Born in New York to Jamaican immigrant parents, Powell graduated from City College of New York. From October 1, 1985 to September 30, 1989, General Powell served as the 12th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. After retiring from military service, he was the 65th United States Secretary of State (2001-2005), serving under President George W. Bush, and was the first African American and Jamaican American appointed to that position. Colin Powell was awarded the Soldier’s Medal for actions in Vietnam when the command helicopter crashed and burned. Captain Powell pulled his comrades from the burning helicopter, including Jack Treadwell, a World War II Medal of Honor recipient in what may be the only time in history that any soldier earned the Soldier’s Medal for saving the life of a MOH recipient.
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Awards Received
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Army Distinguished Service Medal
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
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Defense Superior Service Medal
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Soldier’s Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
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Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal
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Army Distinguished Service Medal
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Defense Distinguished Service Medal
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Defense Distinguished Service Medal
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Army Distinguished Service Medal
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: General Colin Luther Powell, United States Army, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Army Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States.
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
GeneralDivision:
Joint Chiefs of StaffAction Date:
October 1989 – September 1993
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to General Colin Luther Powell, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from October 1989 through September 1991. In this capacity, General Powell was instrumental in leading the Armed Forces of the United States through numerous conflicts, humanitarian and peace keeping missions, and the largest restructuring of the Armed Forces since the demobilization following World War II. In service to his country, General Powell consistently gave sound advice to its leadership and demonstrated exceptional diplomatic acumen when dealing with the civilian and military leaders of foreign Nations thereby providing the necessary groundwork to enhance National security relationships worldwide. His advice to those in Government was flawless and contributed directly to the peaceful winning of the Cold War. General Powell was particularly effective in promoting a strong Navy and gave valuable support to the Navy on a variety of critical maritime issues. General Powell’s most important and lasting contribution to the United States of America is a lean, professional Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps capable of working together in the best interests of defending freedom anywhere in the world. He has earned the respect of every Soldier, Sailor, Airman, and Marine, and the American public. General Powell’s superb leadership skills, distinctive achievements, and unselfish devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Armed Forces.
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Defense Superior Service Medal
Under the provisions of Department of Defense 1348.33-M, the Secretary of Defense has awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal to General Colin Luther Powell, United States Army, for exceptionally superior service to the Department of Defense. The distinctive accomplishments of General Powell reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Army, and the Department of Defense.
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Soldier’s Medal
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
MajorDivision:
23d Infantry Division (Americal)Action Date:
November 16, 1968
Headquarters, Americal Division, General Orders No. 9285 (December 3, 1968)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Soldier’s Medal to Major Colin Luther Powell, United States Army, for heroism not involving actual conflict with an armed enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. Major Powell distinguished himself by valorous actions on 16 November 1968, while serving as G-3 Americal Division. On that date, the helicopter in which Major Powell was being transported with the Commanding General, Americal Division, crashed. With complete disregard for his own safety and while injured himself, Major Powell returned several times to the smoldering aircraft which was in danger of bursting into flames. In one instance he had to break away part of the wreckage in order to get to a trapped individual. Through his efforts all personnel were saved. Major Powell’s personal bravery and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the Americal Division, and the United States Army.
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Legion of Merit
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: General Colin Luther Powell, United States Army, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States.
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Legion of Merit
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: General Colin Luther Powell, United States Army, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States.
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Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
GeneralDivision:
Joint Chiefs of StaffAction Date:
October 1989 – September 1993
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal to General Colin Luther Powell, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from October 1989 to September 1993. General Powell, through his exemplary leadership, wisdom, and deep sense of commitment, provided truly invaluable service to the American people including, and particularly, those in the Armed Forces of the United States. His superior insight, perceptive understanding and superb execution of national priorities and policies have led to significant advances in a broad spectrum of inter-service programs and operations. His distinguished contributions have resulted in both tangible and intangible benefits to all of the Armed Services including those of both the Department of Defense, and the Department of Transportation. As an initiative of particular importance, General Powell was the driving force in incorporating the United States Coast Guard in joint operations in an unprecedented manner, which resulted in truly substantial benefits of significant consequence to the U.S. Government, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the other Armed Services. He has truly been “Semper Paratus – Always Ready” both in war and in peace. General Powell’s leadership, dedication, and devotion to duty are most heartily commended and are in keeping with the highest traditions of all of the Armed Forces of the United States, including the United States Coast Guard.
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Army Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
GeneralDivision:
Joint Chiefs of StaffAction Date:
October 1983 – September 1993
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to General Colin Luther Powell, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States from October 1983 to September 1993, while serving in consecutive positions of significant responsibility, culminating as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. During the final ten years of his distinguished career, General Powell commanded Army troops in Europe and in the Continental United States, and served as a senior military advisor to several Secretaries of Defense and Presidents. Consistent throughout all his assignments were his visionary leadership, selfless service to the Nation and its people, concern for the readiness of the Armed Forces, and above all compassion for every soldier, airman, sailor and Marine. During his tenure as the Chairman, he was confronted with ever increasing demands for military forces for missions ranging from major regional conflicts to peacekeeping and humanitarian operations. At the same time, the economic demands of the Nation required him to drastically reduce and restructure the military forces. A testimony to his efforts has been the United States’ successes in recent military operations throughout the world, to include Panama and the Persian Gulf, and the confidence of the American people in its Armed Forces. Under his stewardship, the United States military power has been renewed to a highly cohesive joint team, and the basis for the continued health of our Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps into the next century has been laid. In sum, General Powell’s influence has had a beneficial effect on the security of the free world. General Powell’s distinguished service to his country reflects great credit on him and the United States Army.
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Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
GeneralDivision:
Joint Chiefs of StaffAction Date:
October 1989 – September 1993
The Secretary of Defense of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal to General Colin Luther Powell, United States Army, for exceptionally distinguished service as Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, from October 1989 to September 1993. General Powell’s tireless dedication to the best interests of the United States and its Allied Forces helped two Presidents and two Secretaries of Defense to chart the safest course for the Nation. As principal military advisor to the President, the Secretary of Defense and the National Security Council, General Powell confronted rapid and profound change. He was the first Chairman in history to deploy over 540,000 troops to a combat zone while at the same time overseeing the most dramatic restructuring of the Nation’s Armed Forces wince World War II. Moreover, in the wake of the Cold War, General Powell advised national leaders as they responded to a number of crises that resulted in military operations ranging from the major conflict to peacekeeping and humanitarian operations. In a time of decreasing resources and mounting demands on America’s Armed Forces, General Powell forged a team of Service leaders that cooperated in the best spirit of the military tradition. His dealings with foreign leaders enhanced United States national security relationships worldwide. The distinctive accomplishments of General Powell culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his country and reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Army, and the Department of Defense.
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Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Under the provisions of Executive Order 11545, July 9, 1970, the Secretary of Defense of the United States of America take pleasure in awarding a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal to General Colin Luther Powell, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service contributing to national security and defense, in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States. The distinctive accomplishments of General Powell reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Army, and the Department of Defense.