General Colin L. Powell (1937- )
On August 10, 1989, General Colin Powell became the first African-American chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army in 1958, Powell received several commendations and decorations. He commanded the 2nd Brigade of the 101st Airborne Division from 1976 to 1977 and was the senior military assistant to the Deputy Secretary of Defense from 1979 to 1981 and again from 1983 to 1986. He served as a deputy assistant and then as an assistant to President Ronald Reagan, advising on National Security Affairs from 1987 to 1989, at which point he assumed the chairmanship of the Joint Chief's of Staff. His autobiography My American Journey (1995) chronicles his experiences as a ranking military official and political advisor.
Additional Information Can Be Found At...
Biographical Profile of General Colin L. Powell
General Colin L. Powell - Biography
General Colin L. Powell (Ret.)
A Special Message From General Colin L. Powell
Gen. Colin Powell - Person of the Year