Henry Ossian Flipper: A Local Legacy of Courage and Education in Georgia’s Journey to Equality. Discover his inspiring story today!

Henry Ossian Flipper defied the odds and made history. Born into slavery in Thomasville, Georgia, in 1856, he pursued education with an unshakable determination. From humble beginnings in a woodshop to studying at missionary schools and Atlanta University, his ultimate dream was to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point. No African American had ever graduated from West Point, but that did not stop him. Writing to Congressman James C. Freeman, he sought an appointment—and he got it. Among five African American cadets who entered, Henry was the only one to graduate. In 1877, he became the first African American to graduate from West Point and the first Black man commissioned in the United States Army.

Mar 23, 2025Latest News

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Channing Parham

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