WASHINGTON, DC -- In recognition of Rhode Island native Richard Cevolis extraordinary leadership and dedicated service, the United States Senate last night passed legislation introduced by U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) in May to name the Post Office at 5775 Post Road in East Greenwich the Richard L. Cevoli Post Office. This bill honors the late U.S. Navy Commander Richard Cevoli, a life long resident of East Greenwich who bravely fought in World War II and the Korean War and served at Naval Air Station Quonset Point. I am pleased that the Senate has passed this legislation to name the Post Office on Post Road in East Greenwich after Commander Cevoli, said Senator Reed. The valor that he demonstrated as a soldier in World War II and the Korean War will now 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 pays tribute to this hero of Rhode Island and the United States. concluded Reed.The bill, which is cosponsored by Senator Chafee (R-RI), must now be approved by the 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.