Louis Zamperini
Louis Silvie Zamperini (January 26, 1917 – July 2, 2014) was an American World War II prisoner of war survivor, motivational speaker and track and field athlete.
Louis Zamperini | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Zamperini in c. 1943 | |
| Born | Louis Silvie Zamperini January 26, 1917 |
| Died | July 2, 2014 (aged 97) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Other names | Louie Zamperini |
| Occupation | |
| Years active | 1930s–2014 |
| Spouse(s) | Cynthia Applewhite (m. 1946; died 2001) |
| Children | 2 |
Biography
Zamperini was a long-distance runner at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, Nazi Germany. During World War II, Zamperini was a soldier on a bomber airplane in the Pacific War. After the plane crashed, he and his crew survived 47 days in a lifeboat in shark infested water before being captured by the Japanese army.[1] After the war, he became a motivational speaker.[2]
In 2010, Laura Hillenbrand published Zamperini's biography Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption, which became a bestseller. In 2014, actress Angelina Jolie directed the movie Unbroken, based on the biography. The movie was released on December 25, 2014.[1]
In May 2014, he was chosen to be the 2015 Rose Parade grand marshal.[3]
Personal life
Zamperini was born in Olean, New York, to Italian immigrant parents. He and his family moved to Torrance, California, at a young age. He did not speak English until school and was bullied because of this. He was married to Cynthia Applewhite from 1946 until her death in 2001. They had two children, Luke and Cynthia.[4]
Zamperini died from pneumonia on July 2, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. He was 97.[5]
Louis Zamperini Media
Zamperini wearing a Torrance High School track uniform, 1938
Japanese-occupied Nauru Island under attack by Liberator bombers of the Seventh Air Corps, April 1943.
Zamperini examines a hole in his B-24D Liberator Super Man made by a 20 mm shell over Nauru.
Louis Zamperini Plaza on the campus of the University of Southern California
U.S. Army Air Corps/Air Force Bombardier badge
Zamperini Stadium at Torrance High School
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Louis Zamperini, war hero, Olympian and inspiration for Angelina Jolie, dies at 97. July 4, 2014. http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/movies/louis-zamperini-war-hero-olympian-and-inspiration-for-angelina-jolie-dies-at-97-20140704-zsvd3.html. Retrieved July 4, 2014.
- ↑ Rocha, Veronica (May 9, 2014). Olympian-turned-war-hero Louis Zamperini is Rose Parade grand marshal. http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-louis-zamperini-rose-parade-grand-marshal-20140509-story.html. Retrieved July 4, 2014.
- ↑ Wells, Jason (July 3, 2014). Louis Zamperini, war hero chosen to lead 2015 Rose Parade, dies at 97. http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-louis-zamperini-war-hero-rose-parade-dies-20140703-story.html. Retrieved July 4, 2014.
- ↑ "Olympian Louis Zamperini dies at 97". ESPN. July 3, 2014. Retrieved July 4, 2014.
- ↑ Emery, Debbie (July 3, 2014). "WWII Hero, 'Unbroken' Subject Louis Zamperini Dies at 97". The Hollywood Reporter. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/wwii-hero-unbroken-subject-louis-716524. Retrieved July 4, 2014.