Henry flipper

Henry Ossian Flipper

By ttroxclair

  • Birth

    Born in Thomasville, Georgia as a slave.

  • Graduates from West Point

    Becomes the first African-American graduate of West Point.

  • Reports to Fort Sill

    Commissioned 2nd lieutenant in the U.S. Army and assigned to the 10th Cavalry.

  • Transferred to Fort Davis in West Texas

    Assigned the post of quartermaster and commissary officer.

  • Found shortage in post funds

  • Arrested for embezzling government funds.

  • Court Martial trial begins

  • Found Guilty

    Found innocent of embezzlement but guilty of conduct unbecoming an officer and gentleman.

  • Dishonorable discharge from the Army.

  • Volunteered to serve in Spanish-American War.

  • Goes to Washington D.C.

    Serves as assistant to Senator Albert Fall.

  • Goes to Venezuela as petroleum engineer

  • Retires

  • Death

    Died of natural causes in Atlanta, Georgia

  • Descendants and supporters get Honorable Discharge Certificate dated June 30, 1882 for Flipper

  • Law firm Arnold & Porter file for a pardon on behalf of Flipper.

  • Pardoned

    Pardoned

    President Bill Clinton pardons Lieutenant Henry O. Flipper