William Halsey once said, “There are no extraordinary men... just extraordinary circumstances that ordinary men are forced to deal with.” Many of those lauded for their perseverance and extraordinary accomplishments would probably agree. No one considers any military heroes ordinary, but they most probably would have led ordinary lives if not for events beyond their control. This is most certainly true of Louis Zamperini. Zamperini would have, if not for the war, become a career athlete. Instead, he became one of the most outstanding and inspirational stories of resilience in American history. Louis Zamperini’s persistence shines throughout his entire life; from his childhood throughout the rest of his life. As a teenager and young man, Louis’ persistence and fearlessness was channeled from delinquency to competitive track. As a preteen and teenager, Louis spends most of his time running from the law, and is absolutely ungovernable. He’s fast, smart, and fearless, and although he often gets caught and his family has to pay recompense for all of the damage he caused. In high school, Louis’ older brother Pete convinces the rebellious teen to channel all of that energy into track, at which …show more content…
More men die in training than in combat, but generally Louis’ crew is both competent and lucky. Their plane goes down in the middle of the Pacific, and only three men (including Louis) survive the crash. Rescue is extraordinarily improbable; more would-be-rescuers die than men are rescued. All of the food is eaten the first night when one of the surviving airmen panics, leaving them without any sort of nourishment to survive, and very little water. Louis does not despair. Instead, he keeps his fellow survivors as optimistic as he can by querying them on life before the military and by singing. Unfortunately, one man dies, and is buried at sea. On the 46th day at sea, Louis still has yet to lose hope, and comes within sight of