From Torrance Terror to WWII Hero: Louie Zamperini's Journey

Louis “Louie” Zamperini went from the Terror of Torrance to a World War II hero. He grew from a young boy, who terrorized his town, into a record breaking runner, who competed in the Olympics. He later joined the United States Army Air Forces and served as a bombardier in World War II. After his plane crashed and he was stuck on a raft in the ocean, he was captured by the Japanese and became a prisoner of war. Louie’s resourcefulness, toughness, and defiance from his boyhood helped him to survive the relentless torment thrown at him later in life. Louie was a resourceful young boy. No matter what difficulties he came across he always found a clever way to overcome them. He found ways to steal from people all around his town of Torrance. He stole pies from Meinzer’s Bakery, cleverly clogged telephone coin slots so when he later returned he could easily pocket the change, he sold stolen copper scrap and

When Louie was a teenager he wanted to find ways to stop people from bullying him. His father helped him learn to defend himself with a punching bag and homemade barbell (Unbroken 9). He soon defeated his bullies. This toughness also helped him during his running career. During a NCAA meet, some runners tried to sabotage him in the middle of a race. The men used the spikes on their shoes to stab and cut Louie. Though he was bleeding and in pain, his toughness helped him to win the race and set a new NCAA mile record of 4:08.3 seconds (Unbroken 44). This would never equal the toughness Louie needed to survive at the POW camps. At these camps, he was locked in small, confined spaces, beaten, humiliated and forced to work hours to just receive small rations of food. Louie could have easily given up and accepted his impending death; instead, he kept his head held high and did not give up. His toughness kept him ready to take on whatever life threw his