First Lieutenant Henry O. Flipper, U.S. Army

U.S. Army First Lieutenant Henry Ossian Flipper (1856-1940) was the first black person admitted to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York and the first black Regular Army officer.

Henry Flipper was born a slave on March 21, 1856 in Thomasville, Georgia. He and his mother were owned by a Methodist Episcopal Church Pastor, Reverend Reuben H. Luckey (1801-1875). In 1859, his family relocated to Atlanta with South Georgia plantation owner Ephraim G. Ponder (1808-1874), who was the owner of his father. Flipper was privately instructed by John F. Quarles (1846-1885), an Atlanta born slave who later became a lawyer and U.S. Consul to Spain. After the Civil War Flipper was educated through the American Missionary Association schools and attended Atlanta University.

In 1873 Henry Flipper received an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy from a white Georgia congressman. Despite harassment and racism, Flipper graduated and commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 1877. His assignments included the 10th Calvary and various installations in the southwest.

He was accused of embezzling $3,791.77 USD in 1881 and was dismissed from the Army on June 30, 1882. He appealed to Congressman John A.T. Hull (1841-1928), chairman of the House Committee on Military Affairs in 1898 to no avail. He established a civilian career as an engineer, Justice Department special agent, Secretary of the Interior special assistant, Senate Committee aide, and Mexican land and mining law expert. He died in his home state of Georgia on May 03, 1940 at the age of 84.

In 1976 public supporters persuaded the army to change Flipper's dismissal record to an honorable discharge. On February 19, 1999 the 42nd U.S. President Bill Clinton (1946- ), granted Henry Flipper a full pardon and recognized his lifetime of achievements.

by Anthony E. Thomas