A decorated platoon leader in the Vietnam War, Oliver North began working in the White House for the National Security Council in 1981, eventually becoming deputy director for Political-Military Affairs. From May until August of 1987 the Iran-Contra scandal and its televised hearings put the spotlight on North, who donned his uniform and admitted that he acted illegally, but out of patriotism. His felony convictions were eventually overturned, and depending on who's talking, North is either a traitorous drug smuggler or a national hero who saved Central America from communism. In 1994 he earned the Republican nomination for the U.S. senate, but lost the election.
North remains in the public eye as a political pundit and radio personality.