Louis zamperinis name has been in the news more and more over the past few months. Louis zamperini, onetime olympic runner who survived wwii. Jan 3, 2011 assist news service he was an olympic athlete in berlin where he met hitler, a prisoner of war of the japanese during world war ii, and is still sharing his christian faith. Louis zamperini was a world war ii prisoner of war and an olympic athlete who became an inspirational figure and writer. Louis zamperini an olympian runner and world war ii. Jul 03, 2014 torrance icon louis zamperini, the olympic speedster and world war ii hero whose personal story of sacrifice and resilience resonated worldwide, died wednesday, just months before he was hoping to. The torrance tornado, zamperini remembers with a laugh.
Born in 1917, louie zamperini was the child of italian immigrants. Celebrating the life of the late torrance high school alumni track star, 1936 olympian, wwii hero and christian inspirational speaker louis zamperini. Stop by the museum and see the zamperini collection. Our mission is to transform the lives of young people through character building instruction and selfdiscovery. Louis zamperini at 93, going on 94, is still unbroken after. He took up running in high school and qualified for the us in the 5,000 m race for the 1936 berlin olympics. Louis zamperini at 93, going on 94, is still unbroken. Aug 05, 2014 torrance celebrates the life of national hero louis zamperini the city of torrance in partnership with the torrance historical society, torrance unified school district, torrance airport association. New louis zamperini book signing to feature author, family members in torrance by long beach press telegram. The zamperini family, he said, moved to torrance, california in the 1920s, where louis attended torrance high school. Representatives worked with clay to produce tshirts and wristbands that were passed out at the local premier of unbroken, the hollywood film paying homage to louis life. Olympic swimmer, john naber 4 golds, 1 silver, 6 world records is the tall gentleman in the back row.
In a 21st century awash with selfies, sex tapes and kardashians, readers have found inspiration and uplift in a book about an american world war ii hero named louis zamperini. A celebration of louis zamperini s life torrance, ca july. Zamperini by phone a few weeks ago to talk about his june 10 book signing at the billy graham library, and how god is using unbroken to touch lives around the world. World war ii hero louis zamperini s story is told in the bestselling book, unbroken. At the time louie knew no english, making him the perfect target for bullies. Louies youth and young adulthood in torrance, california. Zamperini features as a character in the 2012 novel flight from berlin by david john, published by harper collins. Lauren hillenbrands unbroken, louis zamperini biopic aarp. While louis did not do as much foreign missions as most of the other books ive. Louie zamperini signing books at north point church in.
Devil at my heels signed basis for unbroken by laura. Each home will have a model a car parked in front of it courtesy of south bay touring as. His parents, anthony and louise, were italian immigrants who did not speak english. Louis silvie zamperini january 26, 1917 july 2, 2014 was an american world war ii veteran.
To celebrate what would have been louis zamperini s 98th birthday, the torrance historical society will host the book signing with david rensin, coauthor of dont give up, dont give in lessons from an extraordinary life. We are seeking finances to fund the work of this amazingly successful program. Louis zamperini stands by the newly dedicated sign at the corner of zamperini way and pacific coast highway on march 23, 2010. The recently released book, dont give up, dont give in lessons from an extraordinary life, was coauthored by zamperini and rensin. Louis italian heritage made him the victim of bullies in school, and for years he acted out with petty delinquent crimes. Born in 1917 to italian immigrants, zamperini grew up in torrance. Louis zamperini book signing best of the south bay. Louis zamperini youth ministries is partnering with sunburst by providing speaking engagements and the donation of copies of the various books, dvds and documentaries of louis story as well as providing the graduates with copies of dont give up, dont give in. His life has been an inspiration to many and a number of books, documentaries and feature films have been based upon his life story.
To celebrate what would have been louis zamperini s 98th birthday, the torrance historical society will host a book signing at 2 p. Captain louis zamperini was born in olean, new york in 1917 to parents that had immigrated to the united states from italy. He was the olympic trials cochampion at 5000 meters when he tied with then world record holder don lash. It was on the track team where zamperini set a world interscholastic record in the mile. Seabiscuit author laura hillenbrands new book tells the remarkable tale of louis zamperini. For someone who has a great passion for writing, putting your ideas into paper is as easy as pouring a hot chocolate into your favorite mug. His story of survival was featured in the 2010 bestselling book unbroken by laura hillenbrand. Louis silvie louie zamperini 1917 2014 was a us prisoner of war survivor in world war ii, a christian evangelist and an olympic distance runner. The night louis zamperini encountered god at a billy graham.
Louis zamperinis childhood hometown of torrance gets early. Book summary unbroken covers five primary periods in the life of louis louie zamperini. As a teenager, he channeled his defiance into running, discovering a prodigious talent that had carried him to the berlin olympics. The story is to be retold in a film adaptation of the book directed by angelina. We at torrance high school track and field mourn the loss of our friend and hero. Discover torrance has partnered with clay zamperini, grandson of world war ii hero louis zamperini, to support louis charity, victory boys camp. Be the first to ask a question about louis zamperini. Jan 01, 2015 january 1, 2015 louis zamperini honored in the rose bowl. Hillenbrand tells nprs scott simon that when zamperini was a kid in torrance, calif. Kabc louis zamperini, an olympic star and world war ii hero profiled in the book and film unbroken, was celebrated by thousands at a memorial service on thursday. A world war ii story of survival, resilience, and redemption. The home of the late louis zamperini of unbroken fame is for sale. Olympian and the subject of a celebrated book and upcoming movie on his harrowing story of survival. Discover torrance partners with zamperini family to.
Zamperini family members will also be on site for the. His name is louis zamperini, a true living legend who, at the age of 93, is still serving the lord. Louis zamperini, a track star at torrance, usc and the olympics and a survivor of world war ii horrors, has died at 97. Jan 26, 2015 discover torrance has partnered with clay zamperini, grandson of world war ii hero louis zamperini, to support louis charity, victory boys camp. On 10 may 2008, zamperini was awarded the ellis island medal of honor by the national ethnic coalition of organizations. Wwii veteran, olympian to be at restaurant book signing. Louis zamperini at 93, going on 94, is still unbroken after all these years dan wooding. And louie had so many of the answers to that, and unbroken is kind. Louis zamperini was born in olean, new york, but relocated to torrance with his family in the 1920s. Terms in this set 53 where was louis zamperini originally from. Chapters 15 introduce an average boy who would become a remarkable man. Louis silvie zamperini january 26, 1917 july 2, 2014 was an american world war ii veteran, a christian evangelist and an olympic distance runner.
New louis zamperini book signing to feature author, family. Louis zamperini was a world war ii veteran and olympic distance runner. Is louie zamperini s former home open to the public. Pappy boyington, writer of the book baa baa black sheep, upon which black sheep squadron 1976 later black sheep squadron was based.
A celebration of louis zamperinis life torrance, ca july. New louis zamperini book signing to feature author, family members in torrance. Olympian louie zamperinis plane goes down in the pacific. A world war ii story of survival, resilience, and redemption, which is being made into a movie directed by angelina. Mar 30, 2016 new louis zamperini book signing to feature author, family members in torrance by long beach press telegram. Louie zamperini signing books at north point church in alpharetta. Louis zamperini honored in the rose bowl cissie graham lynch. Jul 03, 2014 louis zamperini gestures during a news conference, in pasadena, calif. Louis zamperini, an olympic distance runner and second world war veteran who survived 47 days on a raft in the pacific after his bomber crashed, then endured two years in japanese prison camps. Special display of hometown hero, louis zamperini in museum youll stroll the treelined streets of old torrance each home will have a model a car parked in front of it courtesy of south bay touring as. Born to italian immigrants in new york, his family moved to torrance, california when louis was a toddler. Louis silvie louie zamperini was a us prisoner of war survivor in world war ii, a christian evangelist and an olympic. Louis zamperini is best known for laura hillenbrands book unbroken. My wife norma joined me as we drove up through a winding road in the starstudded hollywood hills to the home of zamperini, where i was able to interview this incredible man who is the subject of a new book called unbroken.
Written by laura hillenbrand, unbroken has been hailed by time magazine as the best nonfiction book of the year. At the age of 2, his family moved torrance, california where zamperini spent most of his childhood and teenage years. Louis zamperini, war hero, olympic distance runner, 2015 rose. Zamperini went on to finish 8th at the 1936 olympic games 5000m in 14. Special display of hometown hero, louis zamperini in museum youll stroll the treelined streets of old torrance. He was a wild and wilful child, and not until he was. To ask other readers questions about louis zamperini, please sign up. 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. Louis zamperini testimony at 1958 san francisco billy graham crusade. Olympic distance runner and world war ii veteran who survived 47 days on a raft in the pacific after his. At the encouragement of his brother, zamperini joined the torrance high track team.
There were over 400 people in attendance at this event. Unbroken, world war ii hero louis zamperinis epic bigscreen tale of. Upon his return to the united states, he began his career as a christian evangelist. Louis attended torrance high school where he excelled in athletics. The son of italian immigrants, louis spoke no english when his family moved to california, which made him a target for bullies. Louis zamperini, a onetime olympic runner who survived 47 days on a raft in the pacific and two years as a japanese prisoner during world war ii, and whose story was retold in the bestselling. The life and times of louis zamperini timeline preceden. Youd think a man who survived two plane crashes, a japanese pow camp and 47 days adrift in the ocean could conquer anything. A group of torrance merchants raised enough money for the local hero to live on once he got there. Louis silvie zamperini was born in 1917, son of italian immigrant parents in torrance, california. New louis zamperini book signing to feature author, family members in torrance by dailybreeze. The public celebration started with a book signing at the torrance. Dec 26, 2014 worldfamous olympian and wwii veteran louis zamperinis story has become well known through the book, and now movie, unbroken.
I didnt want to get on the train with all these great athletes and this little punk high school kid. Jul 31, 2014 the public memorial service was held at the zamperini stadium at torrance high school, the legends alma mater, and included flyovers, a symbolic lap around the track and public addresses from the. Louis zamperini biography childhood, life achievements. Louis zamperini a former olympian and world war ii aviator who fought for survival on the open waters of the pacific and in a japanese pow camp is the subject of a new book and will be. Restored world war ii b24 bomber, similar to plane in louis zamperini survival story, lands in torrance by donna littlejohn may 4, 2015 at 9. Mar 22, 2015 the torrance historical society is hosting a book signing with david rensin, coauthor of recently released dont give up, dont give in lessons from an extraordinary life by louis zamperini and david rensin today from 1 to 4 p. Zamperini, who died last year at 97, grew up in torrance and was a high. However, for someone who greatly struggles in writing an essay, even the first paragraph of it, writing seems to be the biggest challenge of their life. He graduated from torrance high school and the university of southern california. To celebrate what would have been louis zamperinis 98th birthday, the torrance historical society will host a book signing at 2 p.
To hell and back hillenbrand returns with harrowing yarn of a pow in wwii who survives 47 days at sea and brutal captors louis zamperini s homecoming in california in 1945. English actor jack oconnell plays zamperini from his torrance high. Born in olean, new york on january 26, 1917, louis zamperini was raised in torrance, california. Louis shook hands with him after the race, and was told, ah, youre the boy with the fast finish. Discover torrance partners with zamperini family to support. Louis zamperini was released after the war ended two years later. In boyhood, louis zamperini was an incorrigible delinquent. Thousands gather in torrance to celebrate late hometown hero. They moved to torrance, california during the 1920s. A wwii story of survival, resilience, and redemption. The book, unbroken, louis life story as told by laura hillenbrand, was finally released in. Louis zamperini field torrance municipal airport zamperini way. One of his fellow prisonerofwar camp mates was gregory h. His father taught louis how to box for selfdefense.
Laura hillenbrands unbroken tells the life story of louis louie zamperini, an olympic runner and. He is the person about whom the book unbroken is written. Louis zamperini foundation the louis zamperini foundation. Zamperini was also on hand 26 years later when permanent signs were unveiled on march 23, 2010 denoting the landing strip as zamperini. Hes the guy who almost breaks the fourminute mile, gets swept up by world war ii, shot down in the pacific, punches sharks in the face, survives numerous pow camps, lives, goes home, marries, and finds god. Based on laura hillenbrands bestselling book, unbroken charts zamperinis. Louis zamperini was born january 26, 1917 in olean, new york, to italian immigrants anthony zamperini and louise dossi. Dec, 2014 louis zamperini s life will soon be portrayed in the upcoming film unbroken, which was directed by angelina jolie.
I finally got a roll of adhesive tape and i put it over the torrance tornado, zamperini says. Olympian louie zamperinis plane goes down in the pacific on this day in 1943, a b24 carrying u. The son of italian immigrants, louie zamperini grew up in torrance, california, where he. But when world war ii began, the athlete became an airman, embarking on a journey that led to a doomed flight on a may afternoon in 1943. Louis zamperini was born in olean, new york, but relocated to torrance with his family in. He was born in dunkirk, new york, but grew up in torrance, graduating from torrance high. Passed away on may 15, 2008 at the age of 92, at his home in san clemente, with his loved ones by his side. Nov 19, 2010 seabiscuit author laura hillenbrands new book tells the remarkable tale of louis zamperini. Angelina jolies unbroken a tribute to friend, torrance tornado. Louis zamperini qualified for the 1936 berlin olympics at the age of 19. Zamperini grew up during the depression on gramercy place in. The torrance airport was renamed zamperini field on december 7, 1946. Zamperini took up running in high school and qualified for the us in the 5000m race for the 1936 berlin olympics. Still, this book gives a realistic glimpse of every major phase of louie zamperinis life.
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