A year after his death, the world is still in awe of Louie Zamperini for his free spirit and determination. Growing up, Louie was constantly in trouble with the police for stealing and tainting liquor. Louie’s older brother Pete helped him stay out of trouble by occupying him with running. Grit and perseverance made Louie a local celebrity, then a college record smasher, and h even an Olympic athlete. While competing at the Olympics, Louie became injured. Instead of giving up, he persevered. Years later, he said: “All I had, I gave it.”
Adversity continued to hit Louie’s life like powerful waves. He survived 47 days on an inflatable raft in the middle of the Pacific Ocean and years in Japanese POW camps. The sadist guard known as