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Oliver L. North is an American political figure best known for his involvement in the Iran-Contra Affair.
North was born in San Antonio, Texas and attended the State University of New York Brockport before attending the U.S. Naval Academy, from which he graduated in 1968.
Colonel North is a combat decorated Marine, serving for twenty-two years. He was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star for Valor and two Purple Hearts for wounds in combat.
He was assigned to the National Security Council staff during the Reagan Administration and served as the United States government counter-terrorism co-ordinator from 1983 to 1986. In that capacity, he co-ordinated the rescue of 804 medical students from Grenada and the raid against the hijackers of the passenger ship Achille Lauro. He also co-ordinated the attack on Libyan terrorist facilities, which some credit with curtailing the Libyan terror threat.
Colonel North attracted public attention for the first time due to his participation in the Iran-Contra Affair which involved his co-ordination of the illegal sale of weapons via intermediaries to Iran. The profits were used to finance the Contra rebel group in Nicaragua who were fighting to overthrow the Sandinista government.
Oliver North became famous when he was summoned to testify before televised hearings of a joint Congressional committee formed to investigate Iran-Contra related matters. Some saw him as the public scapegoat for many other people in the Reagan administration who were involved in the Iran-Contra affair. Supporters of the administration considered him a hero, both for his passionate defense of his actions and for his military service.
Colonel North was tried in 1988 in relation to his activities while at the National Security Council, and convicted of three charges: accepting an illegal gratuity, aiding and abetting in the obstruction of a congressional inquiry, and destruction of documents. He was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Gerhard A. Gesell on July 5, 1989, to a three-year suspended prison term, two years probation, $150,000 in fines and 1,200 hours community service.
A three-judge appeals panel on July 20, 1990, vacated North's conviction for further proceedings to determine whether his immunized testimony influenced witnesses in the trial. The Supreme Court declined to review the case. Judge Gesell dismissed the case September 16, 1991, after hearings on the immunity issue, on the motion of the independent counsel.
In 1994, North unsuccessfully ran for the Senate as a Republican Nominee in Virginia, a race he narrowly lost to incumbent Democrat Charles Robb, who had the support of his fellow Senator, Republican John Warner.
Colonel North has written several best-selling books including Under Fire, One More Mission, War Stories - Operation Iraqi Freedom, Mission Compromised and The Jericho Sanction.
He is also a syndicated columnist and the host of a program War Stories on the Fox News Channel. He is married and a father of four children.
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