Marine who helped Charlie Two Shoes dies

William Alex Bullard, 84, of Autryville, died on Aug. 17, according to Butler Funeral Home.

Charlie Two Shoes was the nickname given to an 11-year-old boy in north China who befriended Camp Lejeune Marines when they were stationed there in 1946.

After the marines left, the boy, whose real name is Charlie Twee, was persecuted by the communist government for his ties to the Marines.

When the boy was released more than 35 years later, Bullard helped Charlie and his family start a new life in Chapel Hill.

Twee was made an honorary Marine in a ceremony in 2002.