SOLDIER, CIVIL ENGINEER, AUTHOR, NEWSPAPER EDITOR, SURVEYOR, CARTOGRAPHER, SPECIAL AGENT FOR THE U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT, ASSISTANT TO THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR AND A PIONEER IN THE NATION'S OIL INDUSTRY:

Lt. Henry Ossian Flipper was born a slave February 21, 1856 in Thomasville, Ga.to the parents of Festus and Issabella Buckhalter Flipper, Sr. Lt. Flipper spent his early years in Thomasville, Ga. and during the Civil War lived in Macon and Atlanta, Ga. Lt. Flipper was taught to read in 1864 by another slave who taught school at night. In late 1865, Lt. Flipper attended a succession of schools established by the American Missionary Association.

In 1873, Lt. Flipper received an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy - West Point by Rep. James C. Freeman of Ga. Flipper graduated 50th in a class of 76, the first black to ever do so. Many others tried but failed. Shortly after his graduation from the academy, Lt. Flipper returned to Thomasville, Ga. to visit his father who owned a shoemaking shop. When his furlough was over he returned to the 10th Calvary as the Army's first black Officer.

He was sent to Ft. Sill, Ok. in 1878. It was there he got his first taste of engineering. He and his troop were required to dig a drainage ditch. The ditch was required to help keep the water away from where the troops made camp in order to help combat malaria fever from the mosquitoes the water attracted. The ditch was called "Flippers Ditch." There is a bronze marker commemorating Flippers' Ditch at Ft. Sill which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

In 1880, Flipper's troop was ordered to Ft. Davis, Texas. After marching more than 1,200 miles, the company found the waters of a creek too high to cross. Lt. Flipper requested permission to make a ferry for the troops to use to cross. With permission granted, Lt. Flipper made the ferry, and the troops were able to cross the creek.

The maruading Indians were surprised and killed. Lt. Flipper's outfit returned to Ft. Davis. Upon his return to the Fort, Lt. Flipper was named acting quartermaster, a job that eventually led to his court martial. The young black Lieutenant began to run into officers of higher rank who were given to showing their open dislike of him. Lt. Flipper was relieved as quartermaster, and some of the officers began to persecute him and lay traps for him. Their traps were effective, for on June 20, 1882, Lt. Flipper was accused of embezzling government funds and of conduct unbecoming an officer. A general court martial followed and Lt. Flipper was acquitted of the theft charge, but found guilty of misconduct. He was dismissed from the Army.

Despite the stigma, Lt. Flipper continued his life and legacy. He wrote the first personal narrative by a black man on the Western Frontier and was one of the first blacks in the United States to gain prominence in the engineering profession. Flipper was an avid student of Southwestern history and published articles in the magazine Old Sante Fe, a forerunner of the New Mexico Historical review. He also wrote "The Colored Cadet at West Point" an account of his military academy experiences. His second book was entitled "Negro Frontiersman - The Western Memories of Henry O. Flipper."

Despite the frustrating outcome of his military career, Flipper found at last a partial refuge from discrimination by remaining on the border frontier. But still he wanted to return to the Army. Flipper tried for many years to clear his name, he gave up only when ill health forced him to retire. He moved to Atlanta, GA and lived with his brother until he died in 1940. Lt. Flipper never married.

Lt. Flipper was buried in the family grave site at the Southview Cemetery in Atlanta, Georgia. His brother, Bishop Joseph S. Flipper, placed a headstone at his grave that read, "Lt. Henry O. Flipper, Retired U.S. Army Officer, 1856-1940."

In 1972, the late Mr. Ray MacColl, a Valdosta, Georgia school teacher at the time, began researching Lt. Flipper's case at the urging of the late Mrs. Irsle Flipper King, Flipper's niece, of Valdosta, Ga. and other family members including citizens from Thomasville, GA. On December 13, 1976 the United States Army Granted a full pardon to Lt. Flipper after an extensive review of the field, records and testimony in the court martial.

On February 11, 1978, Lt. Flipper came home again to Thomasville, GA, 101 years after his last homecoming. His remains were disinterred and then re-interred in Thomasville, Ga. The homecoming began at the First Missionary Baptist Church, where about 500 people black, white, dignitaries and common people alike came to pay their respects to this man. Lt. Flipper's remains lay in a gray steel coffin draped with a U.S. Flag. During the 40 minute service, Lt. Flipper was eulogized by seven different people each one bringing out something different and unique about this man.

A high noon, six military pallbearers snapped to attention and carried the coffin from the church to the waiting cortege (a military ammunition wagon). The honor guards were composed of members of the 586th Engineering Company and the 36th Engineering Group at Ft. Benning, Georgia, followed by six Thomasville High School drummers. After the coffin was loaded, the pair of match gray mules made their way to the Old Magnolia Cemetery followed by the riderless horse with reversed stirrups. At the cemetery, the coffin was placed over the open grave. The Thomasville High School band played The Star Spangled Banner. Afterwards the military detail lifted and held the flag above the coffin as a 21 gun salute was fired. Henry Ossian Flipper was home to stay, his name cleared at last.

Today Lt. Flipper's grave may be spotted easily among the others by the gray marker and the brick wall. He is buried beside his mother and father, Isabella and Festus Flipper, Sr., in Thomasville's Old Magnolia Cemetery.

Lt. Flipper has also been honored in another way. The park across the street from his burial site has been named "Flipper Park."

In February 20, 1985, under the direction of the late Mr. Ray MacColl, the late Mrs. Irsle Flipper King and other Thomasville citizens, initialized an application to issue a United States commemorative postage stamp to honor Lt. Flipper. It was submitted to the United States Postmaster General, Washington, D.C. It has been 13 years, and the Postal Service Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee continue to acknowledge that the stamp to honor Lt. Flipper still remains under consideration for issuace. Please support this effort by writing or petition to Postmaster General/CEO Hon. Jack Potter, United States Postal Service, 475 L' Enfant Plaza, Washington, D.C. 20260. Your letters or petitions will count.

Other Honors include the following:

Flag Day ceremony on June 14, 1986: Dedication of a flagpole at the Thomasville Public Library in memory of the 130th anniversary of the birth of Lt. Henry Ossian Flipper. A resolution passed by Congress and signed by President Reagan designated 1986 as the Year of the Flag.

The Henry Ossian Flipper Memorial award, established in 1981 by the Association of Graduates, United States Military Academy, West Point: A Pewter Tray awarded in the names of the late Mrs. Irsle Flipper King to the cadet who demonstrated the highest qualities of leadership, self-discipline, and perseverance in the face of unusual difficulties while a cadet. This award is given annually.

In 1989, the State of Georgia unveiled a Georgia Historical marker at Lt. Flipper's grave site at the Old Magnolia Cemetery in Thomasville, Ga. It was unveiled by Georgia Attorney General Michael Bowers, who called Flipper a hero and said it was time "we righted this great wrong".

On October 29, 1991, the unveiling of a print by the Heritage Foundation, Inc., to honor Lt. Flipper, one of the most important Blacks in American History. Part of the proceeds from this print will go to support the issuance of a United States Commemorative Postage Stamp to honor Lt. Flipper, courtesy of the Brady Keys, Jr. family of Albany, Georgia.

On September 19, 1993, a special dedication of the Lt. Henry Ossian Flipper Memorial Meeting Room. A special recognition for Lt. Flipper is a part of the New Thomas County Public Library. This memorial room and Lt. Flipper's contents are dedicated to the Library.

On March 6, 1994, Lt. Henry Ossian Flipper's sculpture dedication. The Thomas County Public Library, Heritage Foundation, Inc. and the Jack Hadley black history memorabilia, Inc., are honored to present to the people of Thomas County a bronze bust of Lt. Henry Ossian Flipper, sculpted by nationally renowned sculptor Eddie Dixon of Lubbock, Texas.

On July 14, 1998, the Thomas County Comissioners and Thomasville City Councilmembers/Mayor agreed to write a letter endorsing Jack Hadley's efforts to have United States Congress name a Thomasville Post Office Substation, being built here in Thomasville, in honor of Lt. Henry O. Flipper.

On July 22, 1998, Senator Max Cleland had the pleasure of meeting with the new Postmaster General, William Henderson, to discuss the status of the stamp. The Postmaster assured him that he would give his highest endorsement for the stamp to the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee where it remains under consideration.

On July 29, 1998, Senator Max Cleland introduced a bill, S. 2370 in the 105th Congress, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at Tall Timbers Village Square, United States Highway 19 South, in Thomasville, Georgia, as the "Lieutenant Henry O. Flipper Station". This bill is co-sponsored by Congressman Sanford Bishop.

On August 6, 1998, Senator Max Cleland released a Public Service Announcement series - Georgians On My Mind, about Lieutenant Henry O. Flipper. This series highlights the lives and careers of some of our most distinguished Georgians.

On December 9, 1998, Senator Max Cleland (D./GA), Congressman Sanford Bishop (R/GA), Colonel Andre H. Sayes U.S. Military Academy, West Point and Lt. General Larry R. Jordan, The Inspector General, U.S. Army came to Thomasville and dedicated Lt. Henry Ossian Flipper Station in Thomasville, GA. More than 400 people came to the Building Dedication Cerremony that was hosted by the United States Postal Service and assisted by the Jack Hadley Black History Memoribilia, Inc. in Thomasville, GA. The Lt. Henry Ossian Flipper Station is scheduled to be opened in May/June of 1999.

On February 19, 1999, President William Jefferson “Bill” Clinton pardoned Lt. Henry Ossian Flipper posthumously erasing the stigma on an extraordinary military and professional career. Impressed by the injustice of the conviction, the Arnold & Porter, one of the largest law firm in Washington, D.C., legal team led by Darryl Jackson, Esq., Jeff Smith, Esq., Ed Sisson, Esq., and Helene Krasnoff, Esq. got to work. Jeff Smith, a partner in this law firm and a West Point graduate wanted to win the pardon in part to show military men and women that past wrongs can be righted. In 1993, Jeff Smith’s West Point classmate, Tom Carhart and others raised the Lt. Flipper matter with him. The late Mrs. Irsle Flipper King, Lt. Flipper’s niece, her son Dr. William C. King and other family members worked with the Washington law firm to win this pardon action that started in July 1993. Senator Mac Cleland (D/GA) became aware of the possible pardon by the President in December 1998 and was assisted in its early and timely approval during Black History month, 1999. ARNOLD & PORTER, Law Firm, 555 Twelfth St. N.W. Washington, D.C. 20004, 1-202-942-5899 or 1-202-942-5894.

NOTE: The Flipper family had four other sons besides Henry they were: Bishop Joseph S. Flipper - nationally known leader in the African Methodist Episcopal Church and past President of Morris Brown College. Carl Flipper - former professor at Savannah State College. Festus Flipper, Jr. - successful businessman and civic leader of Thomasville. Dr. Emory Flipper - one of the early black physicians in South Georgia.

Flipper's father, Festus, Sr., was a prominent Thomasville businessman. He owned a shoemaking shop which was later inherited by his son Festus, Jr. Lt. Flipper's parents, Festus, Sr. and Isabella Flipper, are buried in the Old Magnolia Cemetery where Lt. Flipper is buried.

Many of the Flipper family heirlooms are on display at the Thomas County Historical Society Museum and the Jack Hadley Black History Memorabilia, Inc.'s collection. The complete Black History Collection exhibit is normally on display at the Thomasville Cultural Center during Black History month annually every February.