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​Frequently Asked Questions

Why doesn’t the Department of the Navy pay for all the associated costs of commissioning a ship?

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Although the American people provide the U.S. Navy’s budget to construct, man, train, and equip its ships, the events associated with the ship’s major construction milestones and commissioning require significant supplemental support to conduct them in a manner befitting the significance of the occasion and to establish a solid foundation consistent with Naval history and norms for the introduction of the ship to the operational Fleet. The Commissioning Committee acts as a liaison between the Navy, the shipbuilder, the Navy League and other outstanding organizations, the community and the ship to resource and provide support for each shipbuilding and commissioning event and appropriate post-commission support for the crew.

How can I help? 

--Make a Donation: Every contribution counts! Any amount you give will have a lasting impact on the commissioning of the USS TELESFORO TRINIDAD. Your tax-free donation not only supports the Navy, the ship and its crew, but also honors the courageous and selfless service of Telesforo Trinidad and the proud tradition of Filipino Americans and fellow immigrants serving in the defense of the United States and ensuring its freedom and prosperity. 

--Corporate Sponsorship: Become a corporate sponsor.  Your company’s support will be crucial to the proud, top-quality execution of shipbuilding milestone events and reflect and amplify your commitment to our national defense, our armed forces and specifically the Navy, its Sailor and their families.  Your support will also highlight the diverse contribution of extraordinary and heroic service that is part of our nation’s history.

--Spread the Word: Share information about this commissioning and share stories of the sacrifices made by family, friends and associates who serve or have served their country honorably.  Telesforo’s story is the story of us all and it is important to tell these stories to inspire the next generation to serve.

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What are the major milestones?

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We have significant shipbuilding milestones on the horizon, including the Start of Fabrication in late calendar year 2025, Keel Laying in the Summer of 2026, the Christening Ceremony after the launch in the Summer of 2028, and the Commissioning Ceremony in 2031. 

What is the mission of the USSTTCC?

The mission of USSTTCC is to facilitate the successful execution of the major shipbuilding milestones of USS Telesforo Trinidad and to highlight the selfless service of Fireman Second Class Trinidad. His extraordinary heroism during a critical incident on the USS San Diego earned him the Medal of Honor, making him the first American of Filipino descent in the US Navy to receive this prestigious honor.

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Who was Telesforo Trinidad?

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Telesforo Trinidad was born on November 25, 1890, in New Washington (Fonda Lagatik), Aklan Province, Panay, Philippines. He was the youngest of three children and his father died while he was only nine months old.  As an 11-year-old boy, “Poro” made his way to Manila, where he worked as a house boy.  At 15 years old, he found a job delivering lunch boxes to laborers working at the Cavite Naval Shipyard at Sangley Point. A ferry boat owner took him under his wing and taught him how to operate his boat, which made regular trips between Cavite and Manila.  He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in Cavite on April 14, 1909.

His first assignment was on board the USS Mindoro I, which was deployed in the waters of Mindanao and Jolo.  Between 1913 and 1914, he was deployed on the USS Wompatuck (YT-27), which was stationed at Olongapo Naval Station in Subic Bay.  While stationed in Subic Bay, he showed his prowess as an amateur boxer when he did practice bouts with famous Filipino boxers Francisco Villaruel Guiledo, better known as “Pancho Villa,” and Gaudencio “Olongapo Kid” Cabanela.  

He arrived in Mare Island, California in April 1914, and served on the USS Dakota (ACR-9) until November 1914.  Although he was only in his early 20’s, he acted as spokesman for the Filipino sailors aboard the ship.  

His next assignment changed his life forever. 

On November 16, 1914, he was transferred to the USS San Diego (ACR 6), the flagship of the Pacific Fleet and commanded by Captain Newton Alexander McCully, Jr.  After the USS San Diego’s participation during the opening of the Panama California exposition in San Francisco on January 1, 1915, the ship made its way to the Gulf of Mexico as part of the naval patrol established to protect U.S. interests and citizens in México. 

The San Diego (ACR 6) was on deployment when, on January 21, 1915, an explosion in the ship’s No. 1 fireroom resulted in five Sailors killed and seven injured. The explosion caused a chain reaction in the other firerooms. Ensign Robert W. Cary, Jr., a recent Naval Academy graduate, held the doors between the firerooms open to allow Sailors to escape the blaze. Although Fireman Second Class Telesforo Trinidad was blown clear of the explosion, he ran past Ensign Cary back into the firerooms to rescue two other incapacitated Sailors. Trinidad suffered severe burn injuries to his face in doing so.

Trinidad received the Medal of Honor for his actions, along with Ensign Cary. Trinidad was also awarded a $100 gratuity for his bravery. His citation reads:

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 to be injured, and proceeded to bring him out. While coming into No. 4 fireroom, Trinidad was just in time to catch the explosion in the 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.

Fireman Second Class Telesforo Dela Cruz Trinidad is thus far the only Filipino American in the U.S. Navy to receive the Medal of Honor.

Telesforo Dela Cruz Trinidad died at the age of 77 on May 8, 1968. He is buried at Imus Cemetery in Imus, Cavite, Philippines.

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Why is the naming of a US Navy warship after a Filipino American sailor so significant?

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Naming a warship after Telesforo Trinidad signifies the growing recognition of Filipino Americans' contributions to the US Armed Forces and American society. This ship stands as a symbol of their growing achievements in not only the Department of Defense, but also in culture, politics, and the economy.  As Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro mentioned during the Ship Naming Celebration that the naming is a “tribute to all the great Filipino sailors who served our nation….That's all the more important because Filipinos have served bravely in our Navy as well as our Marine Corps, Army and our Air Force often under harsh conditions and in the face of intense discrimination.” This honorable act recognizes the invaluable contributions of Filipino Americans to the US military and immortalizes their role in defending the United States.

 

Why is this a significant event for US-Philippine relations?

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The naming of the warship reinforces the strong bond between the United States and the Philippines, highlighting the Philippines' role as a close ally contributing to regional security and stability in Southeast Asia. The US and the Philippines share a longstanding history of economic, cultural, and military ties. The USS Telesforo Trinidad pays homage to the thousands of Filipinos and Filipino Americans who have fearlessly served in the US Navy, contributing to the alliance between our two nations since 1901.

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What is a ship’s sponsor and who are sponsors for the USS Telesforo Trinidad?

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A ship sponsor is named by the Secretary of the Navy. It is a great honor to be named the sponsor of a United States Navy Ship or a ship that sails with the Navy supporting the fleet. The sponsor’s role is an important one. They participate in ceremonies and recognition of major construction milestones. Sponsorship represents a lifelong relationship with the ship and her crew and extends throughout the ship’s service life and even beyond.

The ship’s two sponsors are Ms. Christine Trinidad, one of the great-granddaughters of Medal of Honor recipient Petty Officer 2nd Class Telesforo de la Cruz Trinidad and retired Rear Adm. Connie Mariano, the first Filipino American in history to become a U.S. Navy Admiral, and the first military woman in American history to be appointed White House Physician. 

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What other US Navy ships are named after Asian-Americans?

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  • Chung-Hoon (DDG-93) is named in honor of Rear Admiral Gordon Pai’ea Chung-Hoon, commander of USS Sigsbee (DD-502) during World War II. He received the Navy Cross for his actions during a 14 April 1945 kamikaze attack.

  • Daniel Inouye (DDG-118) is named in honor of Senator Daniel Inouye. Senator Inouye served in the U.S. Army during World War II and received the Medal of Honor for his actions on 21 April 1945 in a battle near San Terenzo, Italy.

  • Pililaau (T-AKR-304) is named in honor of U.S. Army Private First Class Herbert Kailieha Pililaau, who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor during the Korean War.

  • Yano (T-AKR-297) is named in honor of Sergeant First Class Rodney James Takahashi Yano, U.S. Army. Sergeant Yano was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions near Bien Hoa, Vietnam, on 1 January 1969.

support

SUPPORT US

USSTTC is a non-profit 501(c) 3 organization.

We greatly appreciate all donations. 

 

Thank you!

contact-us

CONTACT US

Inquiries

For any inquiries, questions or comments, please email: Nonie Cabana, Chief Executive Officer, USSTTCC

nonie.cabana@yahoo.com or info@telesforo.org

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