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Quick Facts
- NAME: Henry Ossian Flipper
- OCCUPATION: Military Leader
- BIRTH DATE: March 21, 1856
- DEATH DATE: May 03, 1940
- EDUCATION: West Point
- PLACE OF BIRTH: Thomasville, Georgia
Best Known For
Henry Flipper was the first African American cadet to graduate from the United States Military Academy at West Point.
Henry Ossian Flipper. (2012). Biography.com. Retrieved 11:00, May 26, 2012 from http://www.biography.com/people/henry-ossian-flipper-541614
Henry Ossian Flipper [Internet]. 2012. http://www.biography.com/people/henry-ossian-flipper-541614, May 26
" Henry Ossian Flipper." 2012. Biography.com 26 May 2012, 11:00 http://www.biography.com/people/henry-ossian-flipper-541614
' Henry Ossian Flipper', Biography.com,(2012) http://www.biography.com/people/henry-ossian-flipper-541614 [accessed May 26, 2012]
" Henry Ossian Flipper," Biography.com, http://www.biography.com/people/henry-ossian-flipper-541614 (accessed May 26, 2012).
Henry Ossian Flipper [Internet]. Biography.com; 2012 [cited 2012 May 26]. Available from: http://www.biography.com/people/henry-ossian-flipper-541614.
Henry Ossian Flipper, http://www.biography.com/people/henry-ossian-flipper-541614 (last visited May 26, 2012).
Henry Ossian Flipper, http://www.biography.com/people/henry-ossian-flipper-541614 (last visited May 26, 2012).
Synopsis
Born into slavery in 1856, Henry Flipper became the first African-American cadet to graduate from the U.S. Military Academy West Point. In 1881, he was accused by his white commanding officer for embezzling funds. It was revealed in 1976 that officers had framed Flipper. In 1977, on the 100th anniversary of his graduation, West Point unveiled a bust to honor the former graduate.
Profile
Military professional. Born Mar 21, 1856, in Thomasville, Georgia. Flipper attended Atlanta University where he received an appointment to the West Point U.S. Military Academy. Although he was not the first Africa-American attendee at the school, he was the first black person to graduate in 1877. After he graduated, Flipper wrote Colored Cadet at West Point in 1878.
After graduation, Flipper received his commission as second lieutenant, and became the first black officer in the U.S. Army. In 1878 he was assigned to the Black 10th Cavalry Regiment. In November 1881, in an apparent racial incident, he was accused by his white commanding officer of embezzling funds. Although he was acquitted of the charges, he was dishonorably discharged in 1882.
Flipper tried unsuccessfully to vindicate himself. In 1976, 36 years after his death, it was revealed that officers had framed him. President Bill Clinton granted Flipper an honorable discharge in 1999, and on the 100th anniversary of his graduation, West Point unveiled a bust to honor the former graduate.
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