Coventry Veteran Honored For WWII Service

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse recently honored the service of World War II veteran Roger Salvas by presenting him with eight Navy medals and awards. Mr. Salvas was first granted the awards after his discharge from the Navy in 1945, but never received them. Whitehouse helped to secure the delivery of the actual awards.

Mr. Salvas is a lifelong Coventry resident, who served in the Navy from August 1942 to December 1945. During World War II, he was stationed on two Navy warships, the USS Hall and the USS Munsee.

“Roger Salvas made great sacrifices to serve his country during World War II,” said Senator Whitehouse. “I was honored to present Mr. Salvas with these awards, nearly 70 years after the Navy first issued them. I congratulate Mr. Salvas and his family, and thank him for his courageous service.”

At the Oct. 11 ceremony, which took place in Senator Whitehouse’s Providence office, the Senator presented Mr. Salvas with the following awards: 

• Navy Good Conduct Medal
• World War II Victory Medal
• American Campaign Medal
• Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with one silver and two bronze star appurtenances
• European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
• Combat Action Ribbon
• Navy Discharge Button
• Honorable Service Lapel Pin

"I appreciate that Senator Whitehouse took the time to welcome me into his office to present me with these awards, awards which I've been waiting almost 70 years to receive," said Mr. Salvas. I thank the Senator very much for putting on this affair for me and my family."