Former slave Henry Ossian Flipper became the first African-American to graduate from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1877 and the first to receive a commission as an officer, second lieutenant, in the U.S. Army. He was assigned to one of the all-black regiments, typically led by white officers.
He was accused of stealing money from a safe. Fearing it was a setup, he tried to hide the discrepancy and lied about it when he was confronted. He was court-martialed and dishonorably discharged.
Many believed he was set up and a review of his court-martial determined his conviction and punishment were "unduly harsh and unjust". President Bill Clinton pardoned him posthumously in February 1999.
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