Louis Zamperini, hero of Angelina Jolie's new movie, dies at 97

**Australia** · 07-03-2014, 10:15 PM

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LOS ANGELES (AP) Louis Zamperini, an 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, has died. He was 97.

Zamperini's death was confirmed by Universal Pictures studio spokesman Michael Moses. A family statement released early Thursday said Zamperini had been suffering from pneumonia.

He is the subject of Laura Hillenbrand's best-selling book Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption," which is being made into a movie directed by Angelina Jolie and is scheduled for a December release by Universal.

"After a 40-day long battle for his life, he peacefully passed away in the presence of his entire family, leaving behind a legacy that has touched so many lives," the family statement said. "His indomitable courage and fighting spirit were never more apparent than in these last days."

Rest in peace .

**big ned** · 07-03-2014, 10:36 PM

His obit in the Telegraph was really interesting, he even met Hitler at the 1936 Olympics, and it tells of his post war search for the sadistic Japanese guard who tortured him every day. A truly brave and inspiring man. Requiescat in pace.

Louis Zamperini - obituary - Telegraph

Regards, Ned.

**Gunny Hartmann** · 07-03-2014, 10:55 PM

RIP sir!...

**AZPhil** · 07-03-2014, 11:22 PM

Thanks Big Ned for the obit. I look forward to seeing that movie.
RIP Louis
Semper Fi
Phil

**Nathan362** · 07-04-2014, 12:04 AM

Anyone into reading should read "Unbroken". You can't put it down.

**Tank Destroyer** · 07-04-2014, 01:03 AM

Nat is correct, I highly recommend 'unbroken' as the read of the week. Honor every vet you see.

**Australia** · 07-04-2014, 06:15 AM

Look forward to the movie .

On a side note , Louis had a quite a few WW2 German items in his collection , including the 1936 medals he won as a athlete . A documentary was filmed recently in his study showing the pieces .