General Colin Powell, the first African American Joint Chief of Staff, passed away from COVID-19 complications at age 84. Powell was fully vaccinated.
The 12th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the highest position in the Department of Defense, was Powell’s last military assignment from October 1, 1989, to September 30, 1993. He became the youngest officer and the first African American to serve in that role at 52.
Powell was born in Harlem on April 5, 1937.
Powell was regarded as a moderate during the Bush administration. The United States Senate unanimously confirmed Powell. Throughout his tenure, he traveled less than any other U.S. Secretary of State in 30 years.
Powell was a moderate Republican from 1995 until 2021 when he became an independent after storming the Capitol. His political views are liberal or centrist. He supported “reasonable” gun control and was pro-choice when it came to abortion. In his autobiography, he supported affirmative action that leveled the playing field without granting an advantage to undeserving individuals based on race.
