Photos: Lloyd Austin and Henry Flipper, sons of Thomasville

News

Photos: Lloyd Austin and Henry Flipper, sons of Thomasville

Images of Lloyd Austin, first Black Defense Secretary, and Henry Flipper, the first Black graduate of West Point in 1877. Both men are from Thomasville, Georgia.

Austin rose to become a four-star general in the Army and retired in 2016 as the chief of U.S. Central Command, a role from which he oversaw U.S. military operations across the Middle East. (Spc. Sean Mcguire)

Thomasville is home to another Black military hero — Henry O. Flipper, who was born a slave and became the first Black man to graduate from West Point in 1877. He went on to lead the Buffalo Soldiers and worked as a surveyor and engineer. (Courtesy of Jack Hadley Black History Museum)

Henry O. Flipper, center left, stands with other West Point graduates in 1877 in this photo from the Jack Hadley Black History Museum in Thomasville. He endured isolation and hostility among white cadets at the military academy before being commissioned as a second lieutenant assigned to the 10th Calvary. He went on to work as an engineer and translator and served as a special agent at the U.S. Justice Department and as an aide to the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. (Courtesy of Jack Hadley Black History Museum)

Despite a distinguished military career, Flipper was dimissed from the Army over charges of conduct unbecoming of an officer. His dismissal was changed to an honorable discharge in 1976 and he was pardoned by President Clinton in 1996. (Courtesy of Jack Hadley Black History Museum)

Flipper is a hometown hero in Thomasville, with a cemetery, a street, a park and a post office named after him. James "Jack" Hadley, who has preserved Flipper's legacy, enters the Lt. Henry O. Flipper Historic Cemetery to pay respects. (Hyosub Shin / Hyosub.Shin@ajc.com)

Flipper's legacy looms large over Thomasville and Lloyd Austin grew up admiring him. “His story is one of courage, of perseverance and of commitment and of values,” Austin said. “I have always been proud to say I am from the same town as Henry Flipper.” (Courtesy of Jack Hadley Black History Museum)

James "Jack" Hadley shows off exhibits of Henry O. Flipper at the Jack Hadley Black History Museum in Thomasville, where he collects artifacts of Thomasville's black achievers. (Hyosub Shin / Hyosub.Shin@ajc.com)

Hadley poses in front of exhibits of Gen. Lloyd Austin at the museum bearing Hadley's name. He has preserved over 4,669 pieces celebrating the lives of Thomasville's first Black achievers. (Hyosub Shin / Hyosub.Shin@ajc.com)

James "Jack" Hadley pulls out a high school yearbook containing Lloyd Austin's photo, at the Jack Hadley Black History Museum in Thomasville. (Hyosub Shin / Hyosub.Shin@ajc.com)

Hadley points out Gen. Lloyd Austin, the newly confirmed Defense Secretary, from a high school yearbook. Austin's family moved to Thomasville when he was in third grade. He graduated from the newly integrated Thomasville High School in 1971. (Hyosub Shin / Hyosub.Shin@ajc.com)

Hadley walks through exibits at the Jack Hadley Black History Museum, a former school building that is jam-packed with memorabilia. (Hyosub Shin / Hyosub.Shin@ajc.com)

An exhibit of Gen. Lloyd Austin includes his uniforms, photos and clips from his career. (Hyosub Shin / Hyosub.Shin@ajc.com)

Hadley is delighted with Austin's newest appointment. “Thomasville is overjoyed with what has happened,” said Hadley, who is a U.S. Air Force veteran. “What he has accomplished gives hope to our young kids to know that if he can make it, there are no excuses why we can’t make it today.” (Hyosub Shin / Hyosub.Shin@ajc.com)

1/13

Credit: U.S. Army

Austin rose to become a four-star general in the Army and retired in 2016 as the chief of U.S. Central Command, a role from which he oversaw U.S. military operations across the Middle East. (Spc. Sean Mcguire)

Today's Gallery Headlines

Coca-Cola first ad

PHOTOS: Coca-Cola ads over time

Alonzo Herndon

PHOTOS: Philanthropists leave mark on Atlanta

gainesville, thomas county central

PHOTOS: Thomas County Central pummels Gainesville for 5A state title

jefferson, sandy creek

PHOTOS: Sandy Creek defeats Jefferson for Class 3A championship

More Galleries

Savannah Christmas Train Villages

PHOTOS: Savannah Christmas model train garden began under the tree

aajc 121725 class 3a-a private

PHOTOS: Calvary Day and Hebron Christian battle for Class 3A-A title

Fani Willis testifies

PHOTOS: Fani Willis testifies before state Senate panel

YOUNG THUG CONCERT

PHOTOS: Young Thug hometown show in Atlanta