Original Item. One-of-a-Kind. This is one of the most beautiful pieces of “Trench Art” we have offered, a simply gorgeous 1898-Dated Navy Artillery shell which would’ve been used during the Philippine-American War, completely engraved with depictions of the Philippine Islands, as well as the flags of the Philippines & the U.S. below an eagle, with a gorgeous statue commemorating the “Heroes of ‘96”. The top and bottom of the shell are engraved with chains, the same chains the Navy would have used. The shell is named at the bottom to H. Tirona U.S.N..

This shell was decorated by Native Machinist’s Mate Petty Officer First Class Hugo O. Tirona, a 17-year Navy veteran who was born in Cavite City, Philippines on April 9th, 1890. At the age of 18, Tirona joined the U.S. Navy on July 1st, 1908. He would served throughout World War I, remaining in the Navy until October 12th, 1925, but according to his headstone application form, his actual retire date was September 1st, 1938, which would make him a 30-year Navy veteran. However, due to him living in the Philippines most of his life, there is very little record of his service. We have found that he served as an N.N.M. 1c, which was NATIVE MACHINIST'S MATE PETTY OFFICER FIRST CLASS, and was serving aboard the USS General Alava, a Spanish cargo steamer captured by the U.S. during the Spanish-American War. 

Tirona was part of a campaign by the Navy to recruit Philippine citizens into their ranks. Tirona likely would have lived in the Philippines all his life, working aboard ships and at Naval bases in the area. 

The shell measures 12⅛” tall and is dated 6-98 on the bottom, for a manufacture date of June 1898. One side bears a statue of a Filipino man holding a flag and a knife, with the inscription reading:

REMEMBRANCE
OF THE
FILIPINO
PEOPLE
TO THE
HEROES OF ‘96.

This is a gorgeous piece of trench art with a phenomenal backstory, engraved by a sailor who was very proud of his Navy as well as his Heritage. Comes ready for further research and display!