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Started By
Message
Another badass has left us
Posted on 7/3/14 at 7:33 am
Posted on 7/3/14 at 7:33 am
LINK
quote:
Louis Zamperini, a member of the 1936 U.S. Olympic track and field team who survived repeated torture for two years as a Japanese prisoner of war during World War II, died Wednesday from pneumonia at the age of 97, his family announced.
"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. His indomitable courage and fighting spirit were never more apparent than in these last days," his family said in a statement released by Universal Pictures, which will release a movie on Zamperini's life, "Unbroken." It is scheduled to be released Christmas Day.
Angelina Jolie, who directed "Unbroken," called Zamperini's death "a loss impossible to describe."
"We are all so grateful for how enriched our lives are for having known him," Jolie said.
In May, Zamperini was selected to be grand marshal of the 2015 Rose Parade.
Born in 1917 to Italian immigrants, Zamperini moved to Torrance in 1919 and became a world-class distance runner by the time he graduated from Torrance High School, setting a world interscholastic record in the mile.
His track skills won him a scholarship to USC, where he was a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity.
At age 19, Zamperini qualified to compete in the 1936 Berlin Olympics, finishing eighth in the 5,000 meters, finishing the final lap in 56 seconds and causing Adolf Hitler to request a personal meeting with him.
During World War II, Zamperini became a bombardier and served in the South Pacific.
While on a reconnaissance mission, Zamperini's aircraft crashed into the Pacific Ocean. He and a surviving crewmate spent 47 days adrift on an inflatable raft before being captured by Japanese soldiers when they reached the Marshall Islands.
He was a POW for more than two years, during which time he was frequently beaten and tortured by his captors.
Zamperini returned to Southern California to a hero's welcome.
Suffering from post traumatic disorder, Zamperini found solace in 1949 when he became a born-again Christian after attending a Los Angeles crusade led by evangelist Billy Graham. He eventually became an inspirational speaker preaching the power of forgiveness.
He practiced what he preached in 1950, when he went to Sugamo Prison in Tokyo -- where Japanese war criminals were being held -- and met with some of his torturers to offer them forgiveness, hugging them in the process.
At age 81, Zamperini -- a five-time Olympic torch-bearer -- ran a leg in the torch relay for the Winter Olympics in Nagano. During his visit, he attempted to meet with his most brutal tormentor during the war, Mutsuhiro Watanabe, but Watanabe --who escaped prosecution as a war criminal -- refused to see him.
In 2005, Zamperini returned to Germany to visit the Berlin Olympic Stadium for the first time since he competed there in 1936.
Posted on 7/3/14 at 7:36 am to Jim Rockford
That would qualify as a Bad arse
Posted on 7/3/14 at 7:36 am to Jim Rockford
His life story is unbelievable. I highly recommend everyone read the book before the movie comes out this winter.
Posted on 7/3/14 at 7:44 am to Jim Rockford
A true American badass.
What a life.
What a life.
This post was edited on 7/3/14 at 7:45 am
Posted on 7/3/14 at 7:52 am to Walt OReilly
Stay out of Nola and you have chance
Posted on 7/3/14 at 7:59 am to saderade
quote:
His life story is unbelievable. I highly recommend everyone read the book before the movie comes out this winter.
This. The book about him is a very good read.
Posted on 7/3/14 at 8:01 am to Spaceman Spiff
RIP. He's a great example of the best of the human spirit. GOD welcome him home
Posted on 7/3/14 at 8:08 am to Jim Rockford
quote:
He practiced what he preached in 1950, when he went to Sugamo Prison in Tokyo -- where Japanese war criminals were being held -- and met with some of his torturers to offer them forgiveness, hugging them in the process.
this really says a lot about someone. r.I.p.
Posted on 7/3/14 at 8:22 am to PhiTiger1764
quote:
A true American badass.
What a life.
And it's men line him that have been dying while waiting for VA care that the stupid frick in the White House did nothing about.
Posted on 7/3/14 at 8:27 am to Jim Rockford
The Greatest Generation indeed.
Posted on 7/3/14 at 8:27 am to Jim Rockford
Zamp was the man.
Can't wait for the movie, hopefully Jolie does it justice.
Can't wait for the movie, hopefully Jolie does it justice.
Posted on 7/3/14 at 8:27 am to Pettifogger
quote:
Can't wait for the movie, hopefully Jolie does it justice.
Posted on 7/3/14 at 8:30 am to Jim Rockford
That man lived one amazing life. God bless him.
Posted on 7/3/14 at 8:41 am to Jim Rockford
quote:
Louis Zamperini, a member of the 1936 U.S. Olympic track and field team who survived repeated torture for two years as a Japanese prisoner of war during World War II, died Wednesday from pneumonia at the age of 97, his family announced.
Rest in Peace Soldier........
Posted on 7/3/14 at 8:42 am to bird35
He was a true life Forrest Gump, minus the retard.
I mean, the guy met Hitler, survived an Pacific Ocean drift for 47 days during WWII, was a Japanese POW, met Billy Graham, etc...
I mean, the guy met Hitler, survived an Pacific Ocean drift for 47 days during WWII, was a Japanese POW, met Billy Graham, etc...
Posted on 7/3/14 at 8:43 am to Jim Rockford
RIP Zamp. What an incredible life. I read the book and kept thinking "how the hell can this be true?" So much shite happens to one guy.
The dude was unkillable. Glad he finally got his rest.
The dude was unkillable. Glad he finally got his rest.
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