Oliver L. North is a combat-decorated Marine, a No. 1 best-selling author, the founder of a small business, an inventor with three U.S. patents, and the host of "War Stories" on Fox News Channel. Yet he claims his most important accomplishment is being "the husband of one, the father of four and the grandfather of 11." North was born in San Antonio, Texas, graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., and served 22 years as a U.S. Marine. His awards for service in combat include the Silver Star, the Bronze Star for Valor and two Purple Hearts for wounds in combat.