Bio of Colin Powell, Secretary of Defense

Colin Luther Powell was born in New York on April 5, 1937. His mother and father were immigrants from Jamaica. They wisely instilled in young Colin how rewarding a solid education and achievement in life is. Still, Colin grew up and graduated from high school without any concrete plans for his life. So, he began to study geology at the City College in New York.

Fortunately, Colin then made another move that would positively impact his life. He signed up with the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC). Colin excelled in the ROTC and he quickly was promoted to be the commander of his drill team. He graduated in 1958 with the rank of Cadet Colonel, which is the top rank in the corps. Powell also graduated with honors from the City College and earned a Bachelors of Science Degree.

Colin Powell then held the rank of a commissioned officer in the United States Army. He was deployed on two occasions, from 1962 to 1963, and from 1968 to 1969, respectively, while the
Vietnam War raged on. On his first tour of duty, Powell was commissioned a second lieutenant and was sent to South Vietnam to serve as a military advisor by the president. Powell was wounded while on patrol, and he received the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star for his heroism.

During his second tour of duty, Second Lieutenant Powell again received war injuries, this time when a helicopter crashed. He heroically managed to save the other passengers and received the Soldier's Medal for his efforts.

On top of his Bachelors of Science Degree, Powell earned a Masters Degree from the George Washington University in Washington, in 1969. He was then promoted to an Army Major and he won a fellowship at the White House.

At the White House in the 1970's, Major Powell's military expertise allowed him to be assigned to many positions. He worked in the Office of Management and Budget. He also was assigned duties as a military commander. At the end of that decade, Powell was promoted to Major General. He was also the military assistant to the deputy secretary of defense until 1981. At that time, Powell became the commander of the Fourth Infantry Division.