Who was the U.S. admiral who commanded the North Atlantic Squadron during the war?

William T. Sampson commanded the U.S. North Atlantic Squadron during the Spanish-American War.

Sampson assumed command in March 1898, shortly before the United States entered the war with Spain. His squadron blockaded Cuba, searched for the Spanish fleet under Admiral Pascual Cervera, and helped establish the American naval strategy that culminated in the destruction of Cervera's squadron at Santiago de Cuba on July 3, 1898.

A common mix-up involves Winfield Scott Schley, who commanded the separate Flying Squadron and exercised tactical command at Santiago while Sampson was away from the immediate battle area. Sampson therefore held overall command, even though Schley directed the ships during the decisive engagement. This disagreement later became known as the Sampson-Schley controversy.

Sampson also chaired the naval inquiry into the sinking of USS Maine in Havana Harbor. The wartime victory brought him lasting recognition, and sailors who served under him received the Sampson Medal, officially called the West Indies Naval Campaign Medal.