Four-star General| Diplomat | Politician
Gen. Colin Powell, the first African American Sec. of State in the United States and former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, died Monday of complications from the Coronavirus. CNN reported that Powell also had multiple myenoma, a blood cancer that suppresses the immune system and disables the production of the antibodies need to fight off infectious diseases like COVID-19. He also had Parkinson's Disease according to some reports. In an announcement on Facebook, Powell’s family confirmed he had been fully vaccinated for COVID-19.
“We have lost a remarkable and loving husband, father and grandfather and a great American,” the family said. Powell had been treated at Walter Reed National Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.
A Bornx, NY native, Powell was the son of Jamaican immigrants. He came into worldwide prominence as a Gulf-War era leader who was one of the most powerful Black men in U.S. History. His presence was a source of pride and strength for American American in military service. However, he was criticized for taking the U.S. into a second war.
The leader's career took off in the U.S. Army. He served two tours in Vietnam and was the 12th chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, the highest-ranking military appointment in the Defense Department. Serving for 35 years he rose through the ranks and retired in 1993. Powell served under Republican and Democratic presidents, using his influence as am example of leadership. A four star general, he was scrutinized for justifying the nation's involvement in the Irag war as he later admitted that some his assessment as based on poor intelligence. His career as Secretary of State lasted from 2001-2005.
Gen. Powell was the highest ranked Black person to hold a post in the country before Pres. Barack Obama. Although he was a Republican he voted for Obama, endorsed Pres. Joe Biden and openly condemed fellow Republican Pres. Donald Trump.