Who was Henry O. Flipper? by bmac62
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Description
Photographed this bronze statue of 2nd LT. Henry O. Flipper in the Buffalo Soldier park at Ft. Leavenworth, Oct. 30, 2008. Conditions were not good. The sun was very bright and the background distracting. Used a gaussian blur background.
So, who was he?
Born to slave parents-21 March 1856; Died 26 April 1940.
1st African-American to graduate from the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, New York (1877).
1st African-American officer to command black troops in the regular army (10th U.S. Cavalry).
Served 15 June 1877-30 June 1882.
Court Marshalled and dismissed from the army, 30 June 1882.
A most interesting life. He went from the slave to scholar, author, inventor, historian, surveyor, engineer, linquist, mining and oil consultant, newspaper editor, cartographer, special agent U.S. Department of Justice, Interpreter and translator, U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, assistant to the U.S. Secretary of Interior.
BUT the army threw him out: Click her for the details
In the mid 1970s the Army issued an Honorable Discharge to replace his dismissal, General Colin Powell dedicated this statue in 1992 at Fort Leavenworth (there is another one at West Point) and President Clinton officially pardoned Flipper in 1999 righting a wrong that undoubtedly was done as a result of racial prejudice in 1882.
Thanks for stopping by.
Bill
ADDED 30 Dec 2008: Excellent National Park Service link
Special thanks to texboy for this link.
Comments (26)
MagikUnicorn
BEAUTIFUL SCULPTURE
THROBBE
Great work and history! Thank you Bill!
drace68
A tough road.
RobyHermida
NICE!!!!!!!!!!
skipper62
Great Photo and congratulations for the information which will help spread the word. AS you know, my weapons officer was a great Black American who was lost in the Viet Conflict. He stayed on track for promotions but there were still the little things which showed up with the bias. HOOOOAH to you. Skipper
fredster66
Great work on this to present it so well...
CavalierLady
A rich and varied life this gentleman had. Beautiful photo, and love the background!
kansas
Great photo and nice background. Very interesting info about this man. I've never heard of him. Thanks for the link to the info.
dbrv6
Stunning life story and very nice capture. Thanks for sharing this.
Fred255
Very interesting history. Super post work.
tennesseecowgirl
I love all the history you included here..
goodoleboy
Stellar backlighting effects and postwork in this remarkable shot, Bill! Odd, in all my years poring over military stuff, I never heard of the multitalented Renaissance gentleman shown and decribed above.
moonrancher
Very nice how you fixed this up! An interesting story, mostly symbolic. We need many such beacons of light along the way if we are to claim "progress" as humans.
Richardphotos
amazing history and a hero to many. outstanding capture
junge1
Wow, a very nice image and an interesting narrative Bill. Must have been difficult for him in those days. I noticed that among the many other occupations he was also a cartographer. When I attended University of Georgia for a short stint in the early 1980s, I felt prejudice was still there. In my case, when introduced by either professors or other grad students I was accepted immediately. It made me feel uncomfortable, because the acceptance was based on my being from Germany. I did not see many African-Americans there, and the ones that were there, were model citizens. I am glad he was finally pardoned. By the way, I am not familiar with the area you mentioned, since I either come from Berlin or Frankfurt on the Autobahn or from the Munich airport, also on a main highway. My only thought is to get to Oberammergau. The trips I take from there are usually in the Alps, Sig....
auntietk
A fascinating bit of history, my friend, and very well presented. I like the photograph ... your postwork choices highlight your subject beautifully, and don't detract at all from what you want us to see. Excellent work! It was worth the wait. :)
beachzz
Wonderful foto--and what a tale of a not so great part of our history-very nicely done.
Kaartijer
Interesting story, excellent shot! Thanks for sharing!
Jay-el-Jay
Ihad never before heard of this man.He seems like he was an impressive man and I am glad to hear that justice was done to his name.Good shot of this fine sculpture.
Meisiekind
Lovely piece of history and excellent capture here Bill! WOW... :)
saretta
Amazing capture and thank you for posting infos on his amazing biography,a remarkable fascinating personality!!:-)
texboy
Great stuff, Bill; thanks for the history as well as the fine picture. This young fellow was stationed at dear old Ft. Concho in the summer of 1880 and took part in the campaign against "the elusive Apache chief Victorio" under Col. Benjamin Grierson. Col. William Shafter was commander there, as well, and his taking command at Ft. Davis seems to have been Lt. Flipper's downfall....lots more at: http://www.buffalosoldier.net/HenryO.Flipper2.htm
durleybeachbum
A wonderful object pic!!!!
ragouc
Good shot and work. Well done. 5+
debbielove
Well taken photo, my friend and and great selection of information to fill out the History of the Man. Rob.
Buffalo1
Flipper is an example of courage in the face of incredible prejudice and unfairness. The Army was court martial happy in the late 19th century with many officers, sometimes with good reason. In Flipper's case it was pure racism and I'm glad the wrongs were righted. It's a very good photo under challenging lighting conditions, Bill.