Matthew Henson

Matthew Henson met Commander Robert E. Peary in November 1887 and joined him on an expedition of Nicaragua.  In 1909 Peary mounted his eighth attempt to reach the North Pole.  Before the goal was reached, Peary could no longer continue due to illness.  Henson's footsteps were the first on the spot and Henson planted the American flag.  Ignored for 30 years, his accomplishment was finally honored by President Truman and Eisenhower before he died in 1955.