/live-news\/colin-powell-dies-10-18-21\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">General Colin L. Powell<\/a>, former U.S. Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, passed away this morning due to complications from Covid 19,&#8221; the Powell family wrote on Facebook, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2021\/10\/15\/health\/cdc-covid-risk-higher-unvaccinated\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">noting he was fully vaccinated<\/a>.<\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"zn-body__paragraph\" data-paragraph-id=\"paragraph_67EB1D77-FB6F-B555-B31F-93B461FD5AF0\" data-act-id=\"paragraph_2\"><strong>A source familiar with the matter said Powell had multiple myeloma, a cancer of plasma cells that suppresses the body&#8217;s immune response. Even if fully vaccinated against Covid-19, those who are immunocompromised are at greater risk from the virus.<\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"zn-body__paragraph\" data-paragraph-id=\"paragraph_7CB05742-7C5A-EE0F-62CC-93479C8F2568\" data-act-id=\"paragraph_3\"><strong>&#8220;We have lost a remarkable and loving husband, father, grandfather and a great American,&#8221; the family said.<\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"el__embedded el__embedded--standard\">\n<div class=\"el__storyelement--standard el__article--embed\">\n<div class=\"el__article--teaseimage\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/politics\/live-news\/colin-powell-dies-10-18-21\/index.html\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"media__image media__image--responsive\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.cnn.com\/cnnnext\/dam\/assets\/211018071846-02-colin-powell-medium-plus-169.jpg\" alt=\"Live Updates: Colin Powell dies\" data-src-mini=\"\/\/cdn.cnn.com\/cnnnext\/dam\/assets\/211018071846-02-colin-powell-small-169.jpg\" data-src-xsmall=\"\/\/cdn.cnn.com\/cnnnext\/dam\/assets\/211018071846-02-colin-powell-medium-plus-169.jpg\" data-src-small=\"\/\/cdn.cnn.com\/cnnnext\/dam\/assets\/211018071846-02-colin-powell-large-169.jpg\" data-src-medium=\"\/\/cdn.cnn.com\/cnnnext\/dam\/assets\/211018071846-02-colin-powell-exlarge-169.jpg\" data-src-large=\"\/\/cdn.cnn.com\/cnnnext\/dam\/assets\/211018071846-02-colin-powell-super-169.jpg\" data-src-full16x9=\"\/\/cdn.cnn.com\/cnnnext\/dam\/assets\/211018071846-02-colin-powell-full-169.jpg\" data-src-mini1x1=\"\/\/cdn.cnn.com\/cnnnext\/dam\/assets\/211018071846-02-colin-powell-small-11.jpg\" data-demand-load=\"loaded\" data-eq-pts=\"mini: 0, xsmall: 221, small: 308, medium: 461, large: 781\" data-eq-state=\"mini xsmall\" data-src=\"\/\/cdn.cnn.com\/cnnnext\/dam\/assets\/211018071846-02-colin-powell-medium-plus-169.jpg\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"zn-body__paragraph\" data-paragraph-id=\"paragraph_89ADBF11-A65C-FF4A-50FB-9348DFAE7BD9\" data-act-id=\"paragraph_5\"><strong>Powell was a distinguished and trailblazing professional soldier whose career took him from combat duty in Vietnam to becoming the first Black national security adviser during the end of Ronald Reagan&#8217;s presidency and the youngest and first African American chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under President George H.W. Bush. His national popularity soared in the aftermath of the US-led coalition victory during the Gulf War, and for a time in the mid-90s, he was considered a leading contender to become the first Black President of the United States. But his reputation would be forever stained when, as George W. Bush&#8217;s first secretary of state, he pushed faulty intelligence before the United Nations to advocate for the Iraq War, which he would later call a &#8220;blot&#8221; on his record.<\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"zn-body__read-all\">\n<div class=\"zn-body__paragraph\" data-paragraph-id=\"paragraph_74B852AC-F570-7D67-51DC-937075418340\" data-act-id=\"paragraph_6\"><strong>Bush said in a statement Monday that Powell was &#8220;a great public servant&#8221; who was &#8220;such a favorite of Presidents that he earned the Presidential Medal of Freedom &#8212; twice. He was highly respected at home and abroad. And most important, Colin was a family man and a friend.&#8221;<\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"zn-body__paragraph\" data-paragraph-id=\"paragraph_4548DE2D-6054-4E3C-3D96-934C4A8E15B5\" data-act-id=\"paragraph_7\"><strong>Though Powell never mounted a White House bid, when he was sworn in as Bush&#8217;s secretary of state in 2001, he became the highest-ranking Black public official to date in the country, standing fourth in the presidential line of succession.<\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"zn-body__paragraph\" data-paragraph-id=\"paragraph_13C10A5E-E339-16E0-0C55-934C4BE30E14\" data-act-id=\"paragraph_8\"><strong>&#8220;I think it shows to the world what is possible in this country,&#8221; Powell <a href=\"https:\/\/2001-2009.state.gov\/secretary\/former\/powell\/remarks\/2001\/443.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">said<\/a> of his history-making nomination during his Senate confirmation hearing. &#8220;It shows to the world that: Follow our model, and over a period of time from our beginning, if you believe in the values that espouse, you can see things as miraculous as me sitting before you to receive your approval.&#8221;<\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"zn-body__paragraph\" data-paragraph-id=\"paragraph_12762D4E-8671-1C76-B5B8-93A5C4463A51\" data-act-id=\"paragraph_9\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2021\/10\/18\/politics\/republican-party-colin-powell-donald-trump\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Point: The Colin Powell Republican no longer exists in the Republican Party<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"zn-body__paragraph\" data-paragraph-id=\"paragraph_70237DEC-7723-0BED-AC8F-934C4BEAB498\" data-act-id=\"paragraph_10\"><strong>Later in his public life, Powell would <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/videos\/tv\/2021\/01\/10\/exp-gps-0110-powell-on-capitol-attack.cnn\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">grow disillusioned with the Republican Party&#8217;s<\/a> rightward lurch and would use his political capital to help elect Democrats to the White House, most notably Barack Obama, the first Black president whom Powell endorsed in the final weeks of the 2008 campaign.<\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"zn-body__paragraph\" data-paragraph-id=\"paragraph_34591FCF-094F-533D-2AA4-934C4BECD9E9\" data-act-id=\"paragraph_11\"><strong>The announcement was seen as a significant boost for Obama&#8217;s candidacy due to Powell&#8217;s widespread popular appeal and stature as one of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2008\/POLITICS\/10\/19\/colin.powell\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">most prominent and successful Black Americans <\/a>in public life.<\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"zn-body__paragraph\" data-paragraph-id=\"paragraph_1A0D0FCF-EE64-DAC9-52B5-934C4BF0E119\" data-act-id=\"paragraph_12\"><strong>Powell is survived by his wife, Alma Vivian (Johnson) Powell, whom he married in 1962, as well as three<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"pg-right-rail-tall pg-wrapper \">\n<article class=\"pg-rail-tall pg-rail--align-right \">\n<div class=\"l-container\">\n<div class=\"pg-rail-tall__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"pg-side-of-rail pg-rail-tall__side\">\n<div class=\"pg-rail-tall__body\">\n<section id=\"body-text\" class=\"zn zn-body-text zn-body zn--idx-0 zn--ordinary zn-has-multiple-containers zn-has-73-containers\" data-eq-pts=\"xsmall: 0, medium: 460, large: 780, full16x9: 1100\" data-vr-zone=\"zone-1-0\" data-zone-label=\"bodyText\" data-containers=\"73\" data-zn-id=\"body-text\" data-eq-state=\"xsmall medium large\">\n<div class=\"l-container\">\n<div class=\"zn-body__read-all\">\n<div class=\"zn-body__paragraph\" data-paragraph-id=\"paragraph_3AAEB66E-0320-8713-52CC-938187F047B2\" data-act-id=\"paragraph_13\"><strong>It is not clear if Powell had received a booster dose of the vaccine. Covid-19 vaccines are a highly effective tool in preventing severe disease and death, but no vaccine is 100% effective.<\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"zn-body__paragraph\" data-paragraph-id=\"paragraph_05095054-0F13-9828-4C5B-938207612BCC\" data-act-id=\"paragraph_14\"><strong>More than 7,00 breakthrough cases of Covid-19 that have resulted in death have been reported to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention through October 12. By that time, more than 187 million people in the US were fully vaccinated. That&#8217;s one out of every 26,000 fully vaccinated people who has died of Covid-19, or 0.004%.<\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"zn-body__paragraph\" data-paragraph-id=\"paragraph_67E6000D-895E-5145-AC1B-93820765849B\" data-act-id=\"paragraph_15\"><strong>Of those breakthrough cases resulting in death, 85% were among people age 65 and older and 57% were among men, according to the CDC.<\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"zn-body__paragraph\" data-paragraph-id=\"paragraph_5DB7BEA3-FEF1-2A83-6309-938207693FD1\" data-act-id=\"paragraph_16\"><strong>CDC data also show that the risk of dying from Covid-19 is more than 11 times higher for unvaccinated adults than it is for vaccinated adults throughout August. Among seniors, who are more susceptible to severe Covid-19, that gap is smaller. Among those 80 and older, the risk of dying from Covid-19 in August was about five times higher among unvaccinated people than among fully vaccinated people.<\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"zn-body__paragraph\" data-paragraph-id=\"paragraph_EE39F352-0350-0678-CB21-93D1682A5125\" data-act-id=\"paragraph_17\">\n<h3><strong>Leaders mourn a &#8216;trailblazer and role model&#8217;<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"zn-body__paragraph\" data-paragraph-id=\"paragraph_69933495-5C97-AD3F-353F-93D15988E9A7\" data-act-id=\"paragraph_18\"><strong>Powell&#8217;s death was met with an outpouring of grief from former and current leaders, including former Vice President Dick Cheney, who served alongside Powell under Bush.<\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"zn-body__paragraph\" data-paragraph-id=\"paragraph_0DC113E0-AC14-76F8-ECDF-93D15989BEDE\" data-act-id=\"paragraph_19\"><strong>&#8220;I&#8217;m deeply saddened to learn that America has lost a leader and statesman. General Powell had a remarkably distinguished career, and I was fortunate to work with him,&#8221; Cheney said in a statement, adding that Powell was a &#8220;trailblazer and role model.&#8221;<\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"zn-body__paragraph\" data-paragraph-id=\"paragraph_1A7AF80B-92B5-DC2C-540A-93D159894EAC\" data-act-id=\"paragraph_20\"><strong>Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in remarks on Monday that in Powell he &#8220;lost a tremendous personal friend and mentor.&#8221;<\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"zn-body__paragraph\" data-paragraph-id=\"paragraph_16A5DA3A-9000-FDB5-E3CE-93D15989932C\" data-act-id=\"paragraph_21\"><strong>&#8220;He always made time for me and I could always go to him with tough issues. He always had great counsel. We will certainly miss him,&#8221; said Austin, who himself made history earlier this year as the first Black Defense secretary.<\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"zn-body__paragraph\" data-paragraph-id=\"paragraph_6D0E48C0-F737-4D78-49BF-93D15989FB43\" data-act-id=\"paragraph_22\"><strong>Retired Gen. Martin Dempsey, who served for a time as Obama&#8217;s chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, also mourned the loss of Powell, writing in a tweet on Monday that he was &#8220;A superb soldier, statesman, and lifelong public servant.&#8221;<\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"zn-body__paragraph\" data-paragraph-id=\"paragraph_8006310F-05EE-0A1C-4375-93D159895AEC\" data-act-id=\"paragraph_23\"><strong>And former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, who was in office while Powell served in the Bush administration, called Powell &#8220;a towering figure in American military and political leadership,&#8221; adding in a statement that he &#8220;inspired loyalty and respect.&#8221;<\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"zn-body__paragraph\" data-paragraph-id=\"paragraph_C6627C04-13FF-F951-72A7-934D05DB4C3D\" data-act-id=\"paragraph_24\">\n<h3><strong>Professional soldier<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"zn-body__paragraph\" data-paragraph-id=\"paragraph_0ABEC793-6AF1-91E7-CAF3-934C4BF72913\" data-act-id=\"paragraph_25\"><strong>Colin Luther Powell was born April 5, 1937, in Harlem, New York, to Jamaican immigrants. After growing up in the South Bronx, Powell attended school at the City College of New York, where he participated in ROTC, leading the precision drill team and attaining the top rank offered by the corps, cadet colonel.<\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"zn-body__paragraph\" data-paragraph-id=\"paragraph_CD4B61E8-4DA5-1583-5A34-934C4BFC6B5F\" data-act-id=\"paragraph_26\"><strong>&#8220;I liked the structure and the discipline of the military,&#8221; Powell said, according to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/CNN\/Programs\/people\/shows\/powell\/profile.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">a CNN profile of him in the early 2000s<\/a>. &#8220;I felt somewhat distinctive wearing a uniform. I hadn&#8217;t been distinctive in much else.&#8221;<\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"el__embedded el__embedded--standard\">\n<div class=\"el__storyelement--standard el__article--embed\">\n<div class=\"el__article--teaseimage\">\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2021\/10\/18\/politics\/republican-party-colin-powell-donald-trump\/index.html\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"media__image media__image--responsive\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.cnn.com\/cnnnext\/dam\/assets\/211018071935-03-colin-powell-medium-plus-169.jpg\" alt=\"The Colin Powell Republican no longer exists in the Republican Party\" data-src-mini=\"\/\/cdn.cnn.com\/cnnnext\/dam\/assets\/211018071935-03-colin-powell-small-169.jpg\" data-src-xsmall=\"\/\/cdn.cnn.com\/cnnnext\/dam\/assets\/211018071935-03-colin-powell-medium-plus-169.jpg\" data-src-small=\"\/\/cdn.cnn.com\/cnnnext\/dam\/assets\/211018071935-03-colin-powell-large-169.jpg\" data-src-medium=\"\/\/cdn.cnn.com\/cnnnext\/dam\/assets\/211018071935-03-colin-powell-exlarge-169.jpg\" data-src-large=\"\/\/cdn.cnn.com\/cnnnext\/dam\/assets\/211018071935-03-colin-powell-super-169.jpg\" data-src-full16x9=\"\/\/cdn.cnn.com\/cnnnext\/dam\/assets\/211018071935-03-colin-powell-full-169.jpg\" data-src-mini1x1=\"\/\/cdn.cnn.com\/cnnnext\/dam\/assets\/211018071935-03-colin-powell-small-11.jpg\" data-demand-load=\"loaded\" data-eq-pts=\"mini: 0, xsmall: 221, small: 308, medium: 461, large: 781\" data-eq-state=\"mini xsmall\" data-src=\"\/\/cdn.cnn.com\/cnnnext\/dam\/assets\/211018071935-03-colin-powell-medium-plus-169.jpg\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"img__preloader\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"media__caption el__storyelement__title\"><strong><span class=\"el__storyelement__header\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2021\/10\/18\/politics\/republican-party-colin-powell-donald-trump\/index.html\">The Colin Powell Republican no longer exists in the Republican Party<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"zn-body__paragraph\" data-paragraph-id=\"paragraph_6B675DF7-5486-7D36-9B86-934C4C034C35\" data-act-id=\"paragraph_27\"><strong>He entered the US Army after graduating in 1958, and later served two tours in South Vietnam during the 1960s, where he was wounded twice, including during a helicopter crash in which he rescued two soldiers. He stayed in the Army after returning home, attending the National War College and rising in leadership. He was promoted to brigadier general in 1979, appointed as Reagan&#8217;s final national security adviser in 1987 and was tapped by the elder Bush in 1989 to head the Joint Chiefs of Staff.<\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"zn-body__paragraph\" data-paragraph-id=\"paragraph_A35931CA-126C-3437-126F-934C4C075520\" data-act-id=\"paragraph_28\"><strong>Powell&#8217;s tenure in the elder Bush&#8217;s administration was marked by his involvement in some of the most notable American military actions of the late 20th century, including the 1989 Panama operation, the 1991 Gulf War and the US humanitarian intervention in Somalia, though he <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/1993\/10\/01\/us\/colin-powell-who-led-us-military-into-a-new-era-resigns.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">retired<\/a> from the Army days before the disastrous <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/1995\/10\/01\/world\/study-faults-powell-aides-on-somalia.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Battle of Mogadishu<\/a>.<\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"zn-body__paragraph\" data-paragraph-id=\"paragraph_569789F7-2331-2B2C-251A-934C4C0CB645\" data-act-id=\"paragraph_29\"><strong>Although Powell was initially reluctant to commit US troops when Iraq invaded Kuwait in 1990, he became one of the administration&#8217;s most trusted spokesmen when the assault on Saddam Hussein&#8217;s army finally came.<\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"zn-body__paragraph\" data-paragraph-id=\"paragraph_A84983F7-D60C-78C3-4F81-934C4C123989\" data-act-id=\"paragraph_30\"><strong>&#8220;First we&#8217;re going to cut it off. Then we&#8217;re going to kill it,&#8221; Powell famously said at a news conference at the time, referring to the Iraqi army.<\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"zn-body__paragraph\" data-paragraph-id=\"paragraph_54430656-0FC8-DECB-7C04-934C4C141B84\" data-act-id=\"paragraph_31\"><strong>Following the assault, Powell became something of a <a href=\"https:\/\/news.gallup.com\/poll\/1618\/favorability-people-news.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">national hero<\/a>, enjoying a 71% favorability rating in the first few year years after the war. His efforts during the war also earned him two prominent awards: a Congressional Gold Medal in March 1991 &#8220;in recognition of his exemplary performance in planning and coordinating&#8221; the US response to Iraq&#8217;s invasion, and a Presidential Medal of Freedom.<\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"zn-body__paragraph\" data-paragraph-id=\"paragraph_0AF86975-8427-80E5-AC84-934C4C676281\" data-act-id=\"paragraph_32\"><strong>As the elder Bush presented Powell with the award at a White House ceremony in 1991, he said the general&#8217;s &#8220;deep compassion for every one of the thousands of men and women under (his) command will always be remembered.&#8221;<\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"zn-body__paragraph\" data-paragraph-id=\"paragraph_4BDA1570-1709-4F4F-A712-934C4C6DEA60\" data-act-id=\"paragraph_33\"><strong>During Powell&#8217;s time in the military, which lasted until 1993, he also received a number of other notable awards, including the Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts. He received his fourth star in 1989, becoming the second African American to rise to that rank.<\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"zn-body__paragraph\" data-paragraph-id=\"paragraph_A9992C29-DB89-F57E-5C03-934C4C739182\" data-act-id=\"paragraph_34\"><strong>In addition to the military awards, Powell also received the President&#8217;s Citizens Medal, the Secretary of State Distinguished Service Medal, and the Secretary of Energy Distinguished Service Medal, as well as a second Presidential Medal of Freedom, awarded with distinction, from President Bill Clinton.<\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"zn-body__paragraph\" data-paragraph-id=\"paragraph_B31C8EE8-4228-18FC-6A05-934E5BA18EA5\" data-act-id=\"paragraph_35\">\n<h3><strong>Top diplomat during turbulent time<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"zn-body__paragraph\" data-paragraph-id=\"paragraph_3B7F4FC3-DA28-34D6-B8AF-934C4C7C2FC4\" data-act-id=\"paragraph_36\"><strong>With a prominent national profile, Powell was floated as a potential presidential candidate in the 1996 election. But in a highly anticipated decision, he declined to participate in the race, citing a lack of &#8220;passion&#8221; for electoral politics.<\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"zn-body__paragraph\" data-paragraph-id=\"paragraph_4DF0802B-1348-8480-F566-934C4C828F8C\" data-act-id=\"paragraph_37\"><strong>&#8220;Such a life requires a calling that I do not yet hear,&#8221; he <a href=\"https:\/\/www.c-span.org\/video\/?68219-1\/powell-decision-run\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">told reporters in 1995<\/a>. &#8220;And for me to pretend otherwise would not be honest to myself, it would not be honest to the American people.&#8221;<\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"zn-body__paragraph\" data-paragraph-id=\"paragraph_0907240B-094F-A0D2-AC23-934C4C8F23B6\" data-act-id=\"paragraph_38\"><strong>Powell was again encouraged to run in the 2000 presidential election, but rebuffed calls for him to mount a bid. He instead endorsed George W. Bush, delivering a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2000\/ALLPOLITICS\/stories\/07\/31\/powell.speech\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">speech<\/a> at the Republican National Convention in which he argued that the then-governor of Texas would &#8220;help bridge our racial divides.&#8221;<\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"zn-body__paragraph\" data-paragraph-id=\"paragraph_6B2E2442-A16C-77C6-8BA2-934C4C935263\" data-act-id=\"paragraph_39\"><strong>He was Bush&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2000\/12\/17\/us\/43rd-president-president-elect-powell-head-state-dept-bush-s-first-cabinet-pick.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">first Cabinet selection <\/a>when he was announced as the 43rd President&#8217;s nomination for secretary of state, and with his <a href=\"https:\/\/history.state.gov\/departmenthistory\/people\/powell-colin-luther\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">expertise<\/a> in foreign policy and widespread popularity, he was unanimously confirmed by the Senate.<\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"zn-body__paragraph\" data-paragraph-id=\"paragraph_A7EB65AF-6604-6235-C223-934C4CA6C52A\" data-act-id=\"paragraph_40\"><strong>He shared Bush&#8217;s reluctance to project military strength across the globe, a view that was quickly displaced by the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. As Bush&#8217;s top diplomat, he was tasked with building international support for the War on Terror, including the Afghanistan War, but it was his involvement in the administration&#8217;s push for intervention in Iraq, over the concerns of many of America&#8217;s longtime allies, for which his tenure at State would become best known.<\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"zn-body__paragraph\" data-paragraph-id=\"paragraph_1F60961D-1CA5-32F4-1DBA-934C4CAA85C4\" data-act-id=\"paragraph_41\"><strong>In February 2003, Powell delivered a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2003\/US\/02\/05\/sprj.irq.powell.un\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">speech<\/a> before the United Nations in which he presented evidence that the US intelligence community said proved Iraq had misled inspectors and hid weapons of mass destruction.<\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"zn-body__paragraph\" data-paragraph-id=\"paragraph_258EDC25-CE47-3ED3-9D0C-934C4CB8658B\" data-act-id=\"paragraph_42\"><strong>&#8220;There can be no doubt,&#8221; Powell <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2003\/feb\/05\/iraq.usa3\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">warned<\/a>, &#8220;that Saddam Hussein has biological weapons and the capability to rapidly produce more, many more.&#8221;<\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"zn-body__paragraph\" data-paragraph-id=\"paragraph_A0F7E0F6-AB36-BD6C-6CD6-934C4CBE867C\" data-act-id=\"paragraph_43\"><strong>Inspectors, however, later found no such weaponry in Iraq, and two years after Powell&#8217;s UN speech, a government report said the intelligence community was &#8220;dead wrong&#8221; in its assessments of Iraq&#8217;s weapons of mass destruction capabilities before the US invasion.<\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"zn-body__paragraph\" data-paragraph-id=\"paragraph_CBF2DAD0-8C39-D10B-04FE-934C4CC60D28\" data-act-id=\"paragraph_44\"><strong>But the damage was already done &#8212; to both Iraq, which the US went to war with just six weeks after Powell&#8217;s speech, and to the reputation of the once highly popular statesman, who was <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2006\/11\/26\/books\/review\/Lewis.t.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">reportedly<\/a> told by Cheney before the UN speech: &#8220;You&#8217;ve got high poll ratings; you can afford to lose a few points.&#8221;<\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"zn-body__paragraph\" data-paragraph-id=\"paragraph_F3D64B9B-3256-3EE6-977B-934C4CD5D01D\" data-act-id=\"paragraph_45\"><strong>Powell, who left the State Department in early 2005 after submitting his resignation to Bush the previous year, later called his UN speech a &#8220;blot&#8221; that will forever be on his record.<\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"zn-body__paragraph\" data-paragraph-id=\"paragraph_6FC8A0BA-F43D-AE04-55CC-934C4CE50EA7\" data-act-id=\"paragraph_46\"><strong>&#8220;I regret it now because the information was wrong &#8212; of course I do,&#8221; he <a href=\"http:\/\/transcripts.cnn.com\/TRANSCRIPTS\/1011\/15\/lkl.01.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">told<\/a> CNN&#8217;s Larry King in 2010. &#8220;But I will always be seen as the one who made the case before the international community.&#8221;<\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"zn-body__paragraph\" data-paragraph-id=\"paragraph_B6C6E8B7-9E53-707B-43C9-934C4CEAB2B5\" data-act-id=\"paragraph_47\"><strong>&#8220;I swayed public opinion, there&#8217;s no question about it,&#8221; he added, referring to how influential his speech was on public support for the invasion.<\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"zn-body__paragraph\" data-paragraph-id=\"paragraph_EC4C6569-60B4-A941-AD17-934C4CFF05FA\" data-act-id=\"paragraph_48\"><strong>In his 2012 memoir, &#8220;It Worked for Me,&#8221; Powell again acknowledged the speech, writing that his account of it in the book would likely be the last he publicly made.<\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"zn-body__paragraph\" data-paragraph-id=\"paragraph_56EFDD5A-232B-4F93-3599-934C4D09149A\" data-act-id=\"paragraph_49\"><strong>&#8220;I am mad mostly at myself for not having smelled the problem. My instincts failed me,&#8221; he wrote, referring to the report he used that contained faulty evidence of supposed Iraqi WMDs. &#8220;It was by no means my first, but it was one of my most momentous failures, the one with the widest-ranging impact.&#8221;<\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"zn-body__paragraph\" data-paragraph-id=\"paragraph_1CA1A8E1-F4E6-42C1-C768-934C4D12B877\" data-act-id=\"paragraph_50\"><strong>&#8220;The event will earn a prominent paragraph in my obituary,&#8221; Powell wrote.<\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"zn-body__paragraph\" data-paragraph-id=\"paragraph_6DC5B6EF-2FD4-3EB9-3A58-9350A3A39A89\" data-act-id=\"paragraph_51\">\n<h3><strong>Shifting politics<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"zn-body__paragraph\" data-paragraph-id=\"paragraph_1C395C41-99B3-6234-3CB7-934C4D210EF6\" data-act-id=\"paragraph_52\"><strong>After leaving the Bush administration, Powell returned to private life. He <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2005\/07\/13\/business\/colin-powell-joins-venture-capital-firm.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">joined<\/a> the renowned venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins in 2005, where he worked as a strategic adviser until his death. For a time, he gave speeches at &#8220;Get Motivated!&#8221; business seminars, and he authored the 2012 memoir.<\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"zn-body__paragraph\" data-paragraph-id=\"paragraph_2CD3ED08-E97D-081B-1172-934C4D37B124\" data-act-id=\"paragraph_53\"><strong>Though the large majority of Powell&#8217;s time as a public servant was spent in Republican administrations, the later years of his life saw him supporting Democratic presidential candidates and harshly criticizing top Republican leaders.<\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"zn-body__paragraph\" data-paragraph-id=\"paragraph_60CCC6B6-CC31-8B13-AD74-934C4D4359A6\" data-act-id=\"paragraph_54\"><strong>By 2008, the longtime Republican&#8217;s coveted presidential <a href=\"https:\/\/news.blogs.cnn.com\/2012\/10\/25\/colin-powell-endorses-obama\/comment-page-4\/?nav-edition=on\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">endorsement<\/a> went to another party when he announced his support for Obama&#8217;s White House bid. At the time, he touted Obama&#8217;s &#8220;ability to inspire&#8221; and the &#8220;inclusive nature of his campaign,&#8221; while criticizing attacks on the Illinois senator by Republican presidential nominee John McCain&#8217;s campaign as &#8220;inappropriate.&#8221; He was later named an honorary co-chair of Obama&#8217;s inauguration and endorsed him again in 2012.<\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"zn-body__paragraph\" data-paragraph-id=\"paragraph_074C1B22-92F4-0C87-D1B8-934C4D56F3E6\" data-act-id=\"paragraph_55\"><strong>Powell went on to vote for Hillary Clinton in 2016 over Donald Trump, whom he had strongly condemned as a &#8220;national disgrace and an international pariah.&#8221;<\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"zn-body__paragraph\" data-paragraph-id=\"paragraph_FA9A2D64-4BC0-8C68-6124-934C4D624C13\" data-act-id=\"paragraph_56\"><strong>In an extraordinary move that year, three presidential electors in Washington state <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2020\/07\/06\/politics\/faithless-electors-supreme-court\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">cast votes<\/a> for Powell rather than Clinton, resulting in state fines that were later upheld by the Supreme Court.<\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"zn-body__paragraph\" data-paragraph-id=\"paragraph_4690D08F-35EB-544E-89B1-934C4D764E4F\" data-act-id=\"paragraph_57\"><strong>He again snubbed Trump in 2020 during the President&#8217;s second campaign, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2020\/06\/07\/politics\/colin-powell-donald-trump-protests-cnntv\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">announcing<\/a> his support for Joe Biden in June of that year while blasting Trump&#8217;s presidency.<\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"zn-body__paragraph\" data-paragraph-id=\"paragraph_49FA1E50-4E4A-1A32-6154-934C4D916D82\" data-act-id=\"paragraph_58\"><strong>&#8220;We have a Constitution. And we have to follow that Constitution. And the President has drifted away from it,&#8221; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2020\/06\/07\/politics\/colin-powell-donald-trump-protests-cnntv\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">he told CNN<\/a>, adding that he &#8220;certainly cannot in any way support President Trump this year.&#8221; The retired general later delivered an address in support of Biden during the Democratic National Convention.<\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"zn-body__paragraph\" data-paragraph-id=\"paragraph_1BC91216-F882-CF91-948B-934C4DAEC949\" data-act-id=\"paragraph_59\"><strong>And after Trump incited a deadly insurrection at the US Capitol in early January 2021, Powell told CNN that he no longer considered himself a Republican, with the longtime grandee of the GOP saying he was now simply watching events unfold in a country he long served.<\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"zn-body__paragraph\" data-paragraph-id=\"paragraph_2002C1F6-1FB0-CBBA-E647-934C4DC5FE80\" data-act-id=\"paragraph_60\"><strong>&#8220;I can no longer call myself a fellow Republican. I&#8217;m not a fellow of anything right now,&#8221; he told CNN&#8217;s Fareed Zakaria on &#8220;GPS.&#8221; &#8220;I&#8217;m just a citizen who has voted Republican, voted Democrat throughout my entire career. And right now, I&#8217;m just watching my country and not concerned with parties.&#8221;<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"WSJTheme--slideshow-child-3jzhsRsrUky6uvBjFfoqMe \"><strong><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"WSJTheme--slideshow-img-3Bs29bInasrfDBRuGdvvJJ \" draggable=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/images.wsj.net\/im-418676\/?width=860&amp;height=573\" sizes=\"(max-width: 639px) 100vw, (max-width: 979px) 620px, (max-width: 1299px) 540px, 860px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.wsj.net\/im-418676\/?width=540&amp;size=1.5 540w, https:\/\/images.wsj.net\/im-418676\/?width=620&amp;size=1.5 620w, https:\/\/images.wsj.net\/im-418676\/?width=620&amp;size=1.5 620w, https:\/\/images.wsj.net\/im-418676\/?width=860&amp;size=1.5 860w, https:\/\/images.wsj.net\/im-418676\/?width=860&amp;size=1.5&amp;pixel_ratio=1.5 1290w, https:\/\/images.wsj.net\/im-418676\/?width=860&amp;size=1.5&amp;pixel_ratio=2 1720w, https:\/\/images.wsj.net\/im-418676\/?width=860&amp;size=1.5&amp;pixel_ratio=3 2580w\" alt=\"Lt. Gen. Colin Powell, commander of the 5th U.S. corps, saluting alongside his wife, Alma V., during a farewell ceremony in Frankfurt in December 1986. \" \/><\/strong><\/div>\n<div>\n<div id=\"__nuxt\">\n<div id=\"__layout\">\n<div id=\"wrapper\" class=\"wrapper\">\n<div class=\"page-content\">\n<div class=\"row full\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<article class=\"article-wrap has-video\">\n<header class=\"article-header\">\n<h1 class=\"headline\"><strong>Colin Powell, former secretary of state, dead at 84 from COVID-19 complications<\/strong><\/h1>\n<h2 class=\"sub-headline speakable\"><strong>Powell played key policy role in Bush administration after 9\/11 attacks<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"article-content-wrap sticky-columns\">\n<div class=\"article-content\">\n<div class=\"article-body\">\n<div class=\"featured featured-video video-ct sticky-video\" data-v-13907676=\"\"><\/div>\n<p class=\"speakable\"><strong>Gen. Colin Powell, the influential former <a href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/category\/politics\/foreign-policy\/secretary-of-state\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">secretary of state<\/a> and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff who played a pivotal policy role during the administration of then-President <a href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/category\/person\/george-w-bush\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">George W. Bush,<\/a> died Monday at 84 from complications related to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/category\/health\/infectious-disease\/coronavirus\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">COVID-19,<\/a> his family announced.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"speakable\"><strong>&#8220;We have lost a remarkable and loving husband, father, grandfather and a great American,&#8221; his family said in a statement, adding that he was fully vaccinated.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>The statement continued, &#8220;We want to thank the medical staff at Walter Reed National Medical Center for their caring treatment.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"ad-container desktop ad-h-50 ad-w-300\">\n<div id=\"desktop_desk-art-pol-lb2\" class=\"ad gam\" data-iu=\"lb2\" data-ad-size=\"728x90,300x250,320x50,300x50,1x1,fluid\" data-ad-lz=\"1\" data-hot-unit=\"\"><strong><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"ad-uvl-1\" src=\"https:\/\/global.fncstatic.com\/static\/v\/all\/img\/clear.gif\" alt=\"placeholder\" data-src=\"\/\/global.fncstatic.com\/static\/v\/all\/img\/clear.gif\" data-lz-init=\"1\" data-lz-done=\"0\" \/><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"image-ct inline\">\n<div class=\"m\"><strong><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/1470\/828\/Colin-Powell.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/1862\/1048\/Colin-Powell.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" media=\"(min-width: 767px)\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/640\/320\/Colin-Powell.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1\" alt=\"Gen. Colin Powell, seen here in New York City in 2017, died from COVID-19 complications, his family announced.\" \/><\/picture><\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"caption\">\n<p><strong>Gen. Colin Powell, seen here in New York City in 2017, died from COVID-19 complications, his family announced. <span class=\"copyright\">(Daniel Zuchnik\/WireImage, File)<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Powell, the first Black secretary of state, served in Bush&#8217;s Cabinet from 2001-2005, including during the tumultuous years following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The State Department described Powell, a Republican, as being &#8220;one of the foremost supporters&#8221; of taking &#8220;swift military action&#8221; against al Qaeda. Powell demanded &#8220;immediate&#8221; cooperation from Afghanistan and Pakistan in the U.S. effort to hunt down those responsible for the attacks.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>By 2003, when the Bush administration\u2019s focus had expanded to Iraq, Powell pushed for United Nations inspectors to investigate the claims that Saddam Hussein was manufacturing weapons of mass destruction. Powell presented intelligence to the U.N. in February 2003 that supported the administration\u2019s claim that Iraq did have weapons of mass destruction and had the capabilities of producing more. In 2004, though, the State Department said some of the intelligence he presented was &#8220;found to be erroneous.&#8221; Powell, though, according to the State Department, felt military action should not begin &#8220;until a large coalition of allies and a long-term occupation plan were in place.&#8221; Despite his advice, the administration moved toward preemptive military action against Iraq.<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"related video-ct\">\n<div class=\"m\"><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/video.foxnews.com\/v\/6277689966001\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cf-images.us-east-1.prod.boltdns.net\/v1\/static\/694940094001\/b5cb2e51-5f0c-46e7-85e2-967356e984a3\/5044c09b-b45d-43d5-832e-32797132a8e6\/1280x720\/match\/image.jpg\" alt=\"KT McFarland on Colin Powell's wisdom, 'great lessons for life'\" \/> <\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"caption\">\n<h4 class=\"title\"><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/video.foxnews.com\/v\/6277689966001\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">KT McFarland on Colin Powell&#8217;s wisdom, &#8216;great lessons for life&#8217;<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><strong>Former Deputy National Security Advisor K.T. McFarland joined &#8216;Fox &amp; Friends&#8217; following the news of Colin Powell&#8217;s passing Monday.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>While the majority of his term as secretary of state was focused on Afghanistan and Iraq, the State Department said Powell pursued other areas of U.S. foreign policy\u2014including strengthening bilateral relationships with Russia and China\u2014including his efforts to manage the U.S. withdrawal from the U.S.-Russian Anti-Ballistic Missile treaty, and the signing of the Moscow Treaty on Strategic Offensive Reductions in May 2002.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Powell also pushed for international cooperation for North Korea and Iran to halt their nuclear weapons program. Under his leadership, the Bush administration also achieved nonproliferation success in Libya, when it agreed to give up its nuclear weapons program in 2003, according to the State Department.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Powell, during his time at the State Department, also pushed the Bush administration to increase its commitment to the international fight against AIDS, and helped to secure additional funding.<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"image-ct inline\">\n<div class=\"m\"><strong><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/1470\/828\/Colin-Powell112.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/1862\/1048\/Colin-Powell112.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" media=\"(min-width: 767px)\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/640\/320\/Colin-Powell112.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1\" alt=\"Gen. Colin Powell speaking at the Republican National Convention in Philadelphia on July 31, 2000.\" \/><\/picture><\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"caption\">\n<p><strong>Gen. Colin Powell speaking at the Republican National Convention in Philadelphia on July 31, 2000. <span class=\"copyright\">(Reuters, File)<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Powell was born on April 5, 1937 in Harlem, N.Y. His parents were Jamaican immigrants and raised him in the South Bronx.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>He attended City College in New York, where he began his military service by joining the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC). Powell graduated at the top of his class with the rank of cadet colonel&#8211;the highest ranking in the corps.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>He served for 35 years in the military&#8211;beginning as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. Powell was one of the 16,000 military advisors dispatched to South Vietnam by then-President John F. Kennedy in 1962.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>He was awarded the Purple Heart, and later that year, the Bronze Star. Powell served a second tour of duty in Vietnam in 1968 to 1969. He was injured in a helicopter crash. Despite his own injuries, he managed to rescue his fellow soldiers from a burning helicopter and was awarded the Soldier\u2019s Medal.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>In total he received 11 military decorations, including the Legion of Merit.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Powell&#8217;s career in politics began during the Nixon Administration, when he worked in the White House Office of Management and Budget. He received his MBA from George Washington University.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Powell, though, went back to military service as a battalion commander in Korea, and was promoted brigadier general, commanding a brigade of the 101st Airborne Division.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>In the administration of former President Jimmy Carter, Powell was an assistant to the Deputy Secretary of Defense, and to the Secretary of Energy. He was promoted to major general<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>In 1987, then-President Ronald Reagan appointed Powell to serve as National Security Adviser&#8211;a position he held until 1989.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Powell was appointed as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on Oct. 1, 1989 by then-President George H.W. Bush, and served in the role until Sept. 30, 1993. Powell was the first Black chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the youngest officer ever to hold the post. During his time in that post, Powell oversaw 28 crises, according to the State Department, including Operation Desert Storm in 1991.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Powell stepped down from the post in 1993 and founded America\u2019s Promise Alliance, an organization aimed to help at-risk children, before incoming President George W. Bush nominated him for secretary of state in December 2000.<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"related video-ct\">\n<div class=\"m\"><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/video.foxnews.com\/v\/6277687313001\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cf-images.us-east-1.prod.boltdns.net\/v1\/static\/694940094001\/216a3730-58fa-4865-ab20-78946a876e7b\/74f5518c-c8be-43ea-981f-e505932dc036\/1280x720\/match\/image.jpg\" alt=\"Dana Perino on Colin Powell: He had a 'real understanding of America'\" \/> <\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"caption\">\n<p><strong>Fox News&#8217; Dana Perino, who served as the White House Press Secretary under George W. Bush, joins &#8216;Fox &amp; Friends&#8217; to reflect on Former Secretary of State Colin Powell&#8217;s &#8216;generosity of spirit&#8217; and &#8216;commanding presence&#8217; following his passing Monday.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Former President George W. Bush released a statement on Powell&#8217;s passing Monday morning.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>&#8220;Laura and I are deeply saddened by the death of Colin Powell,&#8221; he said. &#8220;He was highly respected at home and abroad.\u00a0And most important, Colin was a family man and a friend.\u00a0Laura and I send Alma and their children our sincere condolences as they remember the life of a great man.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Former Vice President Dick Cheney also released a statement on his passing, saying he was &#8220;deeply saddened to learn that America has lost a leader and a statesman.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>&#8220;General Powell had a remarkably distinguished career, and I was fortunate to work with him,&#8221; Cheney said, adding that he &#8220;was a man who loved his country and served her long and well.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Cheney said he saw &#8220;first-hand&#8221; Powell&#8217;s &#8220;dedication to the United States and his commitment to the brave and selfless men and women who serve our country in uniform.&#8221;\u00a0<i> \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Powell returned to his work with America\u2019s Promise Alliance after stepping down from Bush&#8217;s Cabinet in 2005. Powell, during his retirement, also served on the Boards of Directors for the Council on Foreign relations, the Eisenhower Fellowship Program, and the Powell Center at the City College of New York.<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"image-ct inline\">\n<div class=\"m\"><strong><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/1470\/828\/8a812103-powell.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/1862\/1048\/8a812103-powell.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" media=\"(min-width: 767px)\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/640\/320\/8a812103-powell.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1\" alt=\"President Bush presenting Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Colin Powell with a Congressional Gold Medal at the White House in 1992.\" \/><\/picture><\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"caption\">\n<p><strong>President Bush presenting Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Colin Powell with a Congressional Gold Medal at the White House in 1992. <span class=\"copyright\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>In 2020, Powell spoke at the Democratic National Convention, and offered a full endorsement of Joe Biden for president of the United States.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>&#8220;Today, we are a country divided, and we have a president doing everything in his power to make it that way and keep us that way,&#8221; Powell said in a pretaped speech for the convention in August 2020. &#8220;What a difference it will make to have a president who unites us, who restores our strength and our soul.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Powell had a wife, Alma, and three children, Annemarie, Linda and Michael.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sidebar sidebar-article sidebar-primary desktop\">\n<div class=\"sticky-region sticky-bottom\">\n<div class=\"sidebar-columns\">\n<section class=\"collection collection-multi\">\n<div class=\"content article-list\">\n<article class=\"article\">\n<div class=\"m\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/politics\/colin-powell-dead-covid-19-former-secretary-of-state\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/348\/196\/91f97ffb-POWELL-OBIT.png?ve=1&amp;tl=1\" alt=\"Colin Powell, former secretary of state, dead at 84 from COVID-19 complications\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n<div>\n<div id=\"block-system-main\" class=\"block block-system\" data-gtm-action=\"Main_Page_Content\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<article class=\"node node-article flc clearfix\">\n<div id=\"v_article\" class=\"article-content\">\n<div class=\"article-body v_text paywall\">\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.newsweek.com\/topic\/colin-powell\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Colin Powell<\/a>, the first Black U.S. Secretary of State, has died as a result of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.newsweek.com\/topic\/coronavirus\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">COVID-19<\/a> complications, his family has said. He was 84 years old.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Powell, a retired four-star general who served as Secretary of State from 2001 to 2005 under <a href=\"https:\/\/www.newsweek.com\/topic\/george-w.-bush\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">George W. Bush<\/a>, had been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>In a statement announcing his death, his family called him a &#8220;remarkable and loving husband, father, grandfather and a great American,&#8221; and thanked medical staff at Walter Reed National Medical Center, where he was being treated.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Before embarking on an influential career in politics, the New Yorker was a soldier for more than 30 years.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Powell was Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff\u2014the most senior military officer in the U.S. Armed Forces\u2014between late 1989 and 1993, overseeing the U.S. invasions of Panama and Kuwait, as well as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.newsweek.com\/day-we-stopped-war-197642\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Operation Desert Storm<\/a> in the Persian Gulf War against Iraq. He was also a key player in the build up to that the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>The decorated service member leaves behind wife Alma, son Michael, daughters Linda and Annemarie.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Former president <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/tags\/george-w-bush\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Bush<\/a> said he and former first lady Laura Bush were &#8220;deeply saddened&#8221; by Powell&#8217;s death. Bush said he was &#8220;a great public servant&#8221; and was &#8220;widely respected at home and abroad.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>&#8220;And most important, Colin was a family man and a friend. Laura and I send Alma and their children our sincere condolences as they remember the life of a great man,&#8221; Bush added in a statement.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Powell was a trailblazing soldier who in 1968, returned from the Vietnam War and received a decoration for bravery after surviving a helicopter crash in which he rescued three other troops from the burning wreckage.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>But Powell was also seen as a controversial figure. He was tasked to investigate the U.S. massacre at My Lai in the Vietnam War and found no wrongdoing. He was later accused of &#8220;whitewashing&#8221; the massacre, details of which did not fully surface publicly until 1970.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>His legacy was further tarnished in 2003, when he told the U.N. Security Council faulty information about the war. He claimed Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein had secretly kept weapons of mass destruction. Iraq&#8217;s claims that it had no weapons of mass destruction represented a &#8220;web of lies,&#8221; Powell told the council. Those weapons were never found.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Powell, who had been a Republican for almost all of his political life, later became disillusioned with many in the GOP and instead threw his weight behind <a href=\"https:\/\/www.newsweek.com\/topic\/democrats\" data-sys=\"1\">Democrats<\/a>. Perhaps the most well-known was <a href=\"https:\/\/www.newsweek.com\/topic\/barack-obama\" data-sys=\"1\">Barack Obama<\/a>, the first Black president who Powell endorsed in the final month of his 2008 campaign for the White House.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>On January 10, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.newsweek.com\/colin-powell-says-hes-no-longer-republican-after-calling-trump-resign-like-nixon-1560350\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Powell said he no longer considered himself &#8220;a fellow Republican,<\/a> days after he called on then-president <a href=\"https:\/\/www.newsweek.com\/topic\/donald-trump\" data-sys=\"1\">Donald Trump<\/a> to resign over the mob that stormed the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., four days earlier.<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure class=\"imageBox\">\n<div class=\"innerBox\"><strong><picture class=\"mapping-embed\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/d.newsweek.com\/en\/full\/1696595\/fe-martial-law-05.webp?w=790&amp;f=a4cc1e72b6714a4f244297ce56fff048 1x\" type=\"image\/webp\" media=\"(min-width: 992px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/d.newsweek.com\/en\/full\/1696595\/fe-martial-law-05.jpg?w=790&amp;f=a4cc1e72b6714a4f244297ce56fff048 1x\" type=\"image\/jpeg\" media=\"(min-width: 992px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/d.newsweek.com\/en\/full\/1696595\/fe-martial-law-05.webp?w=900&amp;f=1aa26c548489a93397de1c9a4c15ec18 1x\" type=\"image\/webp\" media=\"(min-width: 768px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/d.newsweek.com\/en\/full\/1696595\/fe-martial-law-05.jpg?w=900&amp;f=1aa26c548489a93397de1c9a4c15ec18 1x\" type=\"image\/jpeg\" media=\"(min-width: 768px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/d.newsweek.com\/en\/full\/1696595\/fe-martial-law-05.webp?w=790&amp;f=a4cc1e72b6714a4f244297ce56fff048 1x\" type=\"image\/webp\" media=\"(min-width: 481px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/d.newsweek.com\/en\/full\/1696595\/fe-martial-law-05.jpg?w=790&amp;f=a4cc1e72b6714a4f244297ce56fff048 1x\" type=\"image\/jpeg\" media=\"(min-width: 481px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/d.newsweek.com\/en\/full\/1696595\/fe-martial-law-05.webp?w=450&amp;f=0913474a01a77d7e29089837ff39b559 1x\" type=\"image\/webp\" media=\"(min-width: 0px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/d.newsweek.com\/en\/full\/1696595\/fe-martial-law-05.jpg?w=450&amp;f=0913474a01a77d7e29089837ff39b559 1x\" type=\"image\/jpeg\" media=\"(min-width: 0px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/d.newsweek.com\/en\/full\/1696595\/fe-martial-law-05.webp?w=790&amp;f=a4cc1e72b6714a4f244297ce56fff048\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"i1696595\" class=\"mapping-embed imgPhoto\" src=\"https:\/\/d.newsweek.com\/en\/full\/1696595\/fe-martial-law-05.jpg?w=790&amp;f=a4cc1e72b6714a4f244297ce56fff048\" alt=\"FE_Martial-Law_05\" width=\"790\" height=\"634\" \/><\/picture><\/strong><\/div><figcaption class=\"caption\"><strong><span class=\"cap\"><span class=\"cap\">Former chief of staff to Secretary of State Colin Powell.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<h2><strong><span id=\"Early_life_and_education\" class=\"mw-headline\">Early life and education<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Colin Luther Powell was born on April 5, 1937,<sup id=\"cite_ref-palmowski2008_8-0\" class=\"reference\"><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Colin_Powell#cite_note-palmowski2008-8\">[8]<\/a><\/sup> in <a title=\"Harlem\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Harlem\">Harlem<\/a>, a neighborhood in the New York City <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Borough (New York City)\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Borough_(New_York_City)\">borough<\/a> of <a title=\"Manhattan\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Manhattan\">Manhattan<\/a>,<sup id=\"cite_ref-NYT_Obit._9-0\" class=\"reference\"><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Colin_Powell#cite_note-NYT_Obit.-9\">[9]<\/a><\/sup> to Jamaican immigrants, Maud Ariel (n\u00e9e McKoy) and Luther Theophilus Powell.<sup id=\"cite_ref-NYT_Obit._9-1\" class=\"reference\"><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Colin_Powell#cite_note-NYT_Obit.-9\">[9]<\/a><\/sup><sup id=\"cite_ref-10\" class=\"reference\"><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Colin_Powell#cite_note-10\">[10]<\/a><\/sup> His parents were both of mixed African and Scottish ancestry.<sup id=\"cite_ref-11\" class=\"reference\"><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Colin_Powell#cite_note-11\">[11]<\/a><\/sup><sup id=\"cite_ref-12\" class=\"reference\"><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Colin_Powell#cite_note-12\">[12]<\/a><\/sup> Luther worked as a <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Shipping\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Shipping\">shipping<\/a> <a title=\"Clerk\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Clerk\">clerk<\/a> and Maud as a <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Seamstress\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Seamstress\">seamstress<\/a>.<sup id=\"cite_ref-CNN_staff_13-0\" class=\"reference\"><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Colin_Powell#cite_note-CNN_staff-13\">[13]<\/a><\/sup> Powell was raised in the <a title=\"South Bronx\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/South_Bronx\">South Bronx<\/a> and attended the now closed <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Morris High School (Bronx, New York)\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Morris_High_School_(Bronx,_New_York)\">Morris High School<\/a>, from which he graduated in 1954.<sup id=\"cite_ref-14\" class=\"reference\"><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Colin_Powell#cite_note-14\">[14]<\/a><\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>While at school, Powell worked at a local baby furniture store, where he picked up <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Yiddish language\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Yiddish_language\">Yiddish<\/a> from the Eastern European Jewish shopkeepers and some of the customers. (He once spoke to a Jewish reporter in Yiddish, much to the man&#8217;s surprise.)<sup id=\"cite_ref-NYDN_Daly_20000802_15-0\" class=\"reference\"><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Colin_Powell#cite_note-NYDN_Daly_20000802-15\">[15]<\/a><\/sup> He also served as a <a title=\"Shabbos goy\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Shabbos_goy\">Shabbos goy<\/a>, helping Orthodox families with needed tasks on the Sabbath.<sup id=\"cite_ref-16\" class=\"reference\"><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Colin_Powell#cite_note-16\">[16]<\/a><\/sup> He received a <a title=\"Bachelor of Science\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Bachelor_of_Science\">Bachelor of Science<\/a> degree in <a title=\"Geology\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Geology\">Geology<\/a> from the <a title=\"City College of New York\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/City_College_of_New_York\">City College of New York<\/a> in 1958<sup id=\"cite_ref-Education_17-0\" class=\"reference\"><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Colin_Powell#cite_note-Education-17\">[17]<\/a><\/sup><sup id=\"cite_ref-18\" class=\"reference\"><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Colin_Powell#cite_note-18\">[18]<\/a><\/sup> and has said he was a &#8220;C average&#8221; student.<sup id=\"cite_ref-19\" class=\"reference\"><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Colin_Powell#cite_note-19\">[19]<\/a><\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Despite his parents&#8217; pronunciation of his name as <span class=\"rt-commentedText nowrap\"><span class=\"IPA nopopups noexcerpt\"><a title=\"Help:IPA\/English\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Help:IPA\/English\">\/<span title=\"\/\u02c8\/: primary stress follows\">\u02c8<\/span><span title=\"'k' in 'kind'\">k<\/span><span title=\"\/\u0252\/: 'o' in 'body'\">\u0252<\/span><span title=\"'l' in 'lie'\">l<\/span><span title=\"\/\u026a\/: 'i' in 'kit'\">\u026a<\/span><span title=\"'n' in 'nigh'\">n<\/span>\/<\/a><\/span><\/span>, Powell has pronounced his name <span class=\"rt-commentedText nowrap\"><span class=\"IPA nopopups noexcerpt\"><a title=\"Help:IPA\/English\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Help:IPA\/English\">\/<span title=\"\/\u02c8\/: primary stress follows\">\u02c8<\/span><span title=\"'k' in 'kind'\">k<\/span><span title=\"\/o\u028a\/: 'o' in 'code'\">o\u028a<\/span><span title=\"'l' in 'lie'\">l<\/span><span title=\"\/\u026a\/: 'i' in 'kit'\">\u026a<\/span><span title=\"'n' in 'nigh'\">n<\/span>\/<\/a><\/span><\/span> since childhood, after the World War II flyer <a title=\"Colin Kelly\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Colin_Kelly\">Colin P. Kelly Jr.<\/a><sup id=\"cite_ref-WashingtonPost_OnPolitcs2000_20-0\" class=\"reference\"><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Colin_Powell#cite_note-WashingtonPost_OnPolitcs2000-20\">[20]<\/a><\/sup> Radio and television reporters have used Powell&#8217;s preferred pronunciation.<sup id=\"cite_ref-21\" class=\"reference\"><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Colin_Powell#cite_note-21\">[21]<\/a><\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n<h2><strong><span id=\"Military_career\" class=\"mw-headline\">Military career<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Powell was a professional soldier for 35 years, holding a variety of command and staff positions and rising to the rank of <a title=\"General (United States)\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/General_(United_States)\">general<\/a>.<sup id=\"cite_ref-BiographyChannel_22-0\" class=\"reference\"><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Colin_Powell#cite_note-BiographyChannel-22\">[22]<\/a><\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n<h3><strong><span id=\"Training\" class=\"mw-headline\">Training<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>While attending the <a title=\"City College of New York\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/City_College_of_New_York\">City College of New York<\/a>, Powell joined the <a title=\"Reserve Officers' Training Corps\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Reserve_Officers%27_Training_Corps\">Reserve Officers&#8217; Training Corps<\/a> (ROTC).<sup id=\"cite_ref-23\" class=\"reference\"><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Colin_Powell#cite_note-23\">[23]<\/a><\/sup> He described the experience as one of the happiest experiences of his life. According to Powell:<\/strong><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong>It was only once I was in college, about six months into college when I found something that I liked, and that was ROTC, Reserve Officer Training Corps in the military. And I not only liked it, but I was pretty good at it. That&#8217;s what you really have to look for in life, something that you like, and something that you think you&#8217;re pretty good at. And if you can put those two things together, then you&#8217;re on the right track, and just drive on.<sup id=\"cite_ref-24\" class=\"reference\"><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Colin_Powell#cite_note-24\">[24]<\/a><\/sup><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><strong><a title=\"Officer cadet\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Officer_cadet\">Cadet<\/a> Powell joined the <a title=\"Pershing Rifles\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Pershing_Rifles\">Pershing Rifles<\/a>,<sup id=\"cite_ref-25\" class=\"reference\"><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Colin_Powell#cite_note-25\">[25]<\/a><\/sup> the ROTC fraternal organization and <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Military Drill Team\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Military_Drill_Team\">drill team<\/a> begun by General <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"John Pershing\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/John_Pershing\">John Pershing<\/a>. Even after he had become a general, Powell kept on his desk a pen set he had won for a drill team competition.<sup class=\"noprint Inline-Template Template-Fact\">[<i><a title=\"Wikipedia:Citation needed\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wikipedia:Citation_needed\"><span title=\"This claim needs references to reliable sources. (October 2021)\">citation needed<\/span><\/a><\/i>]<\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Upon graduation, he received a commission as an <a title=\"United States Army\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/United_States_Army\">Army<\/a> <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Second Lieutenant (United States)\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Second_Lieutenant_(United_States)\">second lieutenant<\/a>;<sup id=\"cite_ref-26\" class=\"reference\"><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Colin_Powell#cite_note-26\">[26]<\/a><\/sup> at this time, the Army was newly-desegregated<sup id=\"cite_ref-NYT_Obit._9-2\" class=\"reference\"><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Colin_Powell#cite_note-NYT_Obit.-9\">[9]<\/a><\/sup> (see: <a title=\"Executive Order 9981\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Executive_Order_9981\">Executive Order 9981<\/a>). He underwent training in the state of <a title=\"Georgia (U.S. state)\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Georgia_(U.S._state)\">Georgia<\/a>, where he was <a title=\"Racial segregation in the United States\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Racial_segregation_in_the_United_States\">refused service in bars and restaurants because of the color of his skin<\/a>.<sup id=\"cite_ref-BBC_Obit._27-0\" class=\"reference\"><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Colin_Powell#cite_note-BBC_Obit.-27\">[27]<\/a><\/sup> After attending <a title=\"Basic Officer Leaders Course\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Basic_Officer_Leaders_Course\">basic training<\/a> at <a title=\"Fort Benning\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fort_Benning\">Fort Benning<\/a>, Powell was assigned to the <a title=\"48th Infantry Regiment (United States)\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/48th_Infantry_Regiment_(United_States)\">48th Infantry<\/a>, in <a title=\"West Germany\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/West_Germany\">West Germany<\/a>, as a <a title=\"Platoon leader\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Platoon_leader\">platoon leader<\/a>.<sup id=\"cite_ref-CNN1996_28-0\" class=\"reference\"><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Colin_Powell#cite_note-CNN1996-28\">[28]<\/a><\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n<h3><strong><span id=\"Vietnam_War\" class=\"mw-headline\">Vietnam War<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>In his autobiography, Powell said he is haunted by the nightmare of the <a title=\"Vietnam War\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Vietnam_War\">Vietnam War<\/a> and felt that the leadership was very ineffective.<sup class=\"noprint Inline-Template Template-Fact\">[<i><a title=\"Wikipedia:Citation needed\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wikipedia:Citation_needed\"><span title=\"This claim needs references to reliable sources. (October 2021)\">citation needed<\/span><\/a><\/i>]<\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Captain (U.S. Army)\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Captain_(U.S._Army)\">Captain<\/a> Powell served a tour in Vietnam as a <a title=\"Army of the Republic of Vietnam\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Army_of_the_Republic_of_Vietnam\">South Vietnamese Army<\/a> (ARVN) advisor from 1962 to 1963. While on patrol in a <a title=\"Viet Cong\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Viet_Cong\">Viet Cong<\/a>-held area, he was wounded by stepping on a <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Punji stake\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Punji_stake\">punji stake<\/a>.<sup id=\"cite_ref-Kearny_p179_29-0\" class=\"reference\"><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Colin_Powell#cite_note-Kearny_p179-29\">[29]<\/a><\/sup> The large infection made it difficult for him to walk, and caused his foot to swell for a short time, shortening his first tour.<sup class=\"noprint Inline-Template Template-Fact\">[<i><a title=\"Wikipedia:Citation needed\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wikipedia:Citation_needed\"><span title=\"This claim needs references to reliable sources. (October 2021)\">citation needed<\/span><\/a><\/i>]<\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Powell returned to Vietnam as a <a title=\"Major (United States)\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Major_(United_States)\">major<\/a> in 1968, serving as assistant <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Chief of staff (military)\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Chief_of_staff_(military)\">chief of staff<\/a> of operations for the <a title=\"23rd Infantry Division (United States)\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/23rd_Infantry_Division_(United_States)\">23rd (Americal) Infantry Division<\/a>. During the second tour in Vietnam he was decorated with the <a title=\"Soldier's Medal\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Soldier%27s_Medal\">Soldier&#8217;s Medal<\/a> for bravery after he survived a helicopter crash and single-handedly rescued three others, including division commander Major General <a title=\"Charles M. Gettys\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Charles_M._Gettys\">Charles M. Gettys<\/a>, from the burning wreckage.<sup id=\"cite_ref-CNN1996_28-1\" class=\"reference\"><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Colin_Powell#cite_note-CNN1996-28\">[28]<\/a><\/sup><sup id=\"cite_ref-30\" class=\"reference\"><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Colin_Powell#cite_note-30\">[30]<\/a><\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Powell was charged with investigating a detailed letter by <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"11th Light Infantry Brigade\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/11th_Light_Infantry_Brigade\">11th Light Infantry Brigade<\/a> soldier Tom Glen, which backed up rumored allegations of the <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"My Lai Massacre\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/My_Lai_Massacre\">My Lai Massacre<\/a>. He wrote: &#8220;In direct refutation of this portrayal is the fact that relations between American soldiers and the <a title=\"Vietnamese people\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Vietnamese_people\">Vietnamese people<\/a> are excellent.&#8221; Later, Powell&#8217;s assessment would be described as <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Whitewash (censorship)\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Whitewash_(censorship)\">whitewashing<\/a> 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 <a title=\"Larry King\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Larry_King\">Larry King<\/a>, &#8220;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.&#8221;<sup id=\"cite_ref-31\" class=\"reference\"><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Colin_Powell#cite_note-31\">[31]<\/a><\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n<h3><strong><span id=\"After_the_Vietnam_War\" class=\"mw-headline\">After the Vietnam War<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<div class=\"thumb tleft\">\n<div class=\"thumbinner\">\n<p><strong><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Nixon_Contact_Sheet_WHPO-E0416_Colin_Powell.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"thumbimage\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/2\/23\/Nixon_Contact_Sheet_WHPO-E0416_Colin_Powell.jpg\/220px-Nixon_Contact_Sheet_WHPO-E0416_Colin_Powell.jpg\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/2\/23\/Nixon_Contact_Sheet_WHPO-E0416_Colin_Powell.jpg\/330px-Nixon_Contact_Sheet_WHPO-E0416_Colin_Powell.jpg 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/2\/23\/Nixon_Contact_Sheet_WHPO-E0416_Colin_Powell.jpg\/440px-Nixon_Contact_Sheet_WHPO-E0416_Colin_Powell.jpg 2x\" alt=\"\" width=\"220\" height=\"194\" data-file-width=\"543\" data-file-height=\"478\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"thumbcaption\">\n<div class=\"magnify\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"thumb tleft\">\n<div class=\"thumbinner\">\n<div class=\"thumbcaption\"><strong>Richard Nixon and Powell, 1973<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>When he returned back to the U.S. from Vietnam in 1971, Powell earned a <a title=\"Master of Business Administration\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Master_of_Business_Administration\">Master of Business Administration<\/a> from <a title=\"Georgetown University\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Georgetown_University\">Georgetown University<\/a> in Washington, D.C.<sup id=\"cite_ref-Education_17-1\" class=\"reference\"><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Colin_Powell#cite_note-Education-17\">[17]<\/a><\/sup><sup id=\"cite_ref-BBC_Obit._27-1\" class=\"reference\"><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Colin_Powell#cite_note-BBC_Obit.-27\">[27]<\/a><\/sup> He later served a <a title=\"White House Fellows\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/White_House_Fellows\">White House Fellowship<\/a> under President <a title=\"Richard Nixon\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Richard_Nixon\">Richard Nixon<\/a> from 1972 to 1973. During 1975\u20131976 he attended the <a title=\"National War College\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/National_War_College\">National War College<\/a>, Washington, D.C.<sup id=\"cite_ref-BrownWagner_32-0\" class=\"reference\"><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Colin_Powell#cite_note-BrownWagner-32\">[32]<\/a><\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>In his autobiography, <i>My American Journey<\/i>, Powell named several officers he served under who inspired and mentored him. As a <a title=\"Lieutenant colonel (United States)\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Lieutenant_colonel_(United_States)\">lieutenant colonel<\/a> serving in South Korea, Powell was very close to General <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Henry &quot;Gunfighter&quot; Emerson\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Henry_%22Gunfighter%22_Emerson\">Henry &#8220;Gunfighter&#8221; Emerson<\/a>. Powell said he regarded Emerson as one of the most caring officers he ever met. Emerson insisted his troops train at night to fight a possible North Korean attack, and made them repeatedly watch the television film <i><a title=\"Brian's Song\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Brian%27s_Song\">Brian&#8217;s Song<\/a><\/i> to promote racial harmony. Powell always professed that what set Emerson apart was his great love of his soldiers and concern for their welfare. After a <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Race riot\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Race_riot\">race riot<\/a> occurred, in which <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"African American\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/African_American\">African American<\/a> soldiers almost killed a white officer, Powell was charged by Emerson to crack down on <a title=\"Black Power\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Black_Power\">black militants<\/a>; Powell&#8217;s efforts led to the discharge of one soldier, and other efforts to reduce racial tensions.<sup id=\"cite_ref-CNN1996_28-2\" class=\"reference\"><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Colin_Powell#cite_note-CNN1996-28\">[28]<\/a><\/sup> During 1976\u20131977 he commanded the 2nd Brigade of the <a title=\"101st Airborne Division\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/101st_Airborne_Division\">101st Airborne Division<\/a>.<sup id=\"cite_ref-CNN_staff_13-1\" class=\"reference\"><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Colin_Powell#cite_note-CNN_staff-13\">[13]<\/a><\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n<h3><strong><span id=\"A_.22political_general.22\"><\/span><span id=\"A_&quot;political_general&quot;\" class=\"mw-headline\">A &#8220;political general&#8221;<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>In the early 1980s, Powell served at <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Fort Carson, Colorado\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fort_Carson,_Colorado\">Fort Carson, Colorado<\/a>. After he left Fort Carson, Powell became senior military assistant to Secretary of Defense <a title=\"Caspar Weinberger\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Caspar_Weinberger\">Caspar Weinberger<\/a>, whom he assisted during the <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Invasion of Grenada\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Invasion_of_Grenada\">1983 invasion of Grenada<\/a> and the <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"1986 Bombing of Libya\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/1986_Bombing_of_Libya\">1986 airstrike on Libya<\/a>.<sup class=\"noprint Inline-Template Template-Fact\">[<i><a title=\"Wikipedia:Citation needed\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wikipedia:Citation_needed\"><span title=\"This claim needs references to reliable sources. (October 2021)\">citation needed<\/span><\/a><\/i>]<\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"thumb tright\">\n<div class=\"thumbinner\">\n<p><strong><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:President_Ronald_Reagan_and_Colin_Powell.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"thumbimage\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/f\/ff\/President_Ronald_Reagan_and_Colin_Powell.jpg\/220px-President_Ronald_Reagan_and_Colin_Powell.jpg\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/f\/ff\/President_Ronald_Reagan_and_Colin_Powell.jpg\/330px-President_Ronald_Reagan_and_Colin_Powell.jpg 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/f\/ff\/President_Ronald_Reagan_and_Colin_Powell.jpg\/440px-President_Ronald_Reagan_and_Colin_Powell.jpg 2x\" alt=\"\" width=\"220\" height=\"147\" data-file-width=\"4000\" data-file-height=\"2667\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"thumbcaption\">\n<div class=\"magnify\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"thumb tright\">\n<div class=\"thumbinner\">\n<div class=\"thumbcaption\"><strong>President <a title=\"Ronald Reagan\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Ronald_Reagan\">Ronald Reagan<\/a> and National Security Advisor Powell in 1988<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>In 1986, Powell took over the command of <a title=\"V Corps (United States)\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/V_Corps_(United_States)\">V Corps<\/a> in Frankfurt, Germany, from <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Robert Lewis &quot;Sam&quot; Wetzel\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Robert_Lewis_%22Sam%22_Wetzel\">Robert Lewis &#8220;Sam&#8221; Wetzel<\/a>. The next year, he served as <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"United States Deputy National Security Advisor\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/United_States_Deputy_National_Security_Advisor\">United States Deputy National Security Advisor<\/a>, under <a title=\"Frank Carlucci\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Frank_Carlucci\">Frank Carlucci<\/a>.<sup id=\"cite_ref-33\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Following the <a title=\"Iran\u2013Contra affair\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Iran%E2%80%93Contra_affair\">Iran\u2013Contra<\/a> scandal, Powell became, at the age of 49, <a title=\"Ronald Reagan\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Ronald_Reagan\">Ronald Reagan<\/a>&#8216;s <a title=\"National Security Advisor (United States)\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/National_Security_Advisor_(United_States)\">National Security Advisor<\/a>, serving from 1987 to 1989 while retaining his Army commission as a <a title=\"Lieutenant general (United States)\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Lieutenant_general_(United_States)\">lieutenant general<\/a>.<sup class=\"noprint Inline-Template Template-Fact\">[<i><a title=\"Wikipedia:Citation needed\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wikipedia:Citation_needed\"><span title=\"This claim needs references to reliable sources. (October 2021)\">citation needed<\/span><\/a><\/i>]<\/sup> He helped negotiate a number of arms treaties with <a title=\"Mikhail Gorbachev\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Mikhail_Gorbachev\">Mikhail Gorbachev<\/a>, the leader of the <a title=\"Soviet Union\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Soviet_Union\">Soviet Union<\/a>.<sup id=\"cite_ref-NYT_Obit._9-3\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>In April 1989, after his tenure with the <a title=\"United States National Security Council\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/United_States_National_Security_Council\">National Security Council<\/a>, Powell was promoted to four-star <a title=\"General (United States)\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/General_(United_States)\">general<\/a> under President <a title=\"George H. W. Bush\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/George_H._W._Bush\">George H. W. Bush<\/a> and briefly served as the <a title=\"Commanding General, United States Army Forces Command\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Commanding_General,_United_States_Army_Forces_Command\">Commander in Chief<\/a>, <a title=\"United States Army Forces Command\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/United_States_Army_Forces_Command\">Forces Command<\/a> (FORSCOM), headquartered at <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Fort McPherson, Georgia\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fort_McPherson,_Georgia\">Fort McPherson, Georgia<\/a>, overseeing all Army, Army Reserve, and <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"United States National Guard\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/United_States_National_Guard\">National Guard<\/a> units in the Continental U.S., Alaska, Hawaii, and <a title=\"Puerto Rico\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Puerto_Rico\">Puerto Rico<\/a>. He became the third general since World War II to reach four-star rank without ever serving as a division commander, joining <a title=\"Dwight D. Eisenhower\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Dwight_D._Eisenhower\">Dwight D. Eisenhower<\/a> and <a title=\"Alexander Haig\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Alexander_Haig\">Alexander Haig<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Later that year, President George H. W. Bush selected him as Chairman of the <a title=\"Joint Chiefs of Staff\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Joint_Chiefs_of_Staff\">Joint Chiefs of Staff.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<h2><strong><span id=\"Chairman_of_the_Joint_Chiefs_of_Staff\" class=\"mw-headline\">Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<div class=\"thumb tright\">\n<div class=\"thumbinner\">\n<p><strong><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:GEN_Colin_Powell.JPG\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"thumbimage\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/e\/e9\/GEN_Colin_Powell.JPG\/170px-GEN_Colin_Powell.JPG\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/e\/e9\/GEN_Colin_Powell.JPG\/255px-GEN_Colin_Powell.JPG 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/e\/e9\/GEN_Colin_Powell.JPG\/340px-GEN_Colin_Powell.JPG 2x\" alt=\"\" width=\"170\" height=\"219\" data-file-width=\"2315\" data-file-height=\"2979\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"thumbcaption\">\n<div class=\"magnify\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"thumb tright\">\n<div class=\"thumbinner\">\n<div class=\"thumbcaption\"><strong>Powell in November 1989, in his official Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff portrait.<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Powell&#8217;s last military assignment, from October 1, 1989, to September 30, 1993, was as the 12th <a title=\"Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Chairman_of_the_Joint_Chiefs_of_Staff\">Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff<\/a>, the highest military position in the <a title=\"United States Department of Defense\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/United_States_Department_of_Defense\">Department of Defense<\/a>. At age 52, he became the youngest officer, and first <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Afro-Caribbean American\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Afro-Caribbean_American\">Afro-Caribbean American<\/a>, to serve in this position. Powell was also the first JCS Chair who received his commission through <a title=\"Reserve Officers' Training Corps\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Reserve_Officers%27_Training_Corps\">ROTC<\/a>.<sup id=\"cite_ref-35\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>During this time, he oversaw responses to 28 crises, including the <a title=\"United States invasion of Panama\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/United_States_invasion_of_Panama\">invasion of Panama<\/a> in 1989 to remove General <a title=\"Manuel Noriega\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Manuel_Noriega\">Manuel Noriega<\/a> from power and <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Operation Desert Storm\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Operation_Desert_Storm\">Operation Desert Storm<\/a> in the 1991 <a title=\"Gulf War\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gulf_War\">Persian Gulf War<\/a>. During these events, Powell earned his nickname, &#8220;the reluctant warrior.&#8221; He rarely advocated military intervention as the first solution to an <a title=\"International crisis\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/International_crisis\">international crisis<\/a>, and instead usually prescribed diplomacy and <a title=\"Containment\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Containment\">containment<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>As a <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Military strategist\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Military_strategist\">military strategist<\/a>, Powell advocated an approach to military conflicts that maximizes the potential for success and minimizes casualties. A component of this approach is the use of overwhelming force, which he applied to Operation Desert Storm in 1991. His approach has been dubbed the &#8220;<a title=\"Powell Doctrine\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Powell_Doctrine\">Powell Doctrine<\/a>.&#8221; Powell continued as chairman of the JCS into the <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Clinton Administration\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Clinton_Administration\">Clinton presidency<\/a> but as a dedicated &#8220;<a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Realism in international relations\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Realism_in_international_relations\">realist<\/a>&#8221; he considered himself a bad fit for an administration largely made up of <a title=\"Liberal internationalism\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Liberal_internationalism\">liberal internationalists<\/a>. He clashed with then-<a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"United States Ambassador to the United Nations\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/United_States_Ambassador_to_the_United_Nations\">U.S. ambassador to the United Nations<\/a> <a title=\"Madeleine Albright\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Madeleine_Albright\">Madeleine Albright<\/a> over the <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Bosnian war\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Bosnian_war\">Bosnian crisis<\/a>, as he opposed any military interventions that didn&#8217;t involve US interests.<sup id=\"cite_ref-37\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Colin also regularly clashed with Secretary of Defense <a title=\"Les Aspin\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Les_Aspin\">Leslie Aspin<\/a>, whom Colin himself was hesitate when President Clinton nominate it as Secretary of Defense from the first place. At some point during a lunch-meeting between General Powell and Aspin for a preparation of <a title=\"Operation Gothic Serpent\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Operation_Gothic_Serpent\">Operation Gothic Serpent<\/a>, while Powell was presenting what was needed to be prepared for the operations, Aspin was more focused on wolfing down his <a title=\"Salad\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Salad\">salad<\/a> instead of listening and paying attention to Powell.\u00a0 The incident caused Powell to grew more irritated towards the Defense Secretary and led to his early resignation on September 30, 1993 and was succeeded temporarily by <a title=\"Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Vice_Chairman_of_the_Joint_Chiefs_of_Staff\">Vice Chairman of The Joint Chiefs of Staff<\/a> Admiral <a title=\"David E. Jeremiah\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/David_E._Jeremiah\">David E. Jeremiah<\/a> who took the position as Acting Chairman of The Joint Chiefs of Staff. Indeed, about a few days following Powel resignation on 3\u20134 October 1993 the <a title=\"Battle of Mogadishu (1993)\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Battle_of_Mogadishu_(1993)\">Battle of Mogadishu<\/a> as part of the Operation Gothic Serpent which aim to captured Somalia warlord <a title=\"Mohamed Farrah Aidid\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Mohamed_Farrah_Aidid\">Mohammad Farrah Aidid<\/a> was initiated and ended in a total disaster which led to the death of 19 American servicemen and the shootdown that led to the crash of two United States Army Black Hawk Helicopter and the captured of one of its pilot by Somali militia. Many believed that the fiasco of Battle of Mogadishu was caused by Defense Secretary Les Aspin and Clinton Administration for not seriously taking Powell request for additional increase of <a title=\"Tank\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Tank\">tanks<\/a>, <a title=\"Vehicle armour\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Vehicle_armour\">armored vehicles<\/a> and <a title=\"Lockheed AC-130\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Lockheed_AC-130\">AC-130 Spectre gunships<\/a> <a title=\"Close air support\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Close_air_support\">air-support<\/a> for the support of Operation Gothic Serpent which ultimately could give more protection and support towards U.S. Troops later-on in the Battle of Mogadishu. The event that was depicted in 2001 movie <a title=\"Black Hawk Down (film)\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Black_Hawk_Down_(film)\">Black Hawk Down<\/a> was a major blowback towards Clinton Administration and was one of the reason that led to Aspin resignation as Secretary of Defense in 1994. Powell also disagreed with Clinton Administration&#8217;s new &#8220;<a title=\"Don't ask, don't tell\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Don%27t_ask,_don%27t_tell\">Don&#8217;t ask, don&#8217;t tell<\/a>&#8221; policy which allow homosexuals to serve in the military.<sup id=\"cite_ref-:0_38-2\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>General Colin Powell took an early resignation from his tenured as Chairman of The Joint Chiefs of Staff on September 30, 1993. During his chairmanship of the JCS, there was discussion of awarding Powell a <a title=\"Five-star rank\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Five-star_rank\">fifth star<\/a>, granting him the rank of <a title=\"General of the Army (United States)\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/General_of_the_Army_(United_States)\">General of the Army<\/a>. But even in the wake of public and Congressional pressure to do so, <a title=\"Presidency of Bill Clinton\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Presidency_of_Bill_Clinton\">Clinton-Gore<\/a> <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Presidential transition team\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Presidential_transition_team\">presidential transition team<\/a> staffers decided against it.<sup id=\"cite_ref-Stephy_41-0\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul class=\"gallery mw-gallery-traditional\">\n<li class=\"gallerybox\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"thumb\">\n<div><strong><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:US_Joint_Chiefs_of_Staff_Nov_1989.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/d\/d7\/US_Joint_Chiefs_of_Staff_Nov_1989.jpg\/120px-US_Joint_Chiefs_of_Staff_Nov_1989.jpg\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/d\/d7\/US_Joint_Chiefs_of_Staff_Nov_1989.jpg\/180px-US_Joint_Chiefs_of_Staff_Nov_1989.jpg 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/d\/d7\/US_Joint_Chiefs_of_Staff_Nov_1989.jpg\/240px-US_Joint_Chiefs_of_Staff_Nov_1989.jpg 2x\" alt=\"\" width=\"120\" height=\"93\" data-file-width=\"2900\" data-file-height=\"2250\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"gallerytext\">\n<p><strong><a title=\"Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Chairman_of_the_Joint_Chiefs_of_Staff\">Chairman of The Joint Chiefs of Staff<\/a> General Colin Powell with <a title=\"Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Vice_Chairman_of_the_Joint_Chiefs_of_Staff\">Vice Chairman of The Joint Chiefs of Staff<\/a> General <a title=\"Robert T. Herres\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Robert_T._Herres\">Robert T. Herres<\/a> and the other members of the <a title=\"Joint Chiefs of Staff\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Joint_Chiefs_of_Staff\">Joint Chiefs of Staff<\/a> at <a title=\"The Pentagon\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Pentagon\">The Pentagon<\/a>, November 7, 1989.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"gallerybox\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"thumb\">\n<div><strong><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:DF-ST-93-05957.JPEG\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/b\/bd\/DF-ST-93-05957.JPEG\/120px-DF-ST-93-05957.JPEG\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/b\/bd\/DF-ST-93-05957.JPEG\/180px-DF-ST-93-05957.JPEG 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/b\/bd\/DF-ST-93-05957.JPEG\/240px-DF-ST-93-05957.JPEG 2x\" alt=\"\" width=\"120\" height=\"80\" data-file-width=\"2830\" data-file-height=\"1880\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"gallerytext\">\n<p><strong>General Colin Powell with <a title=\"Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Chief_of_Staff_of_the_United_States_Air_Force\">Air Force Chief of Staff<\/a> General <a title=\"Merrill McPeak\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Merrill_McPeak\">Merrill McPeak<\/a> and <a title=\"United States Secretary of the Air Force\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/United_States_Secretary_of_the_Air_Force\">Secretary of The Air Force<\/a> <a title=\"Donald Rice\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Donald_Rice\">Donald Rice<\/a> and <a title=\"List of commanders-in-chief of the Strategic Air Command\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/List_of_commanders-in-chief_of_the_Strategic_Air_Command\">Commanders-in-Chief of The Strategic Air Command<\/a> General <a title=\"George Lee Butler\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/George_Lee_Butler\">George Lee Butler<\/a> at <a title=\"Strategic Air Command\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Strategic_Air_Command\">Strategic Air Command<\/a> Headquarters in <a title=\"Offutt Air Force Base\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Offutt_Air_Force_Base\">Offutt Air Force Base<\/a>, <a title=\"Omaha, Nebraska\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Omaha,_Nebraska\">Omaha, Nebraska<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"gallerybox\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"thumb\">\n<div><strong><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Gen._Colin_Powell_attends_the_Sunset_Ceremony_for_Pearl_Harbor_survivors_at_the_Arizona_Memorial_Visitors_Center.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/f\/f0\/Gen._Colin_Powell_attends_the_Sunset_Ceremony_for_Pearl_Harbor_survivors_at_the_Arizona_Memorial_Visitors_Center.jpg\/79px-Gen._Colin_Powell_attends_the_Sunset_Ceremony_for_Pearl_Harbor_survivors_at_the_Arizona_Memorial_Visitors_Center.jpg\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/f\/f0\/Gen._Colin_Powell_attends_the_Sunset_Ceremony_for_Pearl_Harbor_survivors_at_the_Arizona_Memorial_Visitors_Center.jpg\/119px-Gen._Colin_Powell_attends_the_Sunset_Ceremony_for_Pearl_Harbor_survivors_at_the_Arizona_Memorial_Visitors_Center.jpg 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/f\/f0\/Gen._Colin_Powell_attends_the_Sunset_Ceremony_for_Pearl_Harbor_survivors_at_the_Arizona_Memorial_Visitors_Center.jpg\/159px-Gen._Colin_Powell_attends_the_Sunset_Ceremony_for_Pearl_Harbor_survivors_at_the_Arizona_Memorial_Visitors_Center.jpg 2x\" alt=\"\" width=\"79\" height=\"120\" data-file-width=\"1850\" data-file-height=\"2790\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"gallerytext\">\n<p><strong>General Powell attends the Sunset Ceremony for <a title=\"Pearl Harbor\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Pearl_Harbor\">Pearl Harbor<\/a> survivors at the <a title=\"USS Arizona Memorial\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/USS_Arizona_Memorial\">U.S.S. Arizona Memorial<\/a> Visitors Center.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"gallerybox\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"thumb\">\n<div><strong><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Gen._Colin_L._Powell,_left,_first_lady_Barbara_Bush_and_Adm._Charles_R._Larson_applaud_as_President_George_Bush_finishes_a_speech_during_the_observance_of_the_50th_anniversary_of_the_Japanese_attack_on_Pearl_Harbor.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/1\/13\/Gen._Colin_L._Powell%2C_left%2C_first_lady_Barbara_Bush_and_Adm._Charles_R._Larson_applaud_as_President_George_Bush_finishes_a_speech_during_the_observance_of_the_50th_anniversary_of_the_Japanese_attack_on_Pearl_Harbor.jpg\/120px-thumbnail.jpg\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/1\/13\/Gen._Colin_L._Powell%2C_left%2C_first_lady_Barbara_Bush_and_Adm._Charles_R._Larson_applaud_as_President_George_Bush_finishes_a_speech_during_the_observance_of_the_50th_anniversary_of_the_Japanese_attack_on_Pearl_Harbor.jpg\/180px-thumbnail.jpg 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/1\/13\/Gen._Colin_L._Powell%2C_left%2C_first_lady_Barbara_Bush_and_Adm._Charles_R._Larson_applaud_as_President_George_Bush_finishes_a_speech_during_the_observance_of_the_50th_anniversary_of_the_Japanese_attack_on_Pearl_Harbor.jpg\/240px-thumbnail.jpg 2x\" alt=\"\" width=\"120\" height=\"78\" data-file-width=\"2820\" data-file-height=\"1840\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"gallerytext\">\n<p><strong>General Colin Powell with President <a title=\"George H. W. Bush\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/George_H._W._Bush\">George H.W. Bush<\/a> and First Lady <a title=\"Barbara Bush\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Barbara_Bush\">Barbara Bush<\/a> at Pearl Harbor during the ceremony commemorating the <a title=\"Attack on Pearl Harbor\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Attack_on_Pearl_Harbor\">Attack on Pearl Harbor<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"gallerybox\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"thumb\">\n<div><strong><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Ioannis_Veryvakis_and_Colin_Powell_saluting,_1993.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/7\/76\/Ioannis_Veryvakis_and_Colin_Powell_saluting%2C_1993.jpg\/120px-Ioannis_Veryvakis_and_Colin_Powell_saluting%2C_1993.jpg\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/7\/76\/Ioannis_Veryvakis_and_Colin_Powell_saluting%2C_1993.jpg\/180px-Ioannis_Veryvakis_and_Colin_Powell_saluting%2C_1993.jpg 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/7\/76\/Ioannis_Veryvakis_and_Colin_Powell_saluting%2C_1993.jpg\/240px-Ioannis_Veryvakis_and_Colin_Powell_saluting%2C_1993.jpg 2x\" alt=\"\" width=\"120\" height=\"79\" data-file-width=\"2973\" data-file-height=\"1963\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"gallerytext\">\n<p><strong>Chairman of The Joint Chiefs of Staff General Colin Powell with Hellenic Republic Army Chief of Staff General <a title=\"Ioannis Veryvakis\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Ioannis_Veryvakis\">Ioannis Veryvakis<\/a> during a ceremony at <a title=\"The Pentagon\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Pentagon\">The Pentagon<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"gallerybox\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"thumb\">\n<div><strong><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Karski.Powell_Colin.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/7\/7c\/Karski.Powell_Colin.jpg\/120px-Karski.Powell_Colin.jpg\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/7\/7c\/Karski.Powell_Colin.jpg\/180px-Karski.Powell_Colin.jpg 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/7\/7c\/Karski.Powell_Colin.jpg\/240px-Karski.Powell_Colin.jpg 2x\" alt=\"\" width=\"120\" height=\"115\" data-file-width=\"444\" data-file-height=\"424\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"gallerytext\">\n<p><strong>General Powell with former leader of <a title=\"Polish resistance movement in World War II\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Polish_resistance_movement_in_World_War_II\">Polish Resistance Movement<\/a> <a title=\"Jan Karski\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Jan_Karski\">Jan Karski<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"gallerybox\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"thumb\">\n<div><strong><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:President_Bush_meets_with_General_Colin_Powell,_General_Scowcroft,_Secretary_James_Baker,_Vice_President_Quayle..._-_NARA_-_186429.tif\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/b\/b7\/President_Bush_meets_with_General_Colin_Powell%2C_General_Scowcroft%2C_Secretary_James_Baker%2C_Vice_President_Quayle..._-_NARA_-_186429.tif\/lossy-page1-120px-President_Bush_meets_with_General_Colin_Powell%2C_General_Scowcroft%2C_Secretary_James_Baker%2C_Vice_President_Quayle..._-_NARA_-_186429.tif.jpg\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/b\/b7\/President_Bush_meets_with_General_Colin_Powell%2C_General_Scowcroft%2C_Secretary_James_Baker%2C_Vice_President_Quayle..._-_NARA_-_186429.tif\/lossy-page1-180px-President_Bush_meets_with_General_Colin_Powell%2C_General_Scowcroft%2C_Secretary_James_Baker%2C_Vice_President_Quayle..._-_NARA_-_186429.tif.jpg 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/b\/b7\/President_Bush_meets_with_General_Colin_Powell%2C_General_Scowcroft%2C_Secretary_James_Baker%2C_Vice_President_Quayle..._-_NARA_-_186429.tif\/lossy-page1-240px-President_Bush_meets_with_General_Colin_Powell%2C_General_Scowcroft%2C_Secretary_James_Baker%2C_Vice_President_Quayle..._-_NARA_-_186429.tif.jpg 2x\" alt=\"\" width=\"120\" height=\"81\" data-file-width=\"3000\" data-file-height=\"2037\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"gallerytext\">\n<p><strong>General Colin Powell with President <a title=\"George H. W. Bush\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/George_H._W._Bush\">George H.W. Bush<\/a> and the other members of <a title=\"National Security Council\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/National_Security_Council\">National Security Council<\/a> discussing about the situation in the <a title=\"Persian Gulf\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Persian_Gulf\">Persian Gulf<\/a> in the <a title=\"Oval Office\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Oval_Office\">Oval Office<\/a>, <a title=\"White House\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/White_House\">White House<\/a> on January 15, 1991.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"gallerybox\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"thumb\">\n<div><strong><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Powell,_Schwarzkopf,_and_Wolfowitz_at_Cheney_press_conference,_February_1991.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/5\/52\/Powell%2C_Schwarzkopf%2C_and_Wolfowitz_at_Cheney_press_conference%2C_February_1991.jpg\/120px-Powell%2C_Schwarzkopf%2C_and_Wolfowitz_at_Cheney_press_conference%2C_February_1991.jpg\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/5\/52\/Powell%2C_Schwarzkopf%2C_and_Wolfowitz_at_Cheney_press_conference%2C_February_1991.jpg\/180px-Powell%2C_Schwarzkopf%2C_and_Wolfowitz_at_Cheney_press_conference%2C_February_1991.jpg 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/5\/52\/Powell%2C_Schwarzkopf%2C_and_Wolfowitz_at_Cheney_press_conference%2C_February_1991.jpg\/240px-Powell%2C_Schwarzkopf%2C_and_Wolfowitz_at_Cheney_press_conference%2C_February_1991.jpg 2x\" alt=\"\" width=\"120\" height=\"80\" data-file-width=\"2869\" data-file-height=\"1910\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"gallerytext\">\n<p><strong>Chairman of The Joint Chiefs of Staff General Colin Powell with Commander of <a title=\"United States Central Command\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/United_States_Central_Command\">Central Command<\/a> General <a title=\"Norman Schwarzkopf Jr.\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Norman_Schwarzkopf_Jr.\">Norman Schwarzkopf<\/a> and <a title=\"Under Secretary of Defense for Policy\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Under_Secretary_of_Defense_for_Policy\">Under Secretary of Defense for Policy<\/a> <a title=\"Paul Wolfowitz\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Paul_Wolfowitz\">Paul Wolfowitz<\/a> in Saudi Arabia, February 1991.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"gallerybox\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"thumb\">\n<div><strong><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Political_and_Military_Personalities_of_the_Gulf_War_1990-1991_GLF1174.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/6\/6e\/Political_and_Military_Personalities_of_the_Gulf_War_1990-1991_GLF1174.jpg\/79px-Political_and_Military_Personalities_of_the_Gulf_War_1990-1991_GLF1174.jpg\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/6\/6e\/Political_and_Military_Personalities_of_the_Gulf_War_1990-1991_GLF1174.jpg\/119px-Political_and_Military_Personalities_of_the_Gulf_War_1990-1991_GLF1174.jpg 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/6\/6e\/Political_and_Military_Personalities_of_the_Gulf_War_1990-1991_GLF1174.jpg\/159px-Political_and_Military_Personalities_of_the_Gulf_War_1990-1991_GLF1174.jpg 2x\" alt=\"\" width=\"79\" height=\"120\" data-file-width=\"530\" data-file-height=\"800\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"gallerytext\">\n<p><strong>General Colin Powell inspecting U.S. Troops deployed in Saudi Arabia as part of <a title=\"Gulf War\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gulf_War\">Operations Desert Storm<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"gallerybox\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"thumb\">\n<div><strong><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Colin_Powell_and_Norman_Schwarzkopf.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/b\/b8\/Colin_Powell_and_Norman_Schwarzkopf.jpg\/120px-Colin_Powell_and_Norman_Schwarzkopf.jpg\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/b\/b8\/Colin_Powell_and_Norman_Schwarzkopf.jpg\/180px-Colin_Powell_and_Norman_Schwarzkopf.jpg 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/b\/b8\/Colin_Powell_and_Norman_Schwarzkopf.jpg\/240px-Colin_Powell_and_Norman_Schwarzkopf.jpg 2x\" alt=\"\" width=\"120\" height=\"79\" data-file-width=\"1466\" data-file-height=\"962\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"gallerytext\">\n<p><strong>General Colin Powell and General <a title=\"Norman Schwarzkopf Jr.\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Norman_Schwarzkopf_Jr.\">Norman Schwarzkopf<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"gallerybox\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"thumb\">\n<div><strong><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:DF-ST-92-07542_(5375376045).jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/6\/61\/DF-ST-92-07542_%285375376045%29.jpg\/120px-DF-ST-92-07542_%285375376045%29.jpg\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/6\/61\/DF-ST-92-07542_%285375376045%29.jpg\/180px-DF-ST-92-07542_%285375376045%29.jpg 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/6\/61\/DF-ST-92-07542_%285375376045%29.jpg\/240px-DF-ST-92-07542_%285375376045%29.jpg 2x\" alt=\"\" width=\"120\" height=\"80\" data-file-width=\"2850\" data-file-height=\"1890\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"gallerytext\">\n<p><strong>General Colin Powell with <a title=\"United States Secretary of Defense\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/United_States_Secretary_of_Defense\">Secretary of Defense<\/a> <a title=\"Dick Cheney\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Dick_Cheney\">Dick Cheney<\/a> and under secretary of defense for policy <a title=\"Paul Wolfowitz\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Paul_Wolfowitz\">Paul Wolfowitz<\/a> and the other members of U.S. Military officials in Saudi Arabia during the Persian Gulf War in 1991.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"gallerybox\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"thumb\">\n<div><strong><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:047110-C-OCZ02-069.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/e\/e3\/047110-C-OCZ02-069.jpg\/120px-047110-C-OCZ02-069.jpg\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/e\/e3\/047110-C-OCZ02-069.jpg\/180px-047110-C-OCZ02-069.jpg 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/e\/e3\/047110-C-OCZ02-069.jpg\/240px-047110-C-OCZ02-069.jpg 2x\" alt=\"\" width=\"120\" height=\"80\" data-file-width=\"1800\" data-file-height=\"1200\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"gallerytext\">\n<p><strong>General Colin Powell and General <a title=\"Norman Schwarzkopf Jr.\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Norman_Schwarzkopf_Jr.\">Norman Schwarzkopf<\/a> during the Welcome Home parade honoring the men and women who served in Desert Storm in Washington, D.C., June 10, 1991.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong><span id=\"Dates_of_rank\" class=\"mw-headline\">Dates of rank<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<table class=\"wikitable\">\n<caption><strong>Promotions<\/strong><\/caption>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th><strong>Rank<\/strong><\/th>\n<th><strong>Date<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:US_Army_O10_shoulderboard_rotated.svg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/a\/a6\/US_Army_O10_shoulderboard_rotated.svg\/70px-US_Army_O10_shoulderboard_rotated.svg.png\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/a\/a6\/US_Army_O10_shoulderboard_rotated.svg\/105px-US_Army_O10_shoulderboard_rotated.svg.png 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/a\/a6\/US_Army_O10_shoulderboard_rotated.svg\/140px-US_Army_O10_shoulderboard_rotated.svg.png 2x\" alt=\"US Army O10 shoulderboard rotated.svg\" width=\"70\" height=\"30\" data-file-width=\"223\" data-file-height=\"97\" \/><\/a> <a title=\"General (United States)\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/General_(United_States)\">General<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>April 4, 1989<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:US_Army_O9_shoulderboard_rotated.svg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/c\/cb\/US_Army_O9_shoulderboard_rotated.svg\/70px-US_Army_O9_shoulderboard_rotated.svg.png\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/c\/cb\/US_Army_O9_shoulderboard_rotated.svg\/105px-US_Army_O9_shoulderboard_rotated.svg.png 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/c\/cb\/US_Army_O9_shoulderboard_rotated.svg\/140px-US_Army_O9_shoulderboard_rotated.svg.png 2x\" alt=\"US Army O9 shoulderboard rotated.svg\" width=\"70\" height=\"30\" data-file-width=\"223\" data-file-height=\"97\" \/><\/a> <a title=\"Lieutenant general (United States)\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Lieutenant_general_(United_States)\">Lieutenant general<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>March 26, 1986<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:US_Army_O8_shoulderboard_rotated.svg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/b\/b7\/US_Army_O8_shoulderboard_rotated.svg\/70px-US_Army_O8_shoulderboard_rotated.svg.png\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/b\/b7\/US_Army_O8_shoulderboard_rotated.svg\/105px-US_Army_O8_shoulderboard_rotated.svg.png 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/b\/b7\/US_Army_O8_shoulderboard_rotated.svg\/140px-US_Army_O8_shoulderboard_rotated.svg.png 2x\" alt=\"US Army O8 shoulderboard rotated.svg\" width=\"70\" height=\"30\" data-file-width=\"223\" data-file-height=\"97\" \/><\/a> <a title=\"Major general (United States)\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Major_general_(United_States)\">Major general<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>August 1, 1983<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:US_Army_O7_shoulderboard_rotated.svg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/8\/87\/US_Army_O7_shoulderboard_rotated.svg\/70px-US_Army_O7_shoulderboard_rotated.svg.png\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/8\/87\/US_Army_O7_shoulderboard_rotated.svg\/105px-US_Army_O7_shoulderboard_rotated.svg.png 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/8\/87\/US_Army_O7_shoulderboard_rotated.svg\/140px-US_Army_O7_shoulderboard_rotated.svg.png 2x\" alt=\"US Army O7 shoulderboard rotated.svg\" width=\"70\" height=\"30\" data-file-width=\"223\" data-file-height=\"97\" \/><\/a> <a title=\"Brigadier general (United States)\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Brigadier_general_(United_States)\">Brigadier general<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>June 1, 1979<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:US_Army_O6_shoulderboard_rotated.svg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/1\/10\/US_Army_O6_shoulderboard_rotated.svg\/70px-US_Army_O6_shoulderboard_rotated.svg.png\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/1\/10\/US_Army_O6_shoulderboard_rotated.svg\/105px-US_Army_O6_shoulderboard_rotated.svg.png 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/1\/10\/US_Army_O6_shoulderboard_rotated.svg\/140px-US_Army_O6_shoulderboard_rotated.svg.png 2x\" alt=\"US Army O6 shoulderboard rotated.svg\" width=\"70\" height=\"30\" data-file-width=\"223\" data-file-height=\"97\" \/><\/a> <a title=\"Colonel (United States)\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Colonel_(United_States)\">Colonel<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>February 1, 1976<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:U.S._Army_O-5_shoulderboard_rotated_(1959%E2%80%932015).svg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/9\/9d\/U.S._Army_O-5_shoulderboard_rotated_%281959%E2%80%932015%29.svg\/70px-U.S._Army_O-5_shoulderboard_rotated_%281959%E2%80%932015%29.svg.png\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/9\/9d\/U.S._Army_O-5_shoulderboard_rotated_%281959%E2%80%932015%29.svg\/105px-U.S._Army_O-5_shoulderboard_rotated_%281959%E2%80%932015%29.svg.png 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/9\/9d\/U.S._Army_O-5_shoulderboard_rotated_%281959%E2%80%932015%29.svg\/140px-U.S._Army_O-5_shoulderboard_rotated_%281959%E2%80%932015%29.svg.png 2x\" alt=\"US Army O5 shoulderboard rotated.svg\" width=\"70\" height=\"30\" data-file-width=\"223\" data-file-height=\"97\" \/><\/a> <a title=\"Lieutenant colonel (United States)\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Lieutenant_colonel_(United_States)\">Lieutenant colonel<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>July 9, 1970<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:US_Army_O4_shoulderboard_rotated.svg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/d\/d5\/US_Army_O4_shoulderboard_rotated.svg\/70px-US_Army_O4_shoulderboard_rotated.svg.png\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/d\/d5\/US_Army_O4_shoulderboard_rotated.svg\/105px-US_Army_O4_shoulderboard_rotated.svg.png 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/d\/d5\/US_Army_O4_shoulderboard_rotated.svg\/140px-US_Army_O4_shoulderboard_rotated.svg.png 2x\" alt=\"US Army O4 shoulderboard rotated.svg\" width=\"70\" height=\"30\" data-file-width=\"223\" data-file-height=\"97\" \/><\/a> <a title=\"Major (United States)\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Major_(United_States)\">Major<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>May 24, 1966<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:US_Army_O3_shoulderboard_rotated.svg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/e\/ed\/US_Army_O3_shoulderboard_rotated.svg\/70px-US_Army_O3_shoulderboard_rotated.svg.png\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/e\/ed\/US_Army_O3_shoulderboard_rotated.svg\/105px-US_Army_O3_shoulderboard_rotated.svg.png 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/e\/ed\/US_Army_O3_shoulderboard_rotated.svg\/140px-US_Army_O3_shoulderboard_rotated.svg.png 2x\" alt=\"US Army O3 shoulderboard rotated.svg\" width=\"70\" height=\"30\" data-file-width=\"223\" data-file-height=\"97\" \/><\/a> <a title=\"Captain (United States O-3)\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Captain_(United_States_O-3)\">Captain<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>June 2, 1962<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:US_Army_O2_shoulderboard_rotated.svg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/3\/35\/US_Army_O2_shoulderboard_rotated.svg\/70px-US_Army_O2_shoulderboard_rotated.svg.png\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/3\/35\/US_Army_O2_shoulderboard_rotated.svg\/105px-US_Army_O2_shoulderboard_rotated.svg.png 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/3\/35\/US_Army_O2_shoulderboard_rotated.svg\/140px-US_Army_O2_shoulderboard_rotated.svg.png 2x\" alt=\"US Army O2 shoulderboard rotated.svg\" width=\"70\" height=\"30\" data-file-width=\"223\" data-file-height=\"97\" \/><\/a> <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"First lieutenant (United States)\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/First_lieutenant_(United_States)\">First lieutenant<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>December 30, 1959<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:US_Army_O1_shoulderboard_rotated.svg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/9\/98\/US_Army_O1_shoulderboard_rotated.svg\/70px-US_Army_O1_shoulderboard_rotated.svg.png\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/9\/98\/US_Army_O1_shoulderboard_rotated.svg\/105px-US_Army_O1_shoulderboard_rotated.svg.png 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/9\/98\/US_Army_O1_shoulderboard_rotated.svg\/140px-US_Army_O1_shoulderboard_rotated.svg.png 2x\" alt=\"US Army O1 shoulderboard rotated.svg\" width=\"70\" height=\"30\" data-file-width=\"223\" data-file-height=\"97\" \/><\/a> <a title=\"Second lieutenant\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Second_lieutenant\">Second lieutenant<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>June 9, 1958<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h3><strong><span id=\"Awards_and_decorations\" class=\"mw-headline\">Awards and decorations<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<h4><strong><span id=\"Badges\" class=\"mw-headline\">Badges<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n<ul class=\"gallery mw-gallery-traditional\">\n<li class=\"gallerybox\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"thumb\">\n<div><strong><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Combat_Infantry_Badge.svg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/8\/82\/Combat_Infantry_Badge.svg\/120px-Combat_Infantry_Badge.svg.png\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/8\/82\/Combat_Infantry_Badge.svg\/180px-Combat_Infantry_Badge.svg.png 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/8\/82\/Combat_Infantry_Badge.svg\/240px-Combat_Infantry_Badge.svg.png 2x\" alt=\"\" width=\"120\" height=\"43\" data-file-width=\"234\" data-file-height=\"84\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"gallerytext\">\n<p><strong><a title=\"Combat Infantryman Badge\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Combat_Infantryman_Badge\">Combat Infantryman Badge<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"gallerybox\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"thumb\">\n<div><strong><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Expert_Infantry_Badge.svg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/e\/ec\/Expert_Infantry_Badge.svg\/120px-Expert_Infantry_Badge.svg.png\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/e\/ec\/Expert_Infantry_Badge.svg\/180px-Expert_Infantry_Badge.svg.png 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/e\/ec\/Expert_Infantry_Badge.svg\/240px-Expert_Infantry_Badge.svg.png 2x\" alt=\"\" width=\"120\" height=\"18\" data-file-width=\"1508\" data-file-height=\"220\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"gallerytext\">\n<p><strong><a title=\"Expert Infantryman Badge\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Expert_Infantryman_Badge\">Expert Infantryman Badge<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"gallerybox\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"thumb\">\n<div><strong><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Ranger_Tab.svg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/5\/55\/Ranger_Tab.svg\/120px-Ranger_Tab.svg.png\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/5\/55\/Ranger_Tab.svg\/180px-Ranger_Tab.svg.png 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/5\/55\/Ranger_Tab.svg\/240px-Ranger_Tab.svg.png 2x\" alt=\"\" width=\"120\" height=\"49\" data-file-width=\"765\" data-file-height=\"315\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"gallerytext\">\n<p><strong><a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Ranger Tab\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Ranger_Tab\">Ranger Tab<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"gallerybox\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"thumb\">\n<div><strong><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:US_Army_Airborne_basic_parachutist_badge.gif\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/8\/87\/US_Army_Airborne_basic_parachutist_badge.gif\/120px-US_Army_Airborne_basic_parachutist_badge.gif\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/8\/87\/US_Army_Airborne_basic_parachutist_badge.gif\/180px-US_Army_Airborne_basic_parachutist_badge.gif 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/8\/87\/US_Army_Airborne_basic_parachutist_badge.gif\/240px-US_Army_Airborne_basic_parachutist_badge.gif 2x\" alt=\"\" width=\"120\" height=\"66\" data-file-width=\"340\" data-file-height=\"188\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"gallerytext\">\n<p><strong><a title=\"Parachutist Badge (United States)\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Parachutist_Badge_(United_States)\">Parachutist Badge<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"gallerybox\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"thumb\">\n<div><strong><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Pathfinder.gif\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/8\/8a\/Pathfinder.gif\/120px-Pathfinder.gif\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/8\/8a\/Pathfinder.gif\/180px-Pathfinder.gif 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/8\/8a\/Pathfinder.gif\/240px-Pathfinder.gif 2x\" alt=\"\" width=\"120\" height=\"95\" data-file-width=\"600\" data-file-height=\"474\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"gallerytext\">\n<p><strong><a title=\"Pathfinder Badge (United States)\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Pathfinder_Badge_(United_States)\">Pathfinder Badge<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"gallerybox\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"thumb\">\n<div><strong><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:AirAssault.gif\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/b\/b0\/AirAssault.gif\/120px-AirAssault.gif\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/b\/b0\/AirAssault.gif\/180px-AirAssault.gif 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/b\/b0\/AirAssault.gif\/240px-AirAssault.gif 2x\" alt=\"\" width=\"120\" height=\"63\" data-file-width=\"600\" data-file-height=\"314\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"gallerytext\">\n<p><strong><a title=\"Air Assault Badge\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Air_Assault_Badge\">Air Assault Badge<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"gallerybox\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"thumb\">\n<div><strong><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:US_-_Presidential_Service_Badge.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/e\/e2\/US_-_Presidential_Service_Badge.png\/118px-US_-_Presidential_Service_Badge.png\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/e\/e2\/US_-_Presidential_Service_Badge.png\/178px-US_-_Presidential_Service_Badge.png 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/e\/e2\/US_-_Presidential_Service_Badge.png\/237px-US_-_Presidential_Service_Badge.png 2x\" alt=\"\" width=\"118\" height=\"120\" data-file-width=\"600\" data-file-height=\"608\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"gallerytext\">\n<p><strong><a title=\"Presidential Service Badge\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Presidential_Service_Badge\">Presidential Service Badge<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"gallerybox\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"thumb\">\n<div><strong><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Office_of_the_Secretary_of_Defense_Identification_Badge.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/6\/6f\/Office_of_the_Secretary_of_Defense_Identification_Badge.png\/120px-Office_of_the_Secretary_of_Defense_Identification_Badge.png\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/6\/6f\/Office_of_the_Secretary_of_Defense_Identification_Badge.png\/180px-Office_of_the_Secretary_of_Defense_Identification_Badge.png 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/6\/6f\/Office_of_the_Secretary_of_Defense_Identification_Badge.png\/240px-Office_of_the_Secretary_of_Defense_Identification_Badge.png 2x\" alt=\"\" width=\"120\" height=\"120\" data-file-width=\"598\" data-file-height=\"596\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"gallerytext\">\n<p><strong><a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Secretary of Defense Identification Badge\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Secretary_of_Defense_Identification_Badge\">Secretary of Defense Identification Badge<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"gallerybox\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"thumb\">\n<div><strong><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Joint_Chiefs_of_Staff_seal.svg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/d\/d4\/Joint_Chiefs_of_Staff_seal.svg\/110px-Joint_Chiefs_of_Staff_seal.svg.png\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/d\/d4\/Joint_Chiefs_of_Staff_seal.svg\/165px-Joint_Chiefs_of_Staff_seal.svg.png 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/d\/d4\/Joint_Chiefs_of_Staff_seal.svg\/220px-Joint_Chiefs_of_Staff_seal.svg.png 2x\" alt=\"\" width=\"110\" height=\"120\" data-file-width=\"198\" data-file-height=\"216\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"gallerytext\">\n<p><strong><a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Joint_Chiefs_of_Staff_Identification_Badge\">Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"gallerybox\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"thumb\">\n<div><strong><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:United_States_Army_Staff_Identification_Badge.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/c\/cf\/United_States_Army_Staff_Identification_Badge.png\/107px-United_States_Army_Staff_Identification_Badge.png\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/c\/cf\/United_States_Army_Staff_Identification_Badge.png\/160px-United_States_Army_Staff_Identification_Badge.png 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/c\/cf\/United_States_Army_Staff_Identification_Badge.png\/213px-United_States_Army_Staff_Identification_Badge.png 2x\" alt=\"\" width=\"107\" height=\"120\" data-file-width=\"580\" data-file-height=\"653\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"gallerytext\">\n<p><strong><a title=\"Army Staff Identification Badge\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Army_Staff_Identification_Badge\">Army Staff Identification Badge<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><strong><span id=\"Medals_and_ribbons\" class=\"mw-headline\">Medals and ribbons<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div><strong><a class=\"image\" title=\"Bronze oak leaf cluster\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Bronze_oakleaf-3d.svg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/f\/f1\/Bronze_oakleaf-3d.svg\/18px-Bronze_oakleaf-3d.svg.png\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/f\/f1\/Bronze_oakleaf-3d.svg\/27px-Bronze_oakleaf-3d.svg.png 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/f\/f1\/Bronze_oakleaf-3d.svg\/36px-Bronze_oakleaf-3d.svg.png 2x\" alt=\"Bronze oak leaf cluster\" width=\"18\" height=\"14\" data-file-width=\"106\" data-file-height=\"85\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n<div><strong><a class=\"image\" title=\"Bronze oak leaf cluster\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Bronze_oakleaf-3d.svg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/f\/f1\/Bronze_oakleaf-3d.svg\/18px-Bronze_oakleaf-3d.svg.png\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/f\/f1\/Bronze_oakleaf-3d.svg\/27px-Bronze_oakleaf-3d.svg.png 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/f\/f1\/Bronze_oakleaf-3d.svg\/36px-Bronze_oakleaf-3d.svg.png 2x\" alt=\"Bronze oak leaf cluster\" width=\"18\" height=\"14\" data-file-width=\"106\" data-file-height=\"85\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n<div><strong><a class=\"image\" title=\"Bronze oak leaf cluster\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Bronze_oakleaf-3d.svg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/f\/f1\/Bronze_oakleaf-3d.svg\/18px-Bronze_oakleaf-3d.svg.png\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/f\/f1\/Bronze_oakleaf-3d.svg\/27px-Bronze_oakleaf-3d.svg.png 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/f\/f1\/Bronze_oakleaf-3d.svg\/36px-Bronze_oakleaf-3d.svg.png 2x\" alt=\"Bronze oak leaf cluster\" width=\"18\" height=\"14\" data-file-width=\"106\" data-file-height=\"85\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n<p><strong><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Defense_Distinguished_Service_Medal_ribbon.svg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"thumbborder\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/3\/34\/Defense_Distinguished_Service_Medal_ribbon.svg\/80px-Defense_Distinguished_Service_Medal_ribbon.svg.png\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/3\/34\/Defense_Distinguished_Service_Medal_ribbon.svg\/120px-Defense_Distinguished_Service_Medal_ribbon.svg.png 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/3\/34\/Defense_Distinguished_Service_Medal_ribbon.svg\/160px-Defense_Distinguished_Service_Medal_ribbon.svg.png 2x\" alt=\"\" width=\"80\" height=\"22\" data-file-width=\"1024\" data-file-height=\"279\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td><strong><a title=\"Defense Distinguished Service Medal\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Defense_Distinguished_Service_Medal\">Defense Distinguished Service Medal<\/a> with three <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Oak leaf clusters\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Oak_leaf_clusters\">oak leaf clusters<\/a><sup id=\"cite_ref-valor_44-0\" class=\"reference\"><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Colin_Powell#cite_note-valor-44\">[44]<\/a><\/sup><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div><strong><a class=\"image\" title=\"Bronze oak leaf cluster\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Bronze_oakleaf-3d.svg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/f\/f1\/Bronze_oakleaf-3d.svg\/18px-Bronze_oakleaf-3d.svg.png\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/f\/f1\/Bronze_oakleaf-3d.svg\/27px-Bronze_oakleaf-3d.svg.png 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/f\/f1\/Bronze_oakleaf-3d.svg\/36px-Bronze_oakleaf-3d.svg.png 2x\" alt=\"Bronze oak leaf cluster\" width=\"18\" height=\"14\" data-file-width=\"106\" data-file-height=\"85\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n<p><strong><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:U.S._Army_Distinguished_Service_Medal_ribbon.svg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"thumbborder\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/7\/7d\/U.S._Army_Distinguished_Service_Medal_ribbon.svg\/80px-U.S._Army_Distinguished_Service_Medal_ribbon.svg.png\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/7\/7d\/U.S._Army_Distinguished_Service_Medal_ribbon.svg\/120px-U.S._Army_Distinguished_Service_Medal_ribbon.svg.png 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/7\/7d\/U.S._Army_Distinguished_Service_Medal_ribbon.svg\/160px-U.S._Army_Distinguished_Service_Medal_ribbon.svg.png 2x\" alt=\"\" width=\"80\" height=\"22\" data-file-width=\"218\" data-file-height=\"60\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td><strong><a title=\"Distinguished Service Medal (U.S. Army)\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Distinguished_Service_Medal_(U.S._Army)\">Army Distinguished Service Medal<\/a> with oak leaf cluster<sup id=\"cite_ref-valor_44-1\" class=\"reference\"><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Colin_Powell#cite_note-valor-44\">[44]<\/a><\/sup><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Navy_Distinguished_Service_Medal_ribbon.svg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"thumbborder\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/7\/7f\/Navy_Distinguished_Service_Medal_ribbon.svg\/80px-Navy_Distinguished_Service_Medal_ribbon.svg.png\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/7\/7f\/Navy_Distinguished_Service_Medal_ribbon.svg\/120px-Navy_Distinguished_Service_Medal_ribbon.svg.png 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/7\/7f\/Navy_Distinguished_Service_Medal_ribbon.svg\/160px-Navy_Distinguished_Service_Medal_ribbon.svg.png 2x\" alt=\"\" width=\"80\" height=\"22\" data-file-width=\"1024\" data-file-height=\"279\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong><a title=\"Distinguished Service Medal (U.S. Army)\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Distinguished_Service_Medal_(U.S._Army)\">Navy Distinguished Service Medal<\/a><sup id=\"cite_ref-valor_44-2\" class=\"reference\"><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Colin_Powell#cite_note-valor-44\">[44]<\/a><\/sup><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Air_Force_Distinguished_Service_ribbon.svg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"thumbborder\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/4\/46\/Air_Force_Distinguished_Service_ribbon.svg\/80px-Air_Force_Distinguished_Service_ribbon.svg.png\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/4\/46\/Air_Force_Distinguished_Service_ribbon.svg\/120px-Air_Force_Distinguished_Service_ribbon.svg.png 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/4\/46\/Air_Force_Distinguished_Service_ribbon.svg\/160px-Air_Force_Distinguished_Service_ribbon.svg.png 2x\" alt=\"\" width=\"80\" height=\"23\" data-file-width=\"106\" data-file-height=\"30\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong><a title=\"Distinguished Service Medal (U.S. Army)\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Distinguished_Service_Medal_(U.S._Army)\">Air Force Distinguished Service Medal<\/a><sup id=\"cite_ref-valor_44-3\" class=\"reference\"><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Colin_Powell#cite_note-valor-44\">[44]<\/a><\/sup><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Coast_Guard_Distinguished_Service_ribbon.svg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"thumbborder\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/0\/0e\/Coast_Guard_Distinguished_Service_ribbon.svg\/80px-Coast_Guard_Distinguished_Service_ribbon.svg.png\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/0\/0e\/Coast_Guard_Distinguished_Service_ribbon.svg\/120px-Coast_Guard_Distinguished_Service_ribbon.svg.png 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/0\/0e\/Coast_Guard_Distinguished_Service_ribbon.svg\/160px-Coast_Guard_Distinguished_Service_ribbon.svg.png 2x\" alt=\"\" width=\"80\" height=\"23\" data-file-width=\"106\" data-file-height=\"30\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong><a title=\"Distinguished Service Medal (U.S. Army)\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Distinguished_Service_Medal_(U.S._Army)\">Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal<\/a><sup id=\"cite_ref-valor_44-4\" class=\"reference\"><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Colin_Powell#cite_note-valor-44\">[44]<\/a><\/sup><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Defense_Superior_Service_Medal_ribbon.svg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"thumbborder\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/d\/d9\/Defense_Superior_Service_Medal_ribbon.svg\/80px-Defense_Superior_Service_Medal_ribbon.svg.png\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/d\/d9\/Defense_Superior_Service_Medal_ribbon.svg\/120px-Defense_Superior_Service_Medal_ribbon.svg.png 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/d\/d9\/Defense_Superior_Service_Medal_ribbon.svg\/160px-Defense_Superior_Service_Medal_ribbon.svg.png 2x\" alt=\"\" width=\"80\" height=\"22\" data-file-width=\"1024\" data-file-height=\"279\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong><a title=\"Defense Superior Service Medal\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Defense_Superior_Service_Medal\">Defense Superior Service Medal<\/a><sup id=\"cite_ref-valor_44-5\" class=\"reference\"><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Colin_Powell#cite_note-valor-44\">[44]<\/a><\/sup><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div><strong><a class=\"image\" title=\"Bronze oak leaf cluster\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Bronze_oakleaf-3d.svg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/f\/f1\/Bronze_oakleaf-3d.svg\/18px-Bronze_oakleaf-3d.svg.png\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/f\/f1\/Bronze_oakleaf-3d.svg\/27px-Bronze_oakleaf-3d.svg.png 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/f\/f1\/Bronze_oakleaf-3d.svg\/36px-Bronze_oakleaf-3d.svg.png 2x\" alt=\"Bronze oak leaf cluster\" width=\"18\" height=\"14\" data-file-width=\"106\" data-file-height=\"85\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n<p><strong><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Legion_of_Merit_ribbon.svg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"thumbborder\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/4\/43\/Legion_of_Merit_ribbon.svg\/80px-Legion_of_Merit_ribbon.svg.png\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/4\/43\/Legion_of_Merit_ribbon.svg\/120px-Legion_of_Merit_ribbon.svg.png 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/4\/43\/Legion_of_Merit_ribbon.svg\/160px-Legion_of_Merit_ribbon.svg.png 2x\" alt=\"\" width=\"80\" height=\"22\" data-file-width=\"1024\" data-file-height=\"279\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td><strong><a title=\"Legion of Merit\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Legion_of_Merit\">Legion of Merit<\/a> with oak leaf cluster<sup id=\"cite_ref-valor_44-6\" class=\"reference\"><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Colin_Powell#cite_note-valor-44\">[44]<\/a><\/sup><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Soldier%27s_Medal_ribbon.svg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"thumbborder\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/e\/e1\/Soldier%27s_Medal_ribbon.svg\/80px-Soldier%27s_Medal_ribbon.svg.png\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/e\/e1\/Soldier%27s_Medal_ribbon.svg\/120px-Soldier%27s_Medal_ribbon.svg.png 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/e\/e1\/Soldier%27s_Medal_ribbon.svg\/160px-Soldier%27s_Medal_ribbon.svg.png 2x\" alt=\"\" width=\"80\" height=\"22\" data-file-width=\"218\" data-file-height=\"60\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong><a title=\"Soldier's Medal\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Soldier%27s_Medal\">Soldier&#8217;s Medal<\/a><sup id=\"cite_ref-valor_44-7\" class=\"reference\"><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Colin_Powell#cite_note-valor-44\">[44]<\/a><\/sup><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Bronze_Star_Medal_ribbon.svg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"thumbborder\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/9\/95\/Bronze_Star_Medal_ribbon.svg\/80px-Bronze_Star_Medal_ribbon.svg.png\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/9\/95\/Bronze_Star_Medal_ribbon.svg\/120px-Bronze_Star_Medal_ribbon.svg.png 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/9\/95\/Bronze_Star_Medal_ribbon.svg\/160px-Bronze_Star_Medal_ribbon.svg.png 2x\" alt=\"\" width=\"80\" height=\"22\" data-file-width=\"218\" data-file-height=\"60\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong><a title=\"Bronze Star Medal\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Bronze_Star_Medal\">Bronze Star Medal<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Purple_Heart_ribbon.svg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"thumbborder\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/e\/e3\/Purple_Heart_ribbon.svg\/80px-Purple_Heart_ribbon.svg.png\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/e\/e3\/Purple_Heart_ribbon.svg\/120px-Purple_Heart_ribbon.svg.png 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/e\/e3\/Purple_Heart_ribbon.svg\/160px-Purple_Heart_ribbon.svg.png 2x\" alt=\"\" width=\"80\" height=\"22\" data-file-width=\"218\" data-file-height=\"60\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong><a title=\"Purple Heart\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Purple_Heart\">Purple Heart<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Air_Medal_ribbon.svg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"thumbborder\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/1\/1a\/Air_Medal_ribbon.svg\/80px-Air_Medal_ribbon.svg.png\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/1\/1a\/Air_Medal_ribbon.svg\/120px-Air_Medal_ribbon.svg.png 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/1\/1a\/Air_Medal_ribbon.svg\/160px-Air_Medal_ribbon.svg.png 2x\" alt=\"\" width=\"80\" height=\"22\" data-file-width=\"218\" data-file-height=\"60\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong><a title=\"Air Medal\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Air_Medal\">Air Medal<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Joint_Service_Commendation_Medal_ribbon.svg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"thumbborder\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/a\/ad\/Joint_Service_Commendation_Medal_ribbon.svg\/80px-Joint_Service_Commendation_Medal_ribbon.svg.png\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/a\/ad\/Joint_Service_Commendation_Medal_ribbon.svg\/120px-Joint_Service_Commendation_Medal_ribbon.svg.png 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/a\/ad\/Joint_Service_Commendation_Medal_ribbon.svg\/160px-Joint_Service_Commendation_Medal_ribbon.svg.png 2x\" alt=\"\" width=\"80\" height=\"22\" data-file-width=\"1024\" data-file-height=\"279\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong><a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Joint Service Commendation Medal\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Joint_Service_Commendation_Medal\">Joint Service Commendation Medal<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div><strong><a class=\"image\" title=\"Bronze oak leaf cluster\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Bronze_oakleaf-3d.svg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/f\/f1\/Bronze_oakleaf-3d.svg\/18px-Bronze_oakleaf-3d.svg.png\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/f\/f1\/Bronze_oakleaf-3d.svg\/27px-Bronze_oakleaf-3d.svg.png 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/f\/f1\/Bronze_oakleaf-3d.svg\/36px-Bronze_oakleaf-3d.svg.png 2x\" alt=\"Bronze oak leaf cluster\" width=\"18\" height=\"14\" data-file-width=\"106\" data-file-height=\"85\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n<div><strong><a class=\"image\" title=\"Bronze oak leaf cluster\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Bronze_oakleaf-3d.svg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/f\/f1\/Bronze_oakleaf-3d.svg\/18px-Bronze_oakleaf-3d.svg.png\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/f\/f1\/Bronze_oakleaf-3d.svg\/27px-Bronze_oakleaf-3d.svg.png 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/f\/f1\/Bronze_oakleaf-3d.svg\/36px-Bronze_oakleaf-3d.svg.png 2x\" alt=\"Bronze oak leaf cluster\" width=\"18\" height=\"14\" data-file-width=\"106\" data-file-height=\"85\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n<p><strong><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Army_Commendation_Medal_ribbon.svg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"thumbborder\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/3\/3b\/Army_Commendation_Medal_ribbon.svg\/80px-Army_Commendation_Medal_ribbon.svg.png\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/3\/3b\/Army_Commendation_Medal_ribbon.svg\/120px-Army_Commendation_Medal_ribbon.svg.png 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/3\/3b\/Army_Commendation_Medal_ribbon.svg\/160px-Army_Commendation_Medal_ribbon.svg.png 2x\" alt=\"\" width=\"80\" height=\"22\" data-file-width=\"1024\" data-file-height=\"279\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td><strong><a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Army Commendation Medal\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Army_Commendation_Medal\">Army Commendation Medal<\/a> with two oak leaf clusters<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Presidential_Medal_of_Freedom_with_Distinction_(ribbon).svg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"thumbborder\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/2\/20\/Presidential_Medal_of_Freedom_with_Distinction_%28ribbon%29.svg\/80px-Presidential_Medal_of_Freedom_with_Distinction_%28ribbon%29.svg.png\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/2\/20\/Presidential_Medal_of_Freedom_with_Distinction_%28ribbon%29.svg\/120px-Presidential_Medal_of_Freedom_with_Distinction_%28ribbon%29.svg.png 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/2\/20\/Presidential_Medal_of_Freedom_with_Distinction_%28ribbon%29.svg\/160px-Presidential_Medal_of_Freedom_with_Distinction_%28ribbon%29.svg.png 2x\" alt=\"\" width=\"80\" height=\"22\" data-file-width=\"436\" data-file-height=\"120\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong><a title=\"Presidential Medal of Freedom\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Presidential_Medal_of_Freedom\">Presidential Medal of Freedom<\/a> with Distinction (1993)<sup id=\"cite_ref-2ndPMoF_45-0\" class=\"reference\"><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Colin_Powell#cite_note-2ndPMoF-45\">[45]<\/a><\/sup><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Presidential_Medal_of_Freedom_(ribbon).svg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"thumbborder\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/e\/ee\/Presidential_Medal_of_Freedom_%28ribbon%29.svg\/80px-Presidential_Medal_of_Freedom_%28ribbon%29.svg.png\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/e\/ee\/Presidential_Medal_of_Freedom_%28ribbon%29.svg\/120px-Presidential_Medal_of_Freedom_%28ribbon%29.svg.png 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/e\/ee\/Presidential_Medal_of_Freedom_%28ribbon%29.svg\/160px-Presidential_Medal_of_Freedom_%28ribbon%29.svg.png 2x\" alt=\"\" width=\"80\" height=\"22\" data-file-width=\"436\" data-file-height=\"120\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong><a title=\"Presidential Medal of Freedom\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Presidential_Medal_of_Freedom\">Presidential Medal of Freedom<\/a> (1991)<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Prescitmed.gif\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"thumbborder\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/f\/fd\/Prescitmed.gif\/80px-Prescitmed.gif\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/f\/fd\/Prescitmed.gif 1.5x\" alt=\"\" width=\"80\" height=\"23\" data-file-width=\"105\" data-file-height=\"30\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong><a title=\"Presidential Citizens Medal\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Presidential_Citizens_Medal\">Presidential Citizens Medal<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:USA_-_DOS_Distinguished_Service_Award.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/1\/10\/USA_-_DOS_Distinguished_Service_Award.png\/80px-USA_-_DOS_Distinguished_Service_Award.png\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/1\/10\/USA_-_DOS_Distinguished_Service_Award.png\/120px-USA_-_DOS_Distinguished_Service_Award.png 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/1\/10\/USA_-_DOS_Distinguished_Service_Award.png\/160px-USA_-_DOS_Distinguished_Service_Award.png 2x\" alt=\"USA - DOS Distinguished Service Award.png\" width=\"80\" height=\"23\" data-file-width=\"442\" data-file-height=\"125\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong><a title=\"Secretary's Distinguished Service Award\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Secretary%27s_Distinguished_Service_Award\">Secretary&#8217;s Distinguished Service Award<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div><strong><a class=\"image\" title=\"Bronze service star\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Bronze-service-star-3d-vector.svg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/d\/d6\/Bronze-service-star-3d-vector.svg\/14px-Bronze-service-star-3d-vector.svg.png\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/d\/d6\/Bronze-service-star-3d-vector.svg\/21px-Bronze-service-star-3d-vector.svg.png 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/d\/d6\/Bronze-service-star-3d-vector.svg\/28px-Bronze-service-star-3d-vector.svg.png 2x\" alt=\"Bronze star\" width=\"14\" height=\"14\" data-file-width=\"146\" data-file-height=\"144\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n<p><strong><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:National_Defense_Service_Medal_ribbon.svg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"thumbborder\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/0\/0d\/National_Defense_Service_Medal_ribbon.svg\/80px-National_Defense_Service_Medal_ribbon.svg.png\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/0\/0d\/National_Defense_Service_Medal_ribbon.svg\/120px-National_Defense_Service_Medal_ribbon.svg.png 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/0\/0d\/National_Defense_Service_Medal_ribbon.svg\/160px-National_Defense_Service_Medal_ribbon.svg.png 2x\" alt=\"\" width=\"80\" height=\"22\" data-file-width=\"1024\" data-file-height=\"279\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td><strong><a title=\"National Defense Service Medal\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/National_Defense_Service_Medal\">National Defense Service Medal<\/a> with bronze <a title=\"Service star\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Service_star\">service star<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div><strong><a class=\"image\" title=\"Silver service star\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Silver-service-star-3d.svg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/b\/bb\/Silver-service-star-3d.svg\/14px-Silver-service-star-3d.svg.png\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/b\/bb\/Silver-service-star-3d.svg\/21px-Silver-service-star-3d.svg.png 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/b\/bb\/Silver-service-star-3d.svg\/28px-Silver-service-star-3d.svg.png 2x\" alt=\"Silver star\" width=\"14\" height=\"14\" data-file-width=\"476\" data-file-height=\"476\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n<p><strong><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Vietnam_Service_Medal_ribbon.svg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"thumbborder\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/5\/54\/Vietnam_Service_Medal_ribbon.svg\/80px-Vietnam_Service_Medal_ribbon.svg.png\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/5\/54\/Vietnam_Service_Medal_ribbon.svg\/120px-Vietnam_Service_Medal_ribbon.svg.png 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/5\/54\/Vietnam_Service_Medal_ribbon.svg\/160px-Vietnam_Service_Medal_ribbon.svg.png 2x\" alt=\"\" width=\"80\" height=\"22\" data-file-width=\"1024\" data-file-height=\"279\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td><strong><a title=\"Vietnam Service Medal\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Vietnam_Service_Medal\">Vietnam Service Medal<\/a> with silver service star<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Army_Service_Ribbon.svg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"thumbborder\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/2\/2b\/Army_Service_Ribbon.svg\/80px-Army_Service_Ribbon.svg.png\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/2\/2b\/Army_Service_Ribbon.svg\/120px-Army_Service_Ribbon.svg.png 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/2\/2b\/Army_Service_Ribbon.svg\/160px-Army_Service_Ribbon.svg.png 2x\" alt=\"\" width=\"80\" height=\"22\" data-file-width=\"1024\" data-file-height=\"279\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong><a title=\"Army Service Ribbon\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Army_Service_Ribbon\">Army Service Ribbon<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Army_Overseas_Service_Ribbon.svg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"thumbborder\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/6\/62\/Army_Overseas_Service_Ribbon.svg\/80px-Army_Overseas_Service_Ribbon.svg.png\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/6\/62\/Army_Overseas_Service_Ribbon.svg\/120px-Army_Overseas_Service_Ribbon.svg.png 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/6\/62\/Army_Overseas_Service_Ribbon.svg\/160px-Army_Overseas_Service_Ribbon.svg.png 2x\" alt=\"\" width=\"80\" height=\"22\" data-file-width=\"1024\" data-file-height=\"279\" \/><\/a><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Award_numeral_4.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/f\/f3\/Award_numeral_4.png\/15px-Award_numeral_4.png\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/f\/f3\/Award_numeral_4.png\/23px-Award_numeral_4.png 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/f\/f3\/Award_numeral_4.png\/30px-Award_numeral_4.png 2x\" alt=\"Award numeral 4.png\" width=\"15\" height=\"15\" data-file-width=\"180\" data-file-height=\"180\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong><a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Army Overseas Service Ribbon\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Army_Overseas_Service_Ribbon\">Army Overseas Service Ribbon<\/a> with <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Award numeral\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Award_numeral\">award numeral<\/a> 4<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h4><strong><span id=\"Foreign_decorations\" class=\"mw-headline\">Foreign decorations<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><strong><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Order_of_the_Bath_UK_ribbon.svg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"thumbborder\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/4\/4c\/Order_of_the_Bath_UK_ribbon.svg\/80px-Order_of_the_Bath_UK_ribbon.svg.png\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/4\/4c\/Order_of_the_Bath_UK_ribbon.svg\/120px-Order_of_the_Bath_UK_ribbon.svg.png 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/4\/4c\/Order_of_the_Bath_UK_ribbon.svg\/160px-Order_of_the_Bath_UK_ribbon.svg.png 2x\" alt=\"\" width=\"80\" height=\"22\" data-file-width=\"218\" data-file-height=\"60\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Honorary Knight Commander of the <a title=\"Order of the Bath\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Order_of_the_Bath\">Order of the Bath<\/a> (KCB) (United Kingdom)<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Legion_Honneur_GC_ribbon.svg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"thumbborder\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/b\/ba\/Legion_Honneur_GC_ribbon.svg\/80px-Legion_Honneur_GC_ribbon.svg.png\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/b\/ba\/Legion_Honneur_GC_ribbon.svg\/120px-Legion_Honneur_GC_ribbon.svg.png 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/b\/ba\/Legion_Honneur_GC_ribbon.svg\/160px-Legion_Honneur_GC_ribbon.svg.png 2x\" alt=\"\" width=\"80\" height=\"22\" data-file-width=\"218\" data-file-height=\"60\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong><a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"L\u00e9gion d'honneur\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/L%C3%A9gion_d%27honneur\">L\u00e9gion d&#8217;honneur<\/a>, Grand Cross (France)<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:MSC_ribbon-military.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"thumbborder\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/7\/75\/MSC_ribbon-military.png\/80px-MSC_ribbon-military.png\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/7\/75\/MSC_ribbon-military.png 1.5x\" alt=\"\" width=\"80\" height=\"24\" data-file-width=\"100\" data-file-height=\"30\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong><a title=\"Meritorious Service Cross\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Meritorious_Service_Cross\">Meritorious Service Cross<\/a> (M.S.C.) (Canada)<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:ALB_Order_of_Skanderbeg_-_Knight_BAR.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"thumbborder\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/7\/75\/ALB_Order_of_Skanderbeg_-_Knight_BAR.png\/80px-ALB_Order_of_Skanderbeg_-_Knight_BAR.png\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/7\/75\/ALB_Order_of_Skanderbeg_-_Knight_BAR.png\/120px-ALB_Order_of_Skanderbeg_-_Knight_BAR.png 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/7\/75\/ALB_Order_of_Skanderbeg_-_Knight_BAR.png\/160px-ALB_Order_of_Skanderbeg_-_Knight_BAR.png 2x\" alt=\"\" width=\"80\" height=\"22\" data-file-width=\"218\" data-file-height=\"60\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong><a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Skanderbeg's Order\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Skanderbeg%27s_Order\">Skanderbeg&#8217;s Order<\/a> (Albania)<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Order_Stara_planina_ribbon.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"thumbborder\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/2\/27\/Order_Stara_planina_ribbon.png\/80px-Order_Stara_planina_ribbon.png\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/2\/27\/Order_Stara_planina_ribbon.png 1.5x\" alt=\"\" width=\"80\" height=\"25\" data-file-width=\"96\" data-file-height=\"30\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong><a title=\"Orders, decorations, and medals of Bulgaria\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Orders,_decorations,_and_medals_of_Bulgaria\">Order of Stara Planina in the First Order<\/a> (Bulgaria)<sup id=\"cite_ref-Bulgara2004_46-0\" class=\"reference\"><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Colin_Powell#cite_note-Bulgara2004-46\">[46]<\/a><\/sup><sup id=\"cite_ref-Bulgaria2004photo_47-0\" class=\"reference\"><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Colin_Powell#cite_note-Bulgaria2004photo-47\">[47]<\/a><\/sup><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Gallantry_Cross_Unit_Citation.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"thumbborder\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/a\/a3\/Gallantry_Cross_Unit_Citation.png\/80px-Gallantry_Cross_Unit_Citation.png\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/a\/a3\/Gallantry_Cross_Unit_Citation.png\/120px-Gallantry_Cross_Unit_Citation.png 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/a\/a3\/Gallantry_Cross_Unit_Citation.png\/160px-Gallantry_Cross_Unit_Citation.png 2x\" alt=\"\" width=\"80\" height=\"30\" data-file-width=\"200\" data-file-height=\"75\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong><a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Republic_of_Vietnam_Gallantry_Cross_Unit_Citation\">Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Republic_of_Vietnam_Campaign_Medal_ribbon,_with_60-_clasp.svg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"thumbborder\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/2\/26\/Republic_of_Vietnam_Campaign_Medal_ribbon%2C_with_60-_clasp.svg\/80px-Republic_of_Vietnam_Campaign_Medal_ribbon%2C_with_60-_clasp.svg.png\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/2\/26\/Republic_of_Vietnam_Campaign_Medal_ribbon%2C_with_60-_clasp.svg\/120px-Republic_of_Vietnam_Campaign_Medal_ribbon%2C_with_60-_clasp.svg.png 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/2\/26\/Republic_of_Vietnam_Campaign_Medal_ribbon%2C_with_60-_clasp.svg\/160px-Republic_of_Vietnam_Campaign_Medal_ribbon%2C_with_60-_clasp.svg.png 2x\" alt=\"\" width=\"80\" height=\"22\" data-file-width=\"132\" data-file-height=\"36\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong><a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Republic_of_Vietnam_Campaign_Medal\">Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2><strong><span id=\"Potential_presidential_candidate\" class=\"mw-headline\">Potential presidential candidate<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<div class=\"thumb tleft\">\n<div class=\"thumbinner\">\n<p><strong><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:DA-SD-05-00599.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"thumbimage\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/7\/72\/DA-SD-05-00599.jpg\/170px-DA-SD-05-00599.jpg\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/7\/72\/DA-SD-05-00599.jpg\/255px-DA-SD-05-00599.jpg 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/7\/72\/DA-SD-05-00599.jpg\/340px-DA-SD-05-00599.jpg 2x\" alt=\"\" width=\"170\" height=\"259\" data-file-width=\"887\" data-file-height=\"1350\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"thumbcaption\">\n<div class=\"magnify\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"thumb tleft\">\n<div class=\"thumbinner\">\n<div class=\"thumbcaption\"><strong>General Colin Powell, Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, waves from his motorcade during the Persian Gulf War Welcome Home Parade in New York City.<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Powell&#8217;s experience in military matters made him a very popular figure with both American political parties. Many <a title=\"Democratic Party (United States)\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Democratic_Party_(United_States)\">Democrats<\/a> admired his moderate stance on military matters, while many <a title=\"Republican Party (United States)\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Republican_Party_(United_States)\">Republicans<\/a> saw him as a great asset associated with the successes of past Republican administrations. Put forth as a potential Democratic vice presidential nominee in the <a title=\"1992 United States presidential election\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/1992_United_States_presidential_election\">1992 U.S. presidential election<\/a> or even potentially replacing Vice President <a title=\"Dan Quayle\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Dan_Quayle\">Dan Quayle<\/a> as the Republican vice presidential nominee, Powell eventually declared himself a Republican and began to campaign for Republican candidates in 1995. He was touted as a possible opponent of <a title=\"Bill Clinton\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Bill_Clinton\">Bill Clinton<\/a> in the <a title=\"1996 United States presidential election\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/1996_United_States_presidential_election\">1996 U.S. presidential election<\/a>, possibly capitalizing on a split conservative vote in <a title=\"Iowa\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Iowa\">Iowa<\/a> and even leading <a title=\"New Hampshire\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/New_Hampshire\">New Hampshire<\/a> polls for the GOP nomination, but Powell declined, citing a lack of passion for politics. Powell defeated Clinton 50\u201338 in a hypothetical match-up proposed to voters in the <a title=\"Exit poll\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Exit_poll\">exit polls<\/a> conducted on Election Day. Despite not standing in the race, Powell won the Republican <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"New Hampshire primary\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/New_Hampshire_primary#Vice-Presidential_results\">New Hampshire Vice-Presidential primary<\/a> on write-in votes.<sup id=\"cite_ref-56\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>In 1997, Powell founded <a title=\"America's Promise\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/America%27s_Promise\">America&#8217;s Promise<\/a> with the objective of helping children from all <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Socioeconomic\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Socioeconomic\">socioeconomic<\/a> sectors. That same year saw the establishment of The Colin L. Powell Center for Leadership and Service. The mission of the center is to &#8220;prepare new generations of publicly engaged leaders from populations previously underrepresented in public service and policy circles, to build a strong culture of civic engagement at City College, and to mobilize campus resources to meet pressing community needs and serve the public good.&#8221;<sup id=\"cite_ref-57\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Powell was mentioned as a potential candidate in the <a title=\"2000 United States presidential election\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/2000_United_States_presidential_election\">2000 U.S. presidential election<\/a>, but again decided against running. Once Texas Governor <a title=\"George W. Bush\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/George_W._Bush\">George W. Bush<\/a> secured the Republican nomination, Powell endorsed him for president and spoke at the <a title=\"2000 Republican National Convention\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/2000_Republican_National_Convention\">2000 Republican National Convention<\/a>. Bush won the general election and appointed Powell as Secretary of State.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>In the <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Electoral College (United States)\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Electoral_College_(United_States)\">electoral college<\/a> vote count of <a title=\"2016 United States presidential election\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/2016_United_States_presidential_election\">2016<\/a>, Powell received three votes for president from <a title=\"Faithless elector\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Faithless_elector\">faithless electors<\/a> from <a title=\"Washington (state)\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Washington_(state)\">Washington<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2><strong><span id=\"Secretary_of_State_.282001.E2.80.932005.29\"><\/span><span id=\"Secretary_of_State_(2001\u20132005)\" class=\"mw-headline\">Secretary of State (2001\u20132005)<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<div class=\"thumb tright\">\n<div class=\"thumbinner\">\n<p><strong><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Condoleezza_Rice_Colin_Powell_George_W._Bush_Donald_Rumsfeld.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"thumbimage\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/d\/dc\/Condoleezza_Rice_Colin_Powell_George_W._Bush_Donald_Rumsfeld.jpg\/220px-Condoleezza_Rice_Colin_Powell_George_W._Bush_Donald_Rumsfeld.jpg\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/d\/dc\/Condoleezza_Rice_Colin_Powell_George_W._Bush_Donald_Rumsfeld.jpg\/330px-Condoleezza_Rice_Colin_Powell_George_W._Bush_Donald_Rumsfeld.jpg 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/d\/dc\/Condoleezza_Rice_Colin_Powell_George_W._Bush_Donald_Rumsfeld.jpg\/440px-Condoleezza_Rice_Colin_Powell_George_W._Bush_Donald_Rumsfeld.jpg 2x\" alt=\"\" width=\"220\" height=\"140\" data-file-width=\"514\" data-file-height=\"327\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"thumbcaption\">\n<div class=\"magnify\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"thumb tright\">\n<div class=\"thumbinner\">\n<div class=\"thumbcaption\"><strong>Powell, National Security Advisor <a title=\"Condoleezza Rice\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Condoleezza_Rice\">Condoleezza Rice<\/a> and Secretary of Defense <a title=\"Donald Rumsfeld\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Donald_Rumsfeld\">Donald Rumsfeld<\/a> listen to President <a title=\"George W. Bush\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/George_W._Bush\">George W. Bush<\/a> speak.<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>As <a title=\"United States Secretary of State\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/United_States_Secretary_of_State\">Secretary of State<\/a> in the Bush administration, Powell was perceived as moderate. Powell was unanimously confirmed by the <a title=\"United States Senate\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/United_States_Senate\">United States Senate<\/a>. Over the course of his tenure he traveled less than any other U.S. Secretary of State in 30 years.<sup id=\"cite_ref-WashingtonPost_Kessler_20040714_59-0\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>On September 11, 2001, Powell was in <a title=\"Lima\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Lima\">Lima<\/a>, Peru, meeting with President <a title=\"Alejandro Toledo\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Alejandro_Toledo\">Alejandro Toledo<\/a> and <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"US Ambassador\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/US_Ambassador\">US Ambassador<\/a> John Hamilton, and attending the special session of the <a title=\"General Assembly of the Organization of American States\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/General_Assembly_of_the_Organization_of_American_States\">OAS General Assembly<\/a> that subsequently adopted the <a title=\"Inter-American Democratic Charter\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Inter-American_Democratic_Charter\">Inter-American Democratic Charter<\/a>. After the <a title=\"September 11 attacks\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/September_11_attacks\">September 11 attacks<\/a>, Powell&#8217;s job became of critical importance in managing America&#8217;s relationships with foreign countries in order to secure a stable coalition in the <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"War on Terrorism\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/War_on_Terrorism\">War on Terrorism<\/a>.<sup class=\"noprint Inline-Template Template-Fact\">[<i><a title=\"Wikipedia:Citation needed\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wikipedia:Citation_needed\"><span title=\"This claim needs references to reliable sources. (October 2021)\">citation needed<\/span><\/a><\/i>]<\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Powell came under fire for his role in <a title=\"Rationale for the Iraq War\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rationale_for_the_Iraq_War\">building the case<\/a> for the <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"2003 Invasion of Iraq\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/2003_Invasion_of_Iraq\">2003 Invasion of Iraq<\/a>. In a press statement on February 24, 2001, he had said that <a title=\"International sanctions\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/International_sanctions\">sanctions<\/a> against Iraq had prevented the development of any <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Weapons of mass destruction\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Weapons_of_mass_destruction\">weapons of mass destruction<\/a> by <a title=\"Saddam Hussein\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Saddam_Hussein\">Saddam Hussein<\/a>. As was the case in the days leading up to the <a title=\"Gulf War\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gulf_War\">Persian Gulf War<\/a>, Powell was initially opposed to a forcible overthrow of Saddam, preferring to continue a policy of containment. However, Powell eventually agreed to go along with the Bush administration&#8217;s determination to remove Saddam. He had often clashed with others in the administration, who were reportedly planning an Iraq invasion even before the September 11 attacks, an insight supported by testimony by former terrorism czar <a title=\"Richard A. Clarke\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Richard_A._Clarke\">Richard Clarke<\/a> in front of the <a title=\"9\/11 Commission\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/9\/11_Commission\">9\/11 Commission<\/a>. The main concession Powell wanted before he would offer his full support for the Iraq War was the involvement of the international community in the invasion, as opposed to a <a title=\"Unilateralism\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Unilateralism\">unilateral approach<\/a>. He was also successful in persuading Bush to take the case of Iraq to the United Nations, and in moderating other initiatives. Powell was placed at the forefront of this diplomatic campaign.<sup class=\"noprint Inline-Template Template-Fact\">[<i><a title=\"Wikipedia:Citation needed\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wikipedia:Citation_needed\"><span title=\"This claim needs references to reliable sources. (October 2021)\">citation needed<\/span><\/a><\/i>]<\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"thumb tright\">\n<div class=\"thumbinner\">\n<p><strong><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Powell_UN_Iraq_presentation,_alleged_Mobile_Production_Facilities.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"thumbimage\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/7\/71\/Powell_UN_Iraq_presentation%2C_alleged_Mobile_Production_Facilities.jpg\/300px-Powell_UN_Iraq_presentation%2C_alleged_Mobile_Production_Facilities.jpg\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/7\/71\/Powell_UN_Iraq_presentation%2C_alleged_Mobile_Production_Facilities.jpg\/450px-Powell_UN_Iraq_presentation%2C_alleged_Mobile_Production_Facilities.jpg 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/7\/71\/Powell_UN_Iraq_presentation%2C_alleged_Mobile_Production_Facilities.jpg 2x\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" data-file-width=\"600\" data-file-height=\"450\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"thumbcaption\">\n<div class=\"magnify\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"thumb tright\">\n<div class=\"thumbinner\">\n<div class=\"thumbcaption\"><strong>Computer-generated image of an alleged <a title=\"Mobile weapons laboratory\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Mobile_weapons_laboratory\">mobile production facility for biological weapons<\/a>, presented by Powell at the UN <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"The UN Security Council and the Iraq war\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_UN_Security_Council_and_the_Iraq_war\">Security Council<\/a>. On May 27, 2003, US and UK experts examined the trailers and declared they had nothing to do with <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Biological weapon\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Biological_weapon\">biological weapons<\/a>.<sup id=\"cite_ref-WashingtonPost_Warrick_20060412_60-0\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"thumb tright\">\n<div class=\"thumbinner\">\n<p><strong><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Colin_Powell_anthrax_vial._5_Feb_2003_at_the_UN.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"thumbimage\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/b\/ba\/Colin_Powell_anthrax_vial._5_Feb_2003_at_the_UN.jpg\/220px-Colin_Powell_anthrax_vial._5_Feb_2003_at_the_UN.jpg\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/b\/ba\/Colin_Powell_anthrax_vial._5_Feb_2003_at_the_UN.jpg\/330px-Colin_Powell_anthrax_vial._5_Feb_2003_at_the_UN.jpg 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/b\/ba\/Colin_Powell_anthrax_vial._5_Feb_2003_at_the_UN.jpg 2x\" alt=\"\" width=\"220\" height=\"153\" data-file-width=\"410\" data-file-height=\"285\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"thumbcaption\">\n<div class=\"magnify\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"thumb tright\">\n<div class=\"thumbinner\">\n<div class=\"thumbcaption\"><strong>Powell holding a <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"2001 anthrax attack\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/2001_anthrax_attack\">model vial of anthrax<\/a> while giving a presentation to the <a title=\"United Nations Security Council\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/United_Nations_Security_Council\">United Nations Security Council<\/a> in February 2003.<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Powell&#8217;s chief role was to <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"The UN Security Council and the Iraq war\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_UN_Security_Council_and_the_Iraq_war\">garner international support<\/a> for a multi-national <a title=\"Coalition\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Coalition\">coalition<\/a> to mount the invasion. To this end, Powell <a title=\"United Nations Security Council and the Iraq War\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/United_Nations_Security_Council_and_the_Iraq_War#Colin_Powell's_presentation\">addressed a plenary session<\/a> of the <a title=\"United Nations Security Council\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/United_Nations_Security_Council\">United Nations Security Council<\/a> on February 5, 2003, to argue in favor of military action. Citing numerous anonymous Iraqi defectors, Powell asserted that &#8220;there can be no doubt that Saddam Hussein has biological weapons and the capability to rapidly produce more, many more.&#8221; Powell also stated that there was &#8220;no doubt in my mind&#8221; that Saddam was working to obtain key components to produce nuclear weapons.<sup id=\"cite_ref-UNSC_Powell_20030205_61-0\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"thumb tleft\">\n<div class=\"thumbinner\">\n<p><strong><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:US_Navy_050105-N-0057P-171_Secretary_of_State_Colin_Powell_walks_with_Indonesian_President_Susilo_Yudhoyono_after_departing_his_plane_in_Banda_Aceh,_Sumatra,_Indonesia.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"thumbimage\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/1\/17\/US_Navy_050105-N-0057P-171_Secretary_of_State_Colin_Powell_walks_with_Indonesian_President_Susilo_Yudhoyono_after_departing_his_plane_in_Banda_Aceh%2C_Sumatra%2C_Indonesia.jpg\/175px-thumbnail.jpg\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/1\/17\/US_Navy_050105-N-0057P-171_Secretary_of_State_Colin_Powell_walks_with_Indonesian_President_Susilo_Yudhoyono_after_departing_his_plane_in_Banda_Aceh%2C_Sumatra%2C_Indonesia.jpg\/263px-thumbnail.jpg 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/1\/17\/US_Navy_050105-N-0057P-171_Secretary_of_State_Colin_Powell_walks_with_Indonesian_President_Susilo_Yudhoyono_after_departing_his_plane_in_Banda_Aceh%2C_Sumatra%2C_Indonesia.jpg\/350px-thumbnail.jpg 2x\" alt=\"\" width=\"175\" height=\"245\" data-file-width=\"1500\" data-file-height=\"2100\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"thumbcaption\">\n<div class=\"magnify\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"thumb tleft\">\n<div class=\"thumbinner\">\n<div class=\"thumbcaption\"><strong>Secretary Powell with Indonesian Coordinating Minister for People&#8217;s Welfare, <a title=\"Alwi Shihab\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Alwi_Shihab\">Alwi Shihab<\/a> during a visit to <a title=\"Banda Aceh\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Banda_Aceh\">Banda Aceh<\/a> following the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami. December 26, 2004 Tsunami that struck South East Asia<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Most observers praised Powell&#8217;s oratorical skills. However, Britain&#8217;s <i><a title=\"Channel 4 News\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Channel_4_News\">Channel 4 News<\/a><\/i> reported soon afterwards that a <a title=\"Iraq Dossier\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Iraq_Dossier\">UK intelligence dossier<\/a> that Powell had referred to as a &#8220;fine paper&#8221; during his presentation had been based on old material and <a title=\"Plagiarism\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Plagiarism\">plagiarized<\/a> an essay by American graduate student <a title=\"Ibrahim al-Marashi\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Ibrahim_al-Marashi\">Ibrahim al-Marashi<\/a>.<sup id=\"cite_ref-62\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>A 2004 report by the <a title=\"Iraq Survey Group\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Iraq_Survey_Group\">Iraq Survey Group<\/a> concluded that the evidence that Powell offered to support the allegation that the Iraqi government possessed <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Weapons of mass destruction\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Weapons_of_mass_destruction\">weapons of mass destruction<\/a> (WMDs) was inaccurate.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>In an interview with Charlie Rose, Powell contended that prior to his UN presentation, he had merely four days to review the data concerning WMD in Iraq.<sup id=\"cite_ref-64\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>A Senate report on intelligence failures would later detail the intense debate that went on behind the scenes on what to include in Powell&#8217;s speech. State Department analysts had found dozens of factual problems in drafts of the speech. Some of the claims were taken out, but others were left in, such as claims based on the <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Yellowcake forgery\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Yellowcake_forgery\">yellowcake forgery<\/a>. The administration came under fire for having acted on faulty intelligence, particularly what was single-sourced to the informant known as <a title=\"Curveball (informant)\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Curveball_(informant)\">Curveball<\/a>. Powell later recounted how Vice President <a title=\"Dick Cheney\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Dick_Cheney\">Dick Cheney<\/a> had joked with him before he gave the speech, telling him, &#8220;You&#8217;ve got high poll ratings; you can afford to lose a few points.&#8221; Powell&#8217;s longtime <a title=\"Aide-de-camp\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Aide-de-camp\">aide-de-camp<\/a> and Chief of Staff from 1989 to 2003, Colonel <a title=\"Lawrence Wilkerson\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Lawrence_Wilkerson\">Lawrence Wilkerson<\/a>, later characterized Cheney&#8217;s view of Powell&#8217;s mission as to &#8220;go up there and sell it, and we&#8217;ll have moved forward a peg or two. Fall on your damn sword and kill yourself, and I&#8217;ll be happy, too.&#8221;<sup id=\"cite_ref-DeYoung2006_66-0\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>In September 2005, Powell was asked about the speech during an interview with <a title=\"Barbara Walters\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Barbara_Walters\">Barbara Walters<\/a> and responded that it was a &#8220;blot&#8221; on his record. He went on to say, &#8220;It will always be a part of my record. It was painful. It&#8217;s painful now.&#8221;<sup id=\"cite_ref-ABC_20050908_67-0\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Wilkerson said that he inadvertently participated in a hoax on the American people in preparing Powell&#8217;s erroneous testimony before the United Nations Security Council.<sup id=\"cite_ref-PBS_Brancaccio_20060203_68-0\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Because Powell was seen as more moderate than most figures in the administration, he was spared many of the attacks that have been leveled at more controversial advocates of the invasion, such as <a title=\"Donald Rumsfeld\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Donald_Rumsfeld\">Donald Rumsfeld<\/a> and <a title=\"Paul Wolfowitz\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Paul_Wolfowitz\">Paul Wolfowitz<\/a>. At times, infighting among the Powell-led State Department, the Rumsfeld-led Defense Department, and Cheney&#8217;s office had the effect of polarizing the administration on crucial issues, such as what actions to take regarding <a title=\"Iran\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Iran\">Iran<\/a> and <a title=\"North Korea\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/North_Korea\">North Korea<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"thumb tright\">\n<div class=\"thumbinner\">\n<p><strong><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Jaap_de_Hoop_Scheffer.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"thumbimage\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/1\/12\/Jaap_de_Hoop_Scheffer.jpg\/170px-Jaap_de_Hoop_Scheffer.jpg\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/1\/12\/Jaap_de_Hoop_Scheffer.jpg\/255px-Jaap_de_Hoop_Scheffer.jpg 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/1\/12\/Jaap_de_Hoop_Scheffer.jpg\/340px-Jaap_de_Hoop_Scheffer.jpg 2x\" alt=\"\" width=\"170\" height=\"231\" data-file-width=\"600\" data-file-height=\"816\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"thumbcaption\">\n<div class=\"magnify\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"thumb tright\">\n<div class=\"thumbinner\">\n<div class=\"thumbcaption\"><strong>Secretary Powell with NATO Secretary General <a title=\"Jaap de Hoop Scheffer\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Jaap_de_Hoop_Scheffer\">Jaap de Hoop Scheffer<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>After <a title=\"Saddam Hussein\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Saddam_Hussein\">Saddam Hussein<\/a> had been deposed, Powell&#8217;s new role was to once again establish a working international coalition, this time to assist in the rebuilding of post-war Iraq. On September 13, 2004, Powell testified before the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee,<sup id=\"cite_ref-WashingtonPost_Pincus_20040914_69-0\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup> acknowledging that the sources who provided much of the information in his February 2003 UN presentation were &#8220;wrong&#8221; and that it was &#8220;unlikely&#8221; that any stockpiles of WMDs would be found. Claiming that he was unaware that some intelligence officials questioned the information prior to his presentation, Powell pushed for reform in the intelligence community, including the creation of a national intelligence director who would assure that &#8220;what one person knew, everyone else knew.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Additionally, Powell has been critical of other aspects of <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"U.S. foreign policy\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/U.S._foreign_policy\">U.S. foreign policy<\/a> in the past, such as its support for the <a title=\"1973 Chilean coup d'\u00e9tat\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/1973_Chilean_coup_d%27%C3%A9tat\">1973 Chilean coup d&#8217;\u00e9tat<\/a>. From two separate interviews in 2003, Powell stated in one about the 1973 event &#8220;I can&#8217;t justify or explain the actions and decisions that were made at that time. It was a different time. There was a great deal of concern about communism in this part of the world. Communism was a threat to the <a title=\"Democracy\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Democracy\">democracies<\/a> in this part of the world. It was a threat to the United States.&#8221; In another interview, however, he also simply stated &#8220;With respect to your earlier comment about <a title=\"Chile\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Chile\">Chile<\/a> in the 1970s and what happened with <a title=\"Salvador Allende\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Salvador_Allende\">Mr. Allende<\/a>, it is not a part of American history that we&#8217;re proud of.&#8221;<sup id=\"cite_ref-71\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>In September 2004, Powell described the <a title=\"Darfur genocide\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Darfur_genocide\">Darfur genocide<\/a> as &#8220;genocide&#8221;, thus becoming the first cabinet member to apply the term &#8220;genocide&#8221; to events in an ongoing conflict.<sup id=\"cite_ref-72\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>In November the president &#8220;forced Powell to resign,&#8221; says <a title=\"Walter LaFeber\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Walter_LaFeber\">Walter LaFeber<\/a>. Powell announced his resignation as Secretary of State on November 15, 2004. shortly after Bush was reelected. He had been asked to resign by the president&#8217;s chief of staff, <a title=\"Andrew Card\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Andrew_Card\">Andrew Card<\/a>. Powell announced that he would stay on until the end of Bush&#8217;s first term or until his replacement&#8217;s confirmation by Congress. The following day, Bush nominated National Security Advisor <a title=\"Condoleezza Rice\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Condoleezza_Rice\">Condoleezza Rice<\/a> as Powell&#8217;s successor. News of Powell&#8217;s expulsion spurred mixed reactions from politicians around the world\u00a0\u2014 some upset at the loss of a statesman seen as a moderating factor within the Bush administration, but others hoping for Powell&#8217;s successor to wield more influence within the cabinet.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>In mid-November, Powell stated that he had seen new evidence suggesting that <a title=\"Iran\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Iran\">Iran<\/a> was adapting missiles for a nuclear delivery system.\u00a0 <sup id=\"cite_ref-NYT_Sciolino_20041118_74-0\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup> The accusation came at the same time as the settlement of an agreement between Iran, the <a title=\"International Atomic Energy Agency\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/International_Atomic_Energy_Agency\">IAEA<\/a>, and the European Union.<sup class=\"noprint Inline-Template Template-Fact\">[<i><a title=\"Wikipedia:Citation needed\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wikipedia:Citation_needed\"><span title=\"This claim needs references to reliable sources. (October 2021)\">citation needed<\/span><\/a><\/i>]<\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>On December 31, 2004, Powell rang in the New Year by pressing a button in <a title=\"Times Square\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Times_Square\">Times Square<\/a> with <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"New York City Mayor\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/New_York_City_Mayor\">New York City Mayor<\/a> <a title=\"Michael Bloomberg\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Michael_Bloomberg\">Michael Bloomberg<\/a> to initiate the <a title=\"Times Square Ball\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Times_Square_Ball\">ball drop<\/a> and 60 second countdown, ushering in the year 2005. He appeared on the networks that were broadcasting New Year&#8217;s Eve specials and talked about this honor, as well as being a native of New York City.<sup id=\"cite_ref-CNN_Anderson_20041231_75-0\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Although biographer Jeffrey J. Matthews is highly critical of how Powell misled the United Nations Security Council regarding weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, he credits Powell with a series of achievements at the State Department. These include restoration of morale to a psychologically demoralized professional diplomats, leadership of the international HIV\/AIDs initiative, resolving a crisis with China, and blocking efforts to tie Saddam Hussein to the 9\/11 attacks on the United States.<sup id=\"cite_ref-76\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n<h2><strong><span id=\"Life_after_diplomatic_service\" class=\"mw-headline\">Life after diplomatic service<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong>After retiring from the role of Secretary of State, Powell returned to private life. In April 2005, he was privately telephoned by Republican senators <a title=\"Lincoln Chafee\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Lincoln_Chafee\">Lincoln Chafee<\/a> and <a title=\"Chuck Hagel\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Chuck_Hagel\">Chuck Hagel<\/a>, at which time Powell expressed reservations and mixed reviews about the nomination of <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"John R. Bolton\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/John_R._Bolton\">John R. Bolton<\/a> as ambassador to the United Nations, but refrained from advising the senators to oppose Bolton (Powell had clashed with Bolton during Bush&#8217;s first term). The decision was viewed as potentially dealing significant damage to Bolton&#8217;s chances of confirmation. Bolton was put into the position via a <a title=\"Recess appointment\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Recess_appointment\">recess appointment<\/a> because of the strong opposition in the Senate.<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"thumb tleft\">\n<div class=\"thumbinner\">\n<p><strong><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Ki-moon_Powell.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"thumbimage\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/6\/67\/Ki-moon_Powell.jpg\/220px-Ki-moon_Powell.jpg\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/6\/67\/Ki-moon_Powell.jpg\/330px-Ki-moon_Powell.jpg 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/6\/67\/Ki-moon_Powell.jpg\/440px-Ki-moon_Powell.jpg 2x\" alt=\"\" width=\"220\" height=\"218\" data-file-width=\"600\" data-file-height=\"594\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"thumbcaption\">\n<div class=\"magnify\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"thumb tleft\">\n<div class=\"thumbinner\">\n<div class=\"thumbcaption\"><strong>Powell with <a title=\"Ban Ki-moon\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Ban_Ki-moon\">Ban Ki-moon<\/a>, 2004.<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>On April 28, 2005, an opinion piece in <i><a title=\"The Guardian\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Guardian\">The Guardian<\/a><\/i> by <a title=\"Sidney Blumenthal\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Sidney_Blumenthal\">Sidney Blumenthal<\/a> (a former top aide to President <a title=\"Bill Clinton\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Bill_Clinton\">Bill Clinton<\/a>) claimed that Powell was in fact &#8220;conducting a campaign&#8221; against Bolton because of the acrimonious battles they had had while working together, which among other things had resulted in Powell cutting Bolton out of talks with Iran and <a title=\"Libya\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Libya\">Libya<\/a> after complaints about Bolton&#8217;s involvement from the British. Blumenthal added that &#8220;The foreign relations committee has discovered that Bolton made a highly unusual request and gained access to 10 intercepts by the <a title=\"National Security Agency\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/National_Security_Agency\">National Security Agency<\/a>. Staff members on the committee believe that Bolton was probably spying on Powell, his senior advisors and other officials reporting to him on diplomatic initiatives that Bolton opposed.&#8221;<sup id=\"cite_ref-Guardian_Blumenthal_20050428_79-0\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>In July 2005, Powell joined <a title=\"Kleiner Perkins\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Kleiner_Perkins\">Kleiner Perkins<\/a>, a well-known <a title=\"Silicon Valley\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Silicon_Valley\">Silicon Valley<\/a> <a title=\"Venture capital\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Venture_capital\">venture capital<\/a> firm, with the title of &#8220;strategic limited partner.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>In September 2005, Powell criticized the response to <a title=\"Hurricane Katrina\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Hurricane_Katrina\">Hurricane Katrina<\/a>.<sup id=\"cite_ref-BBC_20050909_80-0\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup> Powell said that thousands of people were not properly protected, but because they were poor rather than because they were black.<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"thumb tright\">\n<div class=\"thumbinner\">\n<p><strong><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:King_Abdullah_with_Dick_Cheney_George_H.W._Bush,_August_2005.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"thumbimage\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/4\/42\/King_Abdullah_with_Dick_Cheney_George_H.W._Bush%2C_August_2005.jpg\/220px-King_Abdullah_with_Dick_Cheney_George_H.W._Bush%2C_August_2005.jpg\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/4\/42\/King_Abdullah_with_Dick_Cheney_George_H.W._Bush%2C_August_2005.jpg\/330px-King_Abdullah_with_Dick_Cheney_George_H.W._Bush%2C_August_2005.jpg 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/4\/42\/King_Abdullah_with_Dick_Cheney_George_H.W._Bush%2C_August_2005.jpg\/440px-King_Abdullah_with_Dick_Cheney_George_H.W._Bush%2C_August_2005.jpg 2x\" alt=\"\" width=\"220\" height=\"166\" data-file-width=\"514\" data-file-height=\"389\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"thumbcaption\">\n<div class=\"magnify\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"thumb tright\">\n<div class=\"thumbinner\">\n<div class=\"thumbcaption\"><strong>Powell walks with newly crowned King <a title=\"Abdullah of Saudi Arabia\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Abdullah_of_Saudi_Arabia\">Abdullah of Saudi Arabia<\/a>, Vice President <a title=\"Dick Cheney\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Dick_Cheney\">Dick Cheney<\/a>, and former President <a title=\"George H. W. Bush\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/George_H._W._Bush\">George H. W. Bush<\/a>, Saudi Arabia, August 2005.<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>On January 5, 2006, he participated in a meeting at the <a title=\"White House\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/White_House\">White House<\/a> of former Secretaries of Defense and State to discuss United States foreign policy with Bush administration officials. In September 2006, Powell sided with more moderate Senate Republicans in supporting more rights for detainees and opposing President Bush&#8217;s terrorism bill. He backed Senators <a title=\"John Warner\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/John_Warner\">John Warner<\/a>, <a title=\"John McCain\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/John_McCain\">John McCain<\/a> and <a title=\"Lindsey Graham\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Lindsey_Graham\">Lindsey Graham<\/a> in their statement that U.S. military and intelligence personnel in future wars will suffer for abuses committed in 2006 by the U.S. in the name of fighting terrorism. Powell stated that &#8220;The world is beginning to doubt the moral basis of our fight against terrorism.&#8221;<sup id=\"cite_ref-BBC_20060915_81-0\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Also in 2006, Powell began appearing as a speaker at a series of motivational events called <i>Get Motivated<\/i>, along with former New York Mayor <a title=\"Rudy Giuliani\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Rudy_Giuliani\">Rudy Giuliani<\/a>. In his speeches for the tour, he openly criticized the Bush Administration on a number of issues. Powell has been the recipient of mild criticism for his role with <i>Get Motivated<\/i> which has been called a &#8220;get-rich-quick-without-much-effort, feel-good schemology.&#8221;<sup id=\"cite_ref-AmericanSatellite_Wilken_20080907_82-0\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>In 2007, he joined the board of directors of <a title=\"Steve Case\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Steve_Case\">Steve Case<\/a>&#8216;s new company <a title=\"Revolution Health Group\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Revolution_Health_Group\">Revolution Health<\/a>. Powell also served on the <a title=\"Council on Foreign Relations\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Council_on_Foreign_Relations\">Council on Foreign Relations<\/a> Board of directors.<sup id=\"cite_ref-CFR_83-0\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Powell, in honor of <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Martin Luther King Day\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Martin_Luther_King_Day\">Martin Luther King Day<\/a>, dropped the ceremonial first puck at a <a title=\"New York Islanders\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/New_York_Islanders\">New York Islanders<\/a> <a title=\"Ice hockey\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Ice_hockey\">ice hockey<\/a> game at <a title=\"Nassau Coliseum\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Nassau_Coliseum\">Nassau Coliseum<\/a> on January 21, 2008. On November 11, 2008, Powell again dropped the puck in recognition of <a title=\"Military Appreciation Day\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Military_Appreciation_Day\">Military Appreciation Day<\/a> and <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Veterans Day (United States)\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Veterans_Day_(United_States)\">Veterans Day<\/a>.<sup id=\"cite_ref-84\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>In 2008, Powell encouraged young people to continue to use new technologies to their advantage in the future. In a speech at the <a title=\"Center for Strategic and International Studies\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Center_for_Strategic_and_International_Studies\">Center for Strategic and International Studies<\/a> to a room of young professionals, he said, &#8220;That&#8217;s your generation&#8230;a generation that is hard-wired digital, a generation that understands the power of the information revolution and how it is transforming the world. A generation that you represent, and you&#8217;re coming together to share; to debate; to decide; to connect with each other.&#8221;<sup id=\"cite_ref-CSIS_20080708_86-0\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup> At this event, he encouraged the next generation to involve themselves politically on the upcoming Next America Project, which uses online debate to provide policy recommendations for the upcoming administration.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>In 2008, Powell served as a spokesperson for <a title=\"National Mentoring Month\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/National_Mentoring_Month\">National Mentoring Month<\/a>, a campaign held each January to recruit volunteer mentors for at-risk youth.<sup id=\"cite_ref-mentor2008_87-0\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Soon after <a title=\"Barack Obama\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Barack_Obama\">Barack Obama<\/a>&#8216;s <a title=\"2008 United States presidential election\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/2008_United_States_presidential_election\">2008 election<\/a>, Powell began being mentioned as a possible <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"United States Cabinet\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/United_States_Cabinet\">cabinet<\/a> member.<sup id=\"cite_ref-88\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup> He was not nominated.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>In September 2009, Powell advised President Obama against surging US forces in Afghanistan.<sup id=\"cite_ref-89\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup> The president announced the surge the following December.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>On March 14, 2014, <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Salesforce.com\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Salesforce.com\">Salesforce.com<\/a> announced that Powell had joined its board of directors.<sup id=\"cite_ref-90\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n<h2><strong><span id=\"Political_positions\" class=\"mw-headline\">Political positions<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Powell was a moderate Republican from 1995 until 2021, when he became an <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Political independent\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Political_independent\">independent<\/a> following the <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"2021 storming of the United States Capitol\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/2021_storming_of_the_United_States_Capitol\">storming of the U.S. Capitol<\/a>. He showed support for <a title=\"Modern liberalism in the United States\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Modern_liberalism_in_the_United_States\">liberal<\/a> or centrist causes. He was <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Pro-choice\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Pro-choice\">pro-choice<\/a> regarding abortion, and in favor of &#8220;reasonable&#8221; <a title=\"Gun control\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gun_control\">gun control<\/a>. He stated in his autobiography that he supported <a title=\"Affirmative action\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Affirmative_action\">affirmative action<\/a> that levels the playing field, without giving a leg up to undeserving persons because of racial issues. Powell was also instrumental in the 1993 implementation of the military&#8217;s <a title=\"Don't ask, don't tell\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Don%27t_ask,_don%27t_tell\">don&#8217;t ask, don&#8217;t tell<\/a> policy, though he later supported its repeal as proposed by <a title=\"Robert Gates\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Robert_Gates\">Robert Gates<\/a> and Admiral <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Mike Mullen\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Mike_Mullen\">Mike Mullen<\/a> in January 2010, saying &#8220;circumstances had changed.&#8221;<sup id=\"cite_ref-93\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n<table class=\"infobox\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"infobox-above\" colspan=\"2\"><strong>External video<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"infobox-full-data\" colspan=\"2\"><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/1\/1b\/Nuvola_apps_kaboodle.svg\/16px-Nuvola_apps_kaboodle.svg.png\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/1\/1b\/Nuvola_apps_kaboodle.svg\/24px-Nuvola_apps_kaboodle.svg.png 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/1\/1b\/Nuvola_apps_kaboodle.svg\/32px-Nuvola_apps_kaboodle.svg.png 2x\" alt=\"video icon\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" data-file-width=\"128\" data-file-height=\"128\" \/> <a class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/www.c-span.org\/video\/?68953-1\/american-journey\" rel=\"nofollow\"><i>Booknotes<\/i> interview with Powell on <i>My American Journey<\/i>, January 7, 1996<\/a>, <a title=\"C-SPAN\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/C-SPAN\">C-SPAN<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><strong>The Vietnam War had a profound effect on Powell&#8217;s views of the proper use of military force. These views are described in detail in the autobiography <i>My American Journey<\/i>. The <a title=\"Powell Doctrine\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Powell_Doctrine\">Powell Doctrine<\/a>, as the views became known, was a central component of U.S. policy in the <a title=\"Gulf War\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gulf_War\">Persian Gulf War<\/a> (the first U.S. war in Iraq) and <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"War in Afghanistan (2001\u2013present)\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/War_in_Afghanistan_(2001%E2%80%93present)\">U.S. invasion of Afghanistan<\/a> (the overthrow of the <a title=\"Taliban\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Taliban\">Taliban<\/a> regime in <a title=\"Afghanistan\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Afghanistan\">Afghanistan<\/a> following the <a title=\"September 11 attacks\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/September_11_attacks\">September 11 attacks<\/a>). The hallmark of both operations was strong international cooperation, and the use of overwhelming military force.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Powell gained attention in 2004 when, in a conversation with <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Secretary_of_State_for_Foreign_and_Commonwealth_Affairs\">British Foreign Secretary<\/a> <a title=\"Jack Straw\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Jack_Straw\">Jack Straw<\/a>, he reportedly referred to <a title=\"Neoconservatism\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Neoconservatism\">neoconservatives<\/a> within the Bush administration as &#8220;fucking crazies&#8221;.<sup id=\"cite_ref-Guardian_Blumenthal_20041118_94-0\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup> In addition to being reported in the press (although the expletive was generally censored in the U.S. press), the quotation was used by British journalist <a title=\"James Naughtie\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/James_Naughtie\">James Naughtie<\/a> in his book, <i>The Accidental American: Tony Blair and the Presidency<\/i>, and by former Hong Kong governor <a title=\"Chris Patten\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Chris_Patten\">Chris Patten<\/a> in his book, <i>Cousins and Strangers: America, Britain, and Europe in a New Century<\/i>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>In a September 2006 letter to Sen. <a title=\"John McCain\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/John_McCain\">John McCain<\/a>, General Powell expressed opposition to President Bush&#8217;s push for <a title=\"Guantanamo military commission\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Guantanamo_military_commission\">military tribunals<\/a> of those formerly and currently classified as <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Enemy combatants\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Enemy_combatants\">enemy combatants<\/a>. Specifically, he objected to the effort in Congress to &#8220;redefine Common Article 3 of the Geneva Convention.&#8221; He also asserted: &#8220;The world is beginning to doubt the moral basis of our fight against terrorism.&#8221;<sup id=\"cite_ref-95\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n<h3><strong><span id=\"Justifying_the_Iraq_War\" class=\"mw-headline\">Justifying the Iraq War<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>While Powell was wary of a military solution, he supported the decision to invade Iraq after the Bush administration concluded that diplomatic efforts had failed. After his departure from the State Department, Powell repeatedly emphasized his continued support for American involvement in the <a title=\"Iraq War\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Iraq_War\">Iraq War<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>At the 2007 Aspen Ideas Festival in Colorado, Powell revealed that he had spent two and a half hours explaining to President Bush &#8220;the consequences of going into an Arab country and becoming the occupiers&#8221;. During this discussion, he insisted that the U.S. appeal to the United Nations first, but if diplomacy failed, he would support the invasion: &#8220;I also had to say to him that you are the President, you will have to make the ultimate judgment, and if the judgment is this isn&#8217;t working and we don&#8217;t think it is going to solve the problem, then if military action is undertaken I&#8217;m with you, I support you.&#8221;<sup id=\"cite_ref-97\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>In a 2008 interview on <a title=\"CNN\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/CNN\">CNN<\/a>, Powell reiterated his support for the 2003 decision to <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"2003 Invasion of Iraq\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/2003_Invasion_of_Iraq\">invade Iraq<\/a> in the context of his endorsement of <a title=\"Barack Obama\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Barack_Obama\">Barack Obama<\/a>, stating: &#8220;My role has been very, very straightforward. I wanted to avoid a war. The president [Bush] agreed with me. We tried to do that. We couldn&#8217;t get it through the U.N. and when the president made the decision, I supported that decision. And I&#8217;ve never blinked from that. I&#8217;ve never said I didn&#8217;t support a decision to go to war.&#8221;<sup id=\"cite_ref-edition.cnn.com_98-0\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Powell&#8217;s position on the <a title=\"Iraq War troop surge of 2007\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Iraq_War_troop_surge_of_2007\">Iraq War troop surge of 2007<\/a> was less consistent. In December 2006, he expressed skepticism that the strategy would work and whether the U.S. military had enough troops to carry it out successfully. He stated: &#8220;I am not persuaded that another surge of troops into Baghdad for the purposes of suppressing this communitarian violence, this civil war, will work.&#8221; Following his endorsement of Barack Obama in October 2008, however, Powell praised <a title=\"David Petraeus\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/David_Petraeus\">General David Petraeus<\/a> and U.S. troops, as well as the Iraqi government, concluding that &#8220;it&#8217;s starting to turn around&#8221;. By mid-2009, he had concluded a surge of U.S. forces in Iraq should have come sooner, perhaps in late 2003. Throughout this period, Powell consistently argued that Iraqi political progress was essential, not just military force.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3><strong><span id=\"Role_in_presidential_election_of_2008\" class=\"mw-headline\">Role in presidential election of 2008<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Powell donated the maximum allowable amount to <a title=\"John McCain\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/John_McCain\">John McCain<\/a>&#8216;s campaign in the summer of 2007<sup id=\"cite_ref-CNN_Henry_20070809_101-0\" class=\"reference\"><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Colin_Powell#cite_note-CNN_Henry_20070809-101\">[101]<\/a><\/sup> and in early 2008, his name was listed as a possible <a title=\"Running mate\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Running_mate\">running mate<\/a> for Republican nominee McCain&#8217;s bid during the <a title=\"2008 United States presidential election\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/2008_United_States_presidential_election\">2008 U.S. presidential election<\/a>.<sup id=\"cite_ref-Reuters_Holland_20080305_102-0\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>McCain won the Republican presidential nomination, but the Democrats nominated the first black candidate, Senator <a title=\"Barack Obama\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Barack_Obama\">Barack Obama<\/a> of Illinois. On October 19, 2008, Powell announced his endorsement of Obama during a <i><a title=\"Meet the Press\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Meet_the_Press\">Meet the Press<\/a><\/i> interview, citing &#8220;his ability to inspire, because of the inclusive nature of his campaign, because he is reaching out all across America, because of who he is and his rhetorical abilities&#8221;, in addition to his &#8220;style and substance.&#8221; He additionally referred to Obama as a &#8220;transformational figure&#8221;. Powell further questioned McCain&#8217;s judgment in appointing <a title=\"Sarah Palin\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Sarah_Palin\">Sarah Palin<\/a> as the vice presidential candidate, stating that despite the fact that she is admired, &#8220;now that we have had a chance to watch her for some seven weeks, I don&#8217;t believe she&#8217;s ready to be president of the United States, which is the job of the vice president.&#8221; He said that Obama&#8217;s choice for vice-president, <a title=\"Joe Biden\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Joe_Biden\">Joe Biden<\/a>, was ready to be president. He also added that he was &#8220;troubled&#8221; by the &#8220;false intimations that Obama was Muslim.&#8221; Powell stated that &#8220;[Obama] is a Christian\u2014he&#8217;s always been a Christian&#8230; But the really right answer is, what if he is? Is there something wrong with being a Muslim in this country? The answer&#8217;s no, that&#8217;s not America.&#8221; Powell then mentioned <a title=\"Kareem Rashad Sultan Khan\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Kareem_Rashad_Sultan_Khan\">Kareem Rashad Sultan Khan<\/a>, a <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"List of North American Muslims\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/List_of_North_American_Muslims\">Muslim American<\/a> soldier in the <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"U.S. Army\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/U.S._Army\">U.S. Army<\/a> who served and died in the Iraq War. He later stated, &#8220;Over the last seven weeks, the approach of the Republican Party has become narrower and narrower [&#8230;] I look at these kind of approaches to the campaign, and they trouble me.&#8221; Powell concluded his <a title=\"Sunday morning talk show\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Sunday_morning_talk_show\">Sunday morning talk show<\/a> comments, &#8220;It isn&#8217;t easy for me to disappoint Sen. McCain in the way that I have this morning, and I regret that [&#8230;] I think we need a <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Transformational figure\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Transformational_figure\">transformational figure<\/a>. I think we need a president who is a <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Generational change\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Generational_change\">generational change<\/a> and that&#8217;s why I&#8217;m supporting Barack Obama, not out of any lack of respect or admiration for Sen. John McCain.&#8221; Later in a December 12, 2008, <a title=\"CNN\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/CNN\">CNN<\/a> interview with <a title=\"Fareed Zakaria\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fareed_Zakaria\">Fareed Zakaria<\/a>, Powell reiterated his belief that during the last few months of the campaign, Palin pushed the Republican party further to the <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Political right\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Political_right\">right<\/a> and had a polarizing impact on it.<sup id=\"cite_ref-106\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>When asked why he is still a Republican on <i>Meet the Press<\/i> he said, &#8220;I&#8217;m still a Republican. And I think the Republican Party needs me more than the Democratic Party needs me. And you can be a Republican and still feel strongly about issues such as immigration, and improving our education system, and doing something about some of the social problems that exist in our society and our country. I don&#8217;t think there&#8217;s anything inconsistent with this.&#8221;<sup id=\"cite_ref-107\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n<h3><strong><span id=\"Views_on_the_Obama_administration\" class=\"mw-headline\">Views on the Obama administration<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>In a July 2009 <a title=\"CNN\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/CNN\">CNN<\/a> interview with <a title=\"John King (journalist)\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/John_King_(journalist)\">John King<\/a>, Powell expressed concern over President Obama growing the size of the federal government and the size of the federal budget deficit. In September 2010, he criticized the <a title=\"Presidency of Barack Obama\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Presidency_of_Barack_Obama\">Obama administration<\/a> for not focusing &#8220;like a razor blade&#8221; on the economy and job creation. Powell reiterated that Obama was a &#8220;transformational figure.&#8221; In a video that aired on CNN.com in November 2011, Colin Powell said in reference to Barack Obama, &#8220;many of his decisions have been quite sound. The financial system was put back on a stable basis.&#8221;<sup id=\"cite_ref-110\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>On October 25, 2012, 12 days before the <a title=\"2012 United States presidential election\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/2012_United_States_presidential_election\">presidential election<\/a>, he gave his endorsement to President Obama for re-election during a broadcast of <i><a title=\"CBS This Morning\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/CBS_This_Morning\">CBS This Morning<\/a><\/i>. He cited success and forward progress in foreign and domestic policy arenas under the Obama administration. As additional reason for his endorsement, Powell cited the changing positions and perceived lack of thoughtfulness of <a title=\"Mitt Romney\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Mitt_Romney\">Mitt Romney<\/a> on foreign affairs, and a concern for the validity of Romney&#8217;s economic plans.<sup id=\"cite_ref-endorses_Obama_2012_111-0\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>In an interview with ABC&#8217;s <a title=\"Diane Sawyer\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Diane_Sawyer\">Diane Sawyer<\/a> and <a title=\"George Stephanopoulos\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/George_Stephanopoulos\">George Stephanopoulos<\/a> during ABC&#8217;s coverage of President Obama&#8217;s second inauguration, Powell criticized members of the Republican Party who spread &#8220;things that demonize the president&#8221;. He called on GOP leaders to publicly denounce such talk.<sup id=\"cite_ref-112\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n<h3><strong><span id=\"2016_presidential_election\" class=\"mw-headline\">2016 presidential election<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Powell was very vocal on the state of the Republican Party. Speaking at a Washington Ideas forum in early October 2015, he warned the audience that the Republican Party had begun a move to the fringe right, lessening the chances of a Republican White House in the future. He also remarked on Republican presidential candidate <a title=\"Donald Trump\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Donald_Trump\">Donald Trump<\/a>&#8216;s statements regarding immigrants, noting that there were many immigrants working in Trump hotels.<sup id=\"cite_ref-113\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>In March 2016, Powell denounced the &#8220;nastiness&#8221; of the <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"2016 Republican primaries\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/2016_Republican_primaries\">2016 Republican primaries<\/a> during an interview on CBS <i>This Morning<\/i>. He compared the race to <a title=\"Reality television\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Reality_television\">reality television<\/a>, and stated that the campaign had gone &#8220;into the mud.&#8221;<sup id=\"cite_ref-114\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>In August 2016, Powell accused the <a title=\"Hillary Clinton\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Hillary_Clinton\">Hillary Clinton<\/a> campaign of trying to pin her <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Hillary Clinton's email controversy\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Hillary_Clinton%27s_email_controversy\">email controversy<\/a> on him. Speaking to <a title=\"People (magazine)\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/People_(magazine)\"><i>People<\/i><\/a> magazine, Powell said, &#8220;The truth is, she was using [the private email server] for a year before I sent her a memo telling her what I did.&#8221;<sup id=\"cite_ref-115\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>On September 13, 2016, emails were obtained that revealed Powell&#8217;s private communications regarding both Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. Powell privately reiterated his comments regarding Clinton&#8217;s email scandal, writing, &#8220;I have told Hillary&#8217;s minions repeatedly that they are making a mistake trying to drag me in, yet they still try,&#8221; and complaining that &#8220;Hillary&#8217;s mafia keeps trying to suck me into it&#8221; in another email.\u00a0 In another email discussing Clinton&#8217;s controversy, Powell said she should have told everyone what she did &#8220;two years ago&#8221;, and said that she has not &#8220;been covering herself with glory.&#8221; Writing on the <a title=\"2012 Benghazi attack\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/2012_Benghazi_attack\">2012 Benghazi attack<\/a> controversy surrounding Clinton, Powell said to then U.S. Ambassador <a title=\"Susan Rice\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Susan_Rice\">Susan Rice<\/a>, &#8220;Benghazi is a stupid witch hunt.&#8221; Commenting on Clinton in a general sense, Powell mused that &#8220;Everything [Clinton] touches she kind of screws up with hubris&#8221;, and in another email stated &#8220;I would rather not have to vote for her, although she is a friend I respect.&#8221;<sup id=\"cite_ref-117\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Powell referred to Donald Trump as a &#8220;national disgrace&#8221;, with &#8220;no sense of shame.&#8221; He wrote of Trump&#8217;s role in the <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Birther\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Birther\">birther<\/a> movement, which he referred to as &#8220;racist.&#8221; Powell suggested that the media ignore Trump, saying, &#8220;To go on and call him an idiot just emboldens him.&#8221; The emails were obtained by the media as the result of a hack.<sup id=\"cite_ref-118\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Powell endorsed Clinton on October 25, 2016, stating it was &#8220;because I think she&#8217;s qualified, and the other gentleman is not qualified.&#8221;<sup id=\"cite_ref-119\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Despite not running in the election, Powell received three electoral votes for president from <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Faithless electors\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Faithless_electors\">faithless electors<\/a> in Washington who had pledged to vote for Clinton, coming in third overall.\u00a0 After Barack Obama, Powell was only the second Black person to receive electoral votes in a presidential election.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3><strong><span id=\"Views_on_the_Trump_administration\" class=\"mw-headline\">Views on the Trump administration<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>In an interview in October 2019, Powell warned that the GOP needed to \u201cget a grip&#8221; and put the country before their party, standing up to President Trump rather than worrying about political fallout. &#8220;When they see things that are not right, they need to say something about it because our foreign policy is in shambles right now, in my humble judgment, and I see things happening that are hard to understand,&#8221; Powell said. On June 7, 2020, Powell announced he would be voting for former Vice President <a title=\"Joe Biden\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Joe_Biden\">Joe Biden<\/a> in the <a title=\"2020 United States presidential election\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/2020_United_States_presidential_election\">2020 presidential election<\/a>. In August, Powell delivered a speech in support of Biden&#8217;s candidacy at the <a title=\"2020 Democratic National Convention\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/2020_Democratic_National_Convention\">2020 Democratic National Convention<\/a>.<sup id=\"cite_ref-123\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>In January 2021, after the Capitol building was <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"2021 storming of the United States Capitol\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/2021_storming_of_the_United_States_Capitol\">stormed<\/a> by Trump supporters, Powell said he left the Republican Party.<sup id=\"cite_ref-nolongerconsider_124-0\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n<h2><strong><span id=\"Personal_life\" class=\"mw-headline\">Personal life<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Powell married <a title=\"Alma Powell\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Alma_Powell\">Alma Johnson<\/a> on August 25, 1962. Their son, <a title=\"Michael Powell (lobbyist)\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Michael_Powell_(lobbyist)\">Michael Powell<\/a>, was the chairman of the <a title=\"Federal Communications Commission\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Federal_Communications_Commission\">Federal Communications Commission<\/a> (FCC) from 2001 to 2005. His daughters are <a title=\"Linda Powell\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Linda_Powell\">Linda Powell<\/a>, an actress, and Annemarie Powell. As a hobby, Powell restored old Volvo and Saab cars.<sup id=\"cite_ref-CNNinterview_125-0\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup> In 2013, he faced questions about <a title=\"Corina Cre\u021bu\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Corina_Cre%C8%9Bu\">his relationship with the Romanian<\/a> diplomat <a title=\"Corina Cre\u021bu\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Corina_Cre%C8%9Bu\">Corina Cre\u021bu<\/a>, after a hacked <a title=\"AOL\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/AOL\">AOL<\/a> email account had been made public. He acknowledged a &#8220;very personal&#8221; email relationship but denied further involvement.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3><strong><span id=\"Death\" class=\"mw-headline\">Death<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>On October 18, 2021, Powell, who had been suffering from <a title=\"Multiple myeloma\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Multiple_myeloma\">multiple myeloma<\/a>, died at <a title=\"Walter Reed National Military Medical Center\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Walter_Reed_National_Military_Medical_Center\">Walter Reed National Military Medical Center<\/a> from complications from <a title=\"COVID-19\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/COVID-19\">COVID-19<\/a> at the age of 84. <sup id=\"cite_ref-128\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup> He was fully vaccinated.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2><strong><span id=\"Civilian_awards_and_honors\" class=\"mw-headline\">Civilian awards and honors<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<table class=\"infobox\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"infobox-above\" colspan=\"2\"><strong>Colin Powell<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"infobox-image\" colspan=\"2\"><strong><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/File:Coat_of_Arms_of_Colin_Powell.svg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/7\/74\/Coat_of_Arms_of_Colin_Powell.svg\/220px-Coat_of_Arms_of_Colin_Powell.svg.png\" srcset=\"\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/7\/74\/Coat_of_Arms_of_Colin_Powell.svg\/330px-Coat_of_Arms_of_Colin_Powell.svg.png 1.5x, \/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/7\/74\/Coat_of_Arms_of_Colin_Powell.svg\/440px-Coat_of_Arms_of_Colin_Powell.svg.png 2x\" alt=\"Coat of Arms of Colin Powell.svg\" width=\"220\" height=\"229\" data-file-width=\"350\" data-file-height=\"365\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"infobox-label\" scope=\"row\"><strong><a title=\"Crest (heraldry)\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Crest_(heraldry)\">Crest<\/a><\/strong><\/th>\n<td class=\"infobox-data\"><strong>The head of an American bald-headed eagle erased Proper.<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"infobox-label\" scope=\"row\"><strong><a title=\"Blazon\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Blazon\">Blazon<\/a><\/strong><\/th>\n<td class=\"infobox-data\"><strong>Azure, two swords in saltire points downwards between four mullets Argent, on a chief of the Second a lion passant Gules.<sup id=\"cite_ref-131\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"infobox-label\" scope=\"row\"><strong><a title=\"Motto\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Motto\">Motto<\/a><\/strong><\/th>\n<td class=\"infobox-data\"><strong>Devoted To Public Service<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"infobox-below\" colspan=\"2\"><strong>The coat of arms of Colin Powell was granted by the <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Lord Lyon\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Lord_Lyon\">Lord Lyon<\/a> in Edinburgh on February 4, 2004. Technically the grant was to Powell&#8217;s father (a British subject) to be passed on by descent. Scotland&#8217;s <a title=\"King of Arms\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/King_of_Arms\">King of Arms<\/a> is traditionally responsible for granting arms to Commonwealth citizens of Scottish descent. The swords and stars refer to the former general&#8217;s career, as does the crest, which is the badge of the 101st Airborne (which he served as a brigade commander in the mid-1970s). The lion may be an allusion to Scotland. The shield can be shown surrounded by the insignia of an honorary Knight Commander of the Most Honorable <a title=\"Order of the Bath\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Order_of_the_Bath\">Order of the Bath<\/a> (KCB), an award the General received after the first Gulf War.<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><strong>Powell&#8217;s civilian awards include two <a title=\"Presidential Medal of Freedom\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Presidential_Medal_of_Freedom\">Presidential Medals of Freedom<\/a> (the second with distinction), the President&#8217;s <a title=\"Presidential Citizens Medal\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Presidential_Citizens_Medal\">Citizens Medal<\/a>, the <a title=\"Congressional Gold Medal\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Congressional_Gold_Medal\">Congressional Gold Medal<\/a>, the Secretary of State Distinguished Service Medal, the Secretary of Energy Distinguished Service Medal, and the <a title=\"Ronald Reagan Freedom Award\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Ronald_Reagan_Freedom_Award\">Ronald Reagan Freedom Award<\/a>. Several schools and other institutions have been named in his honor and he holds honorary degrees from universities and colleges across the country.<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>In 1988, Powell received the <a title=\"Academy of Achievement\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Academy_of_Achievement\">Academy of Achievement&#8217;s Golden Plate Award.<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>In 1990, Powell received the U.S. Senator John Heinz Award for Greatest Public Service by an Elected or Appointed Official, an award given out annually by <a title=\"Jefferson Awards for Public Service\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Jefferson_Awards_for_Public_Service\">Jefferson Awards<\/a>.<sup id=\"cite_ref-132\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>In 1991, Powell was awarded the <a title=\"Presidential Medal of Freedom\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Presidential_Medal_of_Freedom\">Presidential Medal of Freedom<\/a> by President <a title=\"George H. W. Bush\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/George_H._W._Bush\">George H. W. Bush<\/a>.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>In 1991, Powell was awarded the <a title=\"Spingarn Medal\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Spingarn_Medal\">Spingarn Medal<\/a> from the <a title=\"NAACP\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/NAACP\">NAACP<\/a>.<sup id=\"cite_ref-133\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>In 1991, Powell was inducted into the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, <sup id=\"cite_ref-134\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup>which &#8220;honors the achievements of outstanding individuals in U.S. society who have succeeded in spite of adversity and of encouraging young people to pursue their dreams through higher education.&#8221;<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>On April 23, 1991, Powell was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal &#8220;in recognition of his exemplary performance as a military leader and advisor to the President in planning and coordinating the military response of the United States to the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait and the ultimate retreat and defeat of Iraqi forces and Iraqi acceptance of all United Nations Resolutions relating to Kuwait.&#8221;<sup id=\"cite_ref-135\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>On September 30, 1993, Powell was awarded his second Presidential Medal of Freedom with distinction by President <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"William Clinton\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/William_Clinton\">Bill Clinton<\/a>.<sup id=\"cite_ref-2ndPMoF_45-1\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>On November 9, 1993, Powell was awarded the second <a title=\"Ronald Reagan Freedom Award\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Ronald_Reagan_Freedom_Award\">Ronald Reagan Freedom Award<\/a>, by <a title=\"Ronald Reagan\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Ronald_Reagan\">President Ronald Reagan<\/a>. Powell served as Reagan&#8217;s <a title=\"National Security Advisor (United States)\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/National_Security_Advisor_(United_States)\">National Security Advisor<\/a> from 1987 to 1989.<sup id=\"cite_ref-136\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>On December 15, 1993, Colin Powell was created an honorary Knight Commander of the <a title=\"Order of the Bath\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Order_of_the_Bath\">Order of the Bath<\/a> by Queen <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Elizabeth_II_of_the_United_Kingdom\">Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom<\/a>.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>In 1998, he was awarded the prestigious <a title=\"Sylvanus Thayer Award\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Sylvanus_Thayer_Award\">Sylvanus Thayer Award<\/a> by the <a title=\"United States Military Academy\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/United_States_Military_Academy\">United States Military Academy<\/a> for his commitment to the ideals of &#8220;Duty, Honor, Country.&#8221;<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>The 2002 <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"Liberty Medal\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Liberty_Medal\">Liberty Medal<\/a> was awarded to Colin Powell on July 4 in <a title=\"Philadelphia\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Philadelphia\">Philadelphia<\/a>, Pennsylvania. In his acceptance speech, Powell reminded Americans that &#8220;It is for America, the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave, to help freedom ring across the globe, unto all the peoples thereof. That is our solemn obligation, and we will not fail.&#8221;<sup id=\"cite_ref-137\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>In 2005, Powell received the <a title=\"Bishop John T. Walker Distinguished Humanitarian Service Award\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Bishop_John_T._Walker_Distinguished_Humanitarian_Service_Award\">Bishop John T. Walker Distinguished Humanitarian Service Award<\/a> for his contributions to Africa.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><a title=\"AARP\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/AARP\">AARP<\/a> honored Powell with the 2006 <a title=\"AARP\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/AARP\">AARP<\/a> Andrus Award, the Association&#8217;s highest honor. This award, named in honor of AARP&#8217;s founder, Dr. <a title=\"Ethel Percy Andrus\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Ethel_Percy_Andrus\">Ethel Percy Andrus<\/a>, is presented biennially to distinguished individuals who have generated positive social change in the world, and whose work and achievements reflect AARP&#8217;s vision of bringing lifetimes of experience and leadership to serve all generations.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>In 2005, Colin and Alma Powell were awarded the <a title=\"Woodrow Wilson Awards\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Woodrow_Wilson_Awards\">Woodrow Wilson Award for Public Service<\/a> by the <a title=\"Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Woodrow_Wilson_International_Center_for_Scholars\">Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars<\/a> of the <a title=\"Smithsonian Institution\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Smithsonian_Institution\">Smithsonian Institution<\/a>.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Colin Powell was initiated as an honorary brother in <a title=\"Sigma Phi Epsilon\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Sigma_Phi_Epsilon\">Sigma Phi Epsilon<\/a>.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Powell was a recipient of the <a title=\"Silver Buffalo Award\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Silver_Buffalo_Award\">Silver Buffalo Award<\/a>, the highest adult award given by the <a title=\"Boy Scouts of America\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Boy_Scouts_of_America\">Boy Scouts of America<\/a>.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>A street in <a title=\"Gelnhausen\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gelnhausen\">Gelnhausen<\/a>, Germany was named after him: &#8220;General-Colin-Powell-Stra\u00dfe.&#8221;<sup id=\"cite_ref-138\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>In 2002, scholar <a title=\"Molefi Kete Asante\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Molefi_Kete_Asante\">Molefi Kete Asante<\/a> listed Colin Powell on his list of 100 Greatest Blacks in America.<sup id=\"cite_ref-139\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>In 2009, an elementary school named for Colin Powell opened in <a title=\"El Paso, Texas\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/El_Paso,_Texas\">El Paso<\/a>. It is in the <a title=\"El Paso Independent School District\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/El_Paso_Independent_School_District\">El Paso Independent School District<\/a>, located on <a title=\"Fort Bliss\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fort_Bliss\">Fort Bliss<\/a> property, and serves a portion of Fort Bliss. <sup id=\"cite_ref-140\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup>There is also a street in El Paso named for Powell, Colin Powell Drive.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Powell was an Honorary Board Member of the humanitarian organization <a title=\"Wings of Hope (charity)\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wings_of_Hope_(charity)\">Wings of Hope<\/a><sup id=\"cite_ref-141\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>From 2006, he was the chairman of the <a title=\"Eisenhower Fellowships\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Eisenhower_Fellowships\">Board of Trustees for Eisenhower Fellowships<\/a><sup id=\"cite_ref-142\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>In 2006, The <a title=\"Harry S. Truman\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Harry_S._Truman\">Harry S. Truman<\/a> Research Institute for the Advancement of Peace at <a class=\"mw-redirect\" title=\"The Hebrew University of Jerusalem\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Hebrew_University_of_Jerusalem\">The Hebrew University of Jerusalem<\/a> awarded Colin Powell with the Truman Peace Prize for his efforts to conduct the &#8220;war against terrorism&#8221;, through diplomatic as well as military means, and to avert regional and civil conflicts in many parts of the world.<sup id=\"cite_ref-143\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>In September 2012, <a title=\"Union City, New Jersey\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Union_City,_New_Jersey\">Union City, New Jersey<\/a> opened Colin Powell Elementary School, which was named after Powell, and dedicated the school on February 7, 2013, with governor <a title=\"Chris Christie\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Chris_Christie\">Chris Christie<\/a> in attendance.<sup id=\"cite_ref-144\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup> Powell himself visited the school on June 4, 2013.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>In 2014, Colin Powell was named to the National Board of Advisors for <a title=\"High Point University\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/High_Point_University\">High Point University<\/a>.<sup id=\"cite_ref-146\" class=\"reference\"><\/sup><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"css-1dbjc4n r-18u37iz r-1wbh5a2\">\n<div class=\"css-901oao css-bfa6kz r-14j79pv r-18u37iz r-37j5jr r-a023e6 r-16dba41 r-rjixqe r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0\" dir=\"ltr\"><strong><span class=\"css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0\">@ColinPowellCCNY<\/span><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"article\">\n<div class=\"m\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/politics\/remembering-colin-powell-former-president-bush-calls-him-a-great-public-servant\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/348\/196\/Colin-Powell112.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1\" alt=\"Remembering Colin Powell upon his death: Former President Bush calls him 'a great public servant'\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"vendor-unit\" data-uid=\"ar-11\" data-init-desktop=\"1\">\n<div id=\"verizon-widget-4\" class=\"readmo vendor-verizon readmo-ea788f8c9f26409aa7f7c759f54189b1\" data-ylk=\"sec:readmo;subsec:ea788f8c9f26409aa7f7c759f54189b1;\">\n<div class=\"readmo-container\">\n<div class=\"readmo-row\">\n<div class=\"readmo-col-12\">\n<div class=\"ad-feedback-v2 state-hidden\">\n<h1 id=\"firstHeading\" class=\"firstHeading\"><strong>Colin Powell<\/strong><\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><\/main><\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content\">\n<div class=\"alert-container\">\n<div class=\"alert-container\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<footer class=\"site-footer\">\n<div class=\"footer-upper\">\n<div class=\"section-nav\">\n<div class=\"inner\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/footer>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"WSJTheme--slideshow-child-3jzhsRsrUky6uvBjFfoqMe \"><strong><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"WSJTheme--slideshow-img-3Bs29bInasrfDBRuGdvvJJ \" draggable=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/images.wsj.net\/im-418677\/?width=860&amp;height=573\" sizes=\"(max-width: 639px) 100vw, (max-width: 979px) 620px, (max-width: 1299px) 540px, 860px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.wsj.net\/im-418677\/?width=540&amp;size=1.5 540w, https:\/\/images.wsj.net\/im-418677\/?width=620&amp;size=1.5 620w, https:\/\/images.wsj.net\/im-418677\/?width=620&amp;size=1.5 620w, https:\/\/images.wsj.net\/im-418677\/?width=860&amp;size=1.5 860w, https:\/\/images.wsj.net\/im-418677\/?width=860&amp;size=1.5&amp;pixel_ratio=1.5 1290w, https:\/\/images.wsj.net\/im-418677\/?width=860&amp;size=1.5&amp;pixel_ratio=2 1720w, https:\/\/images.wsj.net\/im-418677\/?width=860&amp;size=1.5&amp;pixel_ratio=3 2580w\" alt=\"Gen. Colin Powell, as national security adviser, speaking in a White House Rose Garden ceremony in November 1987 with, left to right, outgoing Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger, President Ronald Reagan and incoming Defense Secretary Frank Carlucci.\" \/><\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"WSJTheme--slideshow-child-3jzhsRsrUky6uvBjFfoqMe \"><strong><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"WSJTheme--slideshow-img-3Bs29bInasrfDBRuGdvvJJ \" draggable=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/images.wsj.net\/im-418678\/?width=860&amp;height=573\" sizes=\"(max-width: 639px) 100vw, (max-width: 979px) 620px, (max-width: 1299px) 540px, 860px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.wsj.net\/im-418678\/?width=540&amp;size=1.5 540w, https:\/\/images.wsj.net\/im-418678\/?width=620&amp;size=1.5 620w, https:\/\/images.wsj.net\/im-418678\/?width=620&amp;size=1.5 620w, https:\/\/images.wsj.net\/im-418678\/?width=860&amp;size=1.5 860w, https:\/\/images.wsj.net\/im-418678\/?width=860&amp;size=1.5&amp;pixel_ratio=1.5 1290w, https:\/\/images.wsj.net\/im-418678\/?width=860&amp;size=1.5&amp;pixel_ratio=2 1720w, https:\/\/images.wsj.net\/im-418678\/?width=860&amp;size=1.5&amp;pixel_ratio=3 2580w\" alt=\"Gen. Colin Powell, then head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, in January 1990 toured the bombed courtyard of the Panama Defense Force Comandancia in Panama City to review U.S. troops and receive a briefing on the U.S. invasion of Panama.\" \/><\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"WSJTheme--slideshow-child-3jzhsRsrUky6uvBjFfoqMe \"><strong><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"WSJTheme--slideshow-img-3Bs29bInasrfDBRuGdvvJJ \" draggable=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/images.wsj.net\/im-418679\/?width=860&amp;height=573\" sizes=\"(max-width: 639px) 100vw, (max-width: 979px) 620px, (max-width: 1299px) 540px, 860px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.wsj.net\/im-418679\/?width=540&amp;size=1.5 540w, https:\/\/images.wsj.net\/im-418679\/?width=620&amp;size=1.5 620w, https:\/\/images.wsj.net\/im-418679\/?width=620&amp;size=1.5 620w, https:\/\/images.wsj.net\/im-418679\/?width=860&amp;size=1.5 860w, https:\/\/images.wsj.net\/im-418679\/?width=860&amp;size=1.5&amp;pixel_ratio=1.5 1290w, https:\/\/images.wsj.net\/im-418679\/?width=860&amp;size=1.5&amp;pixel_ratio=2 1720w, https:\/\/images.wsj.net\/im-418679\/?width=860&amp;size=1.5&amp;pixel_ratio=3 2580w\" alt=\"Gen. Colin Powell, chairman of the Joint Chiefs, and Defense Secretary Dick Cheney talking on board a flight en route to an undisclosed location in Saudi Arabia in 1991. \" \/><\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"WSJTheme--slideshow-child-3jzhsRsrUky6uvBjFfoqMe \"><strong><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"WSJTheme--slideshow-img-3Bs29bInasrfDBRuGdvvJJ \" draggable=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/images.wsj.net\/im-418690\/?width=860&amp;height=573\" sizes=\"(max-width: 639px) 100vw, (max-width: 979px) 620px, (max-width: 1299px) 540px, 860px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.wsj.net\/im-418690\/?width=540&amp;size=1.5 540w, https:\/\/images.wsj.net\/im-418690\/?width=620&amp;size=1.5 620w, https:\/\/images.wsj.net\/im-418690\/?width=620&amp;size=1.5 620w, https:\/\/images.wsj.net\/im-418690\/?width=860&amp;size=1.5 860w, https:\/\/images.wsj.net\/im-418690\/?width=860&amp;size=1.5&amp;pixel_ratio=1.5 1290w, https:\/\/images.wsj.net\/im-418690\/?width=860&amp;size=1.5&amp;pixel_ratio=2 1720w, https:\/\/images.wsj.net\/im-418690\/?width=860&amp;size=1.5&amp;pixel_ratio=3 2580w\" alt=\"Bill Clinton, then president-elect, answering in November 1992 while meeting for the first time with Gen. Colin Powell, chairman of the Joint Chiefs, in Washington. \" \/><\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"WSJTheme--slideshow-child-3jzhsRsrUky6uvBjFfoqMe \"><strong><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"WSJTheme--slideshow-img-3Bs29bInasrfDBRuGdvvJJ \" draggable=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/images.wsj.net\/im-418693\/?width=860&amp;height=573\" sizes=\"(max-width: 639px) 100vw, (max-width: 979px) 620px, (max-width: 1299px) 540px, 860px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.wsj.net\/im-418693\/?width=540&amp;size=1.5 540w, https:\/\/images.wsj.net\/im-418693\/?width=620&amp;size=1.5 620w, https:\/\/images.wsj.net\/im-418693\/?width=620&amp;size=1.5 620w, https:\/\/images.wsj.net\/im-418693\/?width=860&amp;size=1.5 860w, https:\/\/images.wsj.net\/im-418693\/?width=860&amp;size=1.5&amp;pixel_ratio=1.5 1290w, https:\/\/images.wsj.net\/im-418693\/?width=860&amp;size=1.5&amp;pixel_ratio=2 1720w, https:\/\/images.wsj.net\/im-418693\/?width=860&amp;size=1.5&amp;pixel_ratio=3 2580w\" alt=\"George W. Bush, then the Texas governor, responding to questions at his ranch in Crawford, Texas, in November 2000 with his vice-presidential candidate, Dick Cheney, and retired Gen. Colin Powell, who became President Bush\u2019s secretary of state.\" \/><\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"WSJTheme--slideshow-child-3jzhsRsrUky6uvBjFfoqMe \"><strong><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"WSJTheme--slideshow-img-3Bs29bInasrfDBRuGdvvJJ \" draggable=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/images.wsj.net\/im-418680\/?width=860&amp;height=573\" sizes=\"(max-width: 639px) 100vw, (max-width: 979px) 620px, (max-width: 1299px) 540px, 860px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.wsj.net\/im-418680\/?width=540&amp;size=1.5 540w, https:\/\/images.wsj.net\/im-418680\/?width=620&amp;size=1.5 620w, https:\/\/images.wsj.net\/im-418680\/?width=620&amp;size=1.5 620w, https:\/\/images.wsj.net\/im-418680\/?width=860&amp;size=1.5 860w, https:\/\/images.wsj.net\/im-418680\/?width=860&amp;size=1.5&amp;pixel_ratio=1.5 1290w, https:\/\/images.wsj.net\/im-418680\/?width=860&amp;size=1.5&amp;pixel_ratio=2 1720w, https:\/\/images.wsj.net\/im-418680\/?width=860&amp;size=1.5&amp;pixel_ratio=3 2580w\" alt=\"The Security Council looking at a video screen during Secretary of State Colin Powell's address to the U.N. Security Council in February 2003 in New York City. \" \/><\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"WSJTheme--slideshow-child-3jzhsRsrUky6uvBjFfoqMe \"><strong><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"WSJTheme--slideshow-img-3Bs29bInasrfDBRuGdvvJJ \" draggable=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/images.wsj.net\/im-418681\/?width=860&amp;height=573\" sizes=\"(max-width: 639px) 100vw, (max-width: 979px) 620px, (max-width: 1299px) 540px, 860px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.wsj.net\/im-418681\/?width=540&amp;size=1.5 540w, https:\/\/images.wsj.net\/im-418681\/?width=620&amp;size=1.5 620w, https:\/\/images.wsj.net\/im-418681\/?width=620&amp;size=1.5 620w, https:\/\/images.wsj.net\/im-418681\/?width=860&amp;size=1.5 860w, https:\/\/images.wsj.net\/im-418681\/?width=860&amp;size=1.5&amp;pixel_ratio=1.5 1290w, https:\/\/images.wsj.net\/im-418681\/?width=860&amp;size=1.5&amp;pixel_ratio=2 1720w, https:\/\/images.wsj.net\/im-418681\/?width=860&amp;size=1.5&amp;pixel_ratio=3 2580w\" alt=\"Secretary of State Colin Powell and Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage talking before the bipartisan Sep. 11 commission on Capitol Hill in March 2004 in Washington, D.C. \" \/><\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"WSJTheme--slideshow-child-3jzhsRsrUky6uvBjFfoqMe \"><strong><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"WSJTheme--slideshow-img-3Bs29bInasrfDBRuGdvvJJ \" draggable=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/images.wsj.net\/im-418682\/?width=860&amp;height=573\" sizes=\"(max-width: 639px) 100vw, (max-width: 979px) 620px, (max-width: 1299px) 540px, 860px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.wsj.net\/im-418682\/?width=540&amp;size=1.5 540w, https:\/\/images.wsj.net\/im-418682\/?width=620&amp;size=1.5 620w, https:\/\/images.wsj.net\/im-418682\/?width=620&amp;size=1.5 620w, https:\/\/images.wsj.net\/im-418682\/?width=860&amp;size=1.5 860w, https:\/\/images.wsj.net\/im-418682\/?width=860&amp;size=1.5&amp;pixel_ratio=1.5 1290w, https:\/\/images.wsj.net\/im-418682\/?width=860&amp;size=1.5&amp;pixel_ratio=2 1720w, https:\/\/images.wsj.net\/im-418682\/?width=860&amp;size=1.5&amp;pixel_ratio=3 2580w\" alt=\"Gen. Powell, a Vietnam War veteran, delivered remarks during a Veterans Day event at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on the National Mall in November 2013 in Washington, D.C. \" \/><\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"WSJTheme--slideshow-desc-box-2BAkOLbhOU2unlc25p4eGe \">\n<div class=\"WSJTheme--slideshow-caption-vzDHmuZhFAi_q8YyOULN9 \"><strong>Lt. Gen. Colin Powell, commander of the 5th U.S. corps, saluting alongside his wife, Alma V., during a farewell ceremony in Frankfurt in December 1986.<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<hr class=\"web-ui-slideshow-hr\" \/>\n<div class=\"module\">\n<div id=\"cx-jtc-inline\" data-nosnippet=\"\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"zonedModule\" data-module-id=\"14\" data-module-name=\"article.app\/lib\/module\/wsj\/articleCommenting\" data-module-zone=\"article_commenting\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"module\">\n<div id=\"cx-what-to-read-next\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"region\" data-nosnippet=\"\" aria-label=\"What To Read Next\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"zonedModule\" data-module-id=\"23\" data-module-name=\"article.app\/lib\/module\/shared\/universalAd\" data-module-zone=\"wtrnAd\">\n<div id=\"AD_WTRN\" class=\"responsive-ad-container\" data-ad-props=\"{&quot;options&quot;:{&quot;adUnitPath&quot;:&quot;\/2\/interactive.wsj.com\/interactives&quot;,&quot;autoRefresh&quot;:false,&quot;adTargeting&quot;:{&quot;circ&quot;:&quot;fullarticle&quot;,&quot;metazone&quot;:null,&quot;msrc&quot;:null,&quot;S&quot;:&quot;prod&quot;,&quot;alert&quot;:[&quot;volatility050&quot;,&quot;red&quot;]},&quot;disableRefresh&quot;:false,&quot;adSize&quot;:[&quot;fluid&quot;],&quot;adSizeMap&quot;:{&quot;at4units&quot;:[&quot;fluid&quot;],&quot;at8units&quot;:[&quot;fluid&quot;],&quot;at12units&quot;:[&quot;fluid&quot;],&quot;at16units&quot;:[&quot;fluid&quot;]},&quot;adActivate&quot;:true,&quot;adId&quot;:&quot;AD_WTRN&quot;,&quot;triggerPrebid&quot;:true,&quot;triggerApstag&quot;:true,&quot;isObserve&quot;:true,&quot;isTemplate&quot;:true,&quot;collapseAdBeforeFetch&quot;:true,&quot;isUtagData&quot;:true,&quot;isMetaTag&quot;:false,&quot;threshold&quot;:1,&quot;rootMargin&quot;:&quot;0px&quot;,&quot;shouldUpdate&quot;:true,&quot;moatEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;adRequestOnRemount&quot;:true,&quot;observeFromUAC&quot;:true,&quot;isLoggedIn&quot;:null,&quot;label&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;labelClasses&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;wrapperStyles&quot;:{},&quot;staticHeight&quot;:{},&quot;reserveInitialHeight&quot;:false,&quot;responsiveContainer&quot;:false}}\" data-ad-location=\"WTRN\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div id=\"in_ad_col_a\" class=\"col4 column\">\n<div class=\"hide4 hide8 col4\">\n<div class=\"module slideshow-ad\">\n<div class=\"zonedModule\" data-module-id=\"8\" data-module-name=\"article.app\/lib\/module\/shared\/universalAd\" data-module-zone=\"rightRailAd1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"trending_now\" class=\"column col4 at8-col8 hide4 hide8\">\n<div class=\"module trending_now\">\n<div id=\"trending-articles\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"complementary\" aria-label=\"Most Popular News\">\n<div class=\"zonedModule\" data-module-id=\"16\" data-module-name=\"article.app\/lib\/module\/wsj\/trending\" data-module-zone=\"trending_articles\">\n<div class=\" \">\n<div class=\"trending_articles \">\n<div class=\"strap secondary\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Colin Powell, a Four-Star General and Former Secretary of State Powell served two tours in Vietnam, rose through military ranks to become chairman of the Joint Chiefs and served as secretary of state to former President George W. Bush Colin Powell, first Black US Secretary of State, dies of Covid-19 complications amid cancer battle Colin [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":22740,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2405,11,8,1314,2432,1456,1156,13,2404,2406,14,1,12,9,10],"tags":[4819,4821,4820],"class_list":["post-22739","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-all","category-business","category-entertainment","category-global-business-entrepreneurs","category-global-gamers","category-global-news-updates-and-more","category-global-sports","category-health","category-high-school-sports","category-mbs-hss","category-most-commented","category-news","category-scitech","category-us","category-world","tag-colin-powell-coat-of-arms-of-colin-powell-svg-crest-the-head-of-an-american-bald-headed-eagle-erased-proper-blazon-azure","tag-on-a-chief-of-the-second-a-lion-passant-gules-131-motto-devoted-to-public-service-the-coat-of-arms-of-colin-powell-was-granted-by-the-lord-lyon-in-edinburgh-on-february-4","tag-two-swords-in-saltire-points-downwards-between-four-mullets-argent","et-has-post-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22739","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=22739"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22739\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/22740"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=22739"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=22739"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=22739"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}