DEPTFORD TWP — The effort to rename the post office in Deptford for a U.S. Army soldier who was killed in Afghanistan in 2010 has been signed by President Barack Obama. 

The legislation, sponsored by U.S. Rep. Donald Norcross (D-1st Dist.) was created to change the name of the post office to the “First Lieutenant Salvatore S. Corma II Post Office Building.”

Corma, of Wenonah, was a 2008 West Point graduate. He was killed in action in Afghanistan on April 29, 2010, by an improvised explosive device (IED). Corma warned his fellow soldiers to retreat after discovering the IED, an action that is credited with saving the lives of as many as 19 fellow service members.

On Monday, Norcross announced that the legislation he authored and introduced in Congress to rename the Deptford Post Office in honor of Corma had been signed into law.

“By signing his name to this legislation, President Obama helps us forever honor a South Jersey patriot who died protecting America and his fellow soldiers,” Norcross said in a release. “This is a proud moment, but a solemn reminder of a young life taken too soon.” 

The legislation had the full support of New Jersey’s Congressional delegation.

“I’m touched and honored by this gesture which will serve both as a tribute to Salvatore’s memory and as a lesson to future generations about the sacrifices Salvatore and others have made for our freedom,” said Corma’s mother, Trudy. “I’m proud of my son’s service and that he will be memorialized by having the Deptford Post Office renamed in his honor.”

In addition to the Deptford site, Obama also signed legislation renaming 11 other post offices around the country.