USSTTCC engages stakeholders and the broader community to raise funds to ensure that the shipbuilding milestones of Telesforo Trinidad (DDG 139) are executed in a manner emblematic and to take care of its crew, their families, during its lifetime. USS TELESFORO TRINIDAD CAMPAIGN (USSTTC)
“Ship and Shipmate Before Self”
MISSION: Name and commission a US Navy Surface Combatant after Fireman Seco
nd Class Telesforo Trinidad, an American national of Filipino descent who received the Medal of Honor on April 1, 1915, for extraordinary heroism in the line of duty and memorialize his selfless dedication to our Nation and the U.S. VISION: Perpetuate and promote national awareness of Fireman Second Class Trinidad’s heroic sacrifice for his ship and shipmate and instill pride and honor in the U.S. WHO WE ARE: USSTTC is a US registered non-profit corporation (IRS 501c3) comprised of serving and retired members of the US Armed Forces, community leaders, academics, corporate executives, civic leaders, partners and sponsors, and veterans’ families committed to naming a US Navy Warship after Trinidad. BACKGROUND: The US and the Philippines have maintained uninterrupted economic, cultural and military ties since 1901 when President McKinley signed an Executive order allowing Filipinos to serve as part of the Insular Force of the War Department. Thousands more were recruited through the interwar years and during WWII Filipinos served in the U.S. Army Forces in the Far East and the U.S. 16th Naval District. After the Philippines obtained its independence from the United States in 1946, over 35,000 Filipinos were recruited into the US Navy from 1952 to 1992 under a provision of the Republic of the Philippines-United States Military Bases Agreement. In addition, thousands of Americans of Filipino descent enlisted during this same 40-year period, and continue to do so until today. DISCUSSION: Trinidad remains the first and only American national of Asian and Filipino descent in the U.S. Navy awarded the Medal of Honor. He received the medal for his extraordinary heroism in the line of duty during boiler explosions onboard the USS San Diego (ACR-6) while the ship was underway in the Gulf of California on January 21, 1915. Trinidad brought two crewmembers to safety in spite of his own physical injuries from the explosion. He was awarded the Medal of Honor in accordance with General Order Number 142 signed by the Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels on April 1, 1915. BRIEF BIO: Telesforo Dela Cruz Trinidad was born on November 25, 1890, in New Washington, Aklan Province, Panay, Philippines. He enlisted in the US Navy as part of the Insular Force in the Philippines in 1910 and served during WWI and WWII until his retirement in 1945. He lived in Imus, Cavite, Philippines until his passing on May 8, 1968, at the age of 77. POINTS OF CONTACT: Nonie C. Cabana, [email protected], (808) 277-3033; Cecilia I. Gaerlan, [email protected], (510) 520-8540
