How Collin Powell Has Contributed to American History Research Paper

How Collin Powell Has Contributed to American History - Research Paper Example 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: â€Å"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 fellowshi p 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 adv isor. 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