Oct. 19. US and North Carolina flags at state facilities will be at half-staff through sunset Friday in honor of Gen. Colin Powell, who passed away yesterday from COVID-related illness. A son of immigrants, Powell was born in New York City and later became the first African American to serve as US Secretary of State in 2001 under President George W. Bush.

A career military veteran, he served in the Vietnam War and rose to the rank of four-star general in the U.S. Army. He later served as National Security Advisor in 1987 under President Ronald Reagan and Chairman of the Military’s Joint Chiefs of Staff under President George H.W. Bush during the 1991 Gulf War.

His military decorations include Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and Defense Distinguished Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters.