Contribution of Colin Powell to American History - Research Paper Example

No: Contribution of Colin Powell to American history Colin Luther Powell is a United States statesman and a retired four-star general in the United States Army (Ryan np). In 1937, Jamaican migrated woman gave birth to a wonderful child in Harlem and named the child Colin Luther Powell. His parents belonged to Jamaica spiritually and emphasized Colin Powell to attain education and strive for personal achievement. Powell was the resident of South Bronx at his early age. He graduated from the Reverse Officers Training Camp (ROTC) in 1958 and topped the ROTC class and got the highest rank of the Cadet Colonel (Ryan np). He was appointed by the President Kennedy as the military advisor to South Vietnam in 1962. During this era, he polished his leadership skills which were inherent. He is a former secretary of state, national security advisor and chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff, the first African American to serve in any of those positions (Ciment 204). He graduated from a high school without having any definite ambition or direction in life. It was in City College, New York, where he discovered his calling and found his career in Military (Ryan np). This was the beginning of a career that continues to benefit all Americans today. Over the course of his career, he became one of the most popular American figures, representing the possibilities of American dream for millions of people around the world. As Colin Luther Powell said and I quote: “I was born in Harlem, raised in the South Bronx, went to public school, got out of public college, went into the Army, and then I just stuck with it.” Serving in Vietnam His first assignment was at the Fulda Gap (West Germany), where American and allied groups stood as an obstacle on Soviet Union’s most likely invasion route. In 1960s, Powell served two tours of duty at South Vietnam. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in the United States Army and was dispatched there along with 16000 military advisors by President Kennedy in 1962. He served as South Vietnamese advisor on his first tour, where he was wounded in 1963 by a Vietcong booby trap. In 1968 to 1969, he served as an Army Infantry officer, where he was also wounded badly in a helicopter crash. Despite of his injuries he managed to rescue two of his comrades from the burning helicopter for which he received a Soldier’s medal. For his valor and bravery in Vietnam, he was also awarded two Purple Hearts, a Bronze Star, the Legion of Merit. In 1971, he completed his MBA from George Washington University and was awarded the prestigious White House fellowship after being prompted to Major in the succeeding year. During the administration of President Nixon, he was assigned to the office of Management and Budget where he made a lasting impression on Casper Weinberger and Frank Carlucci. Later on, they would consult Powell for advice, when they both served as Secretary of Defense and National Security advisor, respectively, in the Reagan Administration. In 1973, he traveled to South Korea and took command of a battalion and then a year later, he returned as a staff officer to the Pentagon. He completed his military education in 1976 from National War College. He later on took command of the Second Brigade of the 101st Airborne division at Kentucky in the same year. In 1980, he completed his assignments as the Fourth Infantry Division at Fort Carson, Colorado. In 1987, he was in West Germany again serving as the commanding General in Frankfurt when he was called back to Washington to work with Frank Carlucci as a new National Security advisor. Working with National Security Council Frank Carlucci was chosen to be the head of National Security which was, at that time, troubled due to the aftermath of Iran-Contra Scandal. Powell at that time was not unaware of what was going in NSC under Admiral John Poindexter and Oliver North. He had to face the issue of arms sales to Iran while working under Weinberger at the defense department. Being aware of these issues doesn’t make him guilty as he always worked above reproach and had never done anything against the law or without president’s approval. Powell along with Carlucci reduced the possibility of free-lance foreign policy in NSC. In 1987, Carlucci took oath as the Secretary of Defense while Powell was called upon to take the leadership of NSC. During his tenure, Powell spoke out in number of issues which, he felt, were crucial to national security which included economic strength, foreign investment, control of technology exchanges, protection of the environment, defense budget, research and development and education. Chairman of Joint Chief of Staffs In 1991, Colin Powell took over the Army forces Command and was made Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff by President George H. W. Bush. He was the first African American officer to receive the highest distinction in the Department of Defense. He drew various plans for military actions in Panama and Middle East. The General had more influence than any Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff ever since World War II. He was obliged to exercise this power during the Iraqi Invasion of Kuwait in 1990. Powell advised President that there were different options including economic and diplomatic sanctions, as well as the use of military force. Altogether they concluded that decisive force was the necessary response. After the tour, he recommended that increasing the number of troops will assure the isolate and destroy strategy (Gerry np). He showed his ability to manage people and bureaucracies. During the planning of the air and land campaigns, he aided the president in making political decisions and kept himself aware of the military plans (Cengage Learning np). He exerted his authority only in major issues. He oversaw bombing mission in Baghdad after it had killed 400 civilians in a bunker. He also convinced President Bush to respond to the Iraq Peace proposal via an ultimatum. He retired from Chairman Joint chiefs of Staff in 1993. Powell’s Major Contribution “America’s promise” The political carrier of Colin Powell began after his retirement from military. However, his real motives and agenda appeared, when he attached himself with Senator Sam Nunn and President Carter (former) and supported the matter of peace making expedition in Haiti, which aimed to finish military rule peacefully and give the powers to the elected government. The discussions brought results and power was given to the democratic government of Haiti. After the retirement, he directed all his ambitions and attention towards America’s youth. Powell along with President’s Bill Clinton attended the president’s Summit for America’s future (A+E television Networks, LLC np). This summit called upon Americans to join their hands and efforts to make youth a national priority and volunteer to improve the lives of Millions of American improvised children. He got the inspiration from that Summit and founded America’s Promise to mobilize the nation to work and provide the children the resources based on five promises. According to the website of America’s Promise, these five promises were: Ongoing relationship with ongoing parents, tutors, mentors and coaches; Safe places with structures activities during non school hours; Marketable skills through effective education; Healthy start and future; Opportunities to give back to them through community service. Powell often emphasized the importance of youth development which is the base of every nation’s strong foundation. Secretary of State In 2000, nearly after seven years, Powell found himself again postulating to serve President George W. Bush who called upon Powell to join Cabinet of Advisors and take the charge of Secretary of State. He agreed and soon took the charge and became the first African-American who held that designation. He later on dealt with the Iraqi Invasion throughout and later on resigned as Secretary of State in November 2004 (Powell & Persico 78-119). Colin Powell spent much of his life dedicated to Americans. As a soldier, he was committed to protect his nation and advance democratic values. He served his country throughout his life. He began his journey in ordinary circumstances and spent much of his life in inspiring youth with his leadership skills (American Academy of Achievements np). He has become a prominent figure in serving as an advisor to several American presidents. Despite various requests from both the parties to join their political circles, he focused all his attention in serving the youth of the nation only. Powell has become an American success story, but his success stems not from any monetary accumulation and conspiracies but, rather, from his services to fellow Americans. The history of America is filled with such dignified man that aimed to work for the people of America and for the better future of the Country; Colin Powell is one of these persons. Nobody can neglect the services of Colin Powell. As long as the history of America remains, the name of Colin Powell is remembered as the person who thought for the change, for the harmony of people, for the rights and for the good of Country. Works Cited American Academy of Achievements. “General Colin L. Powell”. Academy of Achievements. November 11, 2010. Web. April 4, 2012. http://www.achievement.org/autodoc/page/pow0bio-1 A+E television Networks, LLC. “Colin Powell. Biography”. bio.TRUE STORY. 2012. Web. April 4, 2012. http://www.biography.com/people/colin-powell-9445708?page=4 Butler, Gerry. “Powell, Colin”. BlackPast.org. N.d. Web. April 4, 2012. http://www.blackpast.org/?q=aah/powell-colin-1937 Cengage Learning. “Colin L. Powell”. GALE CENGAGE learning. N.d. Web. April 4, 2012. http://www.gale.cengage.com/free_resources/bhm/bio/powell_c.htm Ciment, James. “Atlas of African-American History” New York: Infobase Publishing, 2007. Print. Powell, Colin.L. and Joseph. E. Persico. “My American Journey”. New York: Random House Publishing Group, 2003. Print. Ryan, Bryan. "Powell, Colin 1937-." Contemporary Black Biography. 1992. Encyclopedia.com. Web. 9th April 2012 http://www.encyclopedia.com. Read More