Louis Zamperini Dies At 97

ZAMPERINIUSC legend Louis Zamperini died at the age of 97 following a bout with pneumonia according to Universal Pictures. Zamperini, a USC distance runner and 1936 Olympian, was the subject of the best-selling book, Unbroken, and upcoming movie of the same name directed by Angelina Jolie.

He was a member of a B-24 bomber crew in World War II and when his plane crashed, 8 of the 11 members died. Zamperini and two other men were adrift at sea. One died after 33 days while Zamperini and another crew member were captured by the Japanese on the 47th day. He was beaten and mistreated as a prisoner of war. He was declared killed in action but received a hero’s welcome when he returned home.

Zamperini was supposed to be the grand marshal of the 2015 Rose Parade. In 1936, Adolf Hitler reportedly asked to meet him after watching him run the 5,000 meters.

“It is a loss impossible to describe. We are all so grateful for how enriched our lives are for having known him. We will miss him terribly,” Jolie said in a statement.

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14 thoughts on “Louis Zamperini Dies At 97

  1. What a great stor, a great hero
    AndI understand Ms. Jolie has serious health issues of her own

  2. All my best Louis. FIGHT ON!!!!!ALL MY BEST FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!!!!!

    • rea-rea, Louis was not selected as the SUCC 2014 Rah-Rah parade Grand Marshal. Louis just recently expired quietly, with dignity. I’m sure his family would like to reflect on his life quietly. So rea-rea, if you attend Louis’ funeral, leave your Kazoo and Poco Stick outside the Church.

  3. Louis was an amazing Trojan, American, and Human. I had to pleasure of meeting him when he spoke to my ROTC class. Years later, I gained a better understanding of his plight while reading “Unbroken”. I look forward to seeing the movie.

  4. Unbroken was a very cool, fascinating read. His tale bordered on the hard-to-believe, actually. Little did Louis know that his problems were just beginning when he was “rescued” at sea. What a life. Hope the movie does this very special guy justice.

  5. People in that time had honor and courage. God Bless him. I also heard a true story about a Notre dame grad who was on the Baton Death March. He was wearing his Notre Dame ring. Well God was watching out for the guy. During the march a japenese solider saw the ring and wanted it. An officer in the japenese army saw the commotion. The officer went up to the japenese solider and ordered the solider to return the ring to the officer. When the officer had a moment of privacy he handed the ring back to the notre dame alumni. He told him to hide it so no one could take it. The guy was quizzical on why he did that and he asked, why and the japenese solider replied,, I went to the University of Southern California and have great respect for Notre Dame due to the football games. The japenese officer waas from japan and went and returned to japan after graduating.

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