Louis Zamperini

You can't handle the pressure anymore; you lack the inspiration you need to move on. You need someone, something, to help you run the last mile, to help you jump a little higher, to help you reach a little further. You're scared. You need help. You need a hero. Whether it's an emotional or physical struggle, we have all found ourselves in need of a hero. Heroism is essential for us as humans in order to prosper, grow, and to surpass our predetermined expectations as individuals. Oliver Stone, a movie director and war veteran, believes that heroes are "people who take risks despite fears" (Stone, Oliver). They are courageous. Acknowledged or not, we find bravery in all of our heroes. However, with bravery often comes many downsides, such as ignorance, stubbornness, or vanity. Selflessness leaves no room for these flaws. Consequently, I have found that selflessness and courage are essential to label someone a hero. Heroes can be found in all walks of life, from incredible parents, to war heroes, from short order cooks, to pilots; the common theme that unites heroes however, is that they each exemplify the same characteristics of valor and self sacrifice.

The feet of a young boy barely skim the asphalt, his skinny arms pump, and the beating of his pulse spikes. He can hear the cops blowing their whistles and calling his name, 'Louie Zamperini! Stop this instant!' But the young boy runs as fast as he can, and doesn't even think to look back. Louie Zamperini is one of the fastest boys in town: "They started talking about what to do with me. And the police chief said, 'We've been chasing him all over town for years. I suggest running'" (Remembering Louie Zamperini). Born January 26, 1917, Louie didn't start out as hero. At the mere age of five he picked up the habit of smoking. When he was eight he started drinking. Only his older brother Pete could convince him to walk back up the troubled road he was walking down. Reluctantly, he joined the track team at Pete's suggestion, and Louie's success quickly escalated as he broke record after record. He eventually joined the American Olympic Team and attended the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin, Germany. As a result of his grand success during the games, he planned on attending the games again in Tokyo four years later, but they were cancelled due to the chaos from World War II. Instead of continuing his training, Louie decided to be of service to his country and joined the Air Corps. While on a rescue mission his plane exploded and Louie was stranded at sea for over a month. During this time Louie found the courage to survive day by day, facing dangers such as starvation and mental breakdown, all the while being a friend and helper to his fellow survivors. He washed up on a Japanese Island on his forty-seventh day and was taken captive to be tortured and interrogated for months. Later, he was transferred to a Prisoner of War (POW) camp, twice before America won the war. Once sent home, Louie's life fell back into place. He married a woman by the name Cynthia Applewhite, found faith in God, and, after struggling with memories of his past, eventually forgave his tormentors from the POW camps. Starting out as nothing more than the troubled boy next door, Louis Zamperini proved himself as remarkable as he led a life of loyalty, bravery, and success, and found his way from the pits of anger to forgiveness.

Zamperini demonstrated undeniable bravery and loyalty towards his country, even when it was easier just to turn the other cheek. Because of his immense talent in running, he didn't need to prove himself any greater of a person by becoming a soldier but, starting drawing from his simple traits of loyalty and selflessness: Louie Zamperini became a hero the minute he joined the Air Corps. It was no secret that World War II was brutal. Yet, Louie fearlessly signed up for the career that changed his life. He proved his dedication to his country, not only by fighting for the United States but by standing up for America while off the battlefield and in enemy hands. When he and his friend/pilot Phil were held captive on a Japanese battleship, his faithfulness to America was tested: "... Japanese sailors pushed in. One of them asked if Japan would win the war. 'No,' said Phil. A fist caught Phil in the face, then swung back and struck him again. Louie was asked who would win the war. 'America.' The sailors fell onto the captives, fists flying" (Hillbrand, 399). He proved his undeniable loyalty to America through small, but impactful actions. The last thing anyone would want after forty-seven days of being stranded on a raft in Japanese patrolled waters, is to be beat up. No doubt Louie felt a strong temptation to keep his mouth shut and his face intact, but his dignity and loyalty were shown as a greater importance. Louie sacrificed his running career to help his country and at the same time sacrificed his immediate well-being. However, his most significant act of patriotism was the sacrifice of his future, when he refused to publicly read a statement that was made to embarrass America: Louie refused to read the statement. Still smiling, the producers asked him to join them on a tour. They brought him to a cafeteria and served him a delicious American-style meal, then took him to a private living area. the producer said, he could live here, and he'd never have to see Omori [POW camp] again. if Louie agreed to make this broadcast, he would be forced into a life as his enemy's propagandist. Louie was taken back to the studio and urged to do the broadcast. He refused. (Hillbrand. 545-47) Louie's actions speak for themselves. Maybe he possessed incredible patriotism, or perhaps an indestructible bond with his fellow prisoners of war, but Louie possessed enduring loyalty seen only in a select few. Something so easy to take, yet Zamperini still denies the chance for his life to be comfortable in order to confirm his allegiance to America. In life, many people often prepare for tests of bravery, selflessness, and loyalty, but most times these tests never come. For Louie however, they came and he clearly passed.

Zamperini lived a life of anger, panic and ultimate stress but he still demonstrated selflessness by remaining forgiving; a remarkable achievement in itself. After his experience with war, Louie was haunted by his past. Memories from the camp creeped into his dreams and he was constantly reminded of the pain he once suffered. He explains in his memoir his desperation to make things right. "I longed to look in their eyes and say... 'I forgive you,'" (Zamperini, 321). As a man of war, Louie Zamperini was expected to be bitter. His mental state driven to immeasurable extents as he morphed into a twisted belief that every Japanese person was out to get him. Yet after time, Louie overcame this strong sense of resentment towards the prison guards that he could have had for the rest of his life and no one would blame him. He did this simply to bury his former life and move on. He found a lack of importance in clinging to the past, as it only brought him and his enemies pain and guilt. Louie eventually wrote a forgiveness letter to the guards who once made his life a bitter hell and explained the change he had made in his life: The post-war nightmares caused my life to crumble, but thanks to a confrontation with God through the evangelist Billy Graham, I committed my life to Christ. Love replaced the hate I had for you. Christ said, 'Forgive your enemies and pray for them'...As you probably know, I returned to Japan in 1952 [sic] and was graciously allowed to address all the Japanese war criminals at Sugamo Prison. (Hillenbrand, 818) The Japanese war criminals who Zamperini referenced in his forgiveness letter were the reason that Louie's life during/post war was so miserable. He was taunted and jeered by his past. But, he selflessly recognized the mistakes that were made by these men, and learned that there was no reason for hate. Even before the post war trauma while stranded out in the Pacific Ocean, he offered forgiveness even to his friends. On the first day stranded Louie instructed his pilot, Phil and fellow soldier, Mac to ration the six boxes of chocolate by only eating one square per day. Yet a friend's mistake caused the situation to take a turn for the worse: The realization that Mac had eaten all of the chocolate [overnight] rolled hard over Louie. Curbing his irritation, Louie told Mac that he was disappointed in him. Understanding that Mac had acted out in panic, he reassured him that they'd soon be rescued. (Hillenbrand 285) Panic causes people to do wild things. But in the same consternation that caused Mac to eat all the food they had overnight, Louie found himself forgiving Mac. Louie validates himself as a forgiving, respectful, integral leader, calming his crewmates as they're stranded. No matter with friends or enemies, Louie demonstrates the qualities of forgiveness for each individual.

Starting out as a 'no good,' Zamperini contradicted every expectation given to him to become nothing more than a "bum on the streets" and became a man of honor, courage, and virtue. He goes beyond my minimum of bravery and selflessness to be a hero, and steps up with is forgiveness. His undying loyalty shows bravery and his forgiveness shows ample selflessness. Louie taught me that there is no such thing as too late or not worth it. Just as his choices led to a life of success, every choice I make can add to my transformation to become a hero as well. After hearing his story, I find myself moving towards the next place where I can make a positive difference in someone's life. He exceeded expectations, making me believe that I can exceed my predetermined assumptions as well. I can do positive things. I can help others. Most importantly, his inspiring story puts the extra spark into the notion of turning the 'I can' into 'I will'. I will act in order to help others and in spite of fear. So in your coldest moment, while you lie in the dark needing a hero, needing a light or an inspiration, look no further than to my hero, Louie Zamperini.