Medal of Honor: Telesforo Trinidad – U.S. Navy – Aboard USS San Diego – January 1915
Thrown clear by the blast, he turned back into the fire. Amid exploding boilers and scalding steam, he chose his shipmates over his own life.
January 21, 2026
Name: Telesforo Trinidad
Rank: Fireman Second Class
Organization: U.S. Navy
Assignment: U.S.S. San Diego
Place: Aboard U.S.S. San Diego
Born: 25 November 1890, New Washington, Capiz, Philippine Islands
Accredited To: Philippine Islands
Summary of Action
On 21 January 1915, Fireman Second Class Telesforo Trinidad was serving in the firerooms aboard the U.S.S. San Diego when a catastrophic boiler explosion tore through the ship’s engineering spaces.
The initial blast violently drove Trinidad out of Fireroom No. 2, momentarily clearing him from the inferno. Without hesitation and with full knowledge of the mortal danger, he immediately turned back into the devastated space. Inside, he discovered Fireman Second Class R. E. Daly badly injured. Trinidad lifted the wounded sailor and began carrying him toward safety through corridors filled with escaping steam, smoke, and debris.
As he moved Daly into Fireroom No. 4, a second explosion erupted in Fireroom No. 3. Trinidad arrived just in time to be caught in the blast. Despite this new explosion and the certainty that further detonations could follow, he passed Daly to safety and once again returned into danger. Entering Fireroom No. 3, he assisted in rescuing another injured sailor trapped by the blast.
During this selfless effort, Trinidad was himself burned about the face by the scalding steam and fire unleashed by the exploding boilers. Even while wounded, he continued his rescue efforts until no more men could be reached.
His actions—repeatedly reentering lethal conditions to save others—represent one of the clearest expressions of courage and devotion to duty in the history of naval service.
Medal of Honor Citation
