Chief Petty Officer Paul Spedaliere, USN (Ret.), serves as the Manager of Veterans Advocacy and Assistance for the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs. He was promoted to this position following his tenure as Veterans Services Supervisor. Chief Spedaliere joined the Department in 2021 as a Veterans Service Officer assigned to District 2, bringing with him years of experience in veterans advocacy and municipal service. He first became an accredited Veterans Service Officer with the American Legion in 2019.
Prior to joining the Connecticut DVA, Chief Spedaliere served the Town of Lebanon for a decade as Assistant Tax Collector (2008–2018), earning his designation as a Certified Connecticut Municipal Collector (CCMC). In 2013, he was appointed as Lebanon’s Municipal Veterans Representative (MVR), a role established by state statute to ensure each municipality provides coordinated support to veterans and their families in securing the benefits they have earned.
Chief Spedaliere retired from the United States Navy in 2002 after more than twenty years of honorable service. Following his retirement, he became deeply involved in the American Legion, recognizing it as a meaningful avenue to continue serving his community and advocating for fellow veterans. A member of Lebanon Post 180 since 2005, he has held leadership positions at every level of the organization. He was elected National Vice Commander of the American Legion during the organization’s Centennial National Convention in Minneapolis on August 30, 2018, serving during the 2018–2019 membership year. His previous leadership roles include Department (State) Commander (2015–2016), District Commander (2010–2012), and Post Commander (2007–2009). At the national level, he currently serves on the Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation (VA&R) Commission and the Department Advisory Committee, and has previously served on the Americanism Council and the Veterans Education, Other Benefits and Homelessness Committee.
Chief Spedaliere enlisted in the United States Navy Delayed Entry Program on March 11, 1981, and reported to Recruit Training Command Great Lakes on August 11, 1981. He completed Basic Electricity and Electronics School and Electronics Technician “A” School at Naval Training Center Great Lakes before reporting in 1982 to USS Emory S. Land (AS‑39), where he worked on submarine antenna systems and advanced to Petty Officer Second Class.
In 1986, he reported to the Fleet Anti‑Submarine Warfare Training Center, serving as Leading Petty Officer for Maintenance Support, Test Equipment Repair, and Calibration for the Ocean Systems Technician Analysts and Maintainers “A” and “C” Schools. In 1988, he assumed independent duty as the sole Electronics Technician aboard the open‑ocean torpedo weapons retriever Labrador (TWR‑681) in New London, Connecticut. During this tour, he advanced to Petty Officer First Class and was selected to serve as Assistant Craftmaster.
In 1992, Chief Spedaliere reported to Naval Air Station Brunswick, Maine, where he served as Leading Petty Officer for the Ground Electronics Maintenance Division, supervising 42 personnel and earning the Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist (AW) designation. From February to August 1995, he deployed to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, as a Personnel Augmentee during the Haitian immigration mission, serving as a maintenance supervisor for the Navy Morale, Welfare and Recreation Department.
In 1996, he reported to the forward‑deployed USS Simon Lake (AS‑33) in La Maddalena, Italy, serving as Leading Petty Officer of the 67A Submarine Electronics Repair Shop. He earned the Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist (SW) designation and advanced to Chief Electronics Technician. He subsequently transferred to USS Trenton (LPD‑14), where he served as Electronics Material Officer. His final assignment was at the U.S. Naval Submarine Support Facility New London, where he served as Assistant Production Supervisor for R‑3 Division, coordinating maintenance and emergent submarine repair operations.
Chief Spedaliere’s personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (three awards), Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Navy Unit Commendation, Meritorious Unit Commendation (two awards), Navy “E” Ribbon with wreathed “E” attachment (seven awards), Navy Good Conduct Medal (five awards), National Defense Service Medal (two awards), Armed Forces Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (two awards), and the Navy Pistol Expert Medal.
Chief Spedaliere resides in Lebanon, Connecticut, with his wife, Sandra, who retired from the United States Navy in 2005 as a Chief Dental Technician (SW) after twenty years of service. They have two daughters, Elizabeth and Laura.
As of March 2026