B-Man Posted July 3, 2014 Share Posted July 3, 2014 (edited) War hero, Olympic distance runner Louis Zamperini dies at 97 Louis Zamperini, an Olympic distance runner and World War II veteran who survived 47 days on a raft in the Pacific after his bomber crashed, then endured two years in Japanese prison camps, has died. He was 97. Zamperini's death was confirmed by Universal Pictures studio spokesman Michael Moses. A family statement released early Thursday said Zamperini had been suffering from pneumonia. He is the subject of Laura Hillenbrand's best-selling book "Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption," which is being made into a movie directed by Angelina Jolie and is scheduled for a December release by Universal. "After a 40-day long battle for his life, he peacefully passed away in the presence of his entire family, leaving behind a legacy that has touched so many lives," the family statement said. "His indomitable courage and fighting spirit were never more apparent than in these last days." Jolie said the loss was "impossible to describe." "We are all so grateful for how enriched our lives are for having known him," she said in a statement. "We will miss him terribly." A high school and University of Southern California track star, Zamperini -- known as the "Torrance Tornado" -- competed in the 5,000-meter run at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. He finished eighth but caught attention by running the final lap in 56 seconds. In World War II, he was a bombardier on a U.S. Army Air Forces bomber that crashed in the Pacific Ocean during a reconnaissance mission. He and one of the other surviving crew members drifted for 47 days on a raft in shark-infested waters before being captured by Japanese forces. He spent more than two years as a prisoner of war, surviving torture. Zamperini became a born-again Christian in 1949 after attending a Los Angeles crusade led by evangelist Billy Graham. He eventually traveled as an inspirational speaker preaching the power of forgiveness. At age 81, Zamperini -- a five-time Olympic torch-bearer -- ran a leg in the torch relay for the 1988 Winter Olympics in Nagano. During his visit, he attempted to meet with his most brutal wartime tormentor, Mutsuhiro Watanabe. But Watanabe, who escaped prosecution as a war criminal, refused to see him. {snip} Zamperini was born Jan. 26, 1917, in the western New York city of Olean. A group in Olean is raising funds to place a granite marker in Zamperini's honor in War Veterans Park in August. He was just two years old when his parents moved the family to Torrance in Southern California, where he lived for the rest of his life. Zamperini Field, a city-owned public airport in Torrance, is named in his honor. A stadium at Torrance High School and the entrance plaza at USC's track and field stadium both bear his name. A hell of a life........Rest In Peace sir . Edited July 3, 2014 by B-Man Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CowgirlsFan Posted July 5, 2014 Share Posted July 5, 2014 Thank you doesn't seem enough but I'll say it anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbb Posted July 6, 2014 Share Posted July 6, 2014 I didn't know that he was born in Olean, until he died. His story is unreal. I guess there is a movie coming out later this year about him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dib Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 Read: "Unbroken" an amazing story of survival. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbb Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 Read: "Unbroken" an amazing story of survival. That's the movie that is going to come out. Based on the book, obviously. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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