Richard L. Cevoli

Infobox Military Person
name= Richard L. Cevoli
born= 1919
died=
placeofbirth= East Greenwich, Rhode Island
placeofdeath=


caption=
nickname=
allegiance= United States of America
branch= United States Navy
serviceyears=
rank= Commander
commands= Squadron VF-73
unit=
battles= 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. [cite web
url=http://www.projo.com/news/content/WB_postoffice_10-19-07_UP7HUF0.7603e5.html
title= East Greenwich post office to be named for Navy flier on Sunday
author= Lisa Vernon-Sparks
accessdate = 2007-10-21]

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. [cite web
url=http://reed.senate.gov/newsroom/details.cfm?id=257159
title= Floor Statement on Legislation to Name East Greenwich Post Office for Commander Richard L. Cevoli
author= Senator Jack Reed
accessdate = 2007-10-21]

Military career

World War II

While serving with Squadron VF-18 based on the U.S.S. Intrepid Cevoli with other fighters stafed a Japanese troop ship, silencing many of its guns. The following day, he bombed and disabled a Japanese aircraft carrier.

Korean War

From 1949 until 1951, Commander Cevoli served as the Executive Officer in Squadron VF-18 on board the USS Leyte. In the winter of 1950, Cevoli and his pilots provided close in air support against 70,000 Chinese solders crossing the Yalu River and enabled 30,000 United Nations soldiers to escape encirclement.

Post-war service

After the war, Cevoli took classes at 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

*Navy Cross
*Distinguished Flying Cross (2)
*Air Medal (8)
*Rhode Island Aviation Hall of Fame - 2006
*A post office in East Greenwich was named after him - 2007

ee also

References