General Colin L. Powell
American Statesman • American Son • American Soldier
Harlem, New York
Graduated ROTC, City College
of New York, 1958
Married
Alma Vivian Johnson, 25 Aug 1962
Parents
Luther and Maud Powell
- First Black -
Secretary of State
National Security Advisor
Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff
First ROTC Graduate and
youngest General to become
Chairman
Originator and driving force
behind Buffalo Soldier monument
Founder
America's Promise Alliance
"to refocus the nation's
attention on the needs of youth"
"At the end, all we can leave
behind of value are our service,
our good works, our reputation,
and our children to be the next
generation of leaders for our
beloved nation." Colin L. Powell
"A leader whose motivation was
based upon selfless service -
not himself..."
General Gordon R. Sullivan
USA, Retired, Speaker, 05 Sep 2014
Commissioned ROTC, 09 Jun 1958
Retired, 30 Sep 1993
Major Commands
Cdr 1st Battalion, 32nd Inf, 1973-74
Cdr 2d Brigade, 101
Airborne Div (A/A), 1976-77
Asst Div Cdr 4th Inf Div, 1981-82
Deputy Commanding General
Combined Arms Center,
Fort Leavenworth, 1982-83
Cdr V Corps, Germany, 1986
Cdr Forces Command, 1989
Vietnam, 1962-63, 1968-69
Chairman,
this page online
Major Operations
Just Cause, Panama, 1989
Desert Shield, Kuwait, 1991
Desert Storm, Kuwait, 1991
Restore Hope, Somalia, 1992
Awards
Presidential Medal
of Freedom, 2 awards
Congressional Gold Medal
Defense Distinguished Service
Medal, w/4 OLC
Distinguished Service
Medal, Army, w/2 OLC
Soldier's Medal
Bronze Star, Purple Heart
Honorary British Knighthood, KCB
French Légion d'Honneur,
Grand Cross
Order of Jamaica
"The day soldiers stop bringing you
their problems is the day you
stop leading" Colin L. Powell
National Security Advisor
for President
Ronald Reagan, 1987-89
Chairman, Joint Chiefs of
Staff for President
George H. W. Bush, 1989-93
and
President William J. Clinton, 1993
Secretary of State for
President George W. Bush,
2001-05
"We have the strength to take
risks for peace...because we...have
an insurance policy...by the name
of the Armed Forces of the United
States...the Best in the World."
Colin L. Powell,
Secretary of State
Confirmation Hearing, 17 Jan 2001
"Over the years, the United States
has sent many of its fine young
men and women into great peril
to fight for freedom beyond our
borders. The only amount of land
we have
is enough to bury those that did
not return."
Colin L. Powell, 2003
"We will flourish and prevail for
all ages because our diverse
American society has strength,
values and resiliency, and we will
not waste God's gift to us."
Colin L. Powell
Leadership
Powell's 13 Rules
"They Worked for Me."
1. It ain't as bad as you think.
It will look better in the morning.
2. Get mad, then get over it.
3. Avoid having your ego so close to
your position that when your position
falls, your ego goes with it.
4. It can be done!
5. Be careful what you choose.
You may get it.
6. Don't let adverse facts stand in
the way of a good decision.
7. You can't make someone else's choices.
You shouldn't let someone else make yours.
8. Check small things.
9. Share credit.
10. Remain calm. Be kind.
11. Have a vision. Be demanding.
12. Don't take counsel of your fears
or naysayers.
13. Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier.
"Leadership is getting more out of people than
the science of management says you can."
Colin L. Powell
Erected 2014.
Topics and series. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: African Americans
Location. 39° 20.79′ N, 94° 55.16′ W. Marker is in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, in Leavenworth County. Memorial is on Grant Avenue near Smith Lake, on the right when traveling north. Monument is at center of the Circle of Firsts at the Buffalo Soldiers Memorial. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fort Leavenworth KS 66027, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. 2nd Lt. Henry Ossian Flipper (a few steps from this marker); BG Benjamin H. Grierson (a few steps from this marker); General Roscoe Robinson Jr. (a few steps from this marker); 555th Parachute Infantry Company (within shouting distance of this marker);
Also see . . .
1. General Colin Powell. (Submitted on May 16, 2015, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. General Colin L. Powell. (Submitted on May 16, 2015, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
3. Secretary of State Colin Powell. (Submitted on May 16, 2015, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
4. Colin Powell. (Submitted on May 16, 2015, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on September 6, 2020. It was originally submitted on May 16, 2015, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 780 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on May 16, 2015, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
