Merrick American Legion honors WWII hero

Michael Fevola, 96, of East Meadow, served in the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II. He died on March 1 after years of declining health caused by Alzheimer’s disease. He was 96. 

Children would scamper into the Cradle of Aviation Museum in Garden City, stepping up to an olive green military aircraft painted with angry eyes and a mouth full of fangs, and direct questions to Michael Fevola. To them, he was their sage, and they sat, wide-eyed, waiting to hear his war stories about his time as a “Flying Tiger” during World War II. In his waning years, he relished those moments, according to son-in-law Paul R. Martin III.

Fevola died on March 1 after years of declining health caused by Alzheimer’s disease. He was 96.

Fevola, of East Meadow, served in the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II, from 1944 to 1945, as part of the 308th Bombardment Group, 375th Bombardment Squadron and 14th Air Force in China. Because of the painted faces on the planes used by the 14th Air Force, the Chinese nicknamed them the “Flying Tigers.”

After Fevola died, his family called Merrick American Legion Post 1282 and asked whether members would commemorate him. Commander James O’Neill agreed without hesitation, saying that he would never let a deceased veteran — and decorated war hero — go unnoticed. Joined by Commander Kenneth Braun, Adjutant Harold Gribbin, Sergeant-at-Arms Joseph Ambrosino and Sons of the American Legion member Rick Ambrosino, O’Neill delivered a fitting tribute to Fevola at his wake, held at the N.F. Walker Funeral Home in Merrick, and presented his wife of 68 years, Betty Treppedi Fevola, with a wooden flag case.

Fevola was born in Brooklyn on April 7, 1920, to Justine and Louis Fevola, and moved to East Meadow in 1948. During the war, Fevola flew on multiple supply runs from India to China over the eastern end of the Himalayan Mountains, which was referred to as “The Hump.” In all, he took part in 21 combat missions as a top turret gunner on a B-24 named “American Beauty.” Fevola was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal, the Asia-Pacific Service Medal with a Silver Star and a Bronze Star. He also received the American Defense Ribbon and the Good Conduct Medal. His official records note that he took part in China Offensive, and the India Burma, South Philippines, Luzon, Western Pacific and China defense campaigns.

Fevola worked for Seversky/Republic Aviation in Farmingdale before and after the Second World War, retiring from Fairchild/Republic Aviation in 1984. He later volunteered for 10 years as a docent at the Cradle of Aviation Museum, which opened in 2002.

Fevola was predeceased by three brothers, Pat, Frank and Anthony.

In addition to his wife, Betty, he is survived by his four children, Linda Svitic and her husband, David; Joyce Fanelli and her husband, John; Gary Fevola and his wife, Karen; and Joanne Martin and her husband, Paul.

He is also survived by nine grandchildren, Kim Svitic Gilby and her husband, George; Eric Svitic and his wife, Ilaria; John Fanelli and his wife, Joelle; Michael Fanelliand and his wife, Kristy; and Christine Fanelli, Michelle and Greg Fevola, and Alyssa and Paul Martin; and six great-grandchildren, James and Ava Gilby, Isabelle and Nikolai Svitic, and Liliana and Sophia Fanelli.

A memorial page for Fevola can be found at www.theyflewwithtigers.weebly.com.