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.

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.

Military career

World War II

While serving with Squadron VF-18 based on the U.S.S. Intrepid Cevoli with other fighters staffed a Japanese battle ship, 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

•   Navy Cross
•   Distinguished Flying Cross with one gold award star
•   Air Medal with 7 gold award stars
• Rhode Island Aviation Hall of Fame - 2006
• A post office in East Greenwich was named after him - 2007