 Achieving the rank of sergeant, Powell actively fought in the Battle of Tarawa and Battle of Saipan.Although he was widely reported to have been killed in action, one source claims he died of poisoning on Tinian, while celebrating the combat victory at that site, as the result of drinking an alcohol concoction that also temporarily blinded another Marine.Another source, Fred Goerner, a CBS correspondent, while conducting research for his later best seller "The Search for Amelia Earhart," (1966) had a discussion with a former Marine who participated in the Battles of Saipan and Tinian.