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US Navy names destroyer after Filipino Medal of Honor recipient
A future Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer might be named USS Telesforo Trinidad, after Fireman 2nd Class Telesforo De La Cruz Trinidad, Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro introduced Thursday.
Trinidad was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on January 21, 1915, aboard the USS San Diego, a 12,000-ton armored cruiser that was the flagship of the US Pacific Fleet.
On that day, the cruiser’s captain had ordered drills to check the ship’s velocity and endurance. However after the 4 hours of testing, one of many ship’s boilers exploded, setting off a series response within the ship’s boiler and firerooms, in line with a Navy assertion.
Trinidad rescued certainly one of his shipmates from the world, struggling burns within the course of, after which returned to assist one other, the Navy assertion says.
“In gratitude for his bravery, the Navy awarded Trinidad the Medal of Honor and a $100 gratuity,” in line with Trinidad’s web page on the Naval Historical past and Heritage Command (NHHC) web site.
5 sailors died and a complete of seven have been injured within the accident, in line with the NHHC.
Del Toro, the Navy secretary, stated he first heard of Trinidad’s heroism whereas he was attending the US Naval Academy.
“Since being sworn in as secretary, I’ve wished to honor his heroic actions by naming a ship after him,” Del Toro stated in a Navy information launch. “This ship and her future crew might be a crucial piece in strengthening our maritime superiority whereas additionally emphasizing the wealthy tradition and historical past of our naval heritage.”
Trinidad was born on November 25, 1890, in Aklan province of the Philippine Islands. Eight years later, the US acquired the Philippines from Spain underneath the Treaty of Paris, which formally ended the Spanish-American Warfare.
Filipinos have been allowed to enlist within the US Navy by an order signed by President William McKinley in 1901, the NHHC says.
Trinidad died in Cavite, Philippines, in 1968 at age 77, the Navy says.
Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, like the longer term USS Telesforo Trinidad (DD 139), are the “spine” of the US floor fleet, the Navy says.
The ships have been within the fleet since 1991, when the Arleigh Burke (DD 51) was commissioned.