Vallejo’s population is over 20% Filipino, and a significant reason for that is the United States Navy. On January 15, 1921, aboard USS San Diego (ACR-6) Fireman Second Class Telesforo Trinidad heroically rescued two shipmates following boiler explosions in two firerooms. At great risk to his life and suffering from severe burns to his face, he lived up to the military ethos to “leave no man behind.” Trinidad is the only Asian American during peacetime to ever receive the Medal of Honor for heroism above and beyond the call of duty. Ms. Cecilia I. Gaerlan is the founder and executive director of the Bataan Legacy Historical Society and was a founding member of the campaign that resulted in the naming of the first U.S. Navy ship after a Filipino American sailor, the USS Telesforo Trinidad(DDG-139). Her organization also changed the California Department of Education’s 11th-grade history curriculum to include a discussion of the Philippines in World War II. She also sits on the Board of Trustees of the Hornet Sea, Air and Space Museum.