Joseph Tezanos

Joseph L. Tezanos (born José Tezanos, July 6, 1920 – March 21, 1985) was the first American of Hispanic descent to join the United States Coast Guard's reserve officer ranks.[1] During World War II Tezanos served as a gunner's mate aboard LST-20 during the invasions of Kiska, Alaska, Tarawa Atoll, Kwajalein Atoll, and in the Gilbert Islands. For participation in ad hoc rescue efforts on May 21, 1944 following a devastating explosion of ammunition back at Pearl Harbor that earned him a Navy & Marine Corps Medal for distinguished heroism.[2][3] It was following the receipt of this medal that Tezanos was sent to a four-month officer training school.[4] Following his commissioning Tezanos spent a year as a junior officer aboard the transport USS Joseph T. Dickman.[1]

Joseph (José) Tezanos
Joseph L. Tezanos
Joseph Tezanos
Born(1920-07-06)July 6, 1920
Santander, Spain
DiedMarch 21, 1985(1985-03-21) (aged 64)
New York City, U.S.
Resting placeArlington National Cemetery
NationalitySpain, United States
Occupation(s)sailor, businessman
Known forFirst USCG officer of hispanic origin

He was demobilized in early 1946, attending college and graduate school. Upon graduation he became a successful international businessman.[5] Tezanos is interred at Arlington National Cemetery.[6]

Legacy

Tezanos is the namesake of the Sentinel-class cutter USCGC Joseph Tezanos.[7]

References
  1. Stephanie Young, William H. Thiesen (2014-01-16). "Coast Guard Heroes: Joseph Tezanos". USCG. Archived from the original on 2014-09-14. Retrieved 2014-09-13.
  2. "Joseph Tezanos: Awards and Citations". Military Times. Archived from the original on 2014-09-14. Retrieved 2014-09-13.
  3. Gene Salecker (2014). The Second Pearl Harbor: The West Loch Disaster, May 21, 1944. University of Oklahoma Press. ISBN 978-0806147468. Retrieved 2016-03-02. What was not said in the citations, however, was the fact that after rescuing forty-two survivors in two trips back an forth to dry land, the men were going out for a third time when their LCVP was "swamped and lost." Bloomfield, Church and Hammond were able to return to LST #20 before nightfall, but Tezanos had to be taken to an aid station "for treatment of burns."
  4. William H. Thiesen (October 2009). "Joseph Tezanos, Paul Perez & John Martinez: Coast Guard Officers and Pioneers of Ethnic Diversity at the Coast Guard Academy" (PDF). United States Coast Guard Academy. p. 34. Retrieved 2016-03-02. For his heroism, Tezanos received the Navy & Marine Corps Medal, a citation personally signed by Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz and a commendation letter from Coast Guard Commandant Russell Waesche.
  5. William H. Thiesen (Summer 2015). "No Average Joe". On Patrol magazine. Retrieved 2016-03-02. Tezanos' Coast Guard career would end in spring 1946, but his life was only beginning. He went on to college and graduate school, started a family and became a successful businessman.
  6. Burial Detail: Tezanos, Joseph L – ANC Explorer
  7. "Coast Guard commissions U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Tezanos in San Juan, Puerto Rico". Coast Guard News. August 26, 2016. Archived from the original on August 28, 2016. Retrieved August 26, 2016.
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