Fireman Second Class Telesforo De la cruz Trinidad was a sailor in the U.S. Navy who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on January 21, 1915 near La Paz on board the U.S.S. San Diego, Philippine Islands — a peacetime act of courage recognized in the Interim 1915 - 1916 period. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. San Diego. Trinidad was 24 years old.
One other service member also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on August 1915.
Trinidad was born on November 25, 1890 in New Washington, Aklan, Panay, Philippine Islands — one of 6 recipients born in Philippines. Trinidad died on May 8, 1968 in Cavite Navy Yard, Philippine Islands, at the age of 77. He is buried at Imus Cemetery in Imus, Philippines.
Official Medal of Honor citation
For extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession at the time of the boiler explosion on board the U.S.S. San Diego, 21 January 1915. Trinidad was driven out of fireroom No. 2 by the explosion, but at once returned and picked up R.E. Daly, fireman second class, whom he saw injured, and proceeded to bring him out. While coming into No. 4 fireroom, Trinidad was just in time to catch the explosion in No. 3 fireroom, but without consideration for his own safety, passed Daly on and then assisted in rescuing another injured man from No. 3 fireroom. Trinidad was himself burned about the face by the blast from the explosion in No. 3 fireroom.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Wounds and injuries
What the citation records about his wounds:
Trinidad was driven out of fireroom No. 2 by the explosion, but at once returned and picked up R.E. Daly, fireman second class, whom he saw injured, and proceeded to bring him out.
- Age at death: 77
- Resting place: Imus Cemetery
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: World War I, World War II.
Life beyond the battlefield
- Occupations: firefighter
Source: Wikidata.
Places
- Born: New Washington — map
Timeline
- November 25, 1890Born in New Washington, Aklan, Panay, Philippine Islands
- January 21, 1915Act of valor — near La Paz on board the U.S.S. San Diego, Philippine IslandsAge 24. U.S.S. San Diego
- August 1915Medal of Honor presented
- May 8, 1968Died in Cavite Navy Yard, Philippine IslandsAge 77.
- Resting placeImus CemeteryImus
Biography
Telesforo de la Cruz Trinidad (November 25, 1890 – May 8, 1968) was a Filipino fireman 2nd class in the United States Navy who received the Medal of Honor for actions in Mexican waters near La Paz, on board the USS San Diego on 21 January 1915. He is the second service member, and first and so far only sailor of Asian descent to receive the award in peacetime. Trinidad served during both World Wars before retiring to the Philippines and living on his pension. On May 20, 2022, Navy Secretary Carlos del Toro announced that a future Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer will be named USS Telesforo Trinidad.
From the Wikipedia article “Telesforo Trinidad”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
Further reading
- Asian Americans lobby to name Navy ship for Filipino sailorapnews.com · 2021
