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 Colin
Powell was born in New York City on April 5, 1937.
Secretary
Powell served as the 12th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff,
Department of Defense, from October 1, 1989 to September 30, 1993,
under both President George Bush and President Bill Clinton.
The son of Jamaican immigrants, Powell was raised in the South Bronx.
He was educated in the New York City public schools, and at City
College of New York (CCNY). He participated in ROTC at CCNY and
received a commission as an Army second lieutenant upon graduation. He
subsequently received a Master of Business Administration degree from
George Washington University.
Powell served two tours of duty in Vietnam, and as a battalion
commander in Korea. He later commanded the 2nd Brigade, 101st Airborne
Division (Air Asssault) and V Corps, United States Army, Europe. Prior
to being named as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, he served as
the Commander in Chief, Forces Command, headquartered at Fort
McPherson, Georgia.
Secretary
Powell has been the recipient of numerous U.S.
military decorations, including the Defense Distinguished Service
Medal, Bronze Star Medal, and the Purple Heart. His civilian awards
include the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Congressional Gold
Medal, and an honorary knighthood (Knight Commander of the Bath) from
the Queen of England. He retired from the U.S. Army in 1993.
Secretary
Powell was selected by President George W. Bush as his Secretary of
State in January, 2001. Powell is the first African-American to hold
this high office in the United States Government.
Powell
is also chairman of America's Promise, an organization that challenges
Americans to scale up their investment in youth, and committed to
making America's youth a national priority. He is also a member of the
Board of Trustees of Howard University, and of the Board of Directors
of the United Negro College Fund. He serves on the Board of Governors
of The Boys & Girls Clubs of America and is a member of the
Advisory Board of the Children's Health Fund.
Secretary
Powell is married to the former Alma Vivian Johnson of Birmingham,
Alabama. The Powell family includes son Michael and daughters Linda and
Annemarie; daughter-in-law Jane, and grandsons Jeffrey and Bryan
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