Frank Newcomb
Encyclopedia
Frank Hamilton Newcomb was a Commodore
in the United States Revenue Cutter Service. Commodore Newcomb was most famous for his heroic actions at the Battle of Cárdenas
during the Spanish-American War
.
Newcomb was born in Boston, Massachusetts. Before joining the Revenue Cutter Service, he served in the navy from 1863 to 1865.
At the time the Spanish-American War broke out, First Lieutenant Frank Newcomb was in command of the USRC Hudson, which then entered the war as a U.S. Navy auxiliary. Hudson had been retrofitted with two six-pounder
s and a small machine gun
, but was more of a tugboat
than a combat vessel.
On May 11, 1898, in one of the first actions off the coast of Cuba
, Captain Frank Newcomb distinguished himself and his ship in the Battle of Cardenas. The U.S. Navy
torpedo boat
USS Winslow
and the USRC Hudson had been shelling Spanish positions. Winslow had been hit multiple times. Half her complement was dead and her Captain gravely wounded.
Newcomb ordered Hudson to tow Winslow out of harms way. Under heavy fire, she did just that, despite nearly foundering on shoals trying to fast a rope to Hudson. Without a doubt, Newcomb's actions saved USS Winslow from destruction and possible capture.
Three members of Winslow 's crew received Medals of Honor
for their actions. Because of the Revenue Cutter Service's status at the time, President William McKinley
felt that Newcomb could not be nominated for a Medal of Honor as he was a Revenue Cutter Service officer. Instead, Congress instructed that a special Gold Medal be struck for First Lieutenant Frank H. Newcomb on May 3, 1900 in Public Law 31 Stat. 717. It was the only such medal struck during the Spanish-American War. At the time, it was thought to be an honor equivalent to the Medal of Honor.
Commodore Newcomb died in Los Angeles, California
. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery
with his wife, Rose Prioleau Newcomb.
The United States Navy destroyer
USS Newcomb (DD-586)
was named in his honor.
Commodore (rank)
Commodore is a military rank used in many navies that is superior to a navy captain, but below a rear admiral. Non-English-speaking nations often use the rank of flotilla admiral or counter admiral as an equivalent .It is often regarded as a one-star rank with a NATO code of OF-6, but is not always...
in the United States Revenue Cutter Service. Commodore Newcomb was most famous for his heroic actions at the Battle of Cárdenas
Battle of Cárdenas
The Second Battle of Cárdenas was a secondary naval engagement of the Spanish–American War fought on 11 May of 1898 in the port of Cárdenas, Cuba, between an American squadron of 5 ships under Captain Chapman C. Todd and 3 small Spanish vessels under Mariano Mateu. The battle resulted in an...
during the Spanish-American War
Spanish-American War
The Spanish–American War was a conflict in 1898 between Spain and the United States, effectively the result of American intervention in the ongoing Cuban War of Independence...
.
Newcomb was born in Boston, Massachusetts. Before joining the Revenue Cutter Service, he served in the navy from 1863 to 1865.
At the time the Spanish-American War broke out, First Lieutenant Frank Newcomb was in command of the USRC Hudson, which then entered the war as a U.S. Navy auxiliary. Hudson had been retrofitted with two six-pounder
Cannon
A cannon is any piece of artillery that uses gunpowder or other usually explosive-based propellents to launch a projectile. Cannon vary in caliber, range, mobility, rate of fire, angle of fire, and firepower; different forms of cannon combine and balance these attributes in varying degrees,...
s and a small machine gun
Machine gun
A machine gun is a fully automatic mounted or portable firearm, usually designed to fire rounds in quick succession from an ammunition belt or large-capacity magazine, typically at a rate of several hundred rounds per minute....
, but was more of a tugboat
Tugboat
A tugboat is a boat that maneuvers vessels by pushing or towing them. Tugs move vessels that either should not move themselves, such as ships in a crowded harbor or a narrow canal,or those that cannot move by themselves, such as barges, disabled ships, or oil platforms. Tugboats are powerful for...
than a combat vessel.
On May 11, 1898, in one of the first actions off the coast of Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
, Captain Frank Newcomb distinguished himself and his ship in the Battle of Cardenas. The U.S. Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
torpedo boat
Torpedo boat
A torpedo boat is a relatively small and fast naval vessel designed to carry torpedoes into battle. The first designs rammed enemy ships with explosive spar torpedoes, and later designs launched self-propelled Whitehead torpedoes. They were created to counter battleships and other large, slow and...
USS Winslow
USS Winslow (TB-5)
-External links:*...
and the USRC Hudson had been shelling Spanish positions. Winslow had been hit multiple times. Half her complement was dead and her Captain gravely wounded.
Newcomb ordered Hudson to tow Winslow out of harms way. Under heavy fire, she did just that, despite nearly foundering on shoals trying to fast a rope to Hudson. Without a doubt, Newcomb's actions saved USS Winslow from destruction and possible capture.
Three members of Winslow 's crew received Medals of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
for their actions. Because of the Revenue Cutter Service's status at the time, President William McKinley
William McKinley
William McKinley, Jr. was the 25th President of the United States . He is best known for winning fiercely fought elections, while supporting the gold standard and high tariffs; he succeeded in forging a Republican coalition that for the most part dominated national politics until the 1930s...
felt that Newcomb could not be nominated for a Medal of Honor as he was a Revenue Cutter Service officer. Instead, Congress instructed that a special Gold Medal be struck for First Lieutenant Frank H. Newcomb on May 3, 1900 in Public Law 31 Stat. 717. It was the only such medal struck during the Spanish-American War. At the time, it was thought to be an honor equivalent to the Medal of Honor.
Commodore Newcomb died in Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington County, Virginia, is a military cemetery in the United States of America, established during the American Civil War on the grounds of Arlington House, formerly the estate of the family of Confederate general Robert E. Lee's wife Mary Anna Lee, a great...
with his wife, Rose Prioleau Newcomb.
The United States Navy destroyer
Destroyer
In naval terminology, a destroyer is a fast and maneuverable yet long-endurance warship intended to escort larger vessels in a fleet, convoy or battle group and defend them against smaller, powerful, short-range attackers. Destroyers, originally called torpedo-boat destroyers in 1892, evolved from...
USS Newcomb (DD-586)
USS Newcomb (DD-586)
USS Newcomb was a Fletcher-class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War II. She was the only ship named for Commodore Frank H. Newcomb of the United States Revenue Cutter Service, Congressional Gold Medal recipient from the Spanish-American War.Newcomb was laid down 19 March 1943 by...
was named in his honor.