Editing Colin Powell (section)

==Military career==
Powell was a professional soldier for thirty-five years, holding a variety of command and staff positions and rising to the rank of [[General (United States)|general]].<ref name=BiographyChannel>{{cite web|url=http://www.biography.com/search/article.do?id=9445708&page=print|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070807232535/http://www.biography.com/search/article.do?id=9445708&page=print|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 7, 2007|access-date=May 31, 2007|title=Colin (Luther) Powell Biography (1937– )|work=The Biography Channel|publisher=A&E Television Networks}}</ref>

===Training===
While attending the [[City College of New York]], Powell joined the [[Reserve Officers' Training Corps]] (ROTC).<ref>{{cite news |title='It Worked For Me': Life Lessons From Colin Powell |url=https://www.npr.org/2012/05/22/153296714/it-worked-for-me-life-lessons-from-colin-powell |publisher=NPR |access-date=April 14, 2021 |date=May 22, 2012 |archive-date=April 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414030323/https://www.npr.org/2012/05/22/153296714/it-worked-for-me-life-lessons-from-colin-powell |url-status=live }}</ref> He described the experience as one of the happiest experiences of his life. According to Powell: {{blockquote|It was only once I was in college, about six months into college when I found something that I liked, and that was ROTC, Reserve Officer Training Corps in the military. And I not only liked it, but I was pretty good at it. That's what you really have to look for in life, something that you like, and something that you think you're pretty good at. And if you can put those two things together, then you're on the right track, and just drive on.<ref>{{cite web|title=Colin Powell Biography and Interview|website=achievement.org|publisher=[[American Academy of Achievement]]|url=https://www.achievement.org/achiever/general-colin-l-powell/#interview|access-date=April 8, 2019|archive-date=April 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190406133433/https://www.achievement.org/achiever/general-colin-l-powell/#interview|url-status=live}}</ref> }}

As a [[Officer cadet|cadet]], Powell joined the [[Pershing Rifles]],<ref name="Journey">{{Cite book |last1=Powell |first1=Colin L. |last2=Persico |first2=Joseph E. |author-link2=Joseph E. Persico |url=https://archive.org/details/myamericanjourne00powerich |url-access=registration |title=My American Journey |date=1995 |publisher=[[Random House]] |isbn=978-0307763686 |oclc=7059263772}}{{rp|27–28}}</ref> the ROTC fraternal organization and [[Military Drill Team|drill team]] begun by General [[John Pershing]].

===Early career===
Upon graduation, he received a commission as an [[United States Army|Army]] [[Second Lieutenant (United States)|second lieutenant]];<ref>{{cite web|title = Secretary of State Colin L. Powell (biography)|publisher = The White House|date = April 29, 2003|url = https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/government/powell-bio.html|access-date = February 3, 2007|archive-date = November 8, 2017|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171108210204/https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/government/powell-bio.html|url-status = live}}</ref> at this time, the Army was newly desegregated<ref name="NYT Obit"/> {{xref|(see: [[Executive Order 9981]])}}. He underwent training in the [[state of Georgia]], where he was [[Racial segregation in the United States|refused service]] in bars and restaurants because of the color of his skin.<ref name="BBC Obit.">{{cite news |title=Obituary: Colin Powell |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-33957894 |work=BBC News |date=October 18, 2021 |access-date=October 18, 2021 |archive-date=October 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211018125857/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-33957894 |url-status=live }}</ref> After attending [[Basic Officer Leaders Course|basic training]] at [[Fort Benning]], Powell was assigned to the [[48th Infantry Regiment (United States)|48th Infantry]], in [[West Germany]], as a [[platoon leader]].<ref name="CNN1996">{{cite news |title=Colin Powell |url=http://cgi.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/1996/conventions/san.diego/players/powell.bio/ |publisher=CNN |year=1996 |access-date=December 7, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000902031325/http://cgi.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/1996/conventions/san.diego/players/powell.bio/ |archive-date=September 2, 2000 |url-status=dead}}</ref> From 1960 to 1962, he served as group liaison officer, company executive officer, and commander of Company A, 1st Battle Group, 4th Infantry, 2nd Infantry Brigade, [[5th Infantry Division (United States)|5th Infantry Division (Mechanized)]] at [[Fort Devens]], Massachusetts.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://armyhistory.org/general-colin-luther-powell/ |title=General Colin Luther Powell |year=2022 |website=Army History.org |publisher=The Campaign for the National Museum of the United States Army |location=Ft. Belvoir, VA |access-date=August 1, 2022}}</ref>

===Vietnam War===

[[Captain (U.S. Army)|Captain]] Powell served a tour in Vietnam as a [[Army of the Republic of Vietnam|South Vietnamese Army]] (ARVN) advisor from 1962 to 1963. While on patrol in a [[Viet Cong]]-held area, he was wounded by stepping on a [[punji stake]].<ref name=Kearny_p179>{{Cite book|author-link=Cresson Kearny|author=Kearny, Cresson H.|title=Jungle Snafus...And Remedies|publisher=Oregon Institute of Science & Medicine |location=Cave Junction, Oregon|year=1996 |isbn=978-1-884067-10-5 |oclc=41447083|page= 179}}</ref> The large infection made it difficult for him to walk, and caused his foot to swell for a short time, shortening his first tour.{{sfn|Steins|2003|pp=25–26}}

Powell returned to Vietnam as a [[Major (United States)|major]] in 1968, serving as assistant [[Chief of staff (military)|chief of staff]] of operations for the [[23rd Infantry Division (United States)|23rd (Americal) Infantry Division]]. During the second tour in Vietnam he was decorated with the [[Soldier's Medal]] for bravery after he survived a helicopter crash and single-handedly rescued three others, including division commander Major General [[Charles M. Gettys]], from the burning wreckage.<ref name="CNN1996" /><ref>{{cite book |last=Finlayson |first=Reggie |title=Colin Powell |series=Biography (A & E) |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zaYOC27mmhAC&q=Charles+M.+Gettys+colin+powell&pg=PA55 |access-date=December 7, 2012 |year=2003 |publisher=Twenty-First Century Books |isbn=978-0822549666 |page=55 |archive-date=October 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020123656/https://books.google.com/books?id=zaYOC27mmhAC&q=Charles+M.+Gettys+colin+powell&pg=PA55 |url-status=live }}</ref>

====My Lai massacre inquiry====
{{Blockquote|quote=Soldiers actively hunted, herded, and killed elderly people, children, infants, and raped women while other Soldiers [''sic''] looked on and did nothing to stop the massacre. An estimated 350 to 500 unarmed civilians died in My Lai ... MAJ Colin Powell, a recently assigned Deputy G3, investigated the allegations described in the [Glen] letter. He proved unable to uncover either wide-spread unnecessary killings, war crimes, or any facts related to My Lai ...|author=US Army Center for the Army Profession and Leadership|source=''My Lai at 50: Written Case Study''<ref name="CAPL">{{cite web |url=https://capl.army.mil/case-studies/wcs-single.php?id=76&title=my-lai-at-50 |title=My Lai at 50: Written Case Study |author=<!--Not stated--> |year=2021 |website=Center for the Army Profession and Leadership |publisher=US Army |access-date=19 October 2021 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019035946/https://capl.army.mil/case-studies/wcs-single.php?id=76&title=my-lai-at-50 |archive-date=19 October 2021}}</ref>}}

Powell was charged with investigating a detailed letter by [[11th Light Infantry Brigade]] soldier Tom Glen, which backed up rumored allegations of the 1968 [[My Lai massacre]].<ref name="CAPL"/> Powell wrote: "In direct refutation of this portrayal is the fact that relations between [[Americal Division|Americal]] soldiers and the [[Vietnamese people]] are excellent".<ref>{{cite book |last1=DeYoung |first1=Karen |author-link1=Karen DeYoung |title=Soldier: The Life of Colin Powell |date=2006 |publisher=Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group |isbn=978-0-307-26593-7 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7baTaod_kEcC&dq=%22In%20direct%20refutation%20of%20this%20portrayal%20is%20the%20fact%20that%20relations%20between%22&pg=PT92 |language=en}}</ref> Later, Powell's assessment would be described as [[Whitewash (censorship)|whitewashing]] the news of the massacre, and questions would continue to remain undisclosed to the public.<ref name="BBCNews Obit">{{cite news |title=Colin Powell: From Vietnam vet to secretary of state |date=October 18, 2021 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-33957894 |work=BBC News |access-date=October 19, 2021 |archive-date=October 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211018212230/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-33957894 |url-status=live }}</ref> In May 2004, Powell said to television and radio host [[Larry King]], "I was in a unit that was responsible for My Lai. I got there after My Lai happened. So, in war, these sorts of horrible things happen every now and again, but they are still to be deplored".<ref>{{cite web |title=Interview on CNN's Larry King Live |publisher=US Department of State |location=New York |date=May 4, 2004 |url=https://2001-2009.state.gov/secretary/former/powell/remarks/32160.htm |access-date=February 3, 2007 |archive-date=February 5, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090205115534/http://2001-2009.state.gov/secretary/former/powell/remarks/32160.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

===After the Vietnam War===
[[File:Nixon Contact Sheet WHPO-E0416 Colin Powell.jpg|thumb|left|Richard Nixon and Powell, 1973]]
When he returned to the U.S. from Vietnam in 1971, Powell earned a [[Master of Business Administration]] degree from [[George Washington University]] in Washington, D.C.<ref name="Education" /><ref name="BBC Obit." /> He later served a [[White House Fellows]]hip under President [[Richard Nixon]] from 1972 to 1973. During 1975–1976 he attended the [[National War College]], Washington, D.C.<ref name=BrownWagner>{{cite book|last1=Brown|first1=Warren|last2=Wagner|first2=Heather Lehr|title=Colin Powell: Soldier and Statesman|year=2009|publisher=Infobase Publishing|pages=41, 43}}</ref>

In his autobiography, ''My American Journey'', Powell named several officers he served under who inspired and mentored him. As a [[Lieutenant colonel (United States)|lieutenant colonel]] commanding 1st Battalion, [[32nd Infantry Regiment (United States)|32nd Infantry]], 2nd Infantry Division in South Korea, Powell was very close to his division commander, Major General [[Henry "Gunfighter" Emerson]], whom he regarded as one of the most caring officers he ever met.<ref>{{cite book |last=Bolger |first=Daniel P. |date=2017 |title=Our Year of War: Two Brothers, Vietnam, and a Nation Divided |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vwjhDgAAQBAJ&pg=PT338 |location=Boston, MA |publisher=Da Capo Press |page=338 |isbn=978-0-3069-0324-3 |via=[[Google Books]]}}</ref> Emerson insisted his troops train at night to fight a possible North Korean attack, and made them repeatedly watch the television film ''[[Brian's Song]]'' to promote racial harmony. Powell always professed that what set Emerson apart was his great love of his soldiers and concern for their welfare. After a [[race riot]] occurred, in which African-American soldiers almost killed a white officer, Powell was charged by Emerson to crack down on [[Black Power|black militants]]; Powell's efforts led to the discharge of one soldier, and other efforts to reduce racial tensions.<ref name="CNN1996" /> During 1976–1977 he commanded the 2nd Brigade of the [[101st Airborne Division]].<ref name="CNN staff"/>

Powell subsequently served as the junior military assistant to [[United States Deputy Secretary of Defense|deputy secretaries of defense]] [[Charles Duncan Jr.|Charles Duncan]] and [[W. Graham Claytor Jr.|Graham Claytor]], receiving a promotion to brigadier general on 1 June 1979.<ref name="Journey" />{{rp|588}} At the ceremony, he received from Secretary [[Harold Brown (Secretary of Defense)|Harold Brown's]] protocol officer, Stuart Purviance, a framed quotation by President [[Abraham Lincoln]]. The quote was "I can make a brigadier general in five minutes. But it's not so easy to replace one hundred ten horses". Taped to the back of the frame was an envelope with instructions that it not be opened for ten years. When Powell opened the note in 1989, after he had become Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, he read Purviance's prediction that Powell would become [[Chief of Staff of the United States Army]]. Powell wrote that he kept the Lincoln quote as a reminder to remain humble despite his rank and position.<ref name="Journey" />{{rp|590}}

===National Security Advisor and other advisory roles===
Powell retained his role as the now-senior military assistant into the [[presidency of Ronald Reagan]], serving under Claytor's successor as deputy secretary of defense, [[Frank Carlucci]]. Powell and Carlucci formed a close friendship,<ref name="Journey" />{{rp|631}} referring to each by first names in private, as Powell refused any sort of first-name basis in an official capacity.<ref name="Journey" />{{rp|618}} It was on Powell's advice that newly-elected President [[Ronald Reagan]] presented [[Roy Benavidez]] the [[Medal of Honor]]; Benavidez had received the [[Distinguished Service Cross (United States)|Distinguished Service Cross]], which his commander argued should be upgraded, but army officials believed there was no living eyewitness to testify to Benavidez's heroism. A soldier who had been present during the action in question learned in July 1980 of the effort to upgrade Benavidez's medal and provided the necessary sworn statement; the upgrade to the Medal of Honor was approved in December 1980.<ref name="Journey" />{{rp|622–23}}<ref>{{Cite book|last=Mann|first=James|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LhXlFku4bhoC&pg=PT136|title=Rise of the Vulcans: The History of Bush's War Cabinet|year=2004|publisher=Penguin Books|isbn=978-0143034896|language=en-US|pages=}}</ref> Powell also declined an offer from [[United States Secretary of the Army|Secretary of the Army]] [[John Otho Marsh Jr.|John O. Marsh Jr.]] to be his [[United States Under Secretary of the Army|under secretary]] due to his reluctance to assume a political appointment; [[James R. Ambrose]] was selected instead.<ref name="Journey" />{{rp|623–28}} Intent on attaining a division command, Powell petitioned Carlucci and [[Chief of Staff of the United States Army|Army chief of staff]] [[Edward C. Meyer]] for reassignment away from the Pentagon, with Meyer appointing Powell as assistant division commander for operations and training of the [[4th Infantry Division (United States)|4th Infantry Division]] at [[Fort Carson, Colorado]] under Major General John W. Hudachek.<ref name="Journey" />{{rp|628–29}}

After he left Fort Carson, Powell became the senior military assistant to Secretary of Defense [[Caspar Weinberger]], whom he assisted during the [[Invasion of Grenada|1983 invasion of Grenada]]<ref>{{Cite book|last=Kukielski|first=Philip|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1123182247|title=The U.S. Invasion of Grenada : legacy of a flawed victory|publisher=McFarland & Co.|year=2019|isbn=978-1-4766-7879-5|location=Jefferson, North Carolina|pages=209–10, 218|oclc=1123182247|access-date=October 18, 2021|archive-date=December 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191227142453/https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1123182247|url-status=live}}</ref> and the [[1986 Bombing of Libya|1986 airstrike on Libya]].<ref name="Graham-2021">{{Cite news|last=Graham|first=Bradley|date=October 18, 2021|title=Colin L. Powell, former secretary of state and military leader, dies at 84|language=en-US|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/colin-powell-dead/2021/10/18/fdc71fde-c5db-11df-94e1-c5afa35a9e59_story.html|access-date=October 18, 2021|issn=0190-8286|archive-date=October 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211018125314/https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/colin-powell-dead/2021/10/18/fdc71fde-c5db-11df-94e1-c5afa35a9e59_story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Under Weinberger, Powell was also involved in the unlawful transfer of U.S.-made [[BGM-71 TOW|TOW]] anti-tank missiles and [[MIM-23 Hawk|Hawk]] anti-aircraft missiles from Israel to Iran as part of the criminal conspiracy that would later become known as the [[Iran–Contra affair]].<ref name="Firewall">{{cite book |first=Lawrence E. |last=Walsh |title=Firewall: The Iran–Contra Conspiracy and Cover-up |location=New York |publisher=Norton & Company |date=1997 |isbn=978-0-3933-1860-9}}</ref>{{rp|pp=342–49}}<ref name="WalshReport1">{{cite report |last=Walsh |first=Lawrence |title=Final Report of the Independent Counsel for Iran/Contra Matters |volume=1 |pages=xx, 70, 92, 341, 406–11, 414, 416–17, 421, 423, 427–28, 430–32, 434, 436, 438–40 |date=August 4, 1993 |access-date=October 19, 2021 |url=https://archive.org/details/WalshReport |location=Washington, D.C. |publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office}}</ref> In November 1985, Powell solicited and delivered to Weinberger a legal assessment that the transfer of Hawk missiles to Israel or Iran, without Congressional notification, would be "a clear violation" of the law.<ref name="Firewall"/>{{rp|345}}<ref name="WalshReport1"/> Despite this, thousands of TOW missiles and hundreds of Hawk missiles and spare parts were transferred from Israel to Iran until the venture was exposed in a Lebanese magazine, ''[[Ash-Shiraa]]'', in November 1986.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Arms, Hostages and Contras: How a Secret Foreign Policy Unraveled |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/11/19/world/iran-contra-report-arms-hostages-contras-secret-foreign-policy-unraveled.html |work=The New York Times |edition=National |date=November 19, 1987 |at=sec. A. p. 12 |access-date=October 19, 2021 |archive-date=April 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200426004710/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B0DE3DB173EF93AA25752C1A961948260 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=hunter>{{cite journal|author=Shireen T. Hunter|title=After the Ayatollah|journal=Foreign Policy|date=Spring 1987|volume=66|issue=66|pages=77–97|doi=10.2307/1148665|jstor=1148665| issn=0015-7228 }}</ref><ref name="Why arms dealings failed">{{cite web |last=Cave |first=George |author-link=George W. Cave |title=Why Secret 1986 U.S.–Iran 'Arms for Hostages' Negotiations Failed |date=September 8, 1994 |publisher=Washington Report on Middle Eastern Affairs |access-date=October 19, 2021 |url=https://www.wrmea.org/1994-september-october/why-secret-1986-us-iran-arms-for-hostages-negotiations-failed.html |archive-date=May 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505172844/https://www.wrmea.org/1994-september-october/why-secret-1986-us-iran-arms-for-hostages-negotiations-failed.html |url-status=live }}</ref> According to Iran-Contra [[Independent Counsel]] [[Lawrence E. Walsh]], when questioned by Congress, Powell "had given incomplete answers" concerning notes withheld by Weinberger and that the activities of Powell and others in concealing the notes "seemed corrupt enough to meet the new, poorly defined test of [[Obstruction of justice|obstruction]]".<ref name="Firewall"/>{{rp|403}} Following his resignation as Secretary of Defense, Weinberger was indicted on five felony charges, including one count Obstruction of Congress for concealing the notes.<ref name=Brinley>{{cite news | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1992/06/17/us/weinberger-faces-5-counts-in-iran-contra-indictment.html | title = Weinberger Faces 5 Counts In Iran-Contra Indictment | author = Brinley, Joel | date = June 17, 1992 | access-date = October 19, 2021 | newspaper = The New York Times | archive-date = March 9, 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210309180241/https://www.nytimes.com/1992/06/17/us/weinberger-faces-5-counts-in-iran-contra-indictment.html | url-status = live }}</ref><ref name="WalshReport2">{{cite report |last=Walsh |first=Lawrence |title=Final Report of the Independent Counsel for Iran/Contra Matters |volume=2 |date=August 4, 1993 |access-date=October 19, 2021 |url=https://archive.org/details/WalshReport/Walsh%20Report%20volume%202%20Indictments%2C%20Plea%20Agreements%2C%20Interim%20Reports%20to%20the%20Congress%2C%20and%20Administrative%20Matters/mode/2up |location=Washington, D.C. |publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office}}</ref>{{rp|p=456}} Powell was never indicted by the Independent Counsel in connection with the Iran-Contra affair.<ref name="WalshReport2"/>

[[File:President Ronald Reagan and Colin Powell.jpg|thumb|right|President [[Ronald Reagan]] and National Security Advisor Powell, 18 April 1988]]
In 1986, Powell took over the command of [[V Corps (United States)|V Corps]] in Frankfurt, Germany, from [[Robert Lewis "Sam" Wetzel]]. The next year, he served as [[United States Deputy National Security Advisor]], under [[Frank Carlucci]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bamford |first=James |author-link=James Bamford |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/01/18/magazine/carlucci-and-the-nsc.html |title=Carlucci and the N.S.C. |date=January 18, 1987 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 25, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=May 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200526164929/https://www.nytimes.com/1987/01/18/magazine/carlucci-and-the-nsc.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Following the Iran–Contra scandal, Powell became, at the age of 49, [[Ronald Reagan]]'s [[National Security Advisor (United States)|National Security Advisor]], serving from 1987 to 1989 while retaining his Army commission as a [[Lieutenant general (United States)|lieutenant general]].<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Barno|first1=David|author-link1=David Barno|last2=Bensahel|first2=Nora|date=February 28, 2017|title=An Active-Duty National Security Advisor: Myths and Concerns|url=https://warontherocks.com/2017/02/an-active-duty-national-security-advisor-myths-and-concerns/|url-status=live|access-date=October 18, 2021|website=War on the Rocks|language=en-US|archive-date=October 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019145805/https://warontherocks.com/2017/02/an-active-duty-national-security-advisor-myths-and-concerns/}}</ref> He helped negotiate a number of arms treaties with [[Mikhail Gorbachev]], the leader of the [[Soviet Union]].<ref name="NYT Obit" />

In April 1989, after his tenure with the [[United States National Security Council|National Security Council]], Powell was promoted to four-star [[General (United States)|general]] under President [[George H. W. Bush]] and briefly served as the [[Commanding General, United States Army Forces Command|Commander in Chief]], [[United States Army Forces Command|Forces Command]] (FORSCOM), headquartered at [[Fort McPherson, Georgia]], overseeing all active [[U.S. Army]] regulars, [[U.S. Army Reserve]], and [[United States National Guard|National Guard]] units in the [[Contiguous United States#Continental and mainland United States|Continental U.S.]], Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. He became the third general since World War II to reach four-star rank without ever serving as a division commander,<ref name="Graham-2021" /> joining [[Dwight D. Eisenhower]] and [[Alexander Haig]].

Later that year, President George H. W. Bush selected him as Chairman of the [[Joint Chiefs of Staff]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/inauguration/transition/powell.html |title=Online NewsHour: Colin Powell |publisher=PBS |access-date=August 29, 2010 |archive-date=October 27, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101027154925/http://www.pbs.org/newshour/inauguration/transition/powell.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff===
[[File:GEN Colin Powell.JPG|thumb|upright|Powell's official portrait as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, {{circa}} 1989]]

Powell's last military assignment, from 1 October 1989 to 30 September 1993, was as the 12th [[chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff]], the highest military position in the [[United States Department of Defense|Department of Defense]]. At age 52, he became the youngest officer, and first [[Afro-Caribbean American]], to serve in this position. Powell was also the first JCS chair who received his commission through [[Reserve Officers' Training Corps|ROTC]].<ref>{{Cite news  | title = The 14 Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff  | agency = American Forces Press Service  | publisher = Joint History Office, US Department of Defense  | date = August 10, 1999 | url = http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=43048  | access-date = April 24, 2008 | archive-date = April 12, 2008 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080412081151/http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=43048  | url-status = live  }}</ref>

During this time, Powell oversaw responses to 28 crises, including the [[United States invasion of Panama|invasion of Panama]] in 1989 to remove General [[Manuel Noriega]] from power and [[Operation Desert Storm]] in the 1991 [[Gulf War|Persian Gulf War]]. During these events, Powell earned the nickname "the reluctant warrior" – although Powell himself disputed this label, and spoke in favor of the first Bush administration's Gulf War policies.{{sfn|Steins|2003|p=95}}

As a [[military strategist]], Powell advocated an approach to military conflicts that maximizes the potential for success and minimizes casualties. A component of this approach is the use of overwhelming force, which he applied to Operation Desert Storm in 1991. His approach has been dubbed the [[Powell Doctrine]].{{Sfn|DeYoung|2006a|p=210}} Powell continued as chairman of the JCS into the [[Clinton Administration|Clinton presidency]]. However, as a [[Realism (international relations)|realist]], he considered himself a bad fit for an administration largely made up of [[Liberal internationalism|liberal internationalists]].{{sfn|O'Sullivan|2010|p=100}} He clashed with then-[[United States Ambassador to the United Nations|U.S. ambassador to the United Nations]] [[Madeleine Albright]] over the [[Bosnian war|Bosnian crisis]], as he opposed any military intervention that did not involve U.S. interests.<ref>{{Cite news|date=September 30, 2001|title=Reluctant warrior|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2001/sep/30/usa.afghanistan|access-date=October 20, 2021|website=[[The Observer]]|language=en|archive-date=September 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921215127/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2001/sep/30/usa.afghanistan|url-status=live}}</ref>

Powell also regularly clashed with Secretary of Defense [[Les Aspin|Leslie Aspin]], whom he was initially hesitant to support after Aspin was nominated by President Clinton.<ref name="Perry-2017">{{Cite book|last=Perry|first=Mark |title=The Pentagon's wars: the military's undeclared war against America's presidents|date=2017|isbn=978-0-465-07971-1|edition= |location=New York |oclc=972386823}}</ref> During a lunch meeting between Powell and Aspin in preparation of [[Operation Gothic Serpent]], Aspin was more focused on eating salad than listening and paying attention to Powell's presentation on military operations.<ref name="Perry-2017" /> The incident caused Powell to grow more irritated towards Aspin and led to his early resignation on 30 September 1993. Powell was succeeded temporarily by [[Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff]] Admiral [[David E. Jeremiah]], who took the position as Acting Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Soon after Powell's resignation, on 3–4 October 1993, the [[Battle of Mogadishu (1993)|Battle of Mogadishu]], the aim of which was to capture Somali warlord [[Mohamed Farrah Aidid]], was initiated and ended in disaster. Powell later defended Aspin, saying in part that he could not fault Aspin for Aspin's decision to remove a [[Lockheed AC-130]] from the list of armaments requested for the operation.<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Bowden|first1=Mark|title=Black Hawk Down: A Story of Modern War|year=1999|isbn=0-87113-738-0|location=New York|oclc=40135273|page=[[iarchive:blackhawkdownsto0000bowd/page/340/mode/1up|340]]|publisher=[[Grove Atlantic|Atlantic Monthly Press]]}}</ref>

Powell took an early resignation from his tenure as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on 30 September 1993.<ref name=dip>{{Cite news |date=September 20, 1994 |title=Mission to Haiti: Diplomacy – On the Brink of War, a Tense Battle of Wills |page=A1 |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/09/20/world/mission-to-haiti-diplomacy-on-the-brink-of-war-a-tense-battle-of-wills.html |access-date=September 29, 2023}}</ref> 

The following year President Clinton sent newly retired Powell, together with former president Jimmy Carter and Senator Sam Nunn, to visit Haiti in an effort to persuade General Raoul Cédras and the ruling junta to abdicate in favor of former Haitian President Aristide, under the threat of an imminent US invasion to remove them by force. Powell's status as a retired general was well known and respected in Haiti and was held to be instrumental in persuading Gen. Cédras.<ref name=dip/> 

During his chairmanship of the JCS, there was discussion of awarding Powell a [[Five-star rank|fifth star]], granting him the rank of [[General of the Army (United States)|General of the Army]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Abrams|first=Jim|date=March 21, 1991|title=Schwarzkopf, Powell Up For Awards, But Fifth Star Not Given Lightly|work=[[Associated Press]]|url=https://apnews.com/article/ca238a618f3375dd323c17701712127e|access-date=October 18, 2021}}</ref> But even in the wake of public and Congressional pressure<ref name="Jet">{{cite magazine |date=March 1991 |title=U.S. Sen. Kasten Pushing Effort To Award Powell With Historic Fifth Star |magazine=Jet |volume=79 |issue=23 |issn=0021-5996 |access-date=February 21, 2011 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9LoDAAAAMBAJ&q=%22colin+powell%22+%22fifth+star%22&pg=PA8 |quote=...there is a movement afoot in the U.S. Senate to award an historic fifth star to the nation's first Black Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Colin L. Powell for his military proficiency. |archive-date=October 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020123702/https://books.google.com/books?id=9LoDAAAAMBAJ&q=%22colin+powell%22+%22fifth+star%22&pg=PA8 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Italia">{{cite book |last1=Italia |first1=Bob |title=Armed Forces: War in the Gulf |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=L-suZ2qETI4C&q=star |access-date=February 21, 2011 |year=1991 |publisher=Abdo & Daughters |isbn=978-1-56239-026-6 |pages=44–46 |quote=Others want to make him a five-star general. [...] Congress is talking about giving him a fifth silver star, which is very rare. |archive-date=October 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020123803/https://books.google.com/books?id=L-suZ2qETI4C&q=star |url-status=live }}</ref> to do so, [[Presidency of Bill Clinton|Clinton-Gore]] [[presidential transition team]] staffers decided against it.<ref name="Stephy">{{cite book |last1=Stephanopoulos |first1=George |title=All Too Human: A Political Education |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YsHmpqx0Qb0C&q=%22fifth+star%22 |access-date=February 21, 2011 |year=1999 |publisher=Thorndike Press |isbn=978-0-7862-2016-8 |pages=330–31 |quote=Mack asked me to secretly research the procedure for awarding a fifth star to a general. [...] If Powell did challenge Clinton, the fifth star would forestall criticism of the general's military record. |archive-date=October 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020123658/https://books.google.com/books?id=YsHmpqx0Qb0C&q=%22fifth+star%22 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Hamilton">{{cite book |last1=Hamilton |first1=Nigel |title=Bill Clinton: Mastering the Presidency |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HiV3AAAAMAAJ&q=%22colin+powell%22+%22fifth+star%22 |access-date=February 21, 2011 |year=2007 |publisher=PublicAffairs |isbn=978-1-58648-516-0 |pages=190, 399 |quote=Moreover, for the very reason he admired Colin Powell as the most distinguished living black American, Clinton also feared the general as a potential rival. [...] Bill Clinton had denied Powell his rightful fifth star... |archive-date=October 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020123658/https://books.google.com/books?id=HiV3AAAAMAAJ&q=%22colin+powell%22+%22fifth+star%22 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Halberstam">{{cite book |last1=Halberstam |first1=David |title=War in a Time of Peace: Bush, Clinton, and the Generals |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=S8l4AAAAMAAJ&q=%22fifth+star%22 |access-date=February 22, 2011 |year=2001 |publisher=Scribner |isbn=978-0-7432-0212-1 |page=190 |quote=They checked it out and found that the last general to get a fifth star was Omar Bradley forty-three years earlier. Powell, they decided, was not Bradley. Besides, as George Stephanopoulos noted, if they gave him one more star, it might help him one day politically. |archive-date=October 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020123745/https://books.google.com/books?id=S8l4AAAAMAAJ&q=%22fifth+star%22 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Dates of rank===
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Promotions
! Rank !! Date
|-
||[[File:US Army O10 shoulderboard rotated.svg|70px]] [[General (United States)|General]]||4 April 1989
|-
||[[File:US Army O9 shoulderboard rotated.svg|70px]] [[Lieutenant general (United States)|Lieutenant general]]||1 July 1986
|-
||[[File:US Army O8 shoulderboard rotated.svg|70px]] [[Major general (United States)|Major general]]||1 August 1983
|-
||[[File:US Army O7 shoulderboard rotated.svg|70px]] [[Brigadier general (United States)|Brigadier general]]||1 June 1979
|-
||[[File:US Army O6 shoulderboard rotated.svg|70px]] [[Colonel (United States)|Colonel]]||1 February 1976
|-
||[[File:US Army O5 shoulderboard rotated.svg|70px]] [[Lieutenant colonel (United States)|Lieutenant colonel]]||9 July 1970
|-
||[[File:US Army O4 shoulderboard rotated.svg|70px]] [[Major (United States)|Major]]||24 May 1966
|-
||[[File:US Army O3 shoulderboard rotated.svg|70px]] [[Captain (United States O-3)|Captain]]||2 June 1962
|-
||[[File:US Army O2 shoulderboard rotated.svg|70px]] [[First lieutenant (United States)|First lieutenant]]||30 December 1959
|-
||[[File:US Army O1 shoulderboard rotated.svg|70px]] [[Second lieutenant]]||9 June 1958
|}

===Awards and decorations===

====Badges====
<gallery>
File:Combat Infantry Badge.svg|[[Combat Infantryman Badge]]<ref name="NMAAHC"/>
File:Expert Infantry Badge.svg|[[Expert Infantryman Badge]]
File:Ranger Tab.svg|[[Ranger Tab]]<ref name="NMAAHC"/>
File:US Army Airborne basic parachutist badge.gif|[[Parachutist Badge (United States)|Parachutist Badge]]<ref name="NMAAHC"/>
File:Pathfinder.gif|[[Pathfinder Badge (United States)|Pathfinder Badge]]<ref name="NMAAHC"/>
File:AirAssault.svg|[[Air Assault Badge]]
File:US - Presidential Service Badge.png|[[Presidential Service Badge]]<ref name="NMAAHC"/>
File:Office of the Secretary of Defense Identification Badge.png|[[Secretary of Defense Identification Badge]]<ref name="NMAAHC"/>
File:Joint Chiefs of Staff seal.svg|[[Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge]]<ref name="NMAAHC"/>
File:United States Army Staff Identification Badge.png|[[Army Staff Identification Badge]]<ref name="NMAAHC"/>
</gallery>

====Medals and ribbons====
{| class=wikitable
|{{Ribbon devices|number=3|type=oak|ribbon=Defense Distinguished Service ribbon.svg{{!}}border|width=60}}
|[[Defense Distinguished Service Medal]] with three [[oak leaf clusters]]<ref name="valor">{{cite web|title=Colin Luther Powell|url=https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/100351|work=Hall of Valor|access-date=August 17, 2018|archive-date=August 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180817161513/https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/100351|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=oak|ribbon=Distinguished Service Medal ribbon.svg{{!}}border|width=60}}
|[[Distinguished Service Medal (U.S. Army)|Army Distinguished Service Medal]] with oak leaf cluster<ref name="valor"/>
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Navy Distinguished Service ribbon.svg{{!}}border|width=60}}
|[[Distinguished Service Medal (U.S. Army)|Navy Distinguished Service Medal]]<ref name="valor"/>
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Air Force Distinguished Service ribbon.svg{{!}}border|width=60}}
|[[Distinguished Service Medal (U.S. Army)|Air Force Distinguished Service Medal]]<ref name="valor"/>
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number01|type=oak|ribbon=Coast Guard Distinguished Service ribbon.svg{{!}}border|width=60}}
|[[Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal]]<ref name="valor"/>
|-
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=US Defense Superior Service Medal ribbon.svg{{!}}border|width=60}}
|[[Defense Superior Service Medal]]<ref name="valor"/>
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=oak|ribbon=Legion of Merit ribbon.svg{{!}}border|width=60}}
|[[Legion of Merit]] with oak leaf cluster<ref name="valor"/>
|-
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Soldier's Medal ribbon.svg{{!}}border|width=60}}
|[[Soldier's Medal]]<ref name="valor"/>
|-
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Bronze Star ribbon.svg{{!}}border|width=60}}
|[[Bronze Star Medal]]<ref name="Graham-2021" />
|-
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Purple Heart BAR.svg{{!}}border|width=60}}
|[[Purple Heart]]<ref name="Graham-2021" />
|-
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Air Medal ribbon.svg{{!}}border|width=60}}
|[[Air Medal]]<ref name="NMAAHC">{{cite web |title=US Army green service uniform jacket and service medals worn by Colin L. Powell |url=https://nmaahc.si.edu/object/nmaahc_2016.14.1a-v?destination=edan-search/collection_search%3Fedan_q%3D%252A%253A%252A%26edan_fq%255B0%255D%3Dname%253A%2522Powell%252C%2520Colin%2520L.%2522 |website=National Museum of African American History and Culture |access-date=October 18, 2021 |archive-date=October 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019175542/https://nmaahc.si.edu/object/nmaahc_2016.14.1a-v?destination=edan-search%2Fcollection_search%3Fedan_q%3D%252A%253A%252A&edan_fq%255B0%255D%3Dname%253A%2522Powell%252C%2520Colin%2520L.%2522 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Joint Service Commendation ribbon.svg{{!}}border|width=60}}
|[[Joint Service Commendation Medal]]<ref name="NMAAHC"/>
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=2|type=oak|ribbon=Army Commendation Medal ribbon.svg{{!}}border|width=60}}
|[[Army Commendation Medal]] with two oak leaf clusters<ref name= "NMAAHC" />
|-
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction (ribbon).svg{{!}}border|width=60}}
|[[Presidential Medal of Freedom]] with Distinction (1993)<ref name = 2ndPMoF />
|-
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Presidential Medal of Freedom (ribbon).svg{{!}}border|width=60}}
|[[Presidential Medal of Freedom]] (1991)<ref name="rodriguez2021">{{cite news |last1=Rodriguez |first1=Jeremiah |title=Photos: Key moments in former U.S. secretary of state Colin Powell's career |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/photos-key-moments-in-former-u-s-secretary-of-state-colin-powell-s-career-1.5627779 |access-date=October 18, 2021 |work=CTVNews |date=October 18, 2021 |language=en |archive-date=October 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211018192515/https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/photos-key-moments-in-former-u-s-secretary-of-state-colin-powell-s-career-1.5627779 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Presidential Citizens Medal ribbon -vector.svg{{!}}border|width=60}}
|[[Presidential Citizens Medal]]<ref name="GWB WH">{{cite web |title=Secretary of State Colin L. Powell |url=https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/government/powell-bio.html |website=georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov |access-date=October 18, 2021 |archive-date=November 8, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171108210204/https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/government/powell-bio.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|ribbon=USA - DOS Distinguished Service Award.png{{!}}border|width=60}}
|[[Secretary's Distinguished Service Award]]<ref name="GWB WH"/>
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg{{!}}border|width=60}}
|[[National Defense Service Medal]] with bronze [[service star]]
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=5|type=service-star|ribbon=Vietnam Service Medal ribbon.svg{{!}}border|width=60}}
|[[Vietnam Service Medal]] with silver service star
|-
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Army Service Ribbon.svg{{!}}border|width=60}}
|[[Army Service Ribbon]]<ref name= "NMAAHC"/>
|-
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=numeral|ribbon=Army Overseas Service Ribbon.svg{{!}}border|width=60|other_device=4}}
|[[Army Overseas Service Ribbon]] with [[award numeral]] 4
|-
|{{n/a}}
|Gerald R. Ford Medal for Distinguished Public Service (2021)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.geraldrfordfoundation.org/medal-for-distinguished-public-service//|title=Gerald R. Ford Medal|website=Gerald R. Ford Medal|date=November 11, 2014 |access-date=November 24, 2022}}</ref>
|}

====Foreign decorations====
{| class=wikitable
|-
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Order of the Bath UK ribbon.svg{{!}}border|width=60}}
|Honorary Knight Commander of the [[Order of the Bath]] (KCB) (United Kingdom)
|-
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Legion Honneur GC ribbon.svg{{!}}border|width=60}}
|{{lang|fr|[[Légion d'honneur]]}}, Grand Cross (France)
|-
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=CAN Meritorious Service Cross (military division) ribbon.svg{{!}}border|width=60}}
|[[Meritorious Service Cross]] (M.S.C.) (Canada)
|-
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=ALB Order of Skanderbeg - Knight BAR.png{{!}}border|width=60}}
|[[Skanderbeg's Order]] (Albania)
|-
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=BUL Order Stara planina ribbon.svg{{!}}border|width=60}}
|[[Orders, decorations, and medals of Bulgaria|Order of Stara Planina in the First Order]] (Bulgaria)<ref name=Bulgara2004>{{cite web|url=http://2001-2009.state.gov/secretary/former/powell/remarks/39513.htm|title=Remarks With Bulgarian President Georgi Purvanov At Award Ceremony for the Stara Planina First Order Medal|location=Presidential Palace, Coat of Arms Hall, Sofia, Bulgaria|date=December 7, 2004|publisher=US Department of State|access-date=July 20, 2013|archive-date=March 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150302001826/http://2001-2009.state.gov/secretary/former/powell/remarks/39513.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=Bulgaria2004photo>{{cite web|url=http://www.president.bg/en/showphoto.php?id=398|title=Parvanov-Powell|date=December 7, 2004|quote=President Georgi Parvanov awarded US Secretary of State Colin Powell with the highest Bulgarian order "Stara Planina" for his extraordinary services to the advancement of Bulgarian-American relations and in connection with the 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Bulgaria and the United States.|publisher=President of the Republic of Bulgaria|access-date=November 7, 2007|archive-date=July 27, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727035917/http://www.president.bg/en/showphoto.php?id=398|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Gallantry Cross Unit Citation.png{{!}}border|width=60}}
|[[Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation]]
|-
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Vietnam Campaign Medal ribbon with 60- clasp.svg{{!}}border|width=60}}
|[[Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal]]
|-
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=SEN Order of the Lion - Grand Officer BAR.svg{{!}}border|width=60}}
|[[National Order of the Lion]], Grand Officer ([[Senegal]])
|}