Colin Powell

Birth Name:

Colin Luther Powell

Birth Place:

Harlem, New York, United States

Profession

Actor

Has been the first African American to serve in every position he has held since becoming the National Security Advisor
Opened the Colin Powell Center for Policy Studies at the City College of New York to aid high-achieving students and served as the Chairman of America's Promise: the Alliance for Youth
Was awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star in 1963 after being wounded by a booby trap on the border between Vietnam and Laos
Was awarded the Soldier's Medal in 1969 after saving his comrades from a burning helicopter in Vietnam
Graduated from the City College of New York with a degree in geology in 1958 and later earned his master's in business from George Washington University
First worked at the White House when he received a fellowship and was assigned to the Office of Management and Budget under President Nixon
Started out as a second lieutenant in the Army and was sent to South Vietnam during the Kennedy administration in 1962
Was a member of his college's ROTC program, where he was commander of his drill team and graduated at the top of his class with the rank of cadet colonel
Became the National Security Advisor in 1987 under President Reagan after becoming a Lieutenant General
Best known as a retired military general and as the former Secretary of State who served under President George W․ Bush
Was appointed Secretary of State by President George W․ Bush in 2001, which was the highest rank held by an African American in the U․S․ government at the time

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