PHOTOS: Louis Zamperini, Olympian, WWII hero, dies at 97
July 3, 2014
Torrance legend Louis Zamperini paid a visit to his alma mater Torrance High to visit with alumni and meet students. Zamperini watches cheer leaders perform. (3/31/11) (Photo by Robert Casillas/Daily Breeze)
This undated photo provided by Universal Pictures, Angelina Jolie is photographed with Louis Zamperini. Zamperini, a U.S. 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, died Wednesday, July 2, 2014, according to Universal Pictures studio spokesman Michael Moses. He was 97. Jolie is directing the Universal movie, "Unbroken," about the life of Zamperini. (AP Photo/Universal Pictures) ( Obit Zamperini )
Louis Zamperini (File photo)
Louis Zamperini, 94, at his Hollywood home. The flame still burns in him as he holds the olympic torch he carried at the 1984 Olympic Games. (Photo by Brad Graverson/Daily Breeze) 11-7-10
In this May 10, 2008 file photo provided by the National Ethnic Coalition, 91-year-old World War II veteran and member of the U.S. Olympic team during the 1936 Berlin Olympics Louis Zamperini, left, shares a moment with actor and founder of "Operation Iraqi Children" Gary Sinise before the start of the 2008 Ellis Island Medals of Honor ceremony on Ellis Island. Zamperini, a U.S. 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, died Wednesday, July 2, 2014, according to Universal Pictures studio spokesman Michael Moses. He was 97. (AP Photo/National Ethnic Coalition, Tina Fineberg, File) ( Obit Zamperini )
Capt. Louis Zamperini (seated), former Japanese prisoner of war and Olympic distance runner, shows his family a Japanese rifle at a long-delayed Christmas Party which was held on his return to his home in Torrance, Calif., on Oct. 6, 1946. Zamperini, an army bombardier, spent 47 days on a life raft and then 28 months in Japanese prison camps. Left to right: A sister, Mrs. Sylvia Flammer; father, Anthony Zamperini; a sister, Virginia Zamperini and mother, Louise. (AP Photo/LA) ( Capt. Louis Zamperini Family, Father Mother Siblings )
Tournament President Richard L. Chinen, left, Luke Zamperini son of Louis Zamperini, right, listening to USC band playing USC music after Louis Zamperini , who attended USC, was selected 2015 Tournament of Roses Grand Marshal. Olympian and World War II prisoner of war, Louis Zamperini, a true American Hero who survived excessive hardships. (Photo by Walt Mancini/Pasadena Star-News) ( 5-9-14 GRANDMARSHAL02 )
Runner’s toe the starting line as Capt. Louis S. Zamperini (standing behind) prepares to start the field in the special invitation mile run named in his honor at the IC4A indoor track and field championships on March 2, 1946 in Madison Square Garden, New York. The entries are (left to right) Tommy Quinn, New York Athletic Club; Leslie MacMitchell, of New York, William J. McGuire, Jr., 69th regiment A.A.; Marcel Hansenne, French track star, and Forest C. Efaw, of Okla., unattached. MacMitchell won the race. The mile run was named in Zamperini’s honor a year ago when he was listed as “officially dead” by the War Department. (AP Photo/MZ)
Torrance legend Louis Zamperini paid a visit to his alma mater Torrance High to visit with alumni and meet students. Zamperini pumps his fist to acknowledge cheers from students. (3/31/11) (Photo by Robert Casillas/Daily Breeze)
Brig. Gen. Isaiah Davics, commanding general at Midland, Tex., Army Flying School, pins a pair of silver bombardier wings Lieutenant Lou Zamperini on August 14, 1942. In 1936 Zamperini, international track star, while in Berlin for the Olympic Games as Uncle Sam’s ace miler, yanked down a Nazi swastika right in front of Hilter’s Palace. (AP Photo)
Louis Zamperini, 94, at his Hollywod home. (Photo by Brad Graverson/Daily Breeze) 11-7-10
Louis Zamperini, former USC athletic star now a bombardier in the Army Airforce, peers out of hatch nose of bomber on Jan. 1, 1943. Zamperini was bombardier of one of the planes in recent raid on Japanese-held Wake Island. (AP Photo/Jack Rice)
Torrance High and graduate Louis Zamperini celebrate their 90th birthdays Saturday at the school. (01/27/07) (Photo by Scott Varley/Daily Breeze)
Torrance legend Louis Zamperini paid a visit to his alma mater Torrance High to visit with alumni and meet students.Zamperini is introduced to Torrance ASB president Danish Akmal by Alumni pres. Gail Morgan. (3/31/11) (Photo by Robert Casillas/Daily Breeze)
Capt. Lou Zamperini, former track star who survived 47 days on a life raft in the Pacific after the crash of his bomber, greets his bride-to-be, Miss Cynthia Applewhite, upon her arrival by air at Burbank, California, on May 16, 1946 from Miami Beach, Florida. They said they expected to be married in early fall. (AP Photo)
The Kings Harbor Church Men's Breakfast Sunday morning featured famed Torrance resident Louis Zamperini as the speaker. Zamperini was an Olympian in1936 and a WWII pilot in the Pacific. Zamperini's plane crashed into the ocean and spent over 40 days on a life raft before being taken prisoner by the Japanese. Zampeini waves his USC hat to the sold-out audience at the Torrance Cultural Arts Center gives Zamperini as he receives a standing ovation. (Photo by Steve McCrank/Daily Breeze)
Capt. Louis Zamperini (right), Torrence, Calif., former track star, who was adrift 47 days in Pacific after bombing mission against Japanese presumed dead, stands with his Pal, Capt. Fred Garrett, Riverside, Calif., upon their arrival at Hamilton Field, Calif., on Oct. 3, 1945. Both were prisoners of Japan. (AP Photo/PCS)
Louis Zamperini was honored Tuesday with a new sign at the corner of Zamperini Way and Pacific Coast Highway; which leads to Zamperini Field airport. Zamperini was an Olympian and later a bombadier on a B-24 Liberator that was shot down over the Pacific. Louis addresses the crowd while the sign bering his name remains covered in the background. March 23, 2010. (Photo by Steve McCrank/Daily Breeze)
Louis Zamperini was honored Tuesday with a new sign at the corner of Zamperini Way and Pacific Coast Highway; which leads to Zamperini Field airport. Zamperini was an Olympian and later a bombadier on a B-24 Liberator that was shot down over the Pacific. March 23, 2010. (Photo by Steve McCrank/Daily Breeze)
NWS_Zamperini.1.0128.sv - photo: Scott Varley - As a USC Trojan, Louie Zamperini runs the mile race at Berkeley in this undated newspaper clipping. (Photo by Scott Varley/Daily Breeze)
Louis Zamperini, 94, at his Hollywod home. (Photo by Brad Graverson/Daily Breeze) 11-7-10
TORRANCE - 01/27/07 - DAILY BREEZE PHOTO: SCOTT VARLEY - Torrance High and graduate Louis Zamperini celebrate their 90th birthdays Saturday at the school. 1935 graduate Julian Isen brough his yearbook with Zamerini's picture and signature. (1/27/07) (Photo by Scott Varley/Daily Breeze)
Louis Zamperini, 94, at his Hollywood home. The flame still burns in him as he holds the olympic torch he carried at the 1984 Olympic Games. (Photo by Brad Graverson/Daily Breeze) 11-7-10
The Zamperini family prepares to play the favorite recording, “Always,” of Louis Zamperini at Torrance, Calif., on Sept. 9, 1945 after learning the Former University of Southern California athlete was enroute home from Yokohama. He was listed as dead by the war department after he failed to return from a search mission in an army plane 28 months ago. Father; Virginia, sister; Mrs. Zamperini, mother, and Sylvia, sister. (AP Photo)
Louis Zamperini, 94, at his Hollywood home with various track medals from his early running matches. (Photo by Brad Graverson/Daily Breeze) 11-7-10
FILE - In a May 20, 1939 file photo, Louis Zamperini of he University of Southern California, breaks the tape and record with a time of 4:16.3 to win the mile run in the Pacific Coast Conference Track and Field meet the University of Washington Stadium in Seattle. Leo Girard, of Stanford, left, was second and Cole, of California, second from left, was third. Zamperini, a U.S. 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, died Wednesday, July 2, 2014, according to Universal Pictures studio spokesman Michael Moses. He was 97. (AP Photo/Paul Wagner, File) ( Obit Zamperini )
Louis Zamperini, 94, at his Hollywood home. (Photo by Brad Graverson/Daily Breeze) 11-7-10
Louis Zamperini, 94, at his Hollywood home with various track medals from his early running matches. (Photo by Brad Graverson/Daily Breeze) 11-7-10
FILE - In a July 13, 1936 file photo, Don Lash of Indiana, left, Louis Zamperini of Los Angeles, center, and Thomas Deckard of Indiana, who will represent the United States in the Olympic Games in the 5,000 meter team, at the Olympic tryouts in New York. Zamperini, a U.S. 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, died Wednesday, July 2, 2014, according to Universal Pictures studio spokesman Michael Moses. He was 97. (AP Photo, File) ( Obit Zamperini )
Louis Zamperini, 94, at his Hollywood home. The flame still burns in him as he sits with the Olympic torches he has carried over the years. (Photo by Brad Graverson/Daily Breeze) 11-7-10
Louis Zamperini speaking at the Tournament of Roses after being announced as the 2015 Grand Marshal for the 2015 Tournament Rose Parade Friday May 9, 2014. Olympian and World War II prisoner of war, Louis Zamperini, 97, a true American Hero who survived excessive hardships was announced Friday, May 9, 2014, (Photo by Walt Mancini/Pasadena Star-News) ( 5-9-14 GRANDMARSHAL01 )
Officials at the Tournament House lowered the American Flag and Rose Parade Flag to half-mask because of the passing of Louis Zamperini, war hero, Olympic distance runner, 2015 Rose Parade grand marshal, who has died at age 97. (Photo by Walt Mancini/Pasadena Star-News) ( 7-3-14 ZAMPERINI )
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