“Lucky Louie”
Have you ever known someone that was incredibly fortunate and lucky? Perhaps they found a four leaf clover, or even won the lottery. Well, one of the most lucky people that has ever lived survived countless near-death experiences, persevered through a dangerous war, suffered trials that would mortify many, and lived to tell the tale. Fortune and skill has saved his life multiple times over and has enabled him to lead a successful existence despite all the trying circumstances he went through. Indeed, “Lucky Louie” is very well-fitting nickname to describe a hero who overcame many obstacles both personal and physical to become a man of fortitude and honor.
First, born in 1917, Louis’ lived a childhood that, though rough, proved …show more content…
When he was drafted, notwithstanding his wished to stay in the ground soldiers, Zamperini was placed in bombardier training. This was an extremely risky endeavor because thousands upon thousands of men died in training alone. Indeed, after 6 missions, according to Zamperini himself, about half his crew was killed or injured, and with severe damage to their bomber, they managed to land safely against all odds (America). His miraculous survival is astounding considering the heavy casualties that bombardiers faced. Yet this danger that he faced as a bombardier is nothing compared to the sequence of events that occured next. On a search mission for a shot down aircraft, the engines of his plane cut and the plane crashed into the sea. Of this horrific event, Louis stated, “The crash forced me forward and down into the sea…[I] found myself entangled in coiled wires and cables that wound around me like metal spaghetti.” He astoundingly struggled and pulled out of the downed plane injuring himself. Him and the only other two survivors of the crew managed to get into a life raft (America). Over the next month and a half, the remaining crew members (Zamperini included) lived off of absolutely miniscule rations and were forced to battle sharks and kill whatever they could to survive. Zamperini kept himself and the other crew member lucid by singing …show more content…
When he arrived at the detention center, he was very malnourished and weighed close to 80 pounds! He had to live through beatings and cruel experimentation that put his life at risk. He was later transferred to Yokohama where he was forced to work remove coal (among other things) off of very heavy boats. He endured severe and abominable treatment from the guards. One of them once whipped him with a belt when he did not comply with a cruel command. Throughout his time in the Japanese army’s hands, Louis was transported to several different army encampments facing similar persecution and malice. In one instance he was forced to run in a race in his almost starved body. In another situation in another detention camp a Japanese leader named Mutsuhiro Watanabe made Zamperini involuntarily hold up a girder for over a half hour. This malicious leader then hit Zamperini, making the beam fall on him. These trials however, were soon to end. The war ended in 1945 and he was freed from the prison camp. He reached his home 3-4 weeks later and received many awards and medals for his bravery and
Have you ever known someone that was incredibly fortunate and lucky? Perhaps they found a four leaf clover, or even won the lottery. Well, one of the most lucky people that has ever lived survived countless near-death experiences, persevered through a dangerous war, suffered trials that would mortify many, and lived to tell the tale. Fortune and skill has saved his life multiple times over and has enabled him to lead a successful existence despite all the trying circumstances he went through. Indeed, “Lucky Louie” is very well-fitting nickname to describe a hero who overcame many obstacles both personal and physical to become a man of fortitude and honor.
First, born in 1917, Louis’ lived a childhood that, though rough, proved …show more content…
When he was drafted, notwithstanding his wished to stay in the ground soldiers, Zamperini was placed in bombardier training. This was an extremely risky endeavor because thousands upon thousands of men died in training alone. Indeed, after 6 missions, according to Zamperini himself, about half his crew was killed or injured, and with severe damage to their bomber, they managed to land safely against all odds (America). His miraculous survival is astounding considering the heavy casualties that bombardiers faced. Yet this danger that he faced as a bombardier is nothing compared to the sequence of events that occured next. On a search mission for a shot down aircraft, the engines of his plane cut and the plane crashed into the sea. Of this horrific event, Louis stated, “The crash forced me forward and down into the sea…[I] found myself entangled in coiled wires and cables that wound around me like metal spaghetti.” He astoundingly struggled and pulled out of the downed plane injuring himself. Him and the only other two survivors of the crew managed to get into a life raft (America). Over the next month and a half, the remaining crew members (Zamperini included) lived off of absolutely miniscule rations and were forced to battle sharks and kill whatever they could to survive. Zamperini kept himself and the other crew member lucid by singing …show more content…
When he arrived at the detention center, he was very malnourished and weighed close to 80 pounds! He had to live through beatings and cruel experimentation that put his life at risk. He was later transferred to Yokohama where he was forced to work remove coal (among other things) off of very heavy boats. He endured severe and abominable treatment from the guards. One of them once whipped him with a belt when he did not comply with a cruel command. Throughout his time in the Japanese army’s hands, Louis was transported to several different army encampments facing similar persecution and malice. In one instance he was forced to run in a race in his almost starved body. In another situation in another detention camp a Japanese leader named Mutsuhiro Watanabe made Zamperini involuntarily hold up a girder for over a half hour. This malicious leader then hit Zamperini, making the beam fall on him. These trials however, were soon to end. The war ended in 1945 and he was freed from the prison camp. He reached his home 3-4 weeks later and received many awards and medals for his bravery and