Teddy M. Zieja was born on February 10, 1917, in Cuyahoga County, Ohio. He was the son of Jacob and Katherine Zieja. He served in the 803rd Engineer Battalion, Aviation, as a Technician 5th Grade during World War II.

After the fall of Bataan in the hands of the Japanese Army on April 9, 1942, T5 Zieja was one of the 10,000 to 12,000 Americans who were forced to march over 60 miles under brutal conditions, resulting in 1,000 to 5,000 deaths due to starvation, dehydration, and abuse. Survivors were sent to Camp O'Donnell, where dire conditions, including overcrowding, malnutrition, and disease, caused an additional 1,500 to 2,300 American deaths within weeks. Those who survived faced ongoing hardships, including transfers to other camps and forced labor, where many continued to suffer or die.

T5 Zieja was among the American soldiers who lost their lives in captivity on May 8, 1942. He is now buried in the Calvary Cemetery, Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio, USA.

Source of information: www.livescience.com