Newcomb, Frank H. (Frank Hamilton), 1846-1934

Frank Hamilton Newcomb (10 November 1846 – 19 February 1934) was a United States Revenue Cutter Service commodore, best known for his actions at the Battle of Cárdenas during the Spanish–American War.

Newcomb was born in Boston, Massachusetts, was the oldest of three children. His father, Hiram Newcomb was a merchant sea captain and Frank sailed on his father's ship at an early age. At the age of sixteen he served on another merchant ship that made an around the world trading voyage. 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. 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.

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. 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. 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.

During the Spanish-American War, the USRC Hudson, led by Newcomb, moved to assist a disabled USS Winslow during the Second Battle of Cárdenas. Now 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. 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.

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. 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.

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. 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. On 8 May 1908 he was promoted to the rank of senior captain. At age 64, Newcomb reached mandatory retirement age and he retired with the rank of captain-commandant on 10 November 1910.

In 1927, Newcomb received the rank of commodore on the U.S. Coast Guard Retired List. Newcomb died of natural causes at Los Angeles, California on 19 February 1934. He is interred at Arlington National Cemetery with his wife, Rose Prioleau Newcomb (1863–1951).

The United States Navy destroyer USS Newcomb (DD-586) was named in his honor. In 2014, the Coast Guard's Command and Operations School renamed its "Top Conn" award to the Newcomb award. It is awarded to the graduate of each Prospective Commanding Officer/Prospective Executive Officer class that best demonstrates the excellence in leadership, mentorship, and inspiration exemplified by Newcomb.