USS TELESFORO TRINIDAD CAMPAIGN
"SHIP & SHIPMATE BEFORE SELF"
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About USSTTC
The USSTTC is a US registered non-profit corporation (IRS 501c3) comprised of serving and retired members of the US Armed Forces, community leaders, academics, corporate executives, civic leaders, partners and sponsors, and veterans’ families committed to naming a US Navy Warship after Medal of Honor Recipient Telesforo Trinidad.
Our Mission
To name and commission a U.S. Navy Surface Combatant after Fireman Second Class Telesforo Trinidad, an American national of Filipino descent who received the Medal of Honor on April 1, 1915, for extraordinary heroism in the line of duty and memorialize his selfless dedication to our Nation and the U.S. Navy.
Our Vision
Perpetuate and promote national awareness of Fireman Second Class Trinidad’s heroic sacrifice for his ship and shipmate and instill pride and honor in the U.S. Navy, its Sailors, and our Nation.
Ship Naming in the United States Navy
The Ship Naming Process
The Secretary of the Navy names U.S. Navy ships, under the direction of the President and in accordance with rules prescribed by Congress. The Secretary can rely on many sources to help him reach his decisions. Each year, the Naval Historical Center compiles primary and alternate ship name recommendations and forwards these to the Chief of Naval Operations by way of the chain of command. These recommendations are the result of research into the history of the Navy and by suggestions submitted by service members, Navy veterans, and the public.
Members of the public interested in having Navy ships named for their own states or cities, for earlier U.S. Navy ships (particularly those on which they or their relatives served), for battles in which they or their relatives participated, or for people they admire. Citizens with such an interest sometimes contact the Navy, the Department of Defense, or Congress seeking support for their proposals. More details may be found at the link Navy Ship Names - Sept 2016.
USTTC’S Progress
The USSTTC has started the ship naming process. Below is the timeline of what they have achieved:
· January 24, 2021 - USSTTC submitted a petition letter to the Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) to name a U.S. Navy Warship after Fireman Second Class Telesforo Trinidad.
· February 5, 2021 - NHHC provided acknowledgement and positive endorsement on Feb 5, 2021 via email from its Director, Rear Admiral Samuel Cox, USN (Ret.). He recommended sending a letter to the Secretary of the Navy as soon as his/her appointment is confirmed by the Senate and to seek Congressional Support.
· March 16, 2021 – USSTTC submits a petition letter to the acting Secretary of the Navy the Honorable Thomas Harker to name a U.S. Navy Warship after Fireman Second Class Telesforo Trinidad.
The USSTTC continues to garner grass roots support at the national, state and local levels. It is marshaling its members and supporters to request their representatives, especially those in the Armed Services and Appropriations Committees of both houses, to support to support its petition to the Secretary of the Navy. Please see the section below titled “Support Us” to see what part you can play to help in this campaign.”
About USSTTC
BACKGROUND: The US and the Philippines have maintained uninterrupted economic, cultural and military ties since 1901 when President McKinley signed an Executive order allowing Filipinos to serve as part of the Insular Force of the War Department. Approximately 500 Filipinos were recruited into the U.S. Navy and 6,000 Filipinos into the U.S. Army. Thousands more were recruited through the interwar years and during WWII Filipinos served in the U.S. Army Forces in the Far East and the U.S. 16th Naval District. After the Philippines obtained its independence from the United States in 1946, over 35,000 Filipinos were recruited into the US.. Navy from 1952 to 1992 under a provision of the Republic of the Philippines-United States Military Bases Agreement. In addition, thousands of Americans of Filipino descent enlisted during this same 40-year period, and continue to do so until today.
DISCUSSION: Trinidad remains the first and only American national of Asian and Filipino descent in the U.S. Navy awarded the Medal of Honor. He received the medal 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.
To date, there is only one ship, the USS Chung-Hoon (DDG-93), named after a Navy service member of Asian descent. Rear Admiral Gordon Pai’ea Chung-Hoon, Commanding Officer of USS Sigsbee (DD-502) during World War II, received the Navy Cross for his actions during a kamikaze attack on April 14, 1945.
RECOMMENDATION: Name a US Navy Surface Combatant after Fireman Second Class Telesforo Trinidad, which follows the US Navy’s proud tradition of naming a ship after a Medal of Honor recipient.
POINTS OF CONTACT:
Ronald L. Ravelo, rlravelo@gmail.com, (843) 737-1546
Nonie C. Cabana, nonie.cabana@yahoo.com, (808) 277-3033
Cecilia I. Gaerlan, cecilia@bataanlegacy.org, (510) 520-8540
Our USSTTC Team
Chairpersons
Ronald Ravelo, Captain, U.S. Navy (Ret.)
Chair
Nonie Cabana, Colonel, U.S. Air Force (Ret.)
Co-Chair
Board of Directors
Cecilia I. Gaerlan
Dan Gruta
Doy Heredia
Luisito Maligat
Rey Regis
Executive Director
Nonie Cabana
Executive
Committee Chairs
Armando "Doy" Heredia
(Congressional Support)
Cecilia Gaerlan
(Information Operation)
Dan Gruta
(Partner Organization Support)
Luisito Maligat
(Finance)
Rey Regis
(Finance)
Sonny Busa
(Capitol Legislative)
Advisers
Sonny Busa
Brian Buzzell
Dan McKinnon
Ray Ricario
Tony Taguba
Dennis Wright
Area Coordinators
San Diego, CA - Dan Gruta
Jacksonville, FL - Bob Bontilao
Seattle, WA - Thelma Sevilla
Norfolk, VA - Lee Parilla
New London, CT - Sylvester Salcedo
Official Letters
Photo Gallery, Biography & Articles
United States Navy
Supply Corps
Article
Latest
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Our Partners
Veterans of Foreign Wars, Department of California
Veterans of Foreign Wars, Department of Maryland
Veterans of Foreign Wars, Department of Pacific Areas
American Legion, Department of California
American Legion, Department of Maryland
American Legion, Philippine Department
Veterans of Foreign Wars
- Post 2485 (Angeles City, Philippines), Dist. VII, Dept. of Pacific Areas
- Post 5471 (Oxon Hill, MD), Post 124 (Baguio, Philippines)
- Post 1123 (Carl Kreh Post, Vallejo, CA)
The American Legion
- Post 603 (Manuel L. Quezon Post- Vallejo)
- Post 123 (Allen “Pop” Reeves Post, Angeles City, Philippines)
American GI Forum
Disabled American Veterans Ozie Boler Chapter 21, Vallejo, CA
American Defenders of Bataan & Corregidor Memorial Society
Fleet Reserve Association – Branch 4 (Washington, DC)
National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA)
- San Diego/Imperial Region
League of United Latin Americans Citizens of Texas
US-Philippines Society
Philippine American Chamber of Commerce (Texas)
Bataan Legacy Historical Society
Philippine Scouts Heritage Society
Filipino Veterans & Recognition Project (FILVETREP)
City of San Diego, CA
City of San Antonio, TX
City of Alameda, CA
City of Vallejo, CA
Filipino American Military Officers Association (FAMOS)
Filipino American Retirees of Southern California (FARSOC)
The Filipino School
Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS)- Stockton Chapter
Chinese American Citizens Alliance
National Museum of Medal of Honor
Bataan Corregidor Survivors & Their Families
Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS)- Vallejo Chapter
Coalition of Filipino American Chambers of Commerce
Filipino American Voice United (FAVU)
Organization of the Filipinos in Texas (San Antonio)
Friends & Family of Nesie Veterans
Filipino America Veterans Society (FAVS)
Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC)
Our Congressional
Supporters
UNITED STATES SENATE - (11)
California - Senator Dianne Feinstein
California - Senator Alex Padilla
Hawaii - Senator Mazie K. Hirono
Hawaii - Senator Brian E. Schatz
Illinois - Senator Tammy Duckworth
Iowa - Senator Joni Ernst
Nevada - Senator Catherine Cortez Masto
Nevada - Senator Jacky Rosen
Rhode Island - Senator Jack Reed
Texas - Senator John Cornyn
Virginia - Senator Tim Kaine
UNITED STATES CONGRESS - (86)
California District 5 - Mike Thompson
California District 6 - Doris Matsui
California District 7 - Ami Bera
California District 9 - Jerry McNerney
California District 13 - Barbara Lee
California District 14 - Jackie Speier
California District 15 - Eric Swalwell
California District 17 - Ro Khanna
California District 18 - Anna Eshoo
California District 19 - Zoe Lofgren
California District 20 - Jimmy Panetta
California District 24 - Salud Carbajal
California District 27- Judy Chu
California District 28 - Adam Schiff
California District 30 - Brad Sherman
California District 31 - Pete Aguilar
California District 32 - Grace Napolitano
California District 33 - Ted Lieu
California District 34 - Jimmy Gomez
California District 35 - Norma Torres
California District 37 - Karen Bass
California District 38 - Linda Sánchez
California District 40 - Lucille Roybal-Allard
California District 41 - Mark Takano
California District 43 - Maxine Waters
California District 45 - Katie Porter
California District 46 - Lou Correa
California District 47 - Alan Lowenthal
California District 49 - Mike Levin
California District 51 - Juan Vargas
California District 52 - Scott Peters
California District 53 - Sara Jacobs
Colorado District 6 - Jason Crow
Connecticut District 2 - Joe Courtney
Florida District 7 - Stephanie Murphy
Georgia District 5 - Nikema Williams
Georgia District 7 - Carolyn Bourdeaux
Hawaii District 1 - Ed Case
Hawaii District 2 - Kai