Despite serious injuries in a devastating automobile accident, Oliver North earned an appointment to the United States Naval Academy, where he successfully completed his studies and was commissioned in the Marines in June, 1968. Within months of his graduation from Annapolis, Second Lieutenant North found himself in the Republic of Vietnam as a rifle platoon commander, leading his Marines in battle against the communist invaders from the north. He distinguished himself with courage and resourcefulness on the battlefield, frequently risking his life to ensure the safety of his men while carrying out the missions assigned to his unit.

His decorations for courage and bravery speak for themselves, among which include the Silver Star, the Bronze Star with a "V" for Valor, and two Purple Hearts. His men were never deserted on the battlefield, and his wounded were never left to die.

Following Vietnam, North served with distinction in a variety of assignments both in the United States and abroad. In August 1981, he was ordered to the White House for duty with the National Security Council and became Deputy Director of Political-Military Affairs. He was involved in planning the liberation of Grenada from Marxist tyranny and the rescue of 804 medical students held on the island. He played a major role in organizing and supervising the operation that resulted in the capture of the terrorists and murderers who hijacked the cruise ship Achille Lauro. He later helped plan the U.S. raid on Quaddafi's terrorist training camps in Lybia-after which he was targeted for assassination by Abu Nidal, the world's most brutal terrorist.

Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in 1983, North held that rank until May, 1988, when he retired in order to defend himself against a special prosecutor. But North's most enduring legacy is the indispensable role he played in carrying out the President's orders to support freedom and democracy in Central America.

Lt. Colonel Oliver North is now a best-selling author of Under Fire: An American Story and One More Mission: Oliver North Returns to Vietnam. He broadcasts his nationally syndicated radio program, "Common Sense Radio," from the studios of Radio America in Washington, D.C. He also serves along with Paul Begala as co-host of MSNBC's primetime program, Equal Time.

In addition he writes a weekly nationally syndicated column on politics, current events and military issues. North is the holder of three U.S. patents, is the Chairman of Guardian Technologies International, Inc., and founder of the Freedom Alliance, a foundation that provides scholarships for the sons and daughters of service members killed in