Oliver North Biography

(Political Commentator and Television Host)

Birthday: October 7, 1943 (Libra)

Born In: San Antonio

A decorated U.S marine officer, holder of three patents, syndicated columnist, radio- show host, a New York Times best-selling author and anchor of the Fox Channel program, 'War Stories', Oliver North is man who has donned numerous hats. He has also worked as a correspondent with the Fox News Channel and has run for United States Senate as well. He was in the centre of controversy when he was implicated in the Iran-Contra affair, only to be later cleared of all charges. His dedicated service during the Vietnam War earned him the two Purple Heart medals, a Silver Star and a Bronze Star. He is also the recipient of the Presidential Service Badge, among many other honorary awards and military decorations. He served as a National Security Council staff member. He attended the State University of New York and later attended the United States Marine Corps Platoon Leaders Class.
14
Quick Facts

Nick Name: Ollie

Age: 81 Years, 81 Year Old Males

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Betsy Stuart (m. 1967)

father: Oliver Clay North

mother: Ann Theresa (née Clancy)

TV Presenters Newspaper Columnists

political ideology: Republican Party

Ideology: Republicans

City: San Antonio, Texas

U.S. State: Texas

More Facts

education: Ockawamick High School, State University of New York

awards: Silver Star Medal
Bronze Star Medal
Purple Heart Medal

Combat Action Ribbon
Presidential Service Badge

  • 1

    What role did Oliver North play in the Iran-Contra affair?

    Oliver North played a key role in the Iran-Contra affair as a National Security Council staff member who facilitated the sale of arms to Iran and diverted the proceeds to fund Contra rebels in Nicaragua.
  • 2

    What was the outcome of Oliver North's trial related to the Iran-Contra affair?

    Oliver North was convicted on three charges in 1989, but his convictions were later overturned due to immunized testimony being used against him. He did not serve any jail time.
  • 3

    What is Oliver North's involvement in conservative politics since the Iran-Contra scandal?

    After the Iran-Contra scandal, Oliver North became a prominent figure in conservative politics, running for the U.S. Senate and working as a commentator for Fox News.
  • 4

    How did Oliver North's military background influence his actions during the Iran-Contra affair?

    Oliver North's military background, including his service as a Marine Corps officer, influenced his approach to the Iran-Contra affair, where he saw himself as serving the best interests of the United States.
  • 5

    What is Oliver North's perspective on his actions during the Iran-Contra affair today?

    Oliver North has maintained that his actions during the Iran-Contra affair were motivated by a desire to protect the United States and support anti-communist forces in Nicaragua, despite the controversy surrounding the affair.
Childhood & Early Life
He was born as Oliver Laurence North on October 7, 1943 in San Antonio, Texas, to Oliver Clay North, a US Army major and Ann Theresa. He was raised in the neighbourhood of Philmont, New York.
In 1961, he graduated from the Ockawamick High School. He later went on to attend the State University of New York at Brockport, New York, for two years.
He attended the United States Marine Corps Platoon Leaders Class for a summer. This was held at the Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia. In 1963, he was appointed in the United States Naval Academy.
In 1981, he graduated from the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, where he had taken a 'Command and Staff Course'.
Continue Reading Below
Career
In 1968, he was appointed as a second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. During the Vietnam War, he was posted as a platoon commander.
He became an instructor in Quantico, Virginia, at the United States Marine Corpse’s, The Basic School, which was training school that intended to teach the various prerequisites needed to become an Officer of Marines.
In 1970, he went to South Vietnam as one of the witnesses of the trial of Corporal Randy Herrod. Herrod, a U.S Marine, previously under his commandment, was accused of mass killing of Vietnamese citizens.
In 1971, he received promotion as Captain and started serving as the commanding officer of the U.S. Marine Corps in the Northern Training Area in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan.
After duty in Japan, he was commissioned to work at the Marine Corps Headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, for the next four years. Subsequently, after being promoted as a major, he served as an operations officer in the 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment.
From 1981, he was appointed as the deputy director for political-military affairs in the National Security Council in Washington, D.C. In the next three years, he was promoted as a lieutenant colonel.
As the deputy director for political-military affairs in the National Security Council, he led the operation of the ‘1983 Beirut barracks bombing' case. This bombing resulted in the loss of 299 military personnel, both American and French.
During his tenure with the National Security Council he was part of the ‘Operation Urgent Fury', which was the 1983 invasion of Grenada, located in the Caribbean Islands. He also planned the bombing of Libya.
He was implicated in the Iran–Contra affair, which involved the sale of arms to Iran in exchange for U.S. hostages. This was to covertly aid Contra guerrillas in Nicaragua.
Continue Reading Below
In 1988, he officially resigned from the Marine Corps commission. During his trial period in the last two years, he was on duty at the Headquarters Marine Corps in Arlington, Virginia.
In 1989, he was declared guilty of 12 charges in the Iran–Contra affair and was granted a suspended jail sentence of three years. He was also fined a sum of $150,000.
In 1990, three of the charged convictions were dropped. The following year, he was relived off the charges that were put against him, after it was found that the witnesses were impermissibly affected due to his 'immunized congressional testimony'.
In 1991, he came out with the book titled, ‘Under Fire: An American Story'. The same year, he was seen on the first season of the syndicated talk show, 'The Jerry Springer Show' and the sitcom, ‘Wings’.
In 1994, he stood for the United States Senate as the Republican Party candidate in Virginia. The run was not a successful one as he lost to Democrat candidate Charles Robb.
From 1995, he started hosting the nationally-syndicated radio show, 'Oliver North Radio Show or Common Sense Radio'.
From 2001, he started hosting the Fox News military history show, ‘War Stories with Oliver North'. He also appeared as a commentator on the TV show, ‘Hannity'. He was also seen on the drama show, ‘JAG’.
In 2012, he was given credit as the military consultant for the shooter video game, ‘Call of Duty: Black Ops II’. He has also appeared on an episode of the reality show, ‘Auction Kings’.
Continue Reading Below
Awards & Achievements
He was awarded two Purple Heart medals, a Silver Star and a Bronze Star Medal for his service during the Vietnam War.
He is a recipient of the 'Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal', 'National Defense Service Medal', 'Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation' and 'Meritorious Service Medal'.
Personal Life & Legacy
In 1967, he married Betsy Stuart, with whom he fathered four children.
Even though he was raised a Catholic, he has attended Anglican services along with his family.
In 1990, he founded the 'Freedom Alliance', which was an organisation that was dedicated to 'Honoring and Supporting America's Military Heroes.'
He is one of the board members of the National Rifle Association of America. In 2007 and 2008, he attended the National Rifle Association of America’s national convention.
He has authored numerous books including, 'The Assassins', 'The Jericho Sanction', 'Under Fire', 'One More Mission', ‘War Stories – Operation Iraqi Freedom' and ' Mission Compromised'.
Facts About Oliver North
Oliver North is an accomplished author and has written several books, including novels and non-fiction works.
He is an avid outdoorsman and enjoys hunting, fishing, and other outdoor activities in his spare time.
He is a skilled public speaker and has given numerous lectures and presentations on topics ranging from military strategy to American history.

See the events in life of Oliver North in Chronological Order

How To Cite

Article Title
- Oliver North Biography
Author
- Editors, TheFamousPeople.com
Website
- TheFamousPeople.com
URL
https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/oliver-north-5035.php

People Also Viewed


Kimberly Guilfoyle Biography
Kimberly Guilfoyle
(American)
 
Oprah Winfrey Biography
Oprah Winfrey
(American)
 
Ben Shapiro Biography
Ben Shapiro
(American)
 
Jon Stewart Biography
Jon Stewart
(American)
 
Ryan Seacrest Biography
Ryan Seacrest
(American)
 
Jay Leno Biography
Jay Leno
(American)
 
Anderson Cooper Biography
Anderson Cooper
(American)
 
Howard Stern Biography
Howard Stern
(American)