February 18, 1999
Web posted at: 12:35 p.m. EST (1735 GMT)

WASHINGTON (AllPolitics, February 18) -- West Point's first African-American graduate is getting a presidential pardon, more than 100 years after his court-martial.

President Bill Clinton will announce the posthumous pardon of Henry O. Flipper in a White House ceremony Friday.

Flipper was dishonorably discharged in 1882 after being convicted in an 1881 court-martial of lying to investigators.

Flipper was acquitted on charges of embezzlement of commissary funds, but was found guilty of "conduct unbecoming an officer" for lying.

He died in 1940 at age 84.

Flipper's court-martial conviction notwithstanding, West Point presents an annual Henry Flipper award to a cadet who has overcome adversity and Gen. Colin Powell hung a photo of Flipper on his office wall while serving as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Both Flipper's relatives and retired African-American army officers will attend Friday's ceremony.

CNN's Marc Sklar and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Thursday, February 18, 1999

• Judge in Jones case won't be removed from contempt decision
• Los Angeles a step closer to hosting Democratic 2000 convention
• Smith joins race for 2000 GOP nomination
• Clinton returns to New Hampshire
• Clinton to pardon first African-American West Point graduate
• Starr's office clears Lewinsky for first interview
• How are CNN polls taken?
• Stream of politicians visit Gov. George Bush
• Nevada's Sen. Bryan won't run again
• Reno's deputy sees need for changes in independent counsel law
• Proposed Medicare changes could save billions over time
• What will scandal veterans do now that impeachment is over?
• Analysis: New battle over who can wage war -- Congress or Clinton?

ARCHIVES