CRANSTON, RI – Nearly eight decades after Seaman First Class Ferdinand “Bull” Viveiros was honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy, U.S. Senator Jack Reed today presented Mr. Viveiros’ family with several military honors he received through his courageous and honorable service during World War II. 

Senator Reed, the Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today joined Mr. Viveiros’ children to honor their father, celebrate his tremendous service and sacrifice, and deliver military medals and recognitions for his role in defending freedom around the globe.

“We are grateful to Mr. Viveiros and his fellow servicemembers for their courage and dedication.  They made tremendous sacrifices.  It is a privilege to recognize and honor their service and thank their families,” said Senator Reed.

“I’m proud to join Senator Reed today to pay tribute to my dad.  These military honors are long overdue, and I honestly think my dad can rest in peace now,” said Sharon Alves, Mr. Viveiros’ daughter who was joined today by her husband, Peter Alves, and their son, PJ.

Born and raised in Bristol by his parents, Louis and Maria Viveiros, Bull Viveiros enlisted in the U.S. Navy in December 1943 just before his eighteenth birthday. He went on to participate in the Allied Invasion of Europe on D-Day on June 6, 1944, serving as a gunner on a Landing Ship, Tank (LST) which landed on Utah Beach.

During Seaman First Class Viveiros’ approximately three years of service, he trained at the U.S. Naval Training Station in Sampson, NY and served on several military vessels, including: USS Cassia County (LST 527), an amphibious landing ship that participated in the Invasion of Normandy; USS Fall River, a Baltimore-class heavy cruiser which sailed in experimental development operations; and USS Wyandot, an Andromeda-class attack cargo ship.

After the war, Mr. Viveiros returned home and settled in Fall River, MA to start a family and return to his work as a carpenter and tradesman. He married his wife, Mary (Ferreira) Viveiros, and had three children: a daughter, Sharon; and two sons, Dean and Ferdinand Jr.

Mr. Viveiros worked for over four decades as a lead shipper for the Haskon Corporation of Taunton. He continued to serve his nation, fellow veterans, and community in his native state of Rhode Island as a devoted member and past commander of the Veterans of Foreign War (VFW), Woodrow L. Silvia Post 5392 in Tiverton.

Until his passing in 2017 at the age of 91, Mr. Viveiros donated his time to fellow veterans by serving with organizations such as the Disabled American Veterans, Paralyzed Veterans of America, and the U.S. Landing Ship, Tank (LST) Association.

During the ceremony, Mr. Viveiros’ family received four military honors for exemplary conduct, efficiency, and fidelity that he earned while serving in the U.S. Navy during WWII, including:

World War II (WWII) was the most widespread war in history with more than 100 million people serving in military units, including roughly 16 million Americans, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.