Louis Zamperini

Louis Zamperini became an Olympic runner in 1936. (gretawire.foxnewsinsider.com)

"I am not a product of my circumstances. I am a product of my decisions" (Kruse). This quote stated by Stephen Covey presented the belief for an outstanding person to act based on their own choices, one of those prodigious individuals being Louis Zamperini. At a youthful age, Zamperini transformed from a burglar to an exceptional athlete by using his skills at sprinting from officials ("Seabiscuit..."). After running in the Olympics, he joined the U.S. Army during WWII and eventually crashed into the Pacific Ocean where he and two other crew members stayed in the body of water for 47 days straight ("Angelina Jolie..."). Later on, the Japanese troops spotted Zamperini and another member (since the other crew member passed away), tormenting them for two and a half years in prison of war camps ("A man unbroken..."). Then, when he escaped the camps and settled for a while in the U.S., he developed a case of pneumonia ("Remembering Louis Zamperini..."), ending his 97-year life ("A man unbroken..."). A hero must possess strength, perseverance, and selflessness. Strength is muscular power, but it can also mean moral power. Perseverance shows steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., and selflessness delivers the thought of having no concern for oneself, mostly concerning fame, money, position, etc. Louis Zamperini displays a firm hero because he portrays stability throughout his life, diligence in tough situations, and unselfish concern towards others.

Through his strength, Zamperini survived his childhood and WWII both emotionally and physically. As a young adult, he implemented his speed to become a surpassing athlete and a redeemed teenager from thievery. "At the urging of his older brother, Zamperini turned the speed he developed outrunning the authorities to a better purpose. He joined the track team and soon became a standout athlete. He set a national high school record for running the mile. He attended the University of Southern California, where he again stood out" ("Louis Zamperini"). Sprinting from law enforcers allowed Zamperini to improve on his skill in running, changing him from a fearful thief to a young man with a more obedient and strong personality. These alternations that affected both his exterior and interior self made him more stable in his athletic career than anything else. Surviving through the war also proved Zamperini's capability to stay firm. "It was Louie's rebelliousness and defiance, they say, that got him through the war. He refused to surrender to his torturers; he refused to die. After his religious conversion, it was the same defiance that led him to pursue such an active life, the life his captors would have taken away" ("A man unbroken..."). Zamperini had courage against his captors, even in the face of death. Through his willpower to survive, he confirmed to the world and to himself that he had the ability to endure through the war. Strength kept Zamperini to the point where he could go through various rough experiences.

Louis Zamperini served in WWII. (http://www.picturesnew.com)

Not only did Zamperini strengthen throughout his life, but he also persevered through numerous challenges. During WWII, he faced many obstacles stopping him from returning home, and after spending "47 days at sea, Zamperini and another starving man were found by a Japanese patrol boat; the third crewman had perished. The men were imprisoned and tortured for more than two years" ("Louis Zamperini"). Giving up was not an option for his persistence in surviving the Pacific Ocean. Zamperini also proved his determination never backing down in surrender towards the Japanese forces. Another problem throughout his life happened to be severe sickness. "In a statement, his family said the man who had overcome insurmountable odds at every turn in his life had faced his greatest challenge - a life-threatening case of pneumonia. They said Zamperini's courage and fighting spirit were never more apparent than in his last days" ("Remembering Louis Zamperini..."). Even though he had pneumonia, Zamperini kept moving on with the future. Without the will to endure the pain, he couldn't possibly have made it out alive, but his intention to carry on sustained as he lived through the terrible illness. Showing true perseverance forced Zamperini to push through the difficulties.

Due to his strength, perseverance, and selflessness, Louis Zamperini proved to be a real hero. Through teaching the world that being tough could be physical and emotional, he demonstrated that both ways verified to bring achievement. Gaining determination became another factor Zamperini built inside of him to defeat troublesome challenges. Additionally, he portrayed generosity that displayed his desire to aid those in need. Only Zamperini could fill in all these requirements of a hero without giving much thought because he didn't have to think of ways to become one. From all the situations he experienced and all the choices he decided on, these actions already made him a great hero. For a number of well-acknowledged stars, fans admired the acts they put on, but Zamperini didn't need to try to pretend he demonstrated a good character. The quote by Stephen Covey confirmed that all the decisions Zamperini settled on immediately recognized him as a hero (Kruse). Being an amazing human being didn't depend on the event one encountered upon, but rather the traits that they possessed to solve their own problems became the things that mattered the most.

Louis Zamperini wore his bomber jacket from WWII. (www.veteransadvantage.com)

Due to his strength, perseverance, and selflessness, Louis Zamperini proved to be a real hero. Through teaching the world that being tough could be physical and emotional, he demonstrated that both ways verified to bring achievement. Gaining determination became another factor Zamperini built inside of him to defeat troublesome challenges. Additionally, he portrayed generosity that displayed his desire to aid those in need. Only Zamperini could fill in all these requirements of a hero without giving much thought because he didn't have to think of ways to become one. From all the situations he experienced and all the choices he decided on, these actions already made him a great hero. For a number of well-acknowledged stars, fans admired the acts they put on, but Zamperini didn't need to try to pretend he demonstrated a good character. The quote by Stephen Covey confirmed that all the decisions Zamperini settled on immediately recognized him as a hero (Kruse). Being an amazing human being didn't depend on the event one encountered upon, but rather the traits that they possessed to solve their own problems became the things that mattered the most.