Ramón Auñón y Villalón

Admiral Ramón Auńón y Villalón (25 August 1844, Morón de la Frontera – 20 May 1925, Madrid)[1] was a Spanish naval officer who served as the Minister of the Navy during the Spanish–American War, replacing Segismundo Bermejo y Merelo. He had joined the Armada at the age of 15 and fought in conflicts in Africa and Cuba, later commanding a battleship and gaining a reputation for being an efficient administrator. Upon becoming Minister of the navy, Auńon was forced to make a decision of whether or not Admiral Pascual Cervera y Topete's squadron in Santiago de Cuba should sortie or not. He ultimately decided in favor, resulting in the Battle of Santiago de Cuba. Afterwards, he would serve as a member of the Congress of Deputies and as civil governor of the Province of Barcelona.[2][3][4]