Lot 1174
Flipper, Henry Ossian (1856-1946) First African American to graduate from West Point (1877). Document listing "The First Class according to Merit in Ordnance and Gunnery," datelined Headquarters U.S. Military Academy, West, N.Y., June 14, 1877, and signed by the adjutant of the 10th Infantry, by command of Maj. Gen. Schofield. Flipper's name appears as number 57 in the list of 76 cadets, with one additional cadet not examined due to sickness. Flipper was commissioned a 2nd Lt. and assigned to the 10th Cavalry. In 1881, his commanding officer accused him of "embezzling funds and of conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman," and he was court-martialed. Although acquitted of the embezzlement charge, he was found guilty of the second charge and dismissed from the Army. As a civilian, he distinguished himself in a variety of governmental and private engineering positions and he wrote several books. He died in 1940, having made numerous attempts to clear his name. On February 19, 1999, President Clinton pardoned Flipper, recognizing an error and acknowledging Flipper's lifetime achievements. Among Flipper's listed classmates is John Guilfoyle, No. 20, who would go on to lead the famous 9th U.S. Cavalry "Buffalo Soldiers."
Estimated Value $300 - 500.
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| Realized $276 |
