Colin Powell facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Colin Powell
Official portrait, January 2001
65th United States Secretary of State
In office January 20, 2001 – January 26, 2005
President	George W. Bush
Deputy	Richard Armitage
Preceded by	Madeleine Albright
Succeeded by	Condoleezza Rice
12th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
In office October 1, 1989 – September 30, 1993
President	George H. W. Bush Bill Clinton
Deputy	Robert T. Herres David E. Jeremiah
Preceded by	William J. Crowe
Succeeded by	John Shalikashvili
16th United States National Security Advisor
In office November 23, 1987 – January 20, 1989
President	Ronald Reagan
Deputy	John Negroponte
Preceded by	Frank Carlucci
Succeeded by	Brent Scowcroft
United States Deputy National Security Advisor
In office December 1986 – November 23, 1987
President	Ronald Reagan
Preceded by	Peter Rodman
Succeeded by	John Negroponte
Personal details
Born	Colin Luther Powell (1937-04-05)April 5, 1937 New York City, U.S.
Died	October 18, 2021(2021-10-18) (aged 84) Bethesda, Maryland, U.S.
Cause of death	Problems caused by COVID-19
Political party	Independent (before 1995, 2021)
Other political affiliations	Republican (1995–2021)
Spouse	Alma Johnson ​ (m. 1962)​
Children	Michael, Linda, Annemarie
Education	City College of New York (BS) George Washington University (MBA)
Signature
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Army
Years of service	1958–1993
Rank	General
Unit	3rd Armored Division 23rd Infantry Division
Commands	Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff United States Army Forces Command V Corps 2nd Brigade 101st Airborne Division
Battles/wars	Vietnam War Invasion of Panama Gulf War
Awards	Defense Distinguished Service Medal (4) Army Distinguished Service Medal (2) Navy Distinguished Service Medal Air Force Distinguished Service Medal Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit (2) Soldier's Medal Bronze Star Medal Full list

Colin Luther Powell (born April 5, 1937 – died October 18, 2021) was a very important American leader. He was a General in the United States Army and a politician. He made history as the first African American to hold several top positions.

From 2001 to 2005, he was the 65th United States Secretary of State. He worked for President George W. Bush. Before that, he was the United States National Security Advisor from 1987 to 1989. He also served as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 1989 to 1993. This was during the Gulf War. He was the first and only African American to be Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Early Life & Education

Colin Luther Powell was born on April 5, 1937. His birthplace was Harlem, New York City. His parents, Luther and Maud Powell, came to the United States from Jamaica. His father was a shipping clerk, and his mother was a seamstress.

Colin grew up in the South Bronx. He joined the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) in college. This program trains college students to become military officers. He went to City College of New York. He was very good at ROTC and became a cadet colonel. When he graduated in 1958, he became a second lieutenant in the United States Army.

Military Career & Service

Powell's first job in the Army was in West Germany. He was promoted to Captain in 1962. He served two times in the Vietnam War. During his time in Vietnam, he was hurt twice. Once, he was injured by a Viet Cong booby trap and received a Purple Heart medal. A year later, he earned a Bronze Star Medal.

He was hurt a second time in a helicopter crash. He bravely saved two other soldiers from the crash. For this heroic act, he was given the Soldier's Medal. Between his two tours in Vietnam, he became a major in 1966.

After Vietnam, Powell earned a master's degree. He studied business at George Washington University in Washington, DC. He also worked at the White House for a short time. He continued to rise through the Army ranks. In 1975, he became a full colonel.

In 1989, he was promoted to general. President George H. W. Bush chose him to be the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. This is the highest military position in the U.S. He led the military during important events, like Operation Desert Storm. In 1993, he retired from the military as a four-star general.

Secretary of State Role

In 2001, Colin Powell became the United States Secretary of State. This is the country's top diplomat. He was the first African American to hold this important job. After the September 11 attacks, he helped gather countries to fight terrorism. He worked to get allies for military action in Afghanistan.

Powell also handled many international problems. He helped prevent a war between India and Pakistan. Both countries have nuclear weapons. In 2003, he spoke at the United Nations Security Council. He presented information that Iraq was hiding weapons of mass destruction (WMD). This made many people in the U.S. believe Iraq was a threat.

Later, in 2004, he told the United States Congress that the information about Iraq's WMDs was wrong. He resigned from his position in November 2004.

Later Life & Legacy

After leaving government, Powell remained active in public life. He supported Barack Obama for President of the United States in 2008 and 2012. He was a critic of Donald Trump's presidency. In 2016, he supported Hillary Clinton for president. In 2020, he announced he would vote for Joe Biden. He even spoke at the 2020 Democratic National Convention to support Biden.

In January 2021, after the Capitol building was attacked, Powell said he was no longer a member of the Republican Party.

Colin Powell passed away on October 18, 2021, at age 84. He was at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. He died from problems caused by COVID-19. He had been fully vaccinated, but his immune system was weak due to other health issues, including multiple myeloma and Parkinson's disease.

Other Achievements

• 1993 He started America's Promise. This group helps children who are at risk.
• 1993 Queen Elizabeth II gave him an honorary award, Knight Commander of the Most Honorable Order of the Bath.
• 1995 He wrote his first book, a memoir called "My American Journey".
• 1997 He helped create America's Promise Alliance to support children and young people.
• 2012 He published his second memoir, "It Worked For Me: In Life and Leadership".

Images for kids

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  Richard Nixon and Powell, 1973

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  President Ronald Reagan and National Security Advisor Powell in 1988

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  Powell in November 1989, in his official portrait as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

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  Powell, as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, waves from his motorcade during the Persian Gulf War Welcome Home Parade in New York City.

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  Powell, National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld listen to President George W. Bush speak.

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  Computer-generated image of an alleged mobile production facility for biological weapons, presented by Powell at the UN Security Council. On May 27, 2003, U.S. and U.K. experts examined the trailers and declared they had nothing to do with biological weapons.

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  Powell holding a model vial of anthrax while giving a presentation to the United Nations Security Council in February 2003

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  Secretary Powell with NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer

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  Powell with Ban Ki-moon, 2004

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  Powell walks with newly crowned King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, Vice President Dick Cheney, and former President George H. W. Bush, Saudi Arabia, August 2005

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  Powell's coffin is carried by an Armed Forces body bearer team at his funeral on November 5, 2021.

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  Colin Powell Elementary School in Union City, New Jersey, on October 18, 2021, the day Powell died

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  Parachutist Badge

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  Pathfinder Badge

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  Presidential Service Badge

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  Secretary of Defense Identification Badge

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  Army Staff Identification Badge

See also

In Spanish: Colin Powell para niños