Louis Zamperini Essay In Americi

Louis Zamperini once said, “I’d made it this far and refused to give up because all my life I had always finished the race” ( Louis Zamperini Quotes). From the terrifying sea to the torturous prison camps, this is how Zamperini lived his life. In his younger years, he experienced more than a man should in an entire lifetime. Throughout his incredible journey, he was mischievous, resilient, and courageous. Born to Italian immigrants, Louis Zamperini experienced a rebellious childhood, always in trouble with the authorities. He would take food if it was within reach, he would pick fights with other people, and he drank alcohol and smoked cigarettes from a young age (Hillenbrand). Zamperini 's mischievous attitude is what lead him to becoming …show more content…
On the long trip to Berlin, he gained 14 pounds, diminishing his chances of winning the gold medal. He placed eighth, ahead of all of the other American runners. After the race, Adolf Hitler himself applauded Zamperini, calling him "the boy with the fast finish" (Jacobs). While celebrating around the streets of Berlin after the Olympics had ended, behaviors of his childhood rushed back to him when he spotted a Nazi flag. Acting on instinct, he took the flag for himself. Unknown to Zamperini, this would be one of his last races, but it was not the end of his mischievous …show more content…
He could not put his hands in his pockets or make eye contact with other captives, and he was forced to learn to count in Japanese. It was here that he met his worst nightmare, Mutsuhiro Watanabe, otherwise known as the Bird. Knowing that Zamperini was a well-known track star, the Bird sought him out for daily beatings. With fists flying the Bird never stopped attacking Zamperini, but Zamperini never gave up; he stood face to face with the Bird and never fell down (Hillenbrand). Unfortunately the beatings would not stop till the end of the war, but Zamperini remained courageous and never let the Bird feel