A man who was once an Olympic runner but turned into a captive at war by Imperial Japanese Army during the World War II in Japanese-held island.
Life as a Runner
Louis Silvie Zamperini was trained by his older brother Pete who is involved in track team. It really developed his running skills where he manages to finish 5th place in All City C-division 600m dash. That time when he manages to win the event, fewer people participate in his recognition except for some few friends and people who knew him personally.
He then started racing in 1932 on many cross-country races throughout his last three years in high school where he was undefeated. With his brother Pete who also earns running records are started being defeated by his own records.
He got a great record in California state championships where he won the CIF California State Meet championships with a record of 4:27.8 minutes. This record helps him grabbed scholarship at the University of South California.
After several wins in running competitions, he then decided to participate the tryout for Olympic where he won and qualified to beat several silver medalist runners and some record holder, runners. He was then recorded as the youngest American qualifier ever in the 5,000 meters and represents the United States in 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, Germany.
During the Olympic games he manages to finish 8th place but during the final lap of the race, he did impress finish which catches the attention of Adolf Hitler, where he shook hands with personally in a private meeting.
Life in Military and Prisoner at War
During the time of war, in 1941 he enlisted himself in United States Army Air Corps where he was commissioned as second lieutenant.
He was then deployed to Pacific Island of Funafuti where he was assigned as a bombardier.
He was on a mission where his bomber plane was badly damaged in combat and crashed in the ocean. Only three people manage to survive the crash but with the wrath of the ocean, less food supply and constantly attacked by Japanese planes. One of the three survivors died in 33 days.
After several days of floating in the ocean, the two survivors Zamperini and Phillips reached an island where they were immediately captured by Japanese Navy and held captive, mistreated and beaten until the end of the war in 1945. He was once tormented by prison guard Mutsuhiro "The Bird" Watanabe and also included in General Douglas MacArthur's most wanted war criminals in Japan.
He was once declared killed in action because of his disappearance and received a hero's welcome when he returns to his country.
My Opinion about Zamperini's Life
He was really an amazing runner that proves himself that he can compete with other people who holds a better record than him. He gives passion and love for the sport and that he obtain the achievements that most athletes want to obtain in their careers.
I was once watching the movie Unbroken which is both produced and directed by Hollywood star Angelina Jolie and it was really touching. It shows in the film how brave he is that he never gives up even how challenges strike at him.
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