Flipper, Henry Ossian (1856-1940), was the first African American to graduate from the United States Military Academy at West Point. He became a second lieutenant in the 10th Cavalry regiment, one of the army's two cavalry regiments with all African American enlisted men. The members of these regiments were also known as Buffalo Soldiers, a name given to them by American Indians as a sign of respect. Flipper's promising military career ended in 1881 with a dishonorable discharge, which was later proved to be unjust and racially motivated. In 1976, long after Flipper's death, the U.S. Army changed his discharge to honorable. In 1999, a pardon from President Bill Clinton completely cleared Flipper's name. Flipper has long been widely recognized as a hero and admired for his ability to overcome hardship.