Case Praises Announcement Of A Future U.S. Navy Ship To Be Named After Filipino Sailor Congressional Medal Of Honor AwardeeCase and his Congressional colleagues had urged the Navy to name a ship after Telesforo Trinidad, the only Filipino in U.S. Navy history to be awarded the Medal for extraordinary heroism
Honolulu, HI,
June 3, 2022
(Honolulu, HI) – U.S. Congressman Ed Case (Hawai‘i – District 1) today praised the recent decision by U.S. Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro to name a ship after Telesforo De La Cruz Trinidad, a Filipino American Fireman 2nd class who died after he rescued shipmates injured in an explosion onboard their Navy cruiser in 1915. In a May 2021 letter to then Acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas W. Harker, Case joined Congressional colleagues to urge that a U.S. Navy surface combat ship be named after Trinidad, who was awarded the Medal of Honor. The members of Congress stated in the letter that: “The naming of a ship after Trinidad is a resolute symbol of Navy leadership and commitment to diversity, equality, and inclusion during this time of national racial tensions an unwarranted violence against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. “Equally important, it will honor the tens of thousands of Filipinos who have served faithfully and loyally in the U.S. Navy since 1901.” Navy Secretary Del Toro said that a future Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, ships that serve as the backbone of the Navy’s surface fleet protecting America and allies around the globe, will be named USS Telesforo Trinidad (DDG 139). Trinidad earned the Medal of Honor for his extraordinary heroism in the line of duty during boiler explosions onboard the USS San Diego (ACR-6) while Saithe 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. The Medal of Honor, which was awarded during peacetime, highlights the importance of service and sacrifice for shipmates and country not only during a time of war but during day to-day operations. After 107 years, Trinidad still holds the distinction of being the only Asian American and only Filipino American in U.S. Navy history to receive a Medal of Honor. · Link to Secretary Del Toro’s announcement here. ### |
