Richard L. Cevoli

Richard L. Cevoli
Born 1919
East Greenwich, Rhode Island
Died January 18, 1955
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Navy
Rank Commander
Commands held Squadron VF-73
Battles/wars World War II
Battle of Leyte Gulf
Korean War
Awards Navy Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross(2)
Air Medal(8)

Richard L. Cevoli (October 24, 1919 – January 18, 1955) served in the United States Navy during World War II and the Korean War as a decorated pilot. [1]

Pre-military

Cevoli, a lifelong resident of East Greenwich graduated from La Salle Academy and from Rhode Island State College where he earned a degree in civil engineering. He worked for an engineering firm, Merritt, Chapman & Scott, and joined the Navy a month after the attack on Pearl Harbor. [2]

Military career

World War II

While serving with Squadron VF-18 based on the U.S.S. Intrepid Cevoli with other fighters strafed a Japanese battleship, silencing many of its guns. The following day, he scored a hit with a 500lb bomb and disabled a Japanese aircraft carrier. Cevoli is also credited with four confirmed air victories and three probables during the battle for the Philippines and Leyte Gulf.

Korean War

From 1949 until 1951, Commander Cevoli served as the Executive Officer in Squadron VF-32 on board the USS Leyte. In the winter of 1950, Cevoli and his pilots provided close in air support against 70,000 Chinese soldiers crossing the Yalu River and enabled 30,000 United Nations soldiers to escape encirclement.

Post-war service

After the war, Commander Cevoli graduated from the Naval War College. In 1954 he assumed command of Squadron VF-73. He died when his plane crashed during a training mission.

Awards and honors

References

  1. ↑ Lisa Vernon-Sparks. "East Greenwich post office to be named for Navy flier on Sunday". Archived from the original on 2011-06-28. Retrieved 2007-10-21.
  2. ↑ Senator Jack Reed. "Floor Statement on Legislation to Name East Greenwich Post Office for Commander Richard L. Cevoli". Archived from the original on 2011-07-21. Retrieved 2007-10-21.
  3. ↑ "Inductees". riahof.org. Rhode Island Aviation Hall of Fame. 2016. Retrieved 15 November 2017. Commander Richard L. Cevoli, USN (1919-1955)
  4. ↑ "Public Law 109-310" (PDF). congress.gov. U.S. Congress. 6 October 2006. Retrieved 15 November 2017. The post office located at 5755 Post Road, East Greenwich, Rhode Island, shall be known and designated as the ‘‘Richard L. Cevoli Post Office’’.
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