Which future U.S. president led the Rough Riders in Cuba?

The future U.S. president who led the Rough Riders in Cuba was Theodore Roosevelt.

The Rough Riders was the popular name for the 1st United States Volunteer Cavalry, formed for the Spanish-American War in 1898. Roosevelt, then the assistant secretary of the Navy, resigned his post to join the fighting. Colonel Leonard Wood was the regiment's original commander, while Roosevelt served as lieutenant colonel and second in command. After Wood moved to brigade command, Roosevelt took command of the regiment.

The unit fought in Cuba at Las Guasimas and became famous during the Battle of San Juan Heights on July 1, 1898. Despite their name, the Rough Riders mostly fought as infantry because many of their horses never reached Cuba. Their highly publicized action helped make Roosevelt a national hero.

Roosevelt returned to the United States, became governor of New York, and was elected vice president in 1900. After President William McKinley was assassinated in 1901, Roosevelt became president at age 42, still the youngest person to assume the office.