Telesforo Trinidad

Telesforo Trinidad
200px Telsforo Trinidad
Born	(1890-11-25)November 25, 1890 New Washington, Aklan, Captaincy General of the Philippines,
Died	Imus, Cavite, Philippines
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Navy
Rank	Fireman 2nd Class
Unit	USS San Diego
Awards	Medal of Honor

Telesforo de la Crux Trinidad (November 25, 1890 – May 8, 1968) was a Filipino fireman 2nd class in the United States Navy who received the Medal of Honor for actions, in Mexican waters near La Paz, on board the USS San Diego on 21 January 1915. He was the second service member, and first and so far the only sailor of Asian descent to receive the award.

Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: Fireman Second Class, U.S. Navy. Born: 25 November 1890, New Washington Capiz, Philippine Islands. Accredited to: Philippine Islands. G.O. No.: 142, 1 April 1915.

Citation:

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 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.

See also

• List of Asian American Medal of Honor recipients
• List of Medal of Honor recipients during Peacetime
• Robert Webster Cary - Received Medal of Honor during the same incident