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Thomasville native Henry Ossian Flipper became the first African-American graduate of the United States
Military Academy at West Point in 1877. Subjected to the “silent treatment” by his classmates during his last two
years, he still managed to graduate in the top third of his class. Although Lieutenant Flipper was discharged from the Army on false embezzlement charges, he was granted a posthumous pardon by President Clinton.
Henry Flipper enjoyed a long career as a surveyor, cartographer, and mining engineer. His brothers all reached remarkable levels of success, too. He died and was buried in Atlanta in 1940, and was re-interred in Thomasville in 1978. The United States Post Office off of U.S. 19 North is named in his memory. There are ongoing efforts for a U.S. Postal stamp to be issued in honor of Lt. Flipper. A Georgia state plaque marks his gravesite.
Military Academy at West Point in 1877. Subjected to the “silent treatment” by his classmates during his last two
years, he still managed to graduate in the top third of his class. Although Lieutenant Flipper was discharged from the Army on false embezzlement charges, he was granted a posthumous pardon by President Clinton.
Henry Flipper enjoyed a long career as a surveyor, cartographer, and mining engineer. His brothers all reached remarkable levels of success, too. He died and was buried in Atlanta in 1940, and was re-interred in Thomasville in 1978. The United States Post Office off of U.S. 19 North is named in his memory. There are ongoing efforts for a U.S. Postal stamp to be issued in honor of Lt. Flipper. A Georgia state plaque marks his gravesite.
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