Oliver North facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Oliver North
|
|
|---|---|
North in 2017, wearing his Silver Star medal ribbon
|
|
| President of the National Rifle Association | |
| In office September 2018 – April 29, 2019 |
|
| Preceded by | Pete Brownell |
| Succeeded by | Carolyn D. Meadows |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Oliver Laurence North
October 7, 1943 San Antonio, Texas, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Betsy Stuart
(m. 1967; died 2024) |
| Children | 4 |
| Education | State University of New York, Brockport United States Naval Academy (BS) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1968–1990 |
| Rank |  Lieutenant colonel |
| Unit | 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines (Vietnam) 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines 2nd Marine Division |
| Commands | Northern Training Area |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
| Awards |
|
Oliver Laurence North (born October 7, 1943) is an American political speaker, TV host, author, and a retired United States Marine Corps lieutenant colonel.
North served in the Vietnam War. He was a staff member for the United States National Security Council during the Iran–Contra affair in the late 1980s. This was a political event involving the sale of weapons to Iran. The goal was to help free American hostages held in Lebanon. Money from these sales was then sent to support the Contras, a rebel group in Nicaragua. This support was against a law called the Boland Amendment. North testified about this plan to Congress. He was later found guilty of some charges, but these decisions were overturned, and all charges were dropped in 1991.
After his military career, North ran for the U.S. Senate in Virginia in 1994 but did not win. He then hosted a radio show and a TV show called War Stories with Oliver North on Fox News. In 2018, he became the president of the National Rifle Association (NRA). He resigned from this role in April 2019 after a disagreement with the organization's chief executive.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Oliver North was born in San Antonio, Texas, on October 7, 1943. His father was a U.S. Army major. He grew up in Philmont, New York, and finished high school in 1961. He studied at the State University of New York at Brockport for two years.
In 1963, North joined the United States Naval Academy. He became a second lieutenant in 1968. He had to take a year off due to serious injuries from a car accident. One of his classmates at the academy was Jim Webb, who later became a U.S. senator.
Military Career
Serving in Vietnam
North was a platoon commander during the Vietnam War. For his bravery, he received several awards. These included the Silver Star, the Bronze Star Medal with a "V" for valor, and two Purple Heart medals. During one battle, North led his Marines against heavy enemy fire. He showed great courage and leadership, even when facing danger.
After Vietnam
After his service in Vietnam, North held various positions in the Marine Corps. He was an instructor at the Marine Basic School and a director in Okinawa, Japan. He also worked in plans and policy at the Headquarters Marine Corps. In 1981, he graduated from the Navy War College.
Working with the National Security Council
In 1981, North began working for the United States National Security Council in Washington, D.C. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel in 1983. During this time, he worked on several important missions. He helped find those responsible for the 1983 bombing that killed American and French military members in Beirut. He also helped plan the U.S. invasion of Grenada and the 1986 bombing of Libya.
North retired from the Marine Corps in 1988. This was after he was accused of charges related to the Iran-Contra affair. However, all charges against him were later dropped.
Military Awards and Honors
North received many awards for his service in the military. These include:
- Silver Star Medal
- Bronze Star Medal with Combat V device
- Purple Heart Medal (with one gold star)
- Defense Meritorious Service Medal
- Meritorious Service Medal
- Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (with Combat "V" device and two gold stars)
- Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (with one gold star)
- Combat Action Ribbon
- Navy Unit Commendation
- Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation (with one bronze star)
- National Defense Service Medal
- Vietnam Service Medal (with one silver star)
- Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (with one bronze star)
- Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon
- Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross (with silver star)
- Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation (with palm and frame)
- Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal (with 1960–device)
- Marine Corps Expert Rifle Badge
- Marine Corps Expert Pistol Badge
- Presidential Service Badge
Iran–Contra Affair
North became widely known because of his role in the Iran–Contra affair. This was a political event during President Ronald Reagan's time. North was involved in selling weapons to Iran and sending the money to the Contras in Nicaragua. The U.S. Congress had passed the Boland Amendment, which stopped U.S. intelligence agencies from funding the Contras.
North tried to get money from the Sultan of Brunei to help the Contras. However, he made a mistake with the bank account number, and the money went to someone else. It was later found and returned.
In 1986, when the weapon sales became public, President Ronald Reagan dismissed North. North later said that his family was threatened and had to move to a military base for safety.
In July 1987, North testified before Congress about the Iran-Contra affair. He admitted that he had not been fully truthful with Congress. He defended his actions by saying he believed in helping the Contras, whom he saw as freedom fighters. He also admitted to destroying government documents related to these activities.
In 1988, North was charged with several counts. In 1989, he was found guilty of three charges: accepting an illegal gift, helping to block a congressional inquiry, and ordering the destruction of documents. He received a suspended prison term, probation, and a fine. However, North appealed his conviction. In 1990, his convictions were overturned because his testimony to Congress, which he gave under immunity, might have affected his trial. All charges against him were dismissed in 1991.
Political Career
In the 1994 election, North ran for the United States Senate in Virginia as a Republican. He lost the election to the incumbent Democrat, Charles Robb. North raised a lot of money for his campaign, mostly through direct mail. This made him a top fundraiser in politics at that time.
Freedom Alliance
In 1990, North started the Freedom Alliance. This foundation aims to support military service and promote a strong national defense. Its main activities include helping wounded soldiers and providing scholarships for children of service members who died in action.
Since 2003, TV host Sean Hannity has helped raise over $10 million for the Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund through concerts and donations.
National Rifle Association
On May 7, 2018, the National Rifle Association (NRA) announced that North would become its next president. He had been a board member and spoke at NRA conventions before. North started his term as president in September 2018.
In April 2019, North announced he would not serve a second term as president. This happened during a disagreement involving the NRA's chief executive, Wayne LaPierre. North had asked LaPierre to resign and called for an independent review of the NRA's finances. LaPierre claimed North was threatening to share damaging information about him. North's term ended on April 29, 2019, and Carolyn D. Meadows took over.
Media and Books
North became well-known for his work in media. From 1995 to 2003, he hosted his own nationally syndicated talk radio show. He also co-hosted Equal Time on MSNBC. From 2001 to 2016, North hosted the TV show War Stories with Oliver North and was a regular commentator on Fox News Channel.
.jpg)
He has appeared as himself on many TV shows, including Wings and JAG. He also appeared in several documentaries. North often speaks at public and private events. He was a military consultant for the 2012 video game Call of Duty: Black Ops II and voiced himself in a scene.
Books by Oliver North
North has written several nonfiction and fiction books.
- Nonfiction Books:
* Under Fire: An American Story (1991) * One More Mission: Oliver North Returns to Vietnam (1993) * War Stories: Operation Iraqi Freedom (2003) * True Freedom: The Liberating Power of Prayer (2003) * A Greater Freedom: Stories of Faith from Operation Iraqi Freedom (2004) * War Stories II: Heroism in the Pacific (2004) * War Stories III: The Heroes Who Defeated Hitler (2005) * American Heroes: In the Fight Against Radical Islam (2008) * American Heroes: In Special Operations (2010) * American Heroes: On the Homefront (2013) * Veterans' Lament: Is This the America Our Heroes Fought For? (2020) * American ...: Marxist Tyranny in Higher Education and What to do About It. (2023)
- Fiction Books:
* Mission Compromised (2002) * The Jericho Sanction (2003) * The Assassins (2005) * Heroes Proved (2012) * Counterfeit Lies (2014) * The Rifleman (2019) * The Giant Awakes (2022)
Personal Life
In 1967, Oliver North married Betsy Stuart. They had four children. The Norths lived in McLean, Virginia. Betsy North passed away on November 16, 2024.
See also
In Spanish: Oliver North para niños
