Oliver Laurence North (born October 7 1943 in San Antonio, Texas) is an American political commentator who became famous for his testimony at the Congressional inquiry into the Iran-Contra Affair where he vigorously defended his actions and became a popular figure in Republican circles. He is now a best-selling author and popular broadcaster on Fox News Channel, the non-partisan news network established to combat left-wing CNN.

Early life and career

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 war hero, serving his country for twenty-two years. He was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star for valor and two Purple Hearts for wounds in combat.

North was assigned to the National Security Council staff during the Reagan Administration and served as the United States government counterterrorism co-ordinator from 1983 to 1986. In that capacity, he co-ordinated the 1983 invasion of Grenada and the unsuccessful 1985 attempt to arrest the hijackers of the passenger ship Achille Lauro in Italy. He also helped plan the 1986 air raids on Libyan military bases in Tripoli and Benghazi in retaliation for the bombing of a Berlin nightclub, considered to have seriously curtailed Gaddafi's interest in financing terrorist activities.

Iran-Contra Affair

North attracted public attention 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 socialist government. He became famous when he was summoned to testify before televised hearings of a joint Congressional committee formed to investigate Iran-Contra related matters, where he admitted lying to Congress. He passionately defended his actions by stating that he believed in the end goal of aiding the Contras, which he considered "freedom fighters," and said that he viewed the illegal Iran-Contra scheme as a "neat idea."

North was tried in 1988 in relation to his activities while at the National Security Council. While initially convicted, 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 and therefore prejudicing his right to a fair trial. The Supreme Court declined to review the case, agreeing that North's rights had been infringed upon. Judge Gesell dismissed all charges against North on September 16, 1991, after hearings on the tainted process of the first trial and the difficulties of conducting a fair trial at all due to the media's coverage of the issue, on the motion of the independent counsel.

Later life and career

In 1994, North ran for the Senate as the Republican nominee in Virginia. He narrowly lost to incumbent Democrat Charles Robb. North's candidacy was documented in the film "A Perfect Candidate" (1996).

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 is the host of the television show War Stories and a regular commentator on Hannity and Colmes on the Fox News Channel.

North is married and a father of four children.

External links

• Oliver North's political donations