[1] He was educated at Mount Holly High School, studied law, and attained admission to the bar.

He served in the United States Army during World War I, receiving a commission in the Aviation branch.

During the war he was wounded, credited with shooting down two German planes, and received the Croix de Guerre twice.

[4][5] Powell was relieved of his division command after maneuvers in North and South Carolina, and continued to serve in New Jersey until he retired from the military in 1948.

[15][16][17] A resident of Lumberton Township, New Jersey, he died on March 28, 1973, at Burlington County Memorial Hospital.