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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 1994, 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 recommended 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. President Bill Clinton posthumously pardoned Lieutenant Henry O. Flipper on February 19, 1999, 118 years after his conviction. Flipper was born into slavery in Thomasville, Georgia, the eldest of five brothers including Joseph Simeon. His mother, Isabelle Flipper, and his father, Festus Flipper, a shoemaker and carriage-trimmer, were enslaved by Ephraim G. Ponder, a wealthy slave trader. Flipper attended Atlanta University during Reconstruction. There, as a freshman, he was appointed by Representative James C. Freeman to attend West Point, where four other black cadets were already attending. The small group had a difficult time at the academy, where they were rejected by white students. Nevertheless, Flipper persevered, and in 1877, became the first of the group to graduate, earning a commission as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army cavalry. He was assigned to the 10th Cavalry Regiment, one of the four all-black "buffalo soldier" regiments in the Army, and became the first black officer to command regular troops in the U.S. Army (all-black regiments had been commanded by white officers).
Linda DiMario
4mo
I so appreciate these stories. I learn about men and women who persevered throughout our history and supported our country during times when our country's people and laws were less than equal. There stories reveal fine men and women who contributed to our greatness as a nation.
The period of Recosntruction (circa 1870 - 1920) was a great time for Blacks in America economically when our ancestors had no other option than to support each other in business! #blackpagesworldwide
Joe Rochelle
4mo
👑
Ron Britton
4mo
A true hero 👏🏽 🙌🏽 ❤️
ELLA PAYNE--MS
4mo
AWESOME 👏🏿
As a seeker of truth, and the light from the first star ever; I explore the vast infinite sea of nothing, to find: myself...
4moThe biggest take away for me: his family helping to restore his honor, by having his dismissal reversed. Correct me if I'm wrong though: "buffalo soldier" -- I thought this was a term used exclussively for people from the African continent who were taken against their will to fight for America against Britain in the revolutionary war. The Buffalo Soldiers were driven out of the continental united states after the war. They were granted freedom, but were not allowed to stay in America. Most migrated to Jamaica. Hence Bob Marley's song: Buffalo Soldier Was Henry's regiment in the revolutionary war? Silas Green /G\