The Embassy of the Philippines in Washington DCLed by Ambassador José Manuel G. Romualdez and supported by Philippine Navy Defense Attaché Captain Salvador Henry Quinto, joined the United States Navy in celebrating the naming of the United States Ship Telesforo Trindad at the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill on January 10.
Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro officiated at the celebration and announced that the future Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer would be named after Filipino-American Petty Officer 2nd Class Telesforo de la Cruz Trinidad on May 19, 2022. .
Secretary Del Toro also introduced the sponsors of the ships, namely: Christine Trinidad, Petty Officer Trinidad’s great-granddaughter, and retired Rear Admiral; Connie Mariano, the first Filipino-American in history to become a US Navy admiral, and the first female military officer in US history to be appointed White House physician. Also in attendance was Assistant Secretary of the Air Force Gina Ortiz Jones, also of Filipino descent, and several active duty military members also of Filipino descent.
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In his keynote address, Secretary Del Toro stated, “A ship’s commanding officer will change hands, and the crew will come and go, but sponsors maintain a special bond throughout the life of the ship. I am excited for the long-standing partnership Christine and Connie will establish with this vessel and her crew for years to come.”
“It has been an honor for me to work with you (Ambassador Romualdez) these past 18 months and to visit your beautiful country and build the strong partnership that is so well deserved and has always existed between the Philippines and the United States,” he added.
Who was the celebration was Telesforo de la Cruz Trinidad
“It is an honor for my country to be invited to join us today in naming your ship, the USS Telesforo Trinidad (DDG 139), after a Filipino-American hero. We sincerely thank you and I am sure that the family of the late Telesforo Trinidad is as proud and honored as we are in the Philippines,” the ambassador replied.
Telesforo of the Trinity Cross was a US Navy firefighter who received the Medal of Honor for his actions in Mexican waters near La Paz aboard the USS San Diego on January 21, 1915. He is the second member of the service and the first and only marine of Asian receiving the peacetime decoration. Trinidad served during both World Wars before retiring to the Philippines.
The future missile destroyer will be named after the Filipino-American boatswain, Telesforo de la Cruz Trinidad
The Embassy greatly appreciates the hard work of its friends and partners, especially Filipino community organizations, in campaigning for this momentous occasion and in highlighting the honorable military service of those of Filipino heritage. In particular, the Embassy congratulates the Telesforo Trinidad Campaign Committee, which now officially participates in the USS Telesforo Trinidad Commissioning Committee in collaboration with the United States Navy.
