William Trump

His vessel, the USS LCI-90, participated in the invasion of French North Africa, Sicily and Anzio in 1943, and in the Invasion of Normandy in 1944. It was during the Invasion of Normandy that Trump earned a Silver Star. He volunteered to venture onto the Omaha Beach and anchor a safety line for the 200 soldiers his vessel carried to follow ashore. Trump had to make his way past heavily mined beach fortifications, while under heavy enemy fire. His helmet was creased by a German bullet.

Trump lied about his age, and enlisted in the Coast Guard in 1941 at 17 years old. He retired as a chief petty officer, in 1965.

After retirement Trump joined the Merchant Marine, serving for fifteen years aboard vessels of Belcher Oil Company.

USCGC William Trump

In 2010 when the Coast Guard decided that all the new Sentinel-class cutters would be named after Coast Guard enlisted personnel who had been recognized for their heroism; Trump was one of those to be honored. Trump's eight children attended a dedication ceremony at the Bollinger Shipyards in Louisiana in March 2012.