Here is Louis Zamperini briefly sharing his testimony at the Billy Graham Crusade in 1958. You probably heard about him through the recent movie about him called the “Unbroken” based on the book by Laura Hillenbrand. However, unlike the movie, his autobiographical book, “Devil at My Heels,” details how he struggled with PTSD, became addicted to alcohol, full of anger, and found Jesus Christ as his Savior and Lord in 1949 through the preaching of Billy Graham.

He was born in Olean, New York, in 1917 to Italian immigrant parents, and grew up in Torrance, California. His younger years were marked by mischief and a rebellious spirit. However, his older brother, Pete, recognized his great athletic potential and guided him toward track and field. It became a turning point in his life, as he quickly excelled and became a great long distance runner. He qualified for the 1936 Berlin Olympics, where he finished eighth in the 5,000-meter race. With the outbreak of World War II, Zamperini enlisted in the army and became a bombardier on a B-24 Liberator. His life took a tragic turn when his plane crashed into the Pacific Ocean, where he survived 47 days in a small life raft. Unfortunately, he was picked up by the Japanese Navy and spent two unimaginable years as a prison of war. He was subjected to brutal torture, starvation, and psychological torment in various POW camps, including the notorious Omori and Naoetsu camps. He was particularly targeted by a sadistic guard known as “The Bird” (Mutsuhiro Watanabe) as depicted in the movie. He was finally released on August 22, 1945, following Japan’s surrender. Afterwards, he struggled with severe PTST, nightmares, and alcoholism. On 1949, however, at the urging of his wife Cynthia, he reluctantly attended Billy Graham Crusade, and experienced a born-again experience that gave him peace, which enabled him to forgive his captors. He passed away on July 2, 2014 at the age of 94.

Here are his own words about his life according to his book:

“I grew up in Torrance, California, and was what we call today a juvenile delinquent until I turned my life around in high school and became a championship runner who went to the 1936 Olympics. I might have been one of the first men to break the four-minute mile barrier, but when World War II broke out and the 1940 Tokyo Olympics were canceled, I decided to serve my country instead. In 1943 the bomber I was aboard crashed into the Pacific Ocean on a rescue mission. I was one of three who miraculously survived. Although one man died on the thirty-third day at sea, the pilot and I endured forty-seven days drifting two thousand miles westward, only to be captured by the Japanese. They imprisoned, tortured, and humiliated us. I was singled out by a sadistic and psychotic prison guard who wanted to make me record a propaganda radio message. But I never once gave into pressure. Two and a half years later the war ended and we were damaged but free. Back in Los Angeles, I was haunted by nightmares of being a POW. I became a brawler and an alcoholic and almost lost my wife, but after listening to a sermon by the then-young Billy Graham, I managed to look up and find faith before I hit bottom. I subsequently returned to Japan and met with my captors–and forgave them. Later I started an outreach camp for wayward boys, worked to become a respected member of the community, and told my story to anyone who would listen. I could have been bitter about what had happened to me, but if I’ve learned one thing in life it’s that all things work together for the good. I didn’t know it at the time–and frankly I wouldn’t want to repeat the miseries I’ve been through–but in the end they all added up to many of the opportunities, accolades, and experiences I’ve had since.” (Louis Zamperini)

Here is a special Billy Graham special on Louis Zamperini’s life: