Colin Powell

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Colin Powell : biography

April 5, 1937 –

Dates of rank

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Rank Date

Medals and ribbons

number=3|type=oak|ribbon=Defense Distinguished Service ribbon.svg|width=80}} Defense Distinguished Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
number=1|type=oak|ribbon=Distinguished Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=80}} Distinguished Service Medal, Army with oak leaf cluster
number=0|type=oak|ribbon=US Defense Superior Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=80}} Defense Superior Service Medal
number=1|type=oak|ribbon=Legion of Merit ribbon.svg|width=80}} Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster
number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Soldier’s Medal ribbon.svg|width=80}} Soldier’s Medal
number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Bronze Star ribbon.svg|width=80}} Bronze Star
number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Purple Heart BAR.svg|width=80}} Purple Heart
number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Air Medal ribbon.svg|width=80}} Air Medal
number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Joint Service Commendation ribbon.svg|width=80}} Joint Service Commendation Medal
number=2|type=oak|ribbon=Army Commendation Medal ribbon.svg|width=80}} Army Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
number=0|type=oak|ribbon=PresFree.gif|width=80}} Presidential Medal of Freedom (two awards, 1991 & 1993)
number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Prescitmed.gif|width=80}} Presidential Citizens Medal
number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=80}} National Defense Service Medal with bronze service star
number=5|type=service-star|ribbon=Vietnam Service Ribbon.svg|width=80}} Vietnam Service Medal with silver service star
number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Army Service Ribbon.svg|width=80}} Army Service Ribbon
number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Army Overseas Service Ribbon with Numeral 4.png|width=80}} Army Overseas Service Ribbon with award numeral 4

Foreign decorations

number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Vietnam Campaign Medal Ribbon.png|width=80}} Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
number=0|type=oak|ribbon=noribbon.svg|width=80}} Skanderbeg’s Order (Albania)
number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Order of the Bath UK ribbon.png|width=80}} Honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB) (United Kingdom)
number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Legion Honneur GC ribbon.svg|width=80}} Légion d’honneur, Grand Cross (France)
number=0|type=oak|ribbon=MSC ribbon-military.png|width=80}} Meritorious Service Cross (M.S.C.) (Canada)
number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Stara-Planina.png|width=80}} Order of Stara Planina in the First Order (Bulgaria)
number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Gallantry Cross Unit Citation.png|width=80}} Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation

13 Rules of Leadership

First printed in the August 13, 1989 issue of Parade magazine, these are Colin Powell’s 13 Rules of Leadership.

  1. It ain’t as bad as you think.
  2. Get mad, then get over it.
  3. Avoid having your ego so close to your position that when your position falls, your ego goes with it.
  4. It can be done.
  5. Be careful what you choose. You may get it.
  6. Don’t let adverse facts stand in the way of a good decision.
  7. You can’t make someone else’s choices.
  8. Check small things.
  9. Share credit.
  10. Remain calm. Be kind.
  11. Have a vision.
  12. Don’t take counsel of your fears or naysayers.
  13. Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier.