Lieutenant Flipper Controversy: A Fallen Hero? Who was Lieutenant Flipper?  Was he Martyr or Myth? 19th Century:  Lt Flipper was dismissed from the U.S. Army. 20th Century:  Flipper was pardoned by President Clinton. 21st Century:  Flipper’s “poor treatment” is called a myth. Henry O. Flipper was not the first African American admitted to the United States [...]