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Where does Louie Zamperini grow up?
Torrance, CaliforniaThe son of Italian immigrants, Louie Zamperini grew up in Torrance, California, where he overcame a delinquent childhood to become a rising star in track-and-field. After performing admirably in the 1936 Olympics in Germany, Louie joined the Army Air Corps of the United States and became a bombardier in WWII.
Where does Louie grow up unbroken?
Torrance, CaliforniaHe's resourceful and fast-thinking, and he grew up in Torrance, California, just like Dirk Diggler. The childhood scenes—and the fact that most of Louie's childhood stories end with "and then I ran like mad" (1.1.
What was Louis Zamperini's childhood like?
Born in January 1917 to Italian immigrant parents, Zamperini spent his youth as one of Torrance, California's most notorious troublemakers. A smoker at age 5 and a drinker by 8, he built an adolescent criminal empire based around stealing anything that wasn't nailed down from neighbors and local businesses.
Where did Louis Zamperini go to high school?
Torrance High SchoolUniversity of Southern CaliforniaLouis Zamperini/Education
Did Louie Zamperini ever meet The Bird?
Yes. Louis Zamperini met Corporal Mutsuhiro Watanabe (aka "The Bird") at the Omori POW camp located on an island in Tokyo Bay.
How long did Louie hold the plank?
He Was a Prisoner of War He remained in their custody for 2 years, during which he endured disease, starvation, and almost-daily beating from guards. Zamperini was pummeled with clubs, belts, and fists, and on one occasion, was ordered to hold a heavy wooden beam over his head. He lasted 37 minutes before passing out.
What was Louis like as a child?
He was scrawny and still struggled with his lungs because of the childhood pneumonia. He had big ears and unruly hair. Louis also spoke little English as a young boy because of the Italian spoken at home, and he stayed quiet through most of kindergarten and first grade.
How tall was Louis Zamperini?
5′ 10″Louis Zamperini / Height
Did Louis Zamperini win gold?
Even today, he remains the youngest American to qualify in the 5,000 meter track and field event. He didn't earn a medal at the Olympics, but several years later he would take part in actions that resulted in medals earned for acts of valor.
Did they lose weight for Unbroken?
For his role, O'Connell had to lose some 22 pounds. “It was definitely difficult, but for the right reasons. But not ever worse than what Louis Zamperini did — and I always had his example. At no point was I expected to starve myself or deal with the diseases he had.”
What happened to the bird after ww2?
He was captured by the Japanese and held in an internment camp until the end of the war. Louis Zamperini died on July 2, 2014 at age 97.
What happened to the bird in Unbroken?
When Louie tries to meet with him as part of a role in the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics, the Bird refuses. At this time, Louie sends him a note stating his forgiveness but never knows if he receives it. The Bird dies in 2003.
Where did Louis Zamperini live?
TorranceLos AngelesLouis Zamperini/Places lived
What is the setting in Unbroken?
setting (time) The book covers Louie's life from 1917 through events in 2008, but most of the book focus on the World War II years, 1941-1945. setting (place) The book begins by focusing on Louie's boyhood in Torrance, California.
Where was Louis Zamperini born?
Olean, NYLouis Zamperini / Place of birthEarly life. Louis Zamperini was born on January 26, 1917, in Olean, New York, to Anthony Zamperini and Louise Dossi, both native to Verona in northern Italy. He had an older brother named Pete and two younger sisters, Virginia and Sylvia.
What was Louie's ethnicity?
Louie was born in Olean, New York to Italian immigrant parents, and suffered from pneumonia before the age of two. A daredevil from a very young age, Louie jumped off the caboose of a train at age two, when his family began a relocation journey to California.
Where did Zamperini grow up?
Growing up in Torrance, California, Zamperini ran track at Torrance High School and discovered that he had a talent for long-distance running. In 1934, Zamperini set the national high school mile record, and his time of 4 minutes and 21.2 seconds would stand for an incredible 20 years.
Who Was Louis Zamperini?
Louis Zamperini was a World War II veteran and Olympic distance runner. Zamperini competed in the 1936 Berlin Olympics and was set to compete again in the 1940 games in Tokyo, which were canceled when World War II broke out. A bombardier in the Army Air Corps, Zamperini was in a plane that went down, and when he arrived on shore in Japan 47 days later, he was taken as a prisoner of war and tortured for two years. After his release, Zamperini became an inspirational figure, and his life served as the basis for the 2014 biography Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption.
What did Zamperini suffer from?
Scarred by his ordeal, upon his return home, Zamperini suffered from alcoholism, and he and his wife, Cynthia, came close to divorce. (They stayed married, though, for 54 years, until her death in 2001.) What brought Zamperini back from the brink was hearing a Billy Graham sermon in Los Angeles in 1949, a sermon that inspired Zamperini and began the healing process.
What happened to Zamperini and Phillips?
In captivity across a series of prison camps, Zamperini and Phillips were separated and subjected to torture, both physical and psychological.
What book did Zamperini write?
Zamperini also went on to become a prominent inspirational speaker, and he wrote two memoirs, both titled Devil at My Heels (1956 and 2003). His life has inspired a recent biography as well, Laura Hillenbrand’s Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption.
What was the name of the plane that Zamperini ended up on?
With the outbreak of World War II, the 1940 Olympics were canceled, and Zamperini enlisted in the Army Air Corps. He ended up a bombardier on the B-24 Liberator, and in May 1943, Zamperini and a crew went out on a flight mission to search for a pilot whose plane had gone down.
How did Zamperini die?
Zamperini died at age 97 of pneumonia on July 2, 2014.
Where was Louis Zamperini born?
Louis Zamperini was born on 26 January 1917 at Olean, New York. His parents, father Anthony Zamperini and mother Louise Dossi were from Italy. He was the couple’s second child. Louis Zamperini had an older brother named Pete and sisters named Sylvia and Virginia.
Where did Louis Zamperini go to high school?
In 1919, Louis Zamperini along with his family moved to California. He attended the Torrance High School. None of his family members spoke English, and his inability to speak the language made him a target for bullying in school. This led to his father teaching him boxing as a means of self defense.
How many books did Louis Zamperini write?
Louis Zamperini had written two books that are a collection of his experiences. The first book ‘Devil at My Heels: The Story of Louis Zamperini’ was co-written by Helen Itria and published in 1956. The second book, an updated version of the first was titled ‘Devil at My Heels: A World War II Hero's Epic Saga of Torment, Survival, and Forgiveness’ and was written along with David Rensin. This book was published in 2003.
How long was Louis Zamperini stranded on a raft?
He survived the crash with two other men and was stranded on a raft for 47 days. One of the three persons died while Louis Zamperini and the other survivor who was the pilot Russell Allen Philips reached the shore that happened to be enemy territory in Japan. They were soon taken as prisoners and subjected to torture.
What division did Louis Zamperini go to?
Upon his brother’s instructions, Louis Zamperini joined the school track team and by the end of his freshman year he came fifth in the All City division for small kids. This encouraged him to give up delinquent habits and work towards becoming an athlete.
What happened to Louis Zamperini?
In May 1943, while over the Pacific Ocean Louis Zamperini’s plane had a mechanical failure and crashed into the ocean . He survived the crash with two other men and was stranded on a raft for 47 days. One of the three persons died while Louis Zamper ini and the other survivor who was the pilot Russell Allen Philips reached the shore that happened to be enemy territory in Japan. They were soon taken as prisoners and subjected to torture.
Who was Louis Zamperini married to?
Louis Zamperini married Cynthia Applewhite in 1946. They had a daughter named Cissy and son named Luke. In 2014, Louis Zamperini died of pneumonia at his house in Los Angeles. He was 97 years old at that time.
What is the most interesting fact about Zamperini?
With the new film "Unbroken" about to hit theaters, learn eight fascinating facts about one of the most celebrated American servicemen of World War II. 1. He was a juvenile delinquent. Born in January 1917 to Italian immigrant parents, Zamperini spent his youth as one of Torrance, California’s most notorious troublemakers.
Who did Zamperini meet?
Zamperini competing in a 1939 track meet (Credit/AP Photos) 2. He met Adolf Hitler at the 1936 Olympics. After graduating high school, Zamperini set his sights on competing in the 1936 Olympic games.
How long did Zamperini spend at sea?
He spent 47 days lost at sea. On May 27, 1943, Zamperini and his crew were participating in a search and rescue mission over the Pacific when their plane suddenly lost power to two of its engines and careened into the sea.
When did Zamperini return to Japan?
He went on to discuss his conversion to Christianity on nationwide speaking tours and started a wilderness camp for troubled youths. In 1950 , Zamperini returned to Japan for the first time since his liberation to address the Japanese war criminals held at Sugamo Prison in Tokyo.
When did Zamperini get liberated?
Zamperini and his fellow POWs were liberated following the Japanese surrender in September 1945, but his wartime experiences would continue to haunt him. His years of malnourishment and torture left him unable to resume his career as a runner, and he became dependent on alcohol to stave off nightmares and flashbacks.
Did Zamperini get shot?
Despite winning congratulations from the German “Fuhrer,” Zamperini wasn’t above getting into trouble during the Olympics. Before leaving Berlin, he was nearly shot while trying to swipe a Nazi flag from the Reich Chancellery as a souvenir. 3. He was a leading candidate to break the 4-minute barrier in the mile run.
What did Louis Zamperini learn from his childhood?
He learned how to pick locks with wire and broke into neighbors’ homes to steal their dinner off the tables. The sight of Louis sprinting down an alley carrying a whole cake was not infrequent.
Who changed Louis Zamperini's childhood?
He was considered a terror by people who knew him. However, Louis Zamperini’s childhood was changed by his older brother Pete’s faith in him , and Louis’s natural defiance became his greatest asset.
Why was Louis Zamperini scrawny?
He was scrawny and still struggled with his lungs because of the childhood pneumonia. He had big ears and unruly hair.
What happened to Louis Zamperini?
One night, he grew so inebriated, he fell into a rosebush in the yard. On another, he almost drowned in a refinery well after diving off the top of an oil rig. When they pulled him out, he was covered in oil. Mostly, Louis Zamperini’s childhood was spent as a a thief.
How long did Louis stay in the pool?
He quit boozing and smoking and worked on increasing his lung capacity by submerging himself in the local pool in Redondo Beach, sometimes for as long as three and a half minutes.
Why did Louis speak little English?
Louis also spoke little English as a young boy because of the Italian spoken at home, and he stayed quiet through most of kindergarten and first grade. Thinking he was slow, the teachers held him back a grade. Louis was often bullied, but he never reacted to anything that happened to him.
Why did Louis stage fights with other kids?
He staged fights with other kids so adults would pay them to stop. It seemed no behavior was off limits for Louis. Although a terror, Louis was brazen, clever, capable, and fearless. These traits would serve him well as an adult in the war.
Accomplishment is the Key to Self-Respect
In 1952, the head of a California Youth Authority program asked Louis Zamperini to speak to the residents of his program, a group of kids aged 16-20 who were incarcerated for all types of crimes, including homicide.
Passing the Torch
After Louis passed away in 2014, the Zamperini family deliberated over how we could keep his legacy alive for years to come after the release of Unbroken. The family saw that there was still a need for this very specific type of ministry centered around faith and forgiveness, and decided that Victory Boys Camp should be renewed and rebuilt.
What did Louis Zamperini do?
Zamperini credited a Billy Graham crusade with eliminating the hate that threatened to destroy him. In turn, Zamperini used his fame to spread the gospel and do good for the rest of his long life.
Where was Zamperini sent to?
With U.S. bombing intensifying, in March 1945 Zamperini and other prisoners were sent to Camp 4B at Naoetsu, a village on the west coast of Japan . Zamperini was horrified to discover Watanabe was in the same camp. World War II ended when America dropped atomic bombs at Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945.
Why did Louis Zamperini return to Japan?
Louis Zamperini returned to Japan to forgive his former captors. He interrupted a 1952 speaking tour in Tokyo to visit Sugamo Prison, which housed 850 Japanese war criminals.
What did Zamperini suffer from?
However, the years of torture weighed heavily on Zamperini. He suffered from constant nightmares, depression, and alcoholism. His marriage was crumbling.
What year did Louis Zamperini win the California State Meet?
Winning the California State Meet championship in 1934 earned Louis a scholarship to the University of Southern California. Zamperini qualified for the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, the same games where Jesse Owens won four gold medals. Zamperini ran well but came in eighth in the 5,000 meter race.
When did Louis Zamperini camp close?
Although the camp closed in 2014, its work continues today as Louis Zamperini Youth Ministries, providing support and guidance to hundreds of foster homes, youth camps, churches, schools, youth correctional facilities, and the National Guard Youth Challenge program.
What happened to Zamperini's plane?
Plane Crash and Torture. The next chapter in Zamperini's life nearly ended it. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1941 and was assigned to a B-24 Liberator bomber nicknamed "Super Man.". During a bombing raid on the Pacific atoll of Nauru, Zamperini's plane was attacked by a squadron of Japanese Zeros.
How old was Zamperini when he died?
His story is the inspiration for the bestselling book, Unbroken and now a major motion picture by the same name. Zamperini passed away in July of 2014; he was 97 years old.
How long did Louis Zamperini drift?
by Richard Green, posted in Digitization, Photographs. For forty-seven days Louis Zamperini drifted idly in the Pacific Ocean. Armed with a few small tins of drinking water, a flare gun, some fishing line, and a couple of Hershey D-Ration candy bars, Zamperini and two other soldiers struggled to stay alive.
What did Zamperini do in the military?
Zamperini was forced to forego running for a career in the military. He joined the Army Air Corps in November 1941 and was trained as a bombardier. Zamperini flew in B-24s in the Pacific War Theater and went on a number of bombing raids.
Why did Zamperini die?
Due to the harsh treatment, cold weather, and severe malnutrition, Zamperini developed beriberi, a deadly disease caused by vitamin deficiency. He was on the brink of death. On August 6, 1945 the United States dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima. Less than a month later Japan surrendered.
Where did Zamperini train for the Olympics?
He was offered a scholarship to the University of Southern California and began training for the 1936 Olympics . At the Berlin Olympics, Zamperini finished eighth in the 5000-meter race, but ran the fastest final lap of all the competitors in an unprecedented 56 seconds.
What was Louis Zamperini's record time?
In a time when the four-minute mile was one of the most elusive goals in sports, Zamperini pushed the limits. Zamperini set the national high school record for the mile in 1934 with a time of 4:21.3.
When was Zamperini released?
Zamperini gradually regained his health and celebrated with his peers. He was officially released on September 5, 1945, more than two years after his plane crash.
Who was Louis Zamperini's wife?
Then-Capt. Louis Zamperini with his wife to be, Cynthia Applewhite, in 1946. Lisa: And our son, Louis’ only grandchild, Clay, spent about 45 minutes yesterday with Will in his trailer and they had just a wonderful time together.
What was Louis Zamperini's conversion to Christianity?
Many are familiar with the incredible life story of Olympic athlete Louis Zamperini thanks to his book and the 2014 film Unbroken, directed by Angelina Jolie. After his bomber was shot down in World War II, he survived forty-seven days at sea on a raft boat before being sent to the Japanese POW camps where he was brutally tortured, but the most life-changing aspect of Zamperini’s story, his conversion to Christianity, wasn’t showcased in the first film. Subsequently, a spiritual second chapter is coming to theaters titled, Unbroken: Path to Redemption.
Who are Zamperini's kids?
Risen sat down on the Unbroken: Path to Redemption set with Zamperini’s kids: Cynthia Zamperini-Garris and Luke Zamperini with his wife, Lisa, to learn more about bringing his faith legacy to the big screen.
What happened to Louis Zamperini?
U.S. Olympian Louis Zamperini’s plane goes down in the Pacific. On May 27, 1943, a B-24 carrying U.S. airman and former Olympic runner Louis Zamperini crashes into the Pacific Ocean. After surviving the crash, Zamperini floated on a raft in shark-infested waters for more than a month before being picked up by the Japanese and spending ...
When did Zamperini die?
Zamperini died in July 2014, in Los Angeles. He was 97.
How did Zamperini survive the Japanese attack?
In May 1943, he was serving as the bombardier on a B-24 that was searching for a missing plane when his own aircraft developed mechanical problems and went down in the Pacific. Of the 11 people onboard, only the 26-year-old Zamperini, along with the pilot and the tail gunner survived the initial crash. The three men stayed alive in their small raft by drinking rainwater and eating the occasional seabirds and fish they were able to catch, all while facing strafing from Japanese bombers and the ever-present threat of shark attacks. After a month at sea, Francis McNamara, the tail gunner, perished. On their 47th day in the raft, Zamperini and fellow survivor Russell Allen Phillips, having drifted some 2,000 miles since the crash, were picked up by Japanese sailors.
Who inspired Zamperini to convert to Christianity?
Then, after being inspired by evangelist Billy Graham to convert to Christianity in 1949, Zamperini went on to become an inspirational speaker, forgive his captors and publish an autobiography, Devil at my Heels.
Who was the czar of Russia in 1696?
After winning access to the Baltic Sea through his victories in the Great Northern War, Czar Peter I founds the city of St. Petersburg as the new Russian capital. The reign of Peter, who became sole czar in 1696, was characterized by a series of sweeping military, political, ...read more. Russia. 1994.
Was Zamperini a propaganda tool?
As an ex-Olympian, Zamperini was considered a propaganda tool by the Japanese and saved from execution; at the same time, however, he was singled out for particularly vicious forms of torture. The defiant American managed to survive and was released after the war ended in 1945.
Who Was Louis Zamperini?
Early Years
- Louis Silvie Zamperini was born to Italian immigrant parents on January 26, 1917, in the town of Olean, New York. Growing up in Torrance, California, Zamperini ran track at Torrance High School and discovered that he had a talent for long-distance running. In 1934, Zamperini set the national high school mile record, and his time of 4 minutes and 21...
1936 Berlin Olympics
- It wasn’t long before Zamperini was taking his love of track to the next level, and in 1936 he headed to New York City for the 5,000-meter Olympic trials. Held on Randall’s Island, the race pitted Zamperini against Don Lash, the world record holder in the event. The race ended in a dead heat between the two runners, and the finish was enough to qualify Zamperini for the 1936 Olym…
World War II and Japanese Pow Camp
- With the outbreak of World War II, the 1940 Olympics were canceled, and Zamperini enlisted in the Army Air Corps. He ended up a bombardier on the B-24 Liberator, and in May 1943, Zamperini and a crew went out on a flight mission to search for a pilot whose plane had gone down. Out over the Pacific Ocean, Zamperini’s plane suffered mechanical failure and crashed into the ocean. Of the …
Postwar Life and Legacy
- Scarred by his ordeal, upon his return home, Zamperini suffered from alcoholism, and he and his wife, Cynthia, came close to divorce. (They stayed married, though, for 54 years, until her death in 2001.) What brought Zamperini back from the brink was hearing a Billy Grahamsermon in Los Angeles in 1949, a sermon that inspired Zamperini and began the healing process. He went on t…