Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt Shapou, Teddy Shapou, (January 07, 1919–) was an American

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

 war hero of World War II

World War II

World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...

. Born in Lawrence, Massachusetts

Massachusetts

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...

 in 1919 to Lebanese-American parents, he grew up in New Bern, North Carolina

North Carolina

North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...

 with his three sisters. He first attended NC State in Raleigh

Raleigh, North Carolina

Raleigh is the capital and the second largest city in the state of North Carolina as well as the seat of Wake County. Raleigh is known as the "City of Oaks" for its many oak trees. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city's 2010 population was 403,892, over an area of , making Raleigh...

, NC, then transferred to Georgetown College in Kentucky to be closer to his future wife. He starred in football, baseball, and studied zoology and botany before dropping out to join the Army Air Force.

He was first assigned to a pursuit group in Puerto Rico before joining the 14th Air Force in China as a fighter pilot. He served with the Flying Tigers

Flying Tigers

The 1st American Volunteer Group of the Chinese Air Force in 1941–1942, famously nicknamed the Flying Tigers, was composed of pilots from the United States Army , Navy , and Marine Corps , recruited under presidential sanction and commanded by Claire Lee Chennault. The ground crew and headquarters...

 in the Burma Theater (the 74th Fighter Squadron). He was awarded at the same ceremony the Silver Star

Silver Star

The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....

, Distinguished Flying Cross

Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)

The Distinguished Flying Cross is a medal awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to November 11, 1918." The...

, and the Air Medal

Air Medal

The Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States. The award was created in 1942, and is awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.-Criteria:...

 "for combat flying in China." He is said to have shot down several Zeros

A6M Zero

The Mitsubishi A6M Zero was a long-range fighter aircraft operated by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service from 1940 to 1945. The A6M was designated as the , and also designated as the Mitsubishi A6M Rei-sen and Mitsubishi Navy 12-shi Carrier Fighter. The A6M was usually referred to by the...

 and assisted with downing a Mitsubishi bomber

Mitsubishi G3M

The Mitsubishi G3M was a Japanese bomber used during World War II.-Design and development:...

. His photograph was auctioned in New Bern, NC for war bonds for $8,500. He reached the rank of captain. After the war he worked in the civil service

Civil service

The term civil service has two distinct meanings:* A branch of governmental service in which individuals are employed on the basis of professional merit as proven by competitive examinations....

 at the Marine Corps Air Station at Cherry Point, Havelock, NC.

He was married to Kathleen Jones in 1942. They had two daughters, Marilyn and Janis Claire, who was named to honor General Claire Chennault

Claire Lee Chennault

Lieutenant General Claire Lee Chennault , was an American military aviator. A contentious officer, he was a fierce advocate of "pursuit" or fight-interceptor aircraft during the 1930s when the U.S. Army Air Corps was focused primarily on high-altitude bombardment...

. The Shapous were members of St. Paul Catholic Church.

Capt. Shapou died May 17, 1985, in New Bern, North Carolina.