Zamperini was also on hand 26 years later when permanent signs were unveiled on march 23, 2010 denoting the landing strip as zamperini. A celebration of louis zamperinis life torrance, ca july. He was a wild and wilful child, and not until he was. At the time louie knew no english, making him the perfect target for bullies. Thousands gather in torrance to celebrate late hometown hero. Louis zamperini stands by the newly dedicated sign at the corner of zamperini way and pacific coast highway on march 23, 2010. Zamperini grew up during the depression on gramercy place in.
Louis attended torrance high school where he excelled in athletics. Louis zamperini, onetime olympic runner who survived wwii. Louis zamperini field torrance municipal airport zamperini way. Louis zamperini an olympian runner and world war ii. And louie had so many of the answers to that, and unbroken is kind. His parents, anthony and louise, were italian immigrants who did not speak english. New louis zamperini book signing to feature author, family members in torrance by dailybreeze. Jul 03, 2014 zamperini is the subject of laura hillenbrands bestselling book unbroken. Terms in this set 53 where was louis zamperini originally from. A celebration of louis zamperini s life torrance, ca july. The recently released book, dont give up, dont give in lessons from an extraordinary life, was coauthored by zamperini and rensin.
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. Written by laura hillenbrand, unbroken has been hailed by time magazine as the best nonfiction book of the year. Olympic distance runner and world war ii veteran who survived 47 days on a raft in the pacific after his. Louis zamperini at 93, going on 94, is still unbroken after. 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. Born in 1917, louie zamperini was the child of italian immigrants. Born to italian immigrants in new york, his family moved to torrance, california when louis was a toddler. Passed away on may 15, 2008 at the age of 92, at his home in san clemente, with his loved ones by his side. Louie zamperini signing books at north point church in alpharetta. Wwii veteran, olympian to be at restaurant book signing.
Louis silvie zamperini january 26, 1917 july 2, 2014 was an american world war ii veteran. Celebrating the life of the late torrance high school alumni track star, 1936 olympian, wwii hero and christian inspirational speaker louis zamperini. At the age of 2, his family moved torrance, california where zamperini spent most of his childhood and teenage years. Seabiscuit author laura hillenbrands new book tells the remarkable tale of louis zamperini. 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. As a teenager, he channeled his defiance into running, discovering a prodigious talent that had carried him to the berlin olympics. Chapters 15 introduce an average boy who would become a remarkable man. Zamperini, who died last year at 97, grew up in torrance and was a high. His name is louis zamperini, a true living legend who, at the age of 93, is still serving the lord. We are seeking finances to fund the work of this amazingly successful program. Pappy boyington, writer of the book baa baa black sheep, upon which black sheep squadron 1976 later black sheep squadron was based. Louis zamperini was born in olean, new york, but relocated to torrance with his family in the 1920s. On 10 may 2008, zamperini was awarded the ellis island medal of honor by the national ethnic coalition of organizations.
Louis zamperini was a world war ii prisoner of war and an olympic athlete who became an inspirational figure and writer. The public celebration started with a book signing at the torrance. Louis zamperini is best known for laura hillenbrands book unbroken. We at torrance high school track and field mourn the loss of our friend and hero. Youd think a man who survived two plane crashes, a japanese pow camp and 47 days adrift in the ocean could conquer anything. Louis zamperini, a track star at torrance, usc and the olympics and a survivor of world war ii horrors, has died at 97. The book, unbroken, louis life story as told by laura hillenbrand, was finally released in. In boyhood, louis zamperini was an incorrigible delinquent. Olympian and the subject of a celebrated book and upcoming movie on his harrowing story of survival. 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. A world war ii story of survival, resilience, and redemption, which is being made into a movie directed by angelina. 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. Louis italian heritage made him the victim of bullies in school, and for years he acted out with petty delinquent crimes. Born in olean, new york on january 26, 1917, louis zamperini was raised in torrance, california.
Our mission is to transform the lives of young people through character building instruction and selfdiscovery. There were over 400 people in attendance at this event. His father taught louis how to box for selfdefense. The life and times of louis zamperini timeline preceden. Louis zamperini foundation the louis zamperini foundation. 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. 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 book signing best of the south bay. 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.
World war ii hero louis zamperini s story is told in the bestselling book, unbroken. 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. 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. To ask other readers questions about louis zamperini, please sign up. Louis silvie zamperini january 26, 1917 july 2, 2014 was an american world war ii veteran, a christian evangelist and an olympic distance runner.
It was on the track team where zamperini set a world interscholastic record in the mile. Each home will have a model a car parked in front of it courtesy of south bay touring as. The son of italian immigrants, louie zamperini grew up in torrance, california, where he. Louis zamperini at 93, going on 94, is still unbroken after all these years dan wooding. 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.
The story is to be retold in a film adaptation of the book directed by angelina. Captain louis zamperini was born in olean, new york in 1917 to parents that had immigrated to the united states from italy. Dec 26, 2014 worldfamous olympian and wwii veteran louis zamperinis story has become well known through the book, and now movie, unbroken. Louis zamperini honored in the rose bowl cissie graham lynch. Stop by the museum and see the zamperini collection. Louis zamperinis childhood hometown of torrance gets early. Jan 01, 2015 january 1, 2015 louis zamperini honored in the rose bowl. Louis zamperini at 93, going on 94, is still unbroken.
Zamperini went on to finish 8th at the 1936 olympic games 5000m in 14. I didnt want to get on the train with all these great athletes and this little punk high school kid. I finally got a roll of adhesive tape and i put it over the torrance tornado, zamperini says. The torrance tornado, zamperini remembers with a laugh. Louis zamperinis name has been in the news more and more over the past few months. He took up running in high school and qualified for the us in the 5,000 m race for the 1936 berlin olympics. 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. Be the first to ask a question about louis zamperini. To celebrate what would have been louis zamperinis 98th birthday, the torrance historical society will host a book signing at 2 p. New louis zamperini book signing to feature author, family members in torrance. Sep 05, 2017 torrance hometown hero louis zamperini earns a stretch of the 405 in his honor. The night louis zamperini encountered god at a billy graham. Louis zamperini was born january 26, 1917 in olean, new york, to italian immigrants anthony zamperini and louise dossi. Louis zamperini was a world war ii veteran and olympic distance runner.
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. 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. One of his fellow prisonerofwar camp mates was gregory h. His story of survival was featured in the 2010 bestselling book unbroken by laura hillenbrand. 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. Louis zamperini biography childhood, life achievements. Olympic swimmer, john naber 4 golds, 1 silver, 6 world records is the tall gentleman in the back row. 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. A wwii story of survival, resilience, and redemption. Louis silvie zamperini was born in 1917, son of italian immigrant parents in torrance, california. Jan 12, 2015 to celebrate what would have been louis zamperinis 98th birthday, the torrance historical society will host a book signing at 2 p. His life has been an inspiration to many and a number of books, documentaries and feature films have been based upon his life story. Zamperini features as a character in the 2012 novel flight from berlin by david john, published by harper collins.
Louis shook hands with him after the race, and was told, ah, youre the boy with the fast finish. 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. The torrance airport was renamed zamperini field on december 7, 1946. A world war ii story of survival, resilience, and redemption. To celebrate what would have been louis zamperini s 98th birthday, the torrance historical society will host a book signing at 2 p. New louis zamperini book signing to feature author, family. He was the olympic trials cochampion at 5000 meters when he tied with then world record holder don lash. 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. Nov 19, 2010 seabiscuit author laura hillenbrands new book tells the remarkable tale of louis zamperini. Unbroken, world war ii hero louis zamperinis epic bigscreen tale of. 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. Hillenbrand tells nprs scott simon that when zamperini was a kid in torrance, calif. At the encouragement of his brother, zamperini joined the torrance high track team. 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.
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. Laura hillenbrands unbroken tells the life story of louis louie zamperini, an olympic runner and. Louis zamperini qualified for the 1936 berlin olympics at the age of 19. Lauren hillenbrands unbroken, louis zamperini biopic aarp. 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. Upon his return to the united states, he began his career as a christian evangelist. Devil at my heels signed basis for unbroken by laura. Jul 03, 2014 louis zamperini gestures during a news conference, in pasadena, calif. He was born in dunkirk, new york, but grew up in torrance, graduating from torrance high. Based on laura hillenbrands bestselling book, unbroken charts zamperinis. Discover torrance partners with zamperini family to support.
Louis zamperini was born in olean, new york, but relocated to torrance with his family in. English actor jack oconnell plays zamperini from his torrance high. Zamperini took up running in high school and qualified for the us in the 5000m race for the 1936 berlin olympics. Louis zamperini, war hero, olympic distance runner, 2015 rose.
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. Louis zamperini was released after the war ended two years later. His daughter, cynthia harris, talked about how he gave his life to god and put his christian faith into action. 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. Louies youth and young adulthood in torrance, california. Discover torrance partners with zamperini family to. Louis silvie louie zamperini was a us prisoner of war survivor in world war ii, a christian evangelist and an olympic. Olympian louie zamperinis plane goes down in the pacific. Hillenbrand tells nprs scott simon that when zamperini was a kid in torrance. Olympian louie zamperinis plane goes down in the pacific on this day in 1943, a b24 carrying u. The son of italian immigrants, louis spoke no english when his family moved to california, which made him a target for bullies. While louis did not do as much foreign missions as most of the other books ive. The home of the late louis zamperini of unbroken fame is for sale.
Special display of hometown hero, louis zamperini in museum youll stroll the treelined streets of old torrance. Still, this book gives a realistic glimpse of every major phase of louie zamperinis life. Angelina jolies unbroken a tribute to friend, torrance tornado. Is louie zamperini s former home open to the public. Louie zamperini signing books at north point church in. In june 1943, anthony and louise zamperini, at home in torrance, calif. Born in 1917 to italian immigrants, zamperini grew up in torrance. Zamperini family members will also be on site for the. They moved to torrance, california during the 1920s. Louis zamperini along with the volunteer team who helped with the breakfast with a champion book signing event of unbroken at the toyota usa automobile museum on saturday. Mar 30, 2016 new louis zamperini book signing to feature author, family members in torrance by long beach press telegram.
Dec, 2014 louis zamperini s life will soon be portrayed in the upcoming film unbroken, which was directed by angelina jolie. Zamperini competed in the 1936 berlin olympics and was set to compete again in the 1940 games in tokyo, which were canceled when world war ii broke out. A group of torrance merchants raised enough money for the local hero to live on once he got there. 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. Book summary unbroken covers five primary periods in the life of louis louie zamperini. He is the person about whom the book unbroken is written. Discover torrance has partnered with clay zamperini, grandson of world war ii hero louis zamperini, to support louis charity, victory boys camp. The zamperini family, he said, moved to torrance, california in the 1920s, where louis attended torrance high school. Louis zamperini testimony at 1958 san francisco billy graham crusade.
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