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A Look at a Local Legend: Louis Zamperini
Torrance is an iconic Southern California locale that offers access to a pristine coastline, a thriving food and beverage landscape and a diverse arts and culture scene. More than that, though, Torrance also maintains a strong connection to its historical roots. Among the many individuals that call Torrance home is one of particular note: Olympic athlete, WWII veteran and hometown hero Louis Zamperini. You might know him as the subject of the bestselling book and successful blockbuster, Unbroken.
Early Life and Athleticism
Originally born in Olean, New York, Louis Zamperini and his family relocated to Torrance when he was only two years old. Growing up in Torrance, Zamperini displayed an athletic talent from an early age. His older brother, Pete, convinced him to join the track team at Torrance High School, largely to stop him from falling too far into delinquency (apparently, he was quite the troublemaker in his youth). Surprisingly, though, Zamperini took a shine to the sport immediately, and before long, he was winning races and earning recognition all over the town.
For nearly all of his high school career, he remained undefeated. In fact, In 1934, Louis shattered the national high school record by more than 2 seconds, when he ran the mile in 4:21:2 – that record lasted for 19 years! The “Torrance Tornado’s” winning streak carried him all the way to the 1936 Berlin Olympics, where he finished 8th in the 5,000-meter race. In spite of not winning a medal, his performance representing the U.S. was impressive, turning everyone’s heads with a 56-second final lap – even Hitler wanted “to meet the boy with the fast finish.” The Olympian returned to California and attend the University of Southern California, where he continued to carve a path toward success, crushing the competition.
World War II Service and Survival
At the advent of World War II, Zamperini enlisted in the United States Air Corps, eager to serve his country. On May 27th, 1943, while on a reconnaissance mission above the Pacific Ocean, Zamperini’s aircraft went down. Only Zamperini and two others, Russell Allen Phillips and Francis McNamara, survived the crash and managed to stay afloat on a raft. Amazingly, Zamperini survived 47 days adrift in the Pacific, until he and Phillips reached the Marshall Islands, where they were immediately taken as prisoners of war by the Japanese navy. Zamperini remained a POW for the remainder of the war, enduring brutal treatment at the hands of his captors. Throughout it all, he displayed a fierce will to survive and his bravery has become a testament to the unbreakable, indomitable strength of the human spirit in the face of great adversity.
His Triumphant Return
When Zamperini’s plane first went down, he was marked missing at sea and later assumed to be killed in action. His return to Torrance, then, was a welcome surprise, and he received an enthusiastic hero’s welcome. A year later, in 1946, he married his wife, Cynthia Applewhite, with whom he had two children, Cissy and Luke. His postwar life was not easy — he dealt for years with intense PTSD and struggled to cope with what he had been through. In 1949, however, he was able to find solace in a reinvigorated faith and became a Christian evangelist. He is particularly vocal about the topic of forgiveness, as he said that the ability to forgive his captors was what allowed him to move past his experiences.
In the years following his initial postwar struggles, Zamperini worked diligently to uplift and inspire the community of Torrance, as well as communities all across the nation. His memoir, Devil at My Heels became an instant bestseller as a chronicle of what Zamperini bravely endured. He was also the subject of the bestselling biography Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand, which was later adapted into a movie. Zamperini died at the age of 97 on July 2nd, 2014.
Mural: David Flores
Remembering Zamperini Today
World War II veteran, Olympic athlete and passionate pillar of the community, Louis Zamperini’s legacy is still felt in Torrance to this day. In honor of his enduring spirit, the city of Torrance has found many ways to celebrate and recognize the sacrifices of this incredible hometown hero. The Torrance airport, Zamperini Field, was named in honor of Zamperini, and you can find a beautiful memorial, created by artist David Flores, to the Torrance Tornado as part of Torrance’s murals. Both Zamperini Field and the mural depicting this local legend are situated near the Western Museum of Flight, where you can take a look at some of the aircrafts that have made aviation history. Visit the Torrance Historical Society to see their full “Lucky Louie” exhibit, which includes fascinating facts, Zamperini’s original training sweats and more. As you explore the charming streets and vibrant culture of Torrance, take a moment to reflect on our hometown hero whose resilience and bravery remain an inspiration to us all.
