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Episode 165

Louis Zamperini’s life was a remarkable journey from Olympic fame to wartime survival and beyond. Born in 1917 to Italian immigrants in California, he was a rebellious kid who discovered his talent for running, becoming a track star and earning a spot on the 1936 U.S. Olympic team. In Berlin, his stunning final lap in the 5,000 meters even caught the attention of Adolf Hitler, who requested to meet the young athlete. But just as Zamperini’s athletic career was taking off, World War II interrupted his plans.

He joined the U.S. Army Air Corps, serving as a bombardier in the Pacific. In 1943, during a search mission, his plane crashed into the ocean, leaving him and two other survivors adrift on life rafts for 47 harrowing days. They battled starvation, sharks, and relentless sun, drifting over 2,000 miles before being captured by the Japanese Navy. As a POW, Zamperini endured years of brutal treatment in various camps, where he was beaten, starved, and targeted by a sadistic guard known as "The Bird."

The end of the war finally brought his liberation, but the nightmares didn’t end. Struggling with PTSD and alcoholism, Zamperini’s life spiraled until a spiritual awakening helped him find a path to healing. He forgave his former captors and spent his later years inspiring others with his message of resilience and forgiveness. His story, told in Unbroken, is not just about surviving the unimaginable, but also about finding redemption and peace after.

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