Oliver North biography

Synopsis

Oliver North was born on October 7, 1943, in San Antonio, Texas. He trained at the U.S. Naval College in Annapolis. During the Vietnam War, he led a marine platoon and won a Silver Star and a Purple Heart. In 1981, President Reagan appointed him deputy-director of the National Security Council. He was later implicated in the Iran-Contra affair, but by 1990 he was cleared of all charges.

Career in Armed Forces

Former U.S. Marine Corps Lietenant Colonel Oliver North was born in San Antonio, Texas. He trained at the U.S. Naval College, Annapolis, and during the Vietnam War led a counter-insurgency marines platoon, winning a Silver Star and Purple Heart. Appointed a deputy-director of the National Security Council by President Reagan in 1981, he played a key role in a series of controversial military and security actions.

Scandal and Aftermath

Implicated in the Irangate scandal, involving the supply of arms to Iran in exchange for U.S. hostages, and the operation of a secret slush fund to aid the Contra guerrillas in Nicaragua, he was forced to resign in 1986. Found guilty on three of 12 charges arising from the affair, he was given a three-year suspended jail sentence, and fined $150,000. In 1990, the three convictions were set aside, and he was cleared of all charges in 1991. He heads a political action group, V-PAC, and gives radio broadcasts. In 1991, he published Under Fire: An American Story.