In 1877 Henry Ossian Flipper became the first African American to graduate from United States Military Academy at West Point. He had been born into slavery in 1856. He received a commission and served as an officer of Buffalo Soldiers in the 10th Calvary. He had an eye for the captain's daughter at Camp Davis in Texas. Because of this he was framed for embezzlement. He was found not guilty of embezzlement but was found guilty of conduct unbecoming of an officer and a gentleman. He was dishonorable discharged. He was unable to clear his name during his life. However he was cleared after his death. in 1976 his discharge was changed to a good conduct discharge. In 1999 President Bill Clinton granted a full pardon. He was also an engineer. At Fort Sill in Oklahoma he designed a system to drain a swamp which was leading to malaria. Known as Flipper's Ditch the system is still used today.
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