"Great American"... Former and Current U.S. Presidents Mourn Powell

First Black U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell Passes Away

Former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell
[Photo by AP News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] Former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, the first Black Secretary of State in American history, has passed away, prompting condolences from current and former U.S. presidents.

Former Secretary Powell died on the morning of the 18th (local time) due to complications from COVID-19. He was 84 years old. Although he was fully vaccinated, he was immunocompromised as a multiple myeloma patient, which led to a breakthrough infection.

President Joe Biden issued a statement that day, saying, "Former Secretary Powell will be remembered as one of the great Americans." Biden, who served as a senator during Powell's tenure as National Security Advisor, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Secretary of State, praised him, saying, "He gave his best even in moments of disagreement and respected his counterparts," and "He embodied ideals as both a warrior and a diplomat."

Former President George W. Bush, who appointed Powell as Secretary of State, noted that Powell played significant roles from the Ronald Reagan administration through the George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton administrations to his own, saying, "Several presidents relied on his advice and experience," and "He was favored by presidents and highly respected both domestically and internationally."

Barack Obama, the first Black president, said, "Former Secretary Powell did not accept that race should limit dreams." He added, "I deeply appreciate that he, coming from a Republican administration, willingly supported me." Powell, who held key positions in several Republican administrations, publicly supported former Presidents Obama and Biden after retirement, aligning himself with the Democratic Party's path.

Former President Bill Clinton, who was hospitalized for urinary tract infection symptoms and discharged the day before, described Powell as "a brave soldier, a skilled commander, and a dedicated diplomat," and said, "He lived within the promise of America."

Born in 1937 in Harlem, New York City, to Jamaican immigrant parents, Powell was a figure who set multiple 'firsts' and 'youngest' titles in the military and diplomatic fields.

He became the first Black National Security Advisor in the Reagan administration in 1987, then served as the youngest and first Black Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under the George H.W. Bush administration in 1989. In 2001, he was appointed as the first Black Secretary of State in the George W. Bush administration. Unusually for a military officer, he rose to the top diplomatic post and was once considered a potential first Black presidential candidate in the U.S.

He also had ties to Korea. Powell, who served as a battalion commander at the U.S. military base in Dongducheon, South Korea, from 1973 to 1974, mentioned in his autobiography, "The Korean military was tireless, disciplined, and intelligent."