Congresswoman Jacobs Leads Letter to Navy Calling for Naming Ship After AAPI Hero, Fireman Telesforo Trinidad
Trinidad received Medal of Honor in 1915, remains only Asian American sailor to receive medal
Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (D-CA-53) led a letter, co-signed by ten of her colleagues, to the Acting Secretary of the Navy today, expressing support for naming a future Navy Surface Combatant ship after Fireman Second Class Telesforo Trinidad.
Fireman Trinidad received the Medal of Honor in 1915 for extraordinary heroism in the line of duty during boiler explosions onboard the USS San Diego (ACR-6). Fireman Trinidad brought two crewmembers to safety despite his own physical injuries from the explosion. To date, he remains the only Filipino American and the only Asian American sailor to receive the Medal of Honor. The USS Telesforo Trinidad would be the first ship named after an American national of Filipino descent.
“Fireman Second Class Telesforo Trinidad was a hero and a history-maker, and as we celebrate Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month, I am honored to lead the effort to encourage the Navy to name a ship after him. Adding a USS Trinidad to our fleet would send a powerful message, commemorating both his own story and the long history of Filipino and Asian American service to our country,” said Congresswoman Sara Jacobs.
Congresswoman Jacobs’ letter was co-signed by Congressman Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24), Congressman Ed Case (D-HI-1), Congressman James Langevin (D-RI-2), Congressman Mike Levin (D-CA-49), Congressman Alan Lowenthal (D-CA-47), Congressman Scott Peters (D-CA-52), Congressman Bobby Rush (D-IL-1), Congressman Thomas Suozzi (D-NY03), Congressman Juan Vargas (D-CA-51), and Congresswoman Nikema Williams (D-GA-5).
The letter to the Acting Secretary notes that naming a ship after Fireman Trinidad will highlight the Navy’s commitment to inclusion and diversity and will also honor the tens of thousands of Filipinos who have served in the Navy since 1901.
Congresswoman Jacobs, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, spoke this weekend at an event at the USS San Diego Memorial in San Diego in support of naming a ship after Fireman Trinidad.
The text of the letter is as follows: (pdf here)
May 26, 2021
The Honorable Thomas W. Harker
Acting Secretary of the Navy
1000 Navy Pentagon, Room 4D542
Washington, D.C. 20350
Dear Acting Secretary Harker,
As Members of Congress, we strongly support naming a Navy Surface Combatant after a Filipino sailor who received the Congressional Medal of Honor in 1915 – Fireman Second Class Telesforo Trinidad.
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 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. 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 106 years, Trinidad still holds the distinction of being the only Asian American and only Filipino American in the U.S. Navy to receive a Medal of Honor.
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 and unwarranted violence against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. It also marks the 75th anniversary of the U.S. establishing diplomatic relations with the Republic of the Philippines and the 70th anniversary of the U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty.
Equally important, it will honor the tens of thousands of Filipinos who have served faithfully and loyally in the U.S. Navy since 1901. The USS Telesforo Trinidad will be the first ship to be named after an American national of Filipino descent and will serve as a testament to the long-standing military and political alliance that exists between the Philippines and the United States since 1898.
We look forward to your response and thank you for your service.
Sincerely,
Sara Jacobs
Member of Congress
Salud Carbajal
Member of Congress
Ed Case
Member of Congress
James R. Langevin
Member of Congress
Mike Levin
Member of Congress
Alan Lowenthal
Member of Congress
Scott H. Peters
Member of Congress
Bobby L. Rush
Member of Congress
Thomas R. Suozzi
Member of Congress
Juan Vargas
Member of Congress
Nikema Williams
Member of Congress