Colin Powell was born in New York City in 1937. He became a U.S. army general, the highest ranking African-American officer in U.S. history and chairman (1989-93) of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

He served two tours of duty (1962-63, 1968-69) during the Vietnam War and later served in both command (commander, 2d Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, 1976-77; commander, V Corps, Europe, 1986) and political (military assistant to the Deputy Defense Secy., 1979-81, and to the Defense Secy., 1983-86) positions.

From 1987 to 1989 he was President Reagan's national security adviser. In 1989 he was made a four-star general and was appointed chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Powell played an influential role in the planning of U.S. strategy during the Persian Gulf War.

Posted by Contact on Monday September 21, 1998.