Joseph Tezanos

Joseph Tezanos, born José Tezanos. is the first American of Hispanic descent to join the United States Coast Guard's reserve officer ranks. During World War II Tezanos served as a gunner's mate aboard USS LST-20 during the invasions of Kiska, Alaska, Tarawa Atoll, Kwajalein Atoll, and in the Gilbert Islands. But it was his heroic 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. It was following the receipt of this medal that Tezanos was sent to a four-month officer training school.

Following his commissioning Tezanos spent a year as a junior officer aboard the transport J.T. Dickman. He was demobilized in early 1946, attending college and graduate school. Upon graduation he became a successful international businessman.

Namesake of the USCGC Joseph Tezanos
All the vessels of the Coast Guard's Sentinel class cutters will be named after heroic Coast Guard sailors, or heroes from the Coast Guard's precursor services. The eighteenth cutter in this class will be the USCGC Joseph Tezanos.