Colin Powell was an American politician, statesman, diplomat and United States Army officer. He served as the 65th United States secretary of state from 2001 to 2005. He served as 16th United States national security advisor and as the 12th chairman of the Joint Chief to Staff.
Table of Contents
Individual Life
Colin Luther Powell was born on April 5, 1937 in New York city. He married Alma Johnson in 1962. They have a son named Michael Powell who was the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Colin was an Episcopalian.
| Name | Colin Luther Powell |
| Date of Birth | April 5, 1937 |
| Age | 85 years old as of 2022 |
| Birthplace | New York City, U.S |
| Died | October 18, 2021 |
| Year of Death | 0 |
| Place of Death | Bethesda, Maryland, U.S |
| Political Party | Independent |
| Zodiac Sign | Aries |
| Signature |  |
Education
| University | George Washington University (MBA) |
| College | City College of New York (BS) |
| High School | Morris High School |
Family
Colin Powell was born in New York city in 1937 to Jamaican immigrants Luther Theophilus Powell and Maud Ariel. His parents were of mixed African and Scottish ancestry. Powell attended Morris High school. During his school days, Powell worked in a local baby furniture store. Powell received a Bachelor of Science degree in geology from the City College of New York. He further graduated in MBA from George Washington University.
| Mother | Maud Ariel |
| Father | Luther Theophilus Powell |
| Siblings | Marilyn Berns |
Family, Relationship, Wife and Children
Colin Powell married Alma Johnson on August 25, 1962. They have three children namely Michael Powell, Linda Powell and Annemarie Powell. Michael Powell was the Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) whereas their daughter Linda Powell is an actress.
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse(s) | Alma Johnson |
| Children | Michael Powell, Linda Powell and Annemarie Powell |
Career
| 65th United States Secretary of State | January 20, 2001- January 26,2005 |
| 12th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff | October 1, 1989‐ September 30,1993 |
| 16th United States National Security Advisor | November 23, 1987- January 20, 1989 |
| United States Deputy National Security Advisor | December 2, 1986- November 23, 1987 |
Military Service
| Branch/service | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1958–1993 |
| Rank | General |
| Unit | 3rd Armored Division |
| Unit | 23rd Infantry Division |
| Commands | Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff |
| Commands | US Army Forces Command |
| Commands | V Corps |
| Commands | 2nd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
| Battles/wars | Invasion of Panama |
| Battles/wars | Gulf War |
Political Positions
Death
Colin Powell died on October 18, 2021 at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center of complications from Covid-19. Despite being vaccinated, Powell’s myeloma compromised his immune system resulting in his death. America’s president Joe Biden along with the four of the five living presidents issued statements calling Powell as an American hero. His funeral service was performed at Washington National Cathedral and was attended by Joe Biden, former president Barack Obama, George W.Bush and some others.
Books
| Name of the Book | Year of Publication |
|---|---|
| It Worked for Me: In Life and Leadership | 2012 |
| My American Journey | 1995 |
| A Soldier’s Way | 1995 |
| Portsea: A True Love Story | 2014 |
| In His Own Words | 1995 |
| Colin Powell : An American Hero Speaks Out | 1995 |
| Remarks by General Colin Powell | 2015 |
| My American Dream | 1997 |
| It Worked For Me Unabridged CD | 2012 |
| The America I Believe In: A “This I Believe” Essay | 2006 |
| The Last Days of Purgotary | 2020 |
| American Foreign Policy | 1988 |
| U.S Foreign Policy in a Time of Transition | 1988 |
| The Last Days of Thunder Child | 2006 |
| The Atlantic Alliance and Western Security as NATO turns Forty | 1989 |
| A Soldier’s Way: The Number One International Bestselling Autobiography | 2011 |
| An Evaluation of the the Heartbeat Award Scheme | 1993 |
Civilian Awards and Honors
Powell’s civilian awards include two Presidential Medals of Freedom (the second with distinction), the Congressional Gold Medal, and the Ronald Reagan Freedom Award.
- In 1990, Powell received the US Senator John Heinz Award for Greatest Public Service by an Elected or Appointed Official, an award given out annually by Jefferson Awards.
- In 1991, Powell was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George H. W. Bush.
- In 1991, Powell was awarded the Spingarn Medal from the NAACP.
- In 1991, Powell was inducted into the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans.
- On April 23, 1991, Powell was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal “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.
- On September 30, 1993, Powell was awarded his second Presidential Medal of Freedom, this time with the additional “with distinction” by President Bill Clinton.
- On November 9, 1993, Powell was awarded the second Ronald Reagan Freedom Award, by Ronald Reagan. Powell served as Reagan’s National Security Advisor from 1987 to 1989.
- In 1993, Colin Powell was created an honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath by Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom.
- In 1998, he was awarded the Sylvanus Thayer Award by the United States Military Academy for his commitment to the ideals of “Duty, Honor, Country”.
- In 1998, he was elected to the American Philosophical Society
- The 2002 Liberty Medal was awarded to Colin Powell on July 4 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In his acceptance speech, Powell reminded Americans that “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.”
- In 2005, Powell received the Bishop John T. Walker Distinguished Humanitarian Service Award for his contributions to Africa.
- Powell received the 2006 AARP Andrus Award, the Association’s highest honor.
- In 2005, Colin and Alma Powell were awarded the Woodrow Wilson Award for Public Service by the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars of the Smithsonian Institution.
- Colin Powell Elementary School in Union City, New Jersey, on October 18, 2021, the day Powell died
- Powell was a recipient of the Silver Buffalo Award, the highest adult award given by the Boy Scouts of America.
- A street in Gelnhausen, Germany, was named after him: “General-Colin-Powell-Straße.”
- In 2002, scholar Molefi Kete Asante listed Colin Powell on his list of 100 Greatest Blacks in America.
- In 2009, an elementary school named for Colin Powell opened in El Paso. It is in the El Paso Independent School District, located on Fort Bliss property, and serves a portion of Fort Bliss.
- In 2009, Powell was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
- Powell was an Honorary Board Member of the humanitarian organization Wings of Hope
- From 2006, he was the chairman of the Board of Trustees for Eisenhower Fellowships.
- In 2006, The Harry S. Truman Research Institute for the Advancement of Peace at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem awarded Colin Powell with the Truman Peace Prize for his efforts to conduct the “war against terrorism”, through diplomatic as well as military means, and to avert regional and civil conflicts in many parts of the world.
- In September 2012, Union City, New Jersey, opened Colin Powell Elementary School, which was named after Powell, and which was dedicated on February 7, 2013, with governor Chris Christie in attendance. Powell himself visited the school on June 4, 2013.
- In 2014, Colin Powell was named to the National Board of Advisors for High Point University.
Dates of Rank
| Rank | Date |
|---|---|
| General | 04-Apr-89 |
| Lieutenant general | 26-Mar-86 |
| Major general | 01-Aug-83 |
| Brigadier general | 01-Jun-79 |
| Colonel | 01-Feb-76 |
| Lieutenant colonel | 09-Jul-70 |
| Major | 24-May-66 |
| Captain | 02-Jun-62 |
| First lieutenant | 30-Dec-59 |
| Second lieutenant | 09-Jun-58 |
Badges
- Combat Infantryman Badge
- Expert Infantryman Badge
- Ranger Tab
- Parachutist Badge
- Pathfinder Badge
- Air Assault Badge
- Presidential Service Badge
- Secetary of Defence Identification Badge
- Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge
- Army Staff Identification Badge
Medals and Ribbons
- Defence Distinguished Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
- Army Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
- Navy Distinguished Service Medal
- Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
- Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal
- Defense Superior Service Medal
- Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster
- Soldier’s Medal
- Bronze Star Medal
- Purple Heart
- Air Medal
- Joint Service Commendation Medal
- Army Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
- Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction
- Presidential Citizens Medal
- Secretary’s Distinguished Service Award
- National Defense Service Medal with bronze service star
- Vietnam Service Medal with silver service star
- Army Service Ribbon
- Army Overseas Service Ribbon with award numeral 4
Foreign Decorations
- Honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB)(United Kingdom)
- Legion d’honneur, Grand Cross (France)
- Meritorious Service Cross(M.S.C)(Canada)
- Skanderbeg’s Order (Albania)
- Order of Stara Planina First Order(Bulgaria)
- Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation
- Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
Zodiac Information
| Zodiac Sign | Aries |
| Birth Stone | Diamond |
| Birth Flower | Daisy / Sweet Pea / Tulip |
| Planet | Mars |
| Color | Red |
| Element | Fire |
FAQs:
When was Colin Powell born?
Colin Luther Powell was born on April 5, 1937 in New York city.
When did Colin Powell die?
Colin Powell died on October 18, 2021 at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center of complications from Covid-19. Despite being vaccinated, Powell’s myeloma compromised his immune system resulting in his death.
Was Colin Powell married?
He married Alma Johnson in 1962. They have a son named Michael Powell who was the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Colin was an Episcopalian.
Where was Colin Powell’s funeral service performed?
His funeral service was performed at Washington National Cathedral and was attended by Joe Biden, former president Barack Obama, George W.Bush and some others.