Louis Zamperini

"Never give up, no matter what. Even if you get last, finish." - Louis Zamperini Louis was trapped in (POW) camps in Japan during WWII and fought through it and made it out. He was in the 1936 Olympics held in Berlin. Although he did not win, he didn't quit. Louis Zamperini is a true hero because he was an U.S. Olympian, he was a soldier and he made it back home.

Before Louis was an Olympian, he was a World class high school runner. Setting the World high school mile record sent Louis to the Olympics at the early age of 19. He made headlines in Berlin and even received a congratulatory handshake from Adolph Hitler after the race. He was Americas top finisher in the event, finishing his final lap in 56 seconds. He is a hero because as a kid he was considered as a troublemaker and he grew past that and became an Olympic runner. He did things a lot of people wish they could do. He discontinued his career in sports at the University of Southern California to be in the United States Air Force.

In 1941, Louis Zamperini enlisted in the United States Air Force. He became a bombardier on a b-24 liberator bomber. In 1943, Louis was on a search mission when their plane went down in mid-flight and crashed into the ocean; killing eight of the eleven people on board. Louis; the pilot, Russell Phillips; and Francis McNamara were the only ones who survived. They were afloat on a life raft without food or water for 47 days. on the 33rd day, Francis McNamara died. After drifting about 2,000 miles, they finally washed ashore in the Marshall Islands. They were captured by the Japanese and they were put into POW camps. Louis was repeatedly abused and tortured by a prison guard they called ''The Bird'' while they were held in the camps for over 25 months. Louis is a hero because he kept his head up and didn't let all of these events get to him. He kept going even though he wanted to give in. When the war ended, the Japanese released the American soldiers and they went back to there home in the United States.

After the war, Louis Zamperini made his way back home in one piece. Even though he made it back, he was emotionally ruined, suffering from post traumatic stress disorder and started drinking. His wife got him to attend a Christian ceremony and as Louis said, ''God saved" him. Later he forgave his tormentors and turned a new page in his life to enjoy and make the best of what he had and that is why hi is a hero because it takes a lot to do and go through what Louis had to do. Everyone should have a pretty good chunk of respect for this man.

Louis Zamperini said, "Never give up, even if you come in last place, finish" and that's exactly what he did. He was a role model for a lot of people and he fought every day until he got home from the war and the camps to make the best of what he had and live life to the fullest potential. Louis Zamperini is a true hero because he was an U.S. Olympian, he was a soldier, he made it back home and lived the remainder of his life to the fullest. Louis has used these experiences and is now a motivational speaker to help others.