U.S. Army · United States 
Colin Luther Powell
General
1937 – 2021
General Colin Luther Powell served the 23rd Infantry Division for 35 years. Colin served in the Vietnam War, the Cold War and Gulf War. Colin was married to Alma Powell. Colin was 84 years old.
What Happened
Commissioned from the City College of New York in 1958. Two tours in Vietnam: wounded by a punji stake in 1963, and in 1968 he went back into a burning helicopter three times to pull men out. He commanded a brigade of the 101st Airborne, V Corps in Germany, and Forces Command. National Security Adviser to Reagan, the twelfth Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff through Panama and the Gulf, and the 65th Secretary of State. The first Black American to hold any of the three. He is buried at Arlington.
Shared stone
Shared stone
Service Record
U.S. Army
23rd Infantry Division
1958 – 1993
Commissioned from the City College of New York in 1958. Two tours in Vietnam: wounded by a punji stake in 1963, and in 1968 he pulled men from a burning helicopter after a crash. Later commanded the 2nd Brigade of the 101st Airborne, V Corps in Germany and Forces Command. National Security Adviser to Reagan, then the twelfth Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 1989 to 1993 - Panama and the Gulf - and the 65th Secretary of State from 2001 to 2005.
Conflicts
Awards & Decorations
21
For valor
For service and achievement
Campaign and service medals
Foreign awards
Conferred by Congress
Burial Information
Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery
Section
60
Grave
11917
Also Interred
Alma Powell
In Our Keeping
Permanent identifier
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Record added
August 8, 2026
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Last updated
September 14, 2026
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