Joseph Efken14 March 2014Rough Draft Research PaperColin Powell was born on April 5, 1937 in a hospital in Harlem in New York. His parents were immigrants from Jamaica. Colin grew up in the South Bronx in a neighborhood nicknamed "Banana Kelly." His father pushed him to get a good education and Colin tried to study and get good grades, but he graduated from Morris High School with a C average. While this was not an outstanding average, one could understand that his father did not he was angry with him. After high school Colin attended a city college in New York. Colin later married Alma Vivian Johnson with whom he had three children. He eventually wrote a best-selling autobiography. Colin Luther Powell was born on April 5, 1937 in a hospital in Harlem. His parents were Jamaican immigrants who came to New York. Powell grew up in a neighborhood full of crime and drugs. Colin's parents didn't want him to grow up in a neighborhood where he could easily get hurt, so they decided to move to a new neighborhood where it would be perfect for Colin to grow up, make friends, and go to a well-educated school. . The neighborhood had a nickname, "Banana Kelly". His father pushed Colin to get good grades, but when it hurt, his father wasn't mad at him because he knew Colin was trying. Colin attended public schools while in New York. After attending public schools, Colin went to Morris High School in Harlem, New York. His parents urged him to get a good education and good grades. After graduating there with a C average, Powell sold toys at a children's store near his neighborhood and worked part-time, until his boss gave him more hours and a pay raise. While he was attentive... halfway through the document... Secretary of Defense under Ronald Reagen, President of the United States. He reached the rank of Major General of the Army. Colin received a Soldier's Medal for saving men from a burning helicopter. Colin Powell was a man notable for his accomplishments while serving in the military. He also played an important role in politics by helping our country stay safe and organized. He has found himself in near-death situations several times, including the helicopter crash in Vietnam. Colin's military career began when he was in his twenties and lasted for more than twenty years. He proved to be a brave soldier. His major successes in the army did not go unnoticed. In addition to his military awards, his personal successes he also wrote a best-selling autobiography. Colin is still living today at the age of seventy-seven.