First Warship to be Named after Filipino Sailor Endorsed by 50 Retired Flag Officers

May 17, 2022, Berkeley, CA – The campaign to name the first U.S. Navy warship after an enlisted Filipino sailor, Telesforo Trinidad, who received the Medal of Honor in 1915, gained monumental support from 50 retired flag officers who sent a letter to Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro seeking approval for the initiative.  This support underscores this year’s theme for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage month of “Advancing Leaders Through Collaboration.”  The letter was written by retired Major General Antonio Taguba, Chairman of the Filipino Veterans Recognition Project (FILVETREP), on behalf of 50 retired U.S. Armed Forces flag officers representing the U.S. Navy, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps and Air Force.  FILVETREP spearheaded the passage of the Congressional Gold Medal for WWII Filipino Veterans, which was signed into law in 2016.  Among the flag officers are Admiral Thomas Fargo, Admiral William Fallon and Admiral Harry Harris, all previous commanders of the U.S. Pacific Command.  In addition, Admiral Fallon was also previously the Commander of the U.S. Central Command.

Fireman Second Class Trinidad holds the special distinction of being the first and only Asian American of Filipino descent in the U.S. Navy to receive a Medal of Honor for his heroic act of saving two shipmates during two boiler explosions onboard the USS San Diego in the California Coast.  It was authorized under General Order Number 142 signed by the Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels on April 1, 1915.  It serves as a reminder that heroic deeds can happen every day and not just during times of war.

The naming of a U.S. Navy warship after Trinidad will be a historic first for the U.S. Navy to honor the legacy of its only Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander (AANHPI) enlisted sailor of Filipino descent who received the Medal of Honor.  Sailors of Filipino descent represent the largest percentage of foreign-born recruits in the U.S. Navy.  The naming of a ship after Trinidad will validate the long history of service by generations of Filipinos in the U.S. Navy since 1901 as well as the Navy’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.

The USS Telesforo Trinidad Campaign has also received support from about 100 lawmakers, major veterans’ national organizations like the VFW, the American Legion, the American GI Forum and the Disabled American Veterans.  For more information, please visit www.ussttc.org.