Devil at My Heels: The Story of Louis Zamperini (36 page)

“Yeah, but there were a couple of other guys missing, too. Two guys on a raft; a plane from another island strafed them at Makin. One died from bullet wounds, the other hit the water and the sharks got him. So we still don’t know.”

Based on the native’s affidavit, Tim Miles thought he had a pretty good idea where to find the marines. He wanted to take a team down to dig and wanted me there when they did it.

In early 2002 I accompanied a
National Geographic
team to Kwajalein for a dig. I stayed a week but had to leave before they discovered anything more than an array of munitions, military artifacts, and bones of the Japanese and Marshallese. No marines.

As of now, they haven’t found any American remains. If they ever do, part of me would like to be on hand, but a bigger part of me wouldn’t. I’ve lived through a lot, but the thought of staring into a mass grave that could have easily been
my
final resting place is something I believe I can just live without.

I NEVER MET
General MacArthur, but with all due respect, I have never agreed when he said, “Old soldiers never die, they just fade away.” Fade away? You should make your life count right up to the last minute. All I want to tell young people is that you’re not going to be
anything in life unless you learn to commit to a goal. You have to reach deep within yourself to see if you are willing to make the sacrifices. Your dreams won’t always come true, but you’ll never know if you don’t try. Either way, you will always discover so much of value along the way because you’ll always run into problems—or as I call them, challenges. The first great challenge of my life was when, as a kid, I made the transition from a dissipated teenager to a dedicated athlete. Another was staying alive for forty-seven days after my plane crashed, then surviving prison camp. The best way to meet any challenge is to be prepared for it. All athletes want to win, but in a raft, in a war, you must win. Luckily, and wisely, I was prepared—and I did win.

I’ve gone through my life drawing from my experiences both positive and negative to try and influence others for the good. I never thought of myself as a hero, more a grateful survivor, and so the verse “To whom much has been given, much is expected” is the nucleus from which I deal with people. God has been so good to me. I didn’t know at first that I had anything to give, but when I see my influence and how appreciative people sometimes are, what can I do? There are no words more gratifying to hear than “The help you gave me is working out.”

GOD HAS GIVEN
me so much. He expects much out of me.

Louis Zamperini

Whatever I have accomplished I owe to the sacrifices of my mother and father; to the support of my sisters, Virginia and Sylvia; and especially to the love of my brother, Pete, who convinced me to run and saved my life. He is my mentor and my inspiration.

I also owe so much to my wife, Cynthia. We were partners in a fifty-five-year adventure called marriage. She knew me before and after I changed my life and stuck with me through it all. Thanks to her love, influence, and persistence we accomplished more than I dreamed possible.

I’m also grateful to my children, Cissy and Luke; my grandson, Clayton; his mother, Lisa; and my son-in-law, Mick. Their love and support mean the world to me.

Thanks to the student body and teachers of Torrance High School who cheered me on at the beginning of my athletic career, as well as to the entire city of Torrance, and the local police who chased me up and down every street in town.

I’m grateful to Draggan Mihailovich, who accidentally rediscovered me and most certainly resurrected me. I’m also indebted to John
Naber, who makes it possible for me to continually enjoy the echoes of my Olympic days of glory.

Writer David Rensin captured my voice, plain and simple, and brought my story to life. Because of him I revealed truths that needed to be told. Finding someone you can work with day-in and day-out is the most precious thing.

This book is my tribute to the memory of our faithful B-24 crew who did not return alive. It is also in recognition of the many thousands of young people in school and camp programs across the nation to whom I’ve spoken, worked with, or counseled directly these past fifty years.

My enduring appreciation also to Dave McCoy, president of the Mammoth Mountain Ski Area. For the same fifty years he has graciously provided ski equipment and access to the mountain to myself and the many kids I’ve brought to the slopes in search of a good time and a better life.

Thanks to the Reverend Dr. Billy Graham for his message that caused me to turn my life around.

I would also like to thank my agent, Jennifer Gates; as well as my editor, Mauro DiPreta; his indispensable number one, Joelle Yudin; and the entire staff of William Morrow for letting themselves be inspired and making this book a reality. They were highly professional, always supportive, and relentlessly enthusiastic.

Of course, there are so many others, living and gone, who in ways large and small contributed to this story and to my life. Had I the space I would mention every name, but I’ll take comfort in knowing that you and your families know who you are. Thank you all.

David Rensin

As always, my love and gratitude to Suzie Peterson and our son, Emmett Rensin. Their wisdom, support, patience, and joy in life and family make everything I do possible. Yes, Emmett, this story is absolutely true.

Thanks also to my agent, Brian DeFiore, for being open to my instincts, and to Lisa Kusel for validating them again and again. Bernie
Brillstein and Bill Zehme were always in my corner, as were many others who heard this story along the way, picked their jaws off the floor, and said they couldn’t wait to read it. As always, I’m grateful to Cynthia Price for her fine transcriptions, editorial eye, moral support, and grace under pressure.

I’d also like to acknowledge Cynthia Zamperini, who regrettably passed away in February 2001. We met twenty years ago when she agreed to act as an intermediary between myself and a magazine profile subject I was pursuing—and stayed in touch thereafter. One night in 1999, she called—“accidentally,” she said—and told me to watch Louie’s story on
48 Hours.
I did, and the next day I called her, excited, and said that Louie should write a book. She agreed. One thing led to another…and now I’m writing this coda to an incredible experience that has immeasurably enhanced my life. I wish Cynthia were here in person to enjoy the results, but I know she’s watching.

Finally, I have only the greatest respect and affection for Louie, who has lived a miraculous life, set an indelible example, planted the seeds of his wisdom far and wide, and who has taught me more than I ever hoped to learn.