WASHINGTON, DC -- In recognition of Rhode Island native Richard Cevolis extraordinary leadership and dedicated service, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) introduced legislation last night to name the Post Office at 5775 Post Road in East Greenwich the "Richard L. Cevoli Post Office" in honor of U.S. Navy Commander Richard Cevoli. A life long resident of East Greenwich, the late Richard Cevoli bravely fought in World War II and the Korean War and served at Naval Air Station at Quonset Point. "I am honored to introduce this legislation to name the post office on Post Road in East Greenwich after Commander Cevoli," said Senator Reed. "I am pleased that the valor that he demonstrated as a soldier in World War II and the Korean War will be recognized not only in his hometown of East Greenwich, but by all Rhode Islanders."In World War II, Commander Cevoli was awarded the prestigious Navy Cross for his bravery during the Battle of Leyte Gulf off the Philippines Coast in 1944. During this battle, Cevoli strafed the largest Japanese ship, silencing many of its guns. The following day he severely damaged a Japanese aircraft carrier with a 500-pound bomb, and strafed a destroyer, silencing its antiaircraft weapons and thereby contributing to the successful bombing and torpedo attacks that followed.Following the Second World War, Cevoli served as the Executive Officer in Squadron VF-19 on board the USS LEYTE, seeing action in the Korean War. In addition to the Navy Cross, Commander Cevoli earned two Distinguished Flying Crosses and eight Air Medals during his active flying career.Cevoli was born in East Greenwich in 1919, where he remained a life-long resident. He graduated from LaSalle Academy and Rhode Island State College, which is now the University of Rhode Island. He also took classes at the Naval Warfare College in Newport.Tragically, he died serving his country when his plane crashed during a training mission on January 18, 1955, leaving behind his wife, Grace, and three children, Steven, Carol, and Elizabeth. His legacy is memorialized in the Rhode Island Aviation Hall of Fame."This legislation will pay tribute to this hero of Rhode Island and the United States, and I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Commander Cevoli by supporting this bill," concluded Reed.The bill, which is cosponsored by Senator Chafee (R-RI), must now be approved by the Senate and House of Representatives and signed into law by the President. It is Reed's hope that the bill will be approved by the end of the year.