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SET EDITION U.S. INTERNATIONAL MXICO ARABIC TV CNN CNNi CNN en Espaol HLN Sign upLog in Home TV & image CNN Trends U.S. World Politics Justice Entertainment Tech Health Living Travel Opinion iReport Money Sports SHARE THIS Print Email More overlap Colin Powell Fast Facts By CNN Library updated 335 PM EDT, Tue August 20, 2013 (CNN) -- Heres a look at the life of Colin Powell, former Secretary of State and hot seat of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Per newsal Birth date April 5, 1937 Birthplace Harlem, New York Birth name Colin Luther Powell Parents Luther Powell, a shipping clerk Mother Maud Ariel (McKoy) Powell, a seamstress pairing Alma Vivian (Johnson) Powell (August 25, 1962-present) Children Annemarie Powell (May 1970) Linda Powell (April 1965) Michael Powell (March 1963) Education City College of New York, B.S. in geology,1958 George Washington University, M.B.A.,1971 National War College, 1976 Military service U.S. Army, 1958-1993, General Other Facts Powell grew up in the S outh Bronx, the son of Jamaican immigrants. Powell participated in ROTC in college, leading the precision drill team and attaining the top rank offered by the corps, cadet colonel. Military awards include the Legion of Merit, dye Star, Air Medal, Soldiers Medal and two Purple Hearts. Civilian awards include the Presidents Citizens Medal, the Congressional Gold Medal, the Secretary of State deluxe Service Medal, and the Secretary of Energy Distinguished Service Medal as well as receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom twice. Powell was the youngest man and first African-American to be Chairman of t... ...ital firm of Kleiner, Perkins, Caufield & Byers as a strategic limited partner. March 2006 - The National War College Foundation establishes the Colin Powell Chair for National Security, Leadership, Character and Ethics. Summer 2007 - Begins to speak out against the Bush administrations decisiveness to go war against Iraq, the increase in troop strength in Iraq and the treatmen t of prisons at Guantanamo Bay. January 20, 2009 - Is one of the honorary co-chairs of President Barack Obamas inauguration. Powell had endorsed Obama during the 2008 presidential campaign. February 3, 2010 - Powell reverses his stance on gays and lesbians in the military his opposition to homosexuals in the military helped lead to the original Dont Ask, Dont Tell policy of the 1990s. 2012 - Publishes a second memoir, It Worked For Me In Life and Leadership, with Tony Koltz.