Commands held Squadron VF-73 Rank Commander | Died January 18, 1955 Name Richard Cevoli | |
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Battles/wars World War II
Battle of Leyte Gulf
Korean War Awards Navy Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross(2)
Air Medal(8) Education University of Rhode Island, La Salle Academy Battles and wars World War II, Battle of Leyte Gulf, Korean War | ||
Service/branch United States Navy Allegiance United States of America | ||
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.
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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 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.