Colin Powell had a 35-year career in the U.S. military, rising to the rank of General and serving as National Security Advisor and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff before becoming the first African American Secretary of State under President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2005. He had a distinguished military career serving in South Korea, Germany, and Vietnam and received several honors and medals.

1. Colin Powell U.S. Military General and U.S. Secretary of State

2. Background Born April 5, 1937 in the neighborhood of Harlem in New York City, New York Parents Luther and Maud Powell 35 years as a professional soldier- June 9, 1958 to April 4, 1989 National Security Advisor (under Ronald Regan) from 1987 to 1989 Served 1989-1993 as Joint Chiefs of Staff, the highest ranking position in the Dept. of Defense 1 st Jamaican-American U.S. Secretary of State from 2001-2005 Married his wife Alma in 1962, had a son Michael, and daughters Linda and Anne Attended the City College of New York, and the George Washington University

3. U.S. Secretary of State The Secretary of State is in charge of maintaining all foreign relations. The Secretary is also principal adviser to the President regarding U.S. foreign policy and in the past several years, has become responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and supervision of activities of the U.S. government overseas, including excepting certain military activities. The Secretary of State is in the fourth in line to succeed in presidency. So if the Vice-President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and President pro tempore Senate all are unable to fill in, then they’ll be in business. The Secretary is also responsible for the storage and use of the Great Seal of the United States (see picture above), which is a seal that authenticates documents issued by the U.S. government. Colin Powell was the 65 th Secretary, the current, Condoleezza Rice, is the 66 th . The tradition of the Secretary of State started in 1789 with Thomas Jefferson.

4. General Colin Powell’s Military Career Entered the Reserve Officer’s Training Corps in college June 1958 granted commission as Army Second Lieutenant Served as Lieutenant Colonel in South Korea Third Armored Division in Germany as a Lieutenant Executive officer and Assistant Chief of Staff in Vietnam Also served at Fort Carson and Fort McPherson for the last several years before retiring

5. Powell’s Career Highlights Military Purple Heart Bronze Star Soldier’s Medal Legion of merit U.S. Secretary of State 1 st - Jamaican-American Secretary Highest ranking African-American in office

6. Photo Gallery