Frank H. Newcomb

In 1863 at the age of 17, Newcomb received a U.S. Navy officer's appointment as acting master's mate aboard the mortar schooner USS Para. As a part of the Atlantic Blockading Squadron during the American Civil War, Para served through many engagements. In early 1865, Newcomb was transferred to USS Arethusa, which was a coaling vessel home-ported at Port Royal, South Carolina. At the conclusion of the war, Newcomb resigned from the Navy and attempted to make a living as a merchant and as an officer on a merchant ship. He made trips to Europe and the West Coast, but due to a decline in United States merchant shipping after the war he was not able to make a living as a merchant mariner. In 1869, he began working for the Alabama and Chattanooga Railroad and later the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railroad.[1]

Desiring to return to a sea career, Newcomb applied for and received a commission in the United States Revenue Cutter Service. He was commissioned as a third lieutenant on 8 March 1873 and assigned initially to USRC Petrel.[1][2][Note 1] Petrel was sold on 21 October 1873 and Newcomb was transferred to USRC W.H. Crawford, reporting aboard 25 November 1873.[4][5] Newcomb was transferred to USRC Andrew Johnson based at Milwaukee, Wisconsin in June 1876.[6] He was promoted to second lieutenant on 25 March 1878.[2][Note 2] In 1879, Newcomb was appointed as an assistant inspector for the United States Life-Saving Service by USLSS superintendent Sumner I. Kimball. While he served in this capacity he was placed in charge of USRC Saville based in Elizabeth City, North Carolina and he used the boat to aid in inspecting USLSS stations in south Virginia and North Carolina.[7][8] The senior inspector, Lieutenant Charles F. Shoemaker and Newcomb helped establish an all black crew located on North Carolina's Outer Banks at Pea Island because some of the white crews didn't want to serve in mixed race crews. Newcomb appointed a locally recognized surfman, Richard Etheridge as the Pea Island Life-Saving Station head keeper.[9] On 1 July 1885, he was assigned to USRC Colfax.[10] On 7 December 1886, he began serving on USRC Gallatin.[11] On 7 November 1889, Newcomb was transferred to USRC Dallas.[12] On 16 May 1891 Newcomb was promoted to first lieutenant.[2][Note 3][Note 4]

USRC Hudson, led by Newcomb, moves to assist a disabled USS Winslow during the Second Battle of Cárdenas.

The Cardenas Medal

As a first lieutenant, Newcomb reported aboard USRC Hudson in September 1897 as the commanding officer. Hudson was homeported at New York City's harbor at that time.[9] Newcomb received orders assigning Hudson to the Navy and to report to Norfolk, Virginia for outfitting because of the growing tensions with Spain over the sinking of the USS Maine on 15 February 1898. Although more of a tugboat than a combat vessel, Hudson was equipped at Norfolk Naval Shipyard with two six-pound rapid fire guns fore and aft and a Colt automatic machine gun on the aft deckhouse. She also received 5/8 inch (16 mm.) armor plating around the pilothouse and deckhouse.[13][Note 5] On 23 April, Hudson departed Norfolk with orders to report to the staging area for Cuban operations at Key West, Florida. War with Spain had been declared 21 April while the cutter was in the shipyard.[13]

On 11 May 1898, in one of the first actions off the coast of Cuba, Newcomb distinguished himself and his ship in the Battle of Cárdenas. The U.S. Navy torpedo boat USS Winslow and USRC Hudson had been shelling Spanish positions. Winslow had been hit multiple times. Half her complement was dead or wounded and her captain gravely wounded. Newcomb ordered Hudson to tow Winslow out of harm's way. Under heavy fire, she did just that, despite nearly foundering on shoals trying to fasten a line to Hudson. Newcomb's actions saved Winslow from destruction and possible capture.[15] After the action at Cárdenas, Hudson patrolled the waters near Cárdenas Bay, capturing three vessels carrying stores while destroying a fourth. Newcomb and the crew of Hudson returned to her homeport of New York City in mid-August 1898 and a rousing welcome and a recommendation by President William McKinley to Congress to issue a gold medal for Newcomb, silver medals for his officers, and bronze medals for his enlisted crew.[16]

Executive Mansion
June 27, 1898

To The Congress of the United States:

On the 11th of May, 1898, there occurred a conflict in the Bay of Cardenas, Cuba, in which the naval torpedo boat Winslow was disabled, her commander wounded, and one of her officers and a part of her crew killed by the enemy's fire.

In the face of a most galling fire from the enemy's guns the revenue cutter Hudson, commanded by First Lieutenant Frank H. Newcomb, United States Revenue-Cutter Service, rescued the disabled Winslow, her wounded commander, and the remaining crew. The commander of the Hudson kept his vessel in the very hottest fire of the action, although in constant danger of going ashore on account of the shallow water, until he finally got a line made fast to the Winslow and towed that vessel out of range of the enemy's guns, a deed of special gallantry.

I recommend that, in recognition of the signal act of heroism of First Lieutenant Frank H. Newcomb, United States Revenue-Cutter Service, above set forth, the thanks of Congress be extended to him and to his officers and men of the Hudson; and that a gold medal of honor be presented to Lieutenant Newcomb, a silver medal of honor to each of his officers, and a bronze medal of honor to each member of his crew who served with him at Cardenas.

WILLIAM McKINLEY[17]

A joint resolution by Congress carried out the president's wishes and medals were struck for Newcomb, his officers and men. Newcomb received the only gold medal awarded by Congress for participation in the Spanish–American War.[18][Note 6]

After Newcomb's return to New York and the receipt of the Cardenas Medal, he was awarded seven additional points on the Revenue Cutter Service's promotion system which helped him get promoted to captain in 1902.[16][Note 7] He later served as the Supervisor of Anchorages for New York Harbor, and Superintendent of Construction of Life-Saving Stations for the Atlantic Coast and Great Lakes.[16] On 8 May 1908 he was promoted to the rank of senior captain.[2][Note 8] At age 64, Newcomb reached mandatory retirement age and he retired with the rank of captain-commandant on 10 November 1910.[2][16][Note 9]