Henry Ossian Flipper

Henry Ossian Flipper
Cadet Henry O. Flipper in his West Point cadet uniform. It has three larger round brass buttons left, middle and right showing five rows. The buttons are interconnected left to right and vice versa by decorative thread. He is wearing a starched white collar and no tie. He is a lighter-colored African American with plated corn rows of neatly done hair. He is facing the camera and looking to the left of the viewer.
Cadet Henry O. Flipper USMA Class of 1877
Born(1856-03-21)March 21, 1856
Thomasville, Georgia, U.S.
DiedApril 26, 1940(1940-04-26) (aged 84)
Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Allegiance United States
Service / branch United States Army
Years of service1877–1882
Rank Second lieutenant
Unit10th Cavalry Regiment
Battles / warsIndian Wars
Other workCivil engineer

Henry Ossian Flipper (March 21, 1856 – April 26, 1940) was an American soldier, engineer, former slave and in 1877, the first African American to graduate from the United States Military Academy at West Point, earning a commission as a second lieutenant in the United States Army. He was also an author who wrote about scientific topics and his life experiences.

After his commissioning, he was assigned to one of the all-black regiments in the U.S. Army, which were historically led by white officers. Assigned to 'A' Troop under the command of Captain Nicholas M. Nolan, he became the first nonwhite officer to lead buffalo soldiers of the 10th Cavalry. Flipper served with competency and distinction during the Apache Wars and the Victorio Campaign, but was haunted by rumors alleging improprieties. Eventually, he was court-martialed and dismissed from the U.S. Army.

After losing his commission in the Army, Flipper worked throughout Mexico and Latin America as an assistant to the Secretary of the Interior. He retired to Atlanta in 1931 and died of natural causes in 1940.

In 1976, his descendants applied to the U.S. military for a review of Flipper's court-martial and dismissal. A review found the conviction and punishment were "unduly harsh and unjust" and ordered Flipper's dismissal be changed to a good conduct discharge. Shortly afterwards, an application for pardon was filed with the Secretary of the Army, which was forwarded to the Department of Justice. Eventually, President Bill Clinton posthumously pardoned Lieutenant Henry O. Flipper on February 19, 1999, 118 years after his conviction.