Richard L. Cevoli

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.

World War II
While serving with Squadron VF-18 based on the U.S.S. Intrepid Cevoli with other fighters staffed 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 soldiers 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 ribbon.svg Navy Cross
 * Distinguished Flying Cross ribbon.svg Distinguished Flying Cross with one gold award star
 * Air Medal ribbon.svg 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