West Indies Campaign Medal, “63” (RADM Francis A. Cook)

Navy West Indies Campaign Medal, numbered “63”. Neatly reribboned.

Confirmed on the roll as being issued 12 October 1908 to Rear Admiral Francis A. Cook.  RADM Cook graduated from the Naval Academy in 1863 and saw action aboard USS Seminole at Mobile Bay in 1864. in 1896, he became captain of USS Brooklyn, the flagship of RADM Winfield Scott Schley’s Flying Squadron. Cook served as Schley’s flag captain and chief of staff. In action at Santiago, Cuba, Cook took the surrender of the Spanish ship, Cristobal Colon.  He was promoted to rear admiral in March 1903 and retired later that year. RADM Cook died in 1916 and is buried at the Naval Academy.