Former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell

Early Life: Colin Powell was born in New York City in 1937. He received a bachelor's degree from City College of New York and a Master of Business Administration from George Washington University. In 1958, he entered the U.S. Army.

Military Career: After service in South Korea and Germany, Powell served two tours of duty in Vietnam where he earned the Purple Heart and other combat medals. He was promoted to brigadier general in 1979 and reached the rank of four-star general by 1989. He served as National Security Adviser to President Ronald Reagan (1987-89) and then became the first African-American and youngest person ever to serve as the Pentagon's Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (1989-1993). During that time he oversaw the U.S. invasion of Panama and the Persian Gulf War among other conflicts.

The Gulf War: In the 1991 Gulf War, Powell emerged, along with General Norman Schwarzkopf, as very popular and successful national icons. During this time, Powell became identified with the so-called "Powell Doctrine." The doctrine is usually summarized as a need for applying overwhelming force and a clear exit strategy when launching a military action.

The Call of Politics: After leaving the military, Powell wrote a very successful book, "My American Journey." His Gulf War fame, book publicity, and bipartisan appeal led many to view him as a leading contender for the 1996 presidential nomination for either the Republican or Democratic party. But he removed himself from consideration early in the process. Instead he founded America's Promise, a group devoted the well-being of children and youth.

More Government Service: Colin Powell became the 65th U.S. Secretary of State on January 20, 2001. He was the first African-American to hold the position. His time in office was marked by the attacks of September 11, 2001, the war in Afghanistan, and the run-up to the Iraq War. His personal authority and prestige was important in convincing Americans (and the world) of the war's necessity. On February 5, 2003 he made a presentation to the United Nations Security Council where he laid out evidence of Saddam Hussein's chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons programs. He left office on November 15, 2004.

Colin Powell Today: Powell has since said that while he is glad Saddam Hussein is gone, much of the information in his U.N. presentation has proven to be wrong. He has also been critical of how the United States handled the war's aftermath and the subsequent insurgency. Powell continues his charity work and is popular on the public speaking circuit.