Skip to content
The War AtlasThe · War · Atlas

COMMANDER // 1937–2021

Colin Powell

generalUnited StatesUnited States3 battles2 wars

Lifespan

1937 – 2021

195019752000Gulf War · 1990–1991Iraq War · 2003–2011 major U.S. combat/occupation periodHundred-Hour Ground War — Feb 1991 · Coalition · Gulf WarOperation Desert Storm — January 17, 1991 · United States · Gulf War2003 invasion of Iraq — March 20, 2003 · United States · Iraq War

Active service 1991–2003 — 3 battles across 2 wars; first command at age 54.

Profile

Colin Luther Powell was an American Army general, diplomat, and statesman who was the 65th United States secretary of state from 2001 to 2005, being the first Black American to hold the office, and was the highest-ranking Black American in the federal executive branch in American history until the election of Barack Obama as president in 2008. Initially politically independent, Powell joined the Republican Party in 1995. He was the 15th national security advisor from 1987 to 1989, and the 12th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 1989 to 1993.

Source · Wikipedia · Q150851

Battles (3)

Last verified June 2026
Cite this page →Suggest a correction →