Flipper, Henry Ossian, 1856-1940

Henry Ossian Flipper (b. March 21, 1856, Thomasville, GA-d. April 26, 1940, Atlanta, GA) was a soldier, engineer, and author. In 1873 he received an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy, where he became the first African American graduate. Flipper served in the all-Negro 10th Cavalry Regiment in the Southwest and was accused of embezzling funds in 1881. He was cleared of this charge, but found guilty of conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman, and dismissed. Flipper went on to become a successful engineer working in the Western U.S., Mexico, and Venezuela. In 1919 Flipper served as an assistant to the Secretary of the Interior. In 1976 the Army exonerated Flipper and awarded him an honorable discharge.