Oliver North is a combat-decorated Marine, the  recipient of the Silver Star, the Bronze Star for valor, and two Purple  Hearts for wounds in action. From 1983 to 1986 he served as the U.S.  government’s counter-terrorism coordinator on the National Security  Council staff. President Ronald Reagan described him as “an American  hero.” A New York Times best-selling author, syndicated columnist, and host of the award-winning War Stories  documentary series on the FOX News Channel, North lives with his wife,  Betsy, in Virginia. They have four children and twelve grandchildren.