Colin Powell, Son of Jamaican Parents

Colin Luther Powell born April 5, 1937 is an American politician, diplomat and retired four-star general who served as the 65th United States Secretary of State from 2001 to 2005. Powell was the first African-American Secretary of State and the highest-ranking African American in the history of the federal executive branch standing fourth in the presidential line of succession at that time. Powell served as the 16th United States National Security Advisor from 1987 to 1989 and as the 12th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 1989 to 1993.

Luther and Maud Powell, Colin’s parents, immigrated to the United States from the Caribbean island of Jamaica. Colin was born and raised in The Bronx, New York. He attended public school and went on to graduating from the City College of New York. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Geology. He was also a member of ROTC and received a commission as an Army Second Lieutenant upon graduation in 1958.

Colin Powell had a long professional career in the military spanning 35 years. During this time he held many staff positions and rose to the rank of four-star general. He was Commander of the U.S. Army Forces Command in 1989. His last assignment, from October 1989 to September 1993, was as the 12th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the highest military position in the Department of Defense. During his time as Chairman, he oversaw 28 crises, including the invasion of Panama in 1989 and Operation Desert Storm against Iraq in 1990–1991. He formulated the Powell Doctrine which limits American military action unless it satisfies criteria regarding American national security interests, overwhelming force, and also public support.

Powell is the recipient of numerous U.S. and foreign military awards and decorations. His civilian awards include two times recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the President’s Citizens Medal, the Congressional Gold Medal, the Secretary of State Distinguished Service Medal, and the Secretary of Energy Distinguished Service Medal. He has several schools and other institutions named in his honor and he holds honorary degrees from universities and colleges across the United States. As a bonus to his credits, Colin Powell received three electoral votes for the office of the President of the United States in 2016 without even being a registered candidate.

The above information was gathered from public records including but not solely the websites of; History.State.Gov and Britannica.com.