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Was Born
Louis Silvie Zamperini was born to Italian immigrant parents on January 26, 1917 -
Starts Drinking and smoking
Drinker at age 8 and a smoker at age 5 -
Runs track
In 1934, Zamperini set the national high school mile record, and his time of 4 minutes and 21.2 seconds would stand for an incredible 20 years. -
meets Hitler at the Olympics
Tries to swipe a Nazi flag as a sovenir -
Louis Qualifies for the 1936 Olyimpics
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Louis places 8th in the 1936 Olyimpics
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War starts
With the outbreak of World War II, the 1940 Olympics were canceled -
lasts 47 days at sea
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crashes in the B-24 bomber "Green Hornet"
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A Japanese bomber find Louis and takes him to a P.O.W. camp
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Louis is transferred to the Omori POW camp
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Holds a beam while being tortured for 37 minutes
Zamperini was pummeled with clubs, belts, and fists, and on one occasion, was ordered to hold a heavy wooden beam over his head. He lasted 37 minutes before passing out. -
The Japanese tried to use him as a propaganda tool.
