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AlsobyLauraHillenbrand
SEABISCUIT
Copyright©2010byLauraHilenbrand
Alrightsreserved.
PublishedintheUnitedStatesbyRandomHouse,animprintofTheRandomHousePublishingGroup,adivisionofRandomHouse,Inc.,NewYork.
RANDOMHOUSEand
colophonareregisteredtrademarksofRandomHouse,Inc.
LIBRARYOFCONGRESSCATALOGING-IN-PUBLICATIONDATA
Hilenbrand,Laura.
Unbroken:aWorldWarIstoryofsurvival,resilience,andredemption/LauraHilenbrand.
p.cm.
eISBN:978-0-679-60375-7
1.Zamperini,Louis,1917–2.WorldWar,1939–1945—Prisonersandprisons,Japanese.3.Prisonersofwar—UnitedStates—Biography.4.Prisonersofwar—Japan—Biography.5.WorldWar,1939–1945—Aerialoperations,American.6.WorldWar,1939–1945—
Campaigns—PacificArea.7.UnitedStates.ArmyAirForces.HeavyBombardmentGroup,307th.8.Long-distancerunners—UnitedStates—Biography.I.Title.
D805.J3Z3642010
940.54′7252092—dc22
[B]2010017517
www.atrandom.com
v3.1
Forthewoundedandthelost
Whatstayswithyoulatestanddeepest?ofcuriouspanics,
Ofhard-foughtengagementsorsiegestremendouswhatdeepestremains?
—WaltWhitman,“TheWound-Dresser”
CONTENTS
Cover
OtherBooksbyThisAuthor
TitlePage
Copyright
DedicationMap
Epigraph
PrefacePARTI
Chapter1.TheOne-BoyInsurgency
Chapter2.RunLikeMad
Chapter3.TheTorranceTornado
Chapter4.PlunderingGermany
Chapter5.IntoWar
PARTIChapter6.TheFlyingCoffin
Chapter7.“ThisIsIt,Boys”
Chapter8.“OnlytheLaundryKnewHowScaredIWas”
Chapter9.FiveHundredandNinety-fourHoles
Chapter10.TheStinkingSix
Chapter11.“Nobody’sGoingtoLiveThroughThis”
PARTIIChapter12.Downed
Chapter13.MissingatSea
Chapter14.Thirst
Chapter15.SharksandBulets
Chapter16.SingingintheClouds
Chapter17.Typhoon
PARTIVChapter18.ADeadBodyBreathing
Chapter19.TwoHundredSilentMen
Chapter20.FartingforHirohito
Chapter21.Belief
Chapter22.PlotsAfoot
Chapter23.Monster
Chapter24.Hunted
Chapter25.B-29
Chapter26.Madness
Chapter27.FalingDown
Chapter28.Enslaved
Chapter29.TwoHundredandTwentyPunches
Chapter30.TheBoilingCity
Chapter31.TheNakedStampede
Chapter32.CascadesofPinkPeaches
Chapter33.Mother’sDay
PARTVChapter34.TheShimmeringGirl
Chapter35.ComingUndone
Chapter36.TheBodyontheMountain
Chapter37.TwistedRopes
Chapter38.ABeckoning
Whistle
Chapter39.Daybreak
EpilogueAcknowledgments
Notes
AbouttheAuthor
PREFACEALLHECOULDSEE,INEVERYDIRECTION,WASWATER.ItwasJune23,1943.SomewhereontheendlessexpanseofthePacificOcean,ArmyAirForcesbombardierandOlympicrunnerLouieZamperinilayacrossasmalraft,driftingwestward.Slumpedalongside
himwasasergeant,oneofhisplane’sgunners.Onaseparateraft,tetheredtothefirst,layanothercrewman,agashzigzaggingacrosshisforehead.Theirbodies,burnedbythesunandstainedyelowfromtheraftdye,hadwinnoweddowntoskeletons.Sharksglidedinlazyloopsaroundthem,draggingtheirbacksalongtherafts,waiting.
Themenhadbeenadriftfor
twenty-sevendays.Bornebyanequatorialcurrent,theyhadfloatedatleastonethousandmiles,deepintoJapanese-controledwaters.Theraftswerebeginningtodeteriorateintojely,andgaveoffasour,burningodor.Themen’sbodieswerepockedwithsaltsores,andtheirlipsweresoswolenthattheypressedintotheirnostrilsandchins.Theyspenttheirdayswiththeireyesfixedon
thesky,singing“WhiteChristmas,”
mutteringaboutfood.Noonewasevenlookingforthemanymore.Theywerealoneonsixty-fourmilionsquaremilesofocean.
Amonthearlier,twenty-six-year-oldZamperinihadbeenoneofthegreatestrunnersintheworld,expectedbymanytobethefirsttobreakthe
four-minutemile,oneofthemostcelebratedbarriersinsport.NowhisOlympian’sbodyhadwastedtolessthanonehundredpoundsandhisfamouslegscouldnolongerlifthim.Almosteveryoneoutsideofhisfamilyhadgivenhimupfordead.
Onthatmorningofthetwenty-seventhday,themenheardadistant,deepstrumming.Everyairman
knewthatsound:pistons.Theireyescaughtaglintinthesky—aplane,highoverhead.Zamperinifiredtwoflaresandshookpowdereddyeintothewater,envelopingtheraftsinacircleofvividorange.Theplanekeptgoing,slowlydisappearing.Themensagged.Thenthesoundreturned,andtheplanecamebackintoview.Thecrewhadseenthem.
Witharmsshrunkentolittlemorethanboneandyelowedskin,thecastawayswavedandshouted,theirvoicesthinfromthirst.Theplanedroppedlowandsweptalongsidetherafts.Zamperinisawtheprofilesofthecrewmen,darkagainstbrightblueness.
Therewasaterrificroaringsound.Thewater,andtheraftsthemselves,seemedto
boil.Itwasmachinegunfire.ThiswasnotanAmericanrescueplane.ItwasaJapanesebomber.
Themenpitchedthemselvesintothewaterandhungtogetherundertherafts,cringingasbuletspunchedthroughtherubberandslicedeffervescentlinesinthewateraroundtheirfaces.Thefiringblazedon,thensputteredoutasthebomberovershotthem.
Themendraggedthemselvesbackontotheoneraftthatwasstilmostlyinflated.Thebomberbankedsideways,circlingtowardthemagain.Asitleveledoff,Zamperinicouldseethemuzzlesofthemachineguns,aimeddirectlyatthem.
Zamperinilookedtowardhiscrewmates.Theyweretooweaktogobackinthewater.Astheylaydownonthefloor
oftheraft,handsovertheirheads,Zamperinisplashedoverboardalone.
Somewherebeneathhim,thesharksweredonewaiting.Theybenttheirbodiesinthewaterandswamtowardthemanundertheraft.
CourtesyofLouisZamperini.PhotooforiginalimagebyJohnBrodkin.
One
TheOne-BoyInsurgency
INTHEPREDAWNDARKNESSOFAUGUST26,1929,INTHEbackbedroomofasmalhouseinTorrance,California,a
twelve-year-oldboysatupinbed,listening.
Therewasasoundcomingfromoutside,growingeverlouder.Itwasahuge,heavyrush,suggestingimmensity,agreatpartingofair.Itwascomingfromdirectlyabovethehouse.Theboyswunghislegsoffhisbed,raceddownthestairs,slappedopenthebackdoor,andlopedontothegrass.Theyardwas
otherworldly,smotheredinunnaturaldarkness,shiveringwithsound.Theboystoodonthelawnbesidehisolderbrother,headthrownback,spelbound.
Theskyhaddisappeared.Anobjectthathecouldseeonlyinsilhouette,reachingacrossamassivearcofspace,wassuspendedlowintheairoverthehouse.Itwaslongerthantwoandahalffootbalfields
andastalasacity.Itwasputtingoutthestars.
WhathesawwastheGermandirigibleGrafZeppelin.Atnearly800feetlongand110feethigh,itwasthelargestflyingmachineevercrafted.Moreluxuriousthanthefinestairplane,glidingeffortlesslyoverhugedistances,builtonascalethatleftspectatorsgasping,itwas,inthesummerof’29,the
wonderoftheworld.
Theairshipwasthreedaysfromcompletingasensationalfeatofaeronautics,circumnavigationoftheglobe.ThejourneyhadbegunonAugust7,whentheZeppelinhadslippeditstethersinLakehurst,NewJersey,liftedupwithalong,slowsigh,andheadedforManhattan.OnFifthAvenuethatsummer,demolitionwas
soontobeginontheWaldorf-AstoriaHotel,clearingthewayforaskyscraperofunprecedentedproportions,theEmpireStateBuilding.AtYankeeStadium,intheBronx,playersweredebutingnumbereduniforms:LouGehrigworeNo.4;BabeRuth,abouttohithisfivehundredthhomerun,woreNo.3.OnWalStreet,stockpriceswereracingtowardanal-timehigh.
AfteraslowglidearoundtheStatueofLiberty,theZeppelinbankednorth,thenturnedoutovertheAtlantic.Intime,landcamebelowagain:France,Switzerland,Germany.TheshippassedoverNuremberg,wherefringepoliticianAdolfHitler,whoseNaziPartyhadbeentrouncedinthe1928elections,hadjustdeliveredaspeechtoutingselectiveinfanticide.Thenitfleweast
ofFrankfurt,whereaJewishwomannamedEdithFrankwascaringforhernewborn,agirlnamedAnne.Sailingnortheast,theZeppelincrossedoverRussia.Siberianvilagers,soisolatedthatthey’dneverevenseenatrain,feltotheirkneesatthesightofit.
OnAugust19,assomefourmilionJapanesewavedhandkerchiefsandshouted
“Banzai!”theZeppelincircledTokyoandsankontoalandingfield.
Fourdayslater,astheGermanandJapaneseanthemsplayed,theshiproseintothegraspofatyphoonthatwhiskeditoverthePacificatbreathtakingspeed,towardAmerica.Passengersgazingfromthewindowssawonlytheship’sshadow,folowingitalongtheclouds
“likeahugesharkswimmingalongside.”Whenthecloudsparted,thepassengersglimpsedgiantcreatures,turninginthesea,thatlookedlikemonsters.
OnAugust25,theZeppelinreachedSanFrancisco.AfterbeingcheereddowntheCaliforniacoast,itslidthroughsunset,intodarknessandsilence,andacrossmidnight.Asslowasthe
driftingwind,itpassedoverTorrance,whereitsonlyaudiencewasascatteringofdrowsysouls,amongthemtheboyinhispajamasbehindthehouseonGramercyAvenue.
Standingundertheairship,hisfeetbareinthegrass,hewastransfixed.Itwas,hewouldsay,“fearfulybeautiful.”Hecouldfeeltherumbleofthecraft’sengines
tilingtheairbutcouldn’tmakeoutthesilverskin,thesweepingribs,thefinnedtail.Hecouldseeonlytheblacknessofthespaceitinhabited.Itwasnotagreatpresencebutagreatabsence,ageometricoceanofdarknessthatseemedtoswalowheavenitself.
——
Theboy’snamewasLouis
SilvieZamperini.ThesonofItalianimmigrants,hehadcomeintotheworldinOlean,NewYork,onJanuary26,1917,elevenandahalfpoundsofbabyunderblackhairascoarseasbarbedwire.Hisfather,Anthony,hadbeenlivingonhisownsinceagefourteen,firstasacoalminerandboxer,thenasaconstructionworker.Hismother,Louise,wasapetite,playfulbeauty,sixteenat
marriageandeighteenwhenLouiewasborn.
Intheirapartment,whereonlyItalianwasspoken,LouiseandAnthonycaledtheirboyToots.
Fromthemomenthecouldwalk,Louiecouldn’tbeartobecorraled.Hissiblingswouldrecalhimcareeningabout,hurdlingflora,fauna,andfurniture.
TheinstantLouisethumpedhimintoachairandtoldhimtobestil,hevanished.Ifshedidn’thavehersquirmingboyclutchedinherhands,sheusualyhadnoideawherehewas.
In1919,whentwo-year-oldLouiewasdownwithpneumonia,heclimbedouthisbedroomwindow,descendedonestory,andwentonanakedteardown
thestreetwithapolicemanchasinghimandacrowdwatchinginamazement.Soonafter,onapediatrician’sadvice,LouiseandAnthonydecidedtomovetheirchildrentothewarmerclimesofCalifornia.SometimeaftertheirtrainpuledoutofGrandCentralStation,Louiebolted,ranthelengthofthetrain,andleaptfromthecaboose.Standingwithhisfranticmotherasthetrainroled
backwardinsearchofthelostboy,Louie’solderbrother,Pete,spottedLouiestrolingupthetrackinperfectserenity.Sweptupinhismother’sarms,Louiesmiled.“Iknewyou’dcomeback,”hesaidinItalian.
InCalifornia,Anthonylandedajobasarailwayelectricianandboughtahalf-acrefieldontheedgeofTorrance,population1,800.Heand
Louisehammeredupaone-roomshackwithnorunningwater,anouthousebehind,andaroofthatleakedsobadlythattheyhadtokeepbucketsonthebeds.
Withonlyhooklatchesforlocks,Louisetooktosittingbythefrontdooronanappleboxwitharolingpininherhand,readytobrainanyprowlerswhomightthreatenherchildren.
There,andattheGramercyAvenuehousewheretheysettledayearlater,Louisekeptprowlersout,butcouldn’tkeepLouieinhand.Contestingafootraceacrossabusyhighway,hejustmissedgettingbroadsidedbyajalopy.Atfive,hestartedsmoking,pickingupdiscardedcigarettebuttswhilewalkingtokindergarten.Hebegandrinkingonenightwhenhe
waseight;hehidunderthedinnertable,snatchedglassesofwine,drankthemaldry,staggeredoutside,andfelintoarosebush.
Ononeday,LouisediscoveredthatLouiehadimpaledhislegonabamboobeam;onanother,shehadtoaskaneighbortosewLouie’sseveredtoebackon.WhenLouiecamehomedrenchedinoilafterscalinganoilrig,
divingintoasumpwel,andnearlydrowning,ittookagalonofturpentineandalotofscrubbingbeforeAnthonyrecognizedhissonagain.
Thriledbythecrashingofboundaries,Louiewasuntamable.Ashegrewintohisuncommonlyclevermind,merefeatsofdaringwerenolongersatisfying.InTorrance,aone-boyinsurgencywasborn.
——
Ifitwasedible,Louiestoleit.Heskulkeddownaleys,aroloflock-pickingwireinhispocket.Housewiveswhosteppedfromtheirkitchenswouldreturntofindthattheirsuppershaddisappeared.Residentslookingouttheirbackwindowsmightcatchaglimpseofalong-leggedboydashingdownthealey,awholecakebalancedonhis
hands.WhenalocalfamilyleftLouieofftheirdinner-partyguestlist,hebrokeintotheirhouse,bribedtheirGreatDanewithabone,andcleanedouttheiricebox.Atanotherparty,heabscondedwithanentirekegofbeer.WhenhediscoveredthatthecoolingtablesatMeinzer’sBakerystoodwithinanarm’slengthofthebackdoor,hebeganpickingthelock,snatchingpies,eatinguntilhe
wasful,andreservingtherestasammunitionforambushes.Whenrivalthievestookuptheracket,hesuspendedthestealinguntiltheculpritswerecaughtandthebakeryownersdroppedtheirguard.ThenheorderedhisfriendstorobMeinzer’sagain.
ItisatestamenttothecontentofLouie’schildhoodthathisstoriesaboutitusualyended
with“…andthenIranlikemad.”Hewasoftenchasedbypeoplehehadrobbed,andatleasttwopeoplethreatenedtoshoothim.Tominimizetheevidencefoundonhimwhenthepolicehabitualycamehisway,hesetuploot-stashingsitesaroundtown,includingathree-seatercavethatheduginanearbyforest.UndertheTorranceHighbleachers,PeteoncefoundastolenwinejugthatLouie
hadhiddenthere.Itwasteemingwithinebriatedants.
InthelobbyoftheTorrancetheater,Louiestoppedupthepaytelephone’scoinslotswithtoiletpaper.Hereturnedregularlytofeedwirebehindthecoinsstackedupinside,hookthepaper,andfilhispalmswithchange.AmetaldealerneverguessedthatthegrinningItaliankidwhooftencamebytoselhimarmfulsof
copperscraphadstolenthesamescrapfromhislotthenightbefore.Discovering,whilescufflingwithanenemyatacircus,thatadultswouldgivequarterstofightingkidstopacifythem,Louiedeclaredatrucewiththeenemyandtheycruisedaroundstagingbrawlsbeforestrangers.
Togetevenwitharailcarconductorwhowouldn’tstop
forhim,Louiegreasedtherails.Whenateachermadehimstandinacornerforspitbaling,hedeflatedhercartireswithtoothpicks.AftersettingalegitimateBoyScoutstaterecordinfriction-fireignition,hebrokehisrecordbysoakinghistinderingasolineandmixingitwithmatchheads,causingasmalexplosion.Hestoleaneighbor’scoffeepercolatortube,setupasniper’snestin
atree,crammedpepper-treeberriesintohismouth,spatthemthroughthetube,andsenttheneighborhoodgirlsrunning.
Hismagnumopusbecamelegend.Lateonenight,LouieclimbedthesteepleofaBaptistchurch,riggedthebelwithpianowire,strungthewireintoanearbytree,androusedthepolice,thefiredepartment,andalof
Torrancewithapparentlyspontaneouspealing.ThemorecreduloustownsfolkcaleditasignfromGod.
Onlyonethingscaredhim.WhenLouiewasinlateboyhood,apilotlandedaplanenearTorranceandtookLouieupforaflight.Onemighthaveexpectedsuchanintrepidchildtobeecstatic,butthespeedandaltitudefrightenedhim.Fromthatday
on,hewantednothingtodowithairplanes.
Inachildhoodofartfuldodging,Louiemademorethanjustmischief.Heshapedwhohewouldbeinmanhood.Confidentthathewasclever,resourceful,andboldenoughtoescapeanypredicament,hewasalmostincapableofdiscouragement.Whenhistorycarriedhimintowar,thisresilientoptimism
woulddefinehim.
——
Louiewastwentymonthsyoungerthanhisbrother,whowaseverythinghewasnot.PeteZamperiniwashandsome,popular,impeccablygroomed,politetoeldersandavunculartojuniors,silkysmoothwithgirls,andblessedwithsuchsoundjudgmentthateven
whenhewasachild,hisparentsconsultedhimondifficultdecisions.Heusheredhismotherintoherseatatdinner,turnedinatseven,andtuckedhisalarmclockunderhispilowsoasnottowakeLouie,withwhomhesharedabed.Heroseattwo-thirtytorunathree-hourpaperroute,anddepositedalhisearningsinthebank,whichwouldswaloweverypennywhenthe
Depressionhit.Hehadalovelysingingvoiceandagalanthabitofcarryingpinsinhispantcuffs,incasehisdancepartner’sdressstrapfailed.Heoncesavedagirlfromdrowning.Peteradiatedagentlebutimpressiveauthoritythatledeveryonehemet,evenadults,tobeswayedbyhisopinion.EvenLouie,whomadeareligionoutofheedingnoone,didasPetesaid.
LouieidolizedPete,whowatchedoverhimandtheiryoungersisters,SylviaandVirginia,withpaternalprotectiveness.ButLouiewaseclipsed,andheneverheardtheendofit.SylviawouldrecalhermothertearfulytelingLouiehowshewishedhecouldbemorelikePete.WhatmadeitmoregalingwasthatPete’sreputationwaspartmyth.ThoughPeteearnedgradeslittlebetterthan
Louie’sfailingones,hisprincipalassumedthathewasastraight-Astudent.OnthenightofTorrance’schurchbelmiracle,awel-directedflashlightwouldhaverevealedPete’slegsdanglingfromthetreealongsideLouie’s.
AndLouiewasn’talwaystheonlyZamperiniboywhocouldbeseensprintingdownthealeywithfoodthathad
latelybelongedtotheneighbors.ButitneveroccurredtoanyonetosuspectPeteofanything.“Petenevergotcaught,”saidSylvia.“Louiealwaysgotcaught.”
NothingaboutLouiefitwithotherkids.Hewasapunyboy,andinhisfirstyearsinTorrance,hislungswerestilcompromisedenoughfromthepneumoniathatinpicnicfootraces,everygirlintown
coulddusthim.Hisfeatures,whichwouldlatersettleintopleasantcolaboration,weregrowingatdifferentrates,givinghimacuriousfacethatseemeddesignedbycommittee.Hisearsleanedsidelongoffhisheadlikeholsteredpistols,andabovethemwavedacalamityofblackhairthatmortifiedhim.HeattackeditwithhisauntMargie’shotiron,hobbleditinasilkstockingeverynight,
andslathereditwithsomucholiveoilthatfliestrailedhimtoschool.Itdidnogood.
Andthentherewashisethnicity.InTorranceintheearly1920s,ItalianswereheldinsuchdisdainthatwhentheZamperinisarrived,theneighborspetitionedthecitycounciltokeepthemout.Louie,whoknewonlyasmatteringofEnglishuntilhewasingradeschool,couldn’t
hidehispedigree.Hesurvivedkindergartenbykeepingmum,butinfirstgrade,whenheblurtedout“Bruttebastarde!”atanotherkid,histeacherscaughton.Theycompoundedhismiserybyholdinghimbackagrade.
Hewasamarkedboy.Bulies,drawnbyhisoddityandhopingtogoadhimintoutteringItaliancurses,peltedhimwithrocks,tauntedhim,
punchedhim,andkickedhim.Hetriedbuyingtheirmercywithhislunch,buttheypummeledhimanyway,leavinghimbloody.Hecouldhaveendedthebeatingsbyrunningawayorsuccumbingtotears,butherefusedtodoeither.“Youcouldbeathimtodeath,”saidSylvia,“andhewouldn’tsay‘ouch’orcry.”Hejustputhishandsinfrontofhisfaceandtookit.
——
AsLouienearedhisteens,hetookahardturn.Aloofandbristling,helurkedaroundtheedgesofTorrance,hisonlyfriendshipsforgedlooselywithroughboyswhofolowedhislead.Hebecamesogermophobicthathewouldn’ttolerateanyonecomingnearhisfood.Thoughhecouldbeasweetboy,hewasoftenshort-temperedand
obstreperous.Hefeignedtoughness,butwassecretlytormented.Kidspassingintopartieswouldseehimlingeringoutside,unabletoworkupthecouragetowalkin.
Frustratedathisinabilitytodefendhimself,hemadeastudyofit.Hisfathertaughthimhowtoworkapunchingbagandmadehimabarbelfromtwolead-filedcoffee
cansweldedtoapipe.ThenexttimeabulycameatLouie,heduckedleftandswunghisrightfiststraightintotheboy’smouth.Thebulyshrieked,histoothbroken,andfled.ThefeelingoflightnessthatLouieexperiencedonhiswalkhomewasonehewouldneverforget.
Overtime,Louie’stempergrewwilder,hisfuseshorter,
hisskilssharper.Hesockedagirl.Hepushedateacher.Hepeltedapolicemanwithrottentomatoes.Kidswhocrossedhimwoundupwithfatlips,andbulieslearnedtogivehimawideberth.HeoncecameuponPeteintheirfrontyard,inastandoffwithanotherboy.Bothboyshadtheirfistsinfrontoftheirchins,eachwaitingfortheothertoswing.“Louiecan’tstandit,”rememberedPete.
“He’sstandingthere,‘Hithim,Pete!Hithim,Pete!’I’mwaitingthere,andalofasuddenLouieturnsaroundandsmacksthisguyrightinthegut.Andthenheruns!”
AnthonyZamperiniwasathiswits’end.Thepolicealwaysseemedtobeonthefrontporch,tryingtotalksenseintoLouie.Therewereneighborstobeapologizedtoanddamagestobe
compensatedforwithmoneythatAnthonycouldn’tspare.Adoringhissonbutexasperatedbyhisbehavior,Anthonydeliveredfrequent,forcefulspankings.Once,afterhe’dcaughtLouiewigglingthroughawindowinthemiddleofthenight,hedeliveredakicktotherearsoforcefulthatitliftedLouieoffthefloor.Louieabsorbedthepunishmentintearlesssilence,thencommittedthe
samecrimesagain,justtoshowhecould.
Louie’smother,Louise,tookadifferenttack.Louiewasacopyofherself,rightdowntothevividblueeyes.Whenpushed,sheshoved;soldabadcutofLouie’smother,Louise,tookadifferenttack.Louiewasacopyofherself,rightdowntothevividblueeyes.Whenpushed,sheshoved;soldabadcutof
meat,she’dmarchdowntothebutcher,fryingpaninhand.Lovingmischief,shespreadicingoveracardboardboxandpresenteditasabirthdaycaketoaneighbor,whopromptlygottheknifestuck.WhenPetetoldherhe’ddrinkhiscastoroilifshegavehimaboxofcandy,sheagreed,watchedhimdrinkit,thenhandedhimanemptycandybox.“Youonlyaskedforthebox,honey,”shesaid
withasmile.“That’salIgot.”AndsheunderstoodLouie’srestiveness.OneHaloween,shedressedasaboyandracedaroundtowntrick-or-treatingwithLouieandPete.Agangofkids,thinkingshewasoneofthelocaltoughs,tackledherandtriedtostealherpants.LittleLouiseZamperini,motheroffour,wasdeepinthemeleewhenthecopspickedherupforbrawling.
KnowingthatpunishingLouiewouldonlyprovokehisdefiance,Louisetookasurreptitiousroutetowardreforminghim.Insearchofaninformant,sheworkedoverLouie’sschoolmateswithhomemadepieandturnedupasoftboynamedHugh,whosesweettoothwasLouie’sundoing.LouisesuddenlykneweverythingLouiewasupto,andherchildrenwonderedifshehad
developedpsychicpowers.SurethatSylviawassnitching,Louierefusedtositatthesuppertablewithher,eatinghismealsinspitefulsolitudeofftheopenovendoor.Heoncebecamesoenragedwithherthathechasedheraroundtheblock.OutrunningLouiefortheonlytimeinherlife,Sylviacutdownthealeyanddoveintoherfather’sworkshed.Louieflushedheroutby
feedinghisthree-foot-longpetsnakeintothecrawlspace.Shethenlockedherselfinthefamilycaranddidn’tcomeoutforanentireafternoon.“Itwasamatteroflifeanddeath,”shesaidsomeseventy-fiveyearslater.
Foralherefforts,Louisecouldn’tchangeLouie.HeranawayandwanderedaroundSanDiegofordays,sleepingunderahighway
overpass.Hetriedtorideasteerinapasture,gottossedontotheraggededgeofafalentree,andlimpedhomewithhisgashedkneeboundinahandkerchief.Twenty-sevenstitchesdidn’ttamehim.Hehitonekidsohardthathebrokehisnose.Heupendedanotherboyandstuffedpapertowelsinhismouth.Parentsforbadetheirkidsfromgoingnearhim.Afarmer,furiousoverLouie’s
robberies,loadedhisshotgunwithrocksaltandblastedhiminthetail.Louiebeatonekidsobadly,leavinghimunconsciousinaditch,thathewasafraidhe’dkiledhim.WhenLouisesawthebloodonLouie’sfists,sheburstintotears.
——
AsLouiepreparedtostartTorranceHigh,hewas
lookinglesslikeanimpishkidandmorelikeadangerousyoungman.Highschoolwouldbetheendofhiseducation.Therewasnomoneyforcolege;Anthony’spaycheckranoutbeforetheweek’send,forcingLouisetoimprovisemealsoutofeggplant,milk,stalebread,wildmushrooms,andrabbitsthatLouieandPeteshotinthefields.Withflunkinggradesandnoskils,Louie
hadnochanceforascholarship.Itwasunlikelythathecouldlandajob.TheDepressionhadcome,andtheunemploymentratewasnearing25percent.Louiehadnorealambitions.Ifaskedwhathewantedtobe,hisanswerwouldhavebeen“cowboy.”
Inthe1930s,Americawasinfatuatedwiththepseudoscienceofeugenics
anditspromiseofstrengtheningthehumanracebyculingthe“unfit”fromthegeneticpool.Alongwiththe“feebleminded,”insane,andcriminal,thosesoclassifiedincludedwomenwhohadsexoutofwedlock(consideredamentalilness),orphans,thedisabled,thepoor,thehomeless,epileptics,masturbators,theblindandthedeaf,alcoholics,andgirlswhosegenitals
exceededcertainmeasurements.Someeugenicistsadvocatedeuthanasia,andinmentalhospitals,thiswasquietlycarriedoutonscoresofpeoplethrough“lethalneglect”oroutrightmurder.AtoneIlinoismentalhospital,newpatientsweredosedwithmilkfromcowsinfectedwithtuberculosis,inthebeliefthatonlytheundesirablewouldperish.As
manyasfourintenofthesepatientsdied.Amorepopulartoolofeugenicswasforcedsterilization,employedonaraftoflostsoulswho,throughmisbehaviorormisfortune,felintothehandsofstategovernments.By1930,whenLouiewasenteringhisteens,Californiawasenrapturedwitheugenics,andwouldultimatelysterilizesometwentythousandpeople.
WhenLouiewasinhisearlyteens,aneventinTorrancebroughtrealityhome.AkidfromLouie’sneighborhoodwasdeemedfeebleminded,institutionalized,andbarelysavedfromsterilizationthroughafranticlegaleffortbyhisparents,fundedbytheirTorranceneighbors.TutoredbyLouie’ssiblings,theboyearnedstraightA’s.Louiewasnevermorethananinchfromjuvenilehalorjail,
andasaserialtroublemaker,afailingstudent,andasuspectItalian,hewasjustthesortofroguethateugenicistswantedtocul.Suddenlyunderstandingwhathewasrisking,hefeltdeeplyshaken.
ThepersonthatLouiehadbecomewasnot,heknew,hisauthenticself.Hemadehesitanteffortstoconnecttoothers.Hescrubbedthe
kitchenfloortosurprisehismother,butsheassumedthatPetehaddoneit.Whilehisfatherwasoutoftown,Louieoverhauledtheengineonthefamily’sMarmonRooseveltStraight-8sedan.Hebakedbiscuitsandgavethemaway;whenhismother,tiredofthemess,bootedhimfromherkitchen,heresumedbakinginaneighbor’shouse.Hedoledoutnearlyeverythinghestole.Hewas“bighearted,”
saidPete.“Louiewouldgiveawayanything,whetheritwashisornot.”
Eachattempthemadetorighthimselfendedwrong.Heholedupalone,readingZaneGreynovelsandwishinghimselfintothem,amanandhishorseonthefrontier,brokenofffromtheworld.Hehauntedthetheaterforwesternmovies,losingtrackoftheplotswhilehestaredat
thescenery.Onsomenights,he’ddraghisbeddingintotheyardtosleepalone.Onothers,he’dlieawakeinbed,beneathpinupsofmoviecowboyTomMixandhiswonderhorse,Tony,feelingsnaredonsomethingfromwhichhecouldn’tkickfree.
Inthebackbedroomhecouldheartrainspassing.Lyingbesidehissleepingbrother,he’dlistentothebroad,low
sound:faint,thenrising,faintagain,thenahigh,beckoningwhistle,thengone.Thesoundofitbroughtgoosebumps.Lostinlonging,Louieimaginedhimselfonatrain,rolingintocountryhecouldn’tsee,growingsmalerandmoredistantuntilhedisappeared.
Two
RunLikeMad
THEREHABILITATIONOFLOUIEZAMPERINIBEGANIN1931,withakey.Fourteen-year-oldLouiewasinalocksmithshopwhenheheardsomeonesaythatifyouputanykeyinanylock,ithasaone-in-fiftychanceoffitting.Inspired,Louiebegancolectingkeysandtryinglocks.HehadnoluckuntilhetriedhishousekeyonthebackdooroftheTorranceHighgym.Whenbasketbal
seasonbegan,therewasaninexplicablediscrepancybetweenthenumberoften-centticketssoldandtheconsiderablylargernumberofkidsinthebleachers.Inlate1931,someonecaughton,andLouiewashauledtotheprincipal’sofficefortheumpteenthtime.InCalifornia,winter-bornstudentsenterednewgradesinJanuary,soLouiewasabouttostartninthgrade.The
principalpunishedhimbymakinghimineligibleforathleticandsocialactivities.Louie,whoneverjoinedanything,wasindifferent.
WhenPetelearnedwhathadhappened,heheadedstraighttotheprincipal’soffice.Thoughhismotherdidn’tyetspeakmuchEnglish,hetowedheralongtogivehispresentationweight.HetoldtheprincipalthatLouie
cravedattentionbuthadneverwonitintheformofpraise,sohesoughtitintheformofpunishment.IfLouiewererecognizedfordoingsomethingright,Peteargued,he’dturnhislifearound.HeaskedtheprincipaltoalowLouietojoinasport.Whentheprincipalbalked,PeteaskedhimifhecouldlivewithalowingLouietofail.Itwasacheekythingforasixteen-year-oldtosaytohis
principal,butPetewastheonekidinTorrancewhocouldgetawaywithsucharemark,andmakeitpersuasive.Louiewasmadeeligibleforathleticsfor1932.
PetehadbigplansforLouie.Aseniorin1931–32,hewouldgraduatewithtenvarsityletters,includingthreeinbasketbalandthreeinbasebal.Butitwastrack,inwhichheearnedfourvarsity
letters,tiedtheschoolhalf-milerecord,andsetitsmilerecordof5:06,thatwashistrueforte.LookingatLouie,whosegetawayspeedwashissavinggrace,Petethoughthesawthesameincipienttalent.
Asitturnedout,itwasn’tPetewhogotLouieontoatrackforthefirsttime.ItwasLouie’sweaknessforgirls.InFebruary,theninth-gradegirlsbeganassemblingateam
foraninterclasstrackmeet,andinaclasswithonlyfourboys,Louiewastheonlymalewholookedlikehecouldrun.Thegirlsworkedtheircharms,andLouiefoundhimselfstandingonthetrack,barefoot,fora660-yardrace.Wheneveryoneran,hefolowed,churningalongwithjimmyingelbowsanddroppingfarbehind.Ashelaboredhomelast,heheardtittering.Gaspingand
humiliated,heranstraightoffthetrackandhidunderthebleachers.Thecoachmutteredsomethingabouthowthatkidbelongedanywherebutinafootrace.“He’smybrother,”Petereplied.
Fromthatdayon,PetewasaloverLouie,forcinghimtotrain,thendragginghimtothetracktoruninasecondmeet.Urgedonbykidsinthe
stands,Louieputinjustenoughefforttobeatoneboyandfinishthird.Hehatedrunning,buttheapplausewasintoxicating,andtheprospectofmorewasjustenoughincentivetokeephimmarginalycompliant.Peteherdedhimouttotraineverydayandrodehisbicyclebehindhim,whackinghimwithastick.
Louiedraggedhisfeet,bel
yached,andquitatthefirstsignoffatigue.Petemadehimgetupandkeepgoing.Louiestartedwinning.Attheseason’send,hebecamethefirstTorrancekidtomaketheAlCityFinals.Hefinishedfifth.
PetehadbeenrightaboutLouie’stalent.ButtoLouie,trainingfeltlikeonemoreconstraint.Atnighthelistenedtothewhistlesof
passingtrains,andonedayinthesummerof’32,hecouldn’tbearitanylonger.
——
ItbeganoverachorethatLouie’sfatheraskedhimtodo.Louieresisted,aspatensued,andLouiethrewsomeclothesintoabagandstormedtowardthefrontdoor.Hisparentsorderedhimtostay;Louiewasbeyond
persuasion.Ashewalkedout,hismotherrushedtothekitchenandemergedwithasandwichwrappedinwaxedpaper.Louiestuffeditinhisbagandleft.Hewaspartwaydownthefrontwalkwhenheheardhisnamecaled.Whenheturned,therewashisfather,grim-faced,holdingtwodolarsinhisoutstretchedhand.Itwasalotofmoneyforamanwhosepaycheckdidn’tbridgetheweek.Louie
tookitandwalkedaway.
Heroundedupafriend,andtogethertheyhitchhikedtoLosAngeles,brokeintoacar,andsleptontheseats.Thenextdaytheyjumpedatrain,climbedontotheroof,androdenorth.
Thetripwasanightmare.Theboysgotlockedinaboxcarsohotthattheyweresoonfrantictoescape.Louiefound
adiscardedstripofmetal,climbedonhisfriend’sshoulders,priedaventopen,squirmedout,andhelpedhisfriendout,badlycuttinghimselfintheprocess.Thentheywerediscoveredbytherailroaddetective,whoforcedthemtojumpfromthemovingtrainatgunpoint.Afterseveraldaysofwalking,gettingchasedoutoforchardsandgrocerystoreswheretheytriedtostealfood,they
woundupsittingonthegroundinarailyard,filthy,bruised,sunburned,andwet,sharingastolencanofbeans.Atrainrattledpast.Louielookedup.“Isaw…beautifulwhitetableclothsandcrystalonthetables,andfood,peoplelaughingandenjoyingthemselvesandeating,”hesaidlater.“And[Iwas]sittinghereshivering,eatingamiserablecanofbeans.”Herememberedthe
moneyinhisfather’shand,thefearinhismother’seyesassheofferedhimasandwich.Hestoodupandheadedhome.
WhenLouiewalkedintohishouse,Louisethrewherarmsaroundhim,inspectedhimforinjuries,ledhimtothekitchen,andgavehimacookie.
Anthonycamehome,saw
Louie,andsankintoachair,hisfacesoftwithrelief.Afterdinner,Louiewentupstairs,droppedintobed,andwhisperedhissurrendertoPete.
——
Inthesummerof1932,Louiedidalmostnothingbutrun.Ontheinvitationofafriend,hewenttostayatacabinontheCahuilaIndian
Reservation,insouthernCalifornia’shighdesert.Eachmorning,herosewiththesun,pickeduphisrifle,andjoggedintothesagebrush.Heranupanddownhils,overthedesert,throughgulies.Hechasedbandsofhorses,dartingintotheswirlingherdsandtryinginvaintosnatchafistfulofmaneandswingaboard.Heswaminasulfurspring,watchedoverbyCahuilawomenscrubbing
clothesontherocks,andstretchedouttodryhimselfinthesun.Onhisrunbacktothecabineachafternoon,heshotarabbitforsupper.Eachevening,heclimbedatopthecabinandlayback,readingZaneGreynovels.Whenthesunsankandthewordsfaded,hegazedoverthelandscape,movedbyitsbeauty,watchingitslipfromgraytopurplebeforedarknessblendedlandandsky.
Inthemorningherosetorunagain.Hedidn’trunfromsomethingortosomething,notforanyoneorinspiteofanyone;heranbecauseitwaswhathisbodywishedtodo.Therestiveness,theself-consciousness,andtheneedtoopposedisappeared.Alhefeltwaspeace.
Hecamehomewithamaniaforrunning.Aloftheeffortthathe’donceputinto
thievinghethrewintotrack.OnPete’sinstruction,heranhisentirepaperroutefortheTorranceHerald,toandfromschool,andtothebeachandback.Herarelystayedonthesidewalk,veeringontoneighbors’lawnstohurdlebushes.Hegaveupdrinkingandsmoking.Toexpandhislungcapacity,herantothepublicpoolatRedondoBeach,dovetothebottom,grabbedthedrainplug,and
justfloatedthere,hangingonalittlelongereachtime.Eventualy,hecouldstayunderwaterforthreeminutesandforty-fiveseconds.
Peoplekeptjumpingintosavehim.
Louiealsofoundarolemodel.Inthe1930s,trackwashugelypopular,anditseliteperformerswerehouseholdnames.Among
themwasaKansasUniversitymilernamedGlennCunningham.Asasmalchild,CunninghamhadbeeninaschoolhouseexplosionthatkiledhisbrotherandleftGlennwith
severeburnsonhislegsandtorso.Itwasamonthandahalfbeforehecouldsitup,andmoretimestilbeforehecouldstand.Unabletostraightenhislegs,helearned
topushhimselfaboutbyleaningonachair,hislegsfloundering.Hegraduatedtothetailofthefamilymule,andeventualy,hangingoffthetailofanobliginghorsenamedPaint,hebegantorun,agaitthatinitialycausedhimexcruciatingpain.Withinafewyears,hewasracing,settingmilerecordsandobliteratinghisopponentsbythelengthofahomestretch.By1932,themodest,mild-
temperedCunningham,whoselegsandbackwerecoveredinatwistingmeshofscars,wasbecominganationalsensation,soontobeacclaimedasthegreatestmilerinAmericanhistory.Louiehadhishero.
Inthefalof1932,PetebeganhisstudiesatCompton,atuition-freejuniorcolege,wherehebecameastarrunner.Nearlyevery
afternoon,hecommutedhometocoachLouie,runningalongsidehim,subduingthejimmyingelbowsandteachinghimstrategy.Louiehadararebiomechanicaladvantage,hipsthatroledasheran;whenonelegreachedforward,thecorrespondinghipswungforwardwithit,givingLouieanexceptionalyefficient,seven-footstride.AfterwatchinghimfromtheTorranceHighfence,
cheerleaderTootsBowersoxneededonlyonewordtodescribehim:“Smoooooth.”
PetethoughtthatthesprintsinwhichLouiehadbeenrunningweretooshort.He’dbeamiler,justlikeGlennCunningham.
InJanuary1933,Louiebegantenthgrade.Ashelosthisaloof,thornymanner,hewaswelcomedbythefashionable
crowd.TheyinvitedhimtoweeniebakesinfrontofKelow’sHamburgStand,whereLouiewouldjoinukulelesing-alongsandtouchfootbalgamesplayedwithaknottedtowel,conteststhatinevitablyendedwithacheerleaderbeingwedgedintoatrashcan.Capitalizingonhissuddenpopularity,Louieranforclasspresidentandwon,borrowingthespeechthatPetehadusedtowinhisclass
presidencyatCompton.Bestofal,girlssuddenlyfoundhimdreamy.Whilewalkingaloneonhissixteenthbirthday,Louiewasambushedbyagigglinggaggleofcheerleaders.OnegirlsatonLouiewhiletherestgavehimsixteenwhacksontherear,plusonetogrowon.
WhentheschooltrackseasonbeganinFebruary,Louieset
outtoseewhattraininghaddoneforhim.Histransformationwasstunning.Competinginblacksilkshortsthathismotherhadsewnfromthefabricofaskirt,hewonan880-yardrace,breakingtheschoolrecord,co-heldbyPete,bymorethantwoseconds.Aweeklater,heranafieldofmilersofftheirfeet,stoppingthewatchesin5:03,threesecondsfasterthanPete’s
record.Atanothermeet,heclockedamilein4:58.Threeweekslater,hesetastaterecordof4:50.6.ByearlyApril,hewasdownto4:46;bylateApril,4:42.“Boy!ohboy!ohboy!”
readalocalpaper.“Canthatguyfly?Yes,thismeansthatZamperiniguy!”
Almosteveryweek,Louieranthemile,streaking
throughtheseasonunbeatenanduntested.Whenheranoutofhighschoolkidstowhip,hetookonPeteandthirteenothercolegerunnersinatwo-mileraceatCompton.Thoughhewasonlysixteenandhadnevereventrainedatthedistance,hewonbyfiftyyards.Nexthetriedthetwo-mileinUCLA’sSouthernCaliforniaCrossCountrymeet.Runningsoeffortlesslythathe
couldn’tfeelhisfeettouchingtheground,hetooktheleadandkeptpulingaway.Atthehalfwaypoint,hewasaneighthofamileahead,andobserversbeganspeculatingonwhentheboyintheblackshortswasgoingtocolapse.Louiedidn’tcolapse.Afterheflewpastthefinish,rewritingthecourserecord,helookedbackupthelongstraightaway.Notoneoftheotherrunnerswasevenin
view.Louiehadwonbymorethanaquarterofamile.
Hefeltasifhewouldfaint,butitwasn’tfromtheexertion.Itwasfromtherealizationofwhathewas.
Louiewinsthe1933UCLACrossCountrytwo-mileracebymorethanaquarterofamile.Peteisrunningupfrombehindtogreethim.CourtesyofLouisZamperini
Three
TheTorranceTornado
ITHAPPENEDEVERY
SATURDAY.LOUIEWOULDGOTOTHEtrack,limberup,lieonhisstomachontheinfieldgrass,visualizinghiscomingrace,thenwalktotheline,awaitthepopofthegun,andspringaway.Petewoulddashbackandforthintheinfield,clickinghisstopwatch,yelingencouragementandinstructions.WhenPetegavethesignal,Louiewouldstretchouthislonglegsand
hisopponentswouldscatteranddropaway,inthewordsofareporter,
“sadlydisheartenedanddisilusioned.”Louiewouldglideovertheline,Petewouldbetheretotacklehim,andthekidsinthebleacherswouldcheerandstomp.Thentherewouldbeautograph-seekinggirlscominginwaves,aridehome,kissesfromMother,andsnapshotsonthefront
lawn,trophyinhand.
Louiewonsomanywristwatches,thetraditionallaureloftrack,thathebeganhandingthemoutalovertown.Periodicaly,anewgoldenboywouldbetoutedastheonewhowouldtakehimdown,onlytoberunoffhisfeet.Onevictim,wroteareporter,hadbeenhailedas“theboywhodoesn’tknowhowfasthecanrun.Hefound
outSaturday.”
Louie’ssupremehighschoolmomentcameinthe1934SouthernCaliforniaTrackandFieldChampionship.Runninginwhatwascelebratedasthebestfieldofhighschoolmilersinhistory,Louieroutedthemalandsmokedthemilein4:21.3,shatteringthenationalhighschoolrecord,setduringWorldWarI,bymorethan
twoseconds.*HismainrivalsoexhaustedhimselfchasingLouiethathehadtobecarriedfromthetrack.AsLouietrottedintoPete’sarms,hefeltatugofregret.Hefelttoofresh.Hadherunhissecondlapfaster,hesaid,hemighthaveclocked4:18.AreporterpredictedthatLouie’srecordwouldstandfortwentyyears.Itstoodfornineteen.
LouieandPete.Bettmann/Corbis
Oncehishometown’sresidentarchvilain,Louiewasnowasuperstar,andTorranceforgavehimeverything.Whenhetrained,peoplelinedthetrackfence,calingout,“Comeon,IronMan!”ThesportspagesoftheLosAngelesTimesandExaminerwerestripedwithstoriesontheprodigy,whom
theTimescaledthe“TorranceTempest”andpracticalyeveryoneelsecaledthe“TorranceTornado.”Byonereport,storiesonLouieweresuchanimportantsourceofrevenuetotheTorranceHeraldthatthenewspaperinsuredhislegsfor$50,000.Torrancerscarpooledtohisracesandcrammedthegrandstands.Embarrassedbythefuss,Louieaskedhisparentsnotto
watchhimrace.Louisecameanyway,sneakingtothetracktopeerthroughthefence,buttheracesmadehersonervousthatshehadtohidehereyes.
Notlongago,Louie’saspirationshadendedatwhosekitchenhemightburgle.Nowhelatchedontoawildlyaudaciousgoal:the1936Olympics,inBerlin.TheGameshadnomilerace,somilersranthe1,500
meters,about120yardsshortofamile.Itwasaseasonedman’sgame;mosttopmilersoftheerapeakedintheirmid-twentiesorlater.Asof1934,theOlympic1,500-meterfavoritewasGlennCunningham,who’dsettheworldrecordinthemile,4:06.8,justweeksafterLouiesetthenationalhighschoolrecord.Cunninghamhadbeenracingsincethefourthgrade,andatthe1936Games,he
wouldbejustshortoftwenty-seven.Hewouldn’trunhisfastestmileuntilhewastwenty-eight.Asof1936,Louiewouldhaveonlyfiveyears’experience,andwouldbeonlynineteen.
ButLouiewasalreadythefastesthighschoolmilerinAmericanhistory,andhewasimprovingsorapidlythathehadloppedforty-twosecondsoffhistimeintwoyears.His
recordmile,runwhenhewasseventeen,wasthreeandahalfsecondsfasterthanCunningham’sfastesthighschoolmile,runwhenhewastwenty.*EvenconservativetrackpunditswerebeginningtothinkthatLouiemightbetheonetoshatterprecedent,andafterLouiewoneveryraceinhisseniorseason,theirconfidencewasstrengthened.Louiebelievedhecoulddoit,andsodidPete.Louiewanted
toruninBerlinmorethanhehadeverwantedanything.
InDecember1935,Louiegraduatedfromhighschool;afewweekslater,herangin1936withhisthoughtsfulofBerlin.TheOlympictrialstrackfinalswouldbeheldinNewYorkinJuly,andtheOlympiccommitteewouldbaseitsselectionofcompetitorsonaseriesofqualifyingraces.Louiehad
sevenmonthstorunhimselfontotheteam.Inthemeantime,healsohadtofigureoutwhattodoaboutthenumerouscolegescholarshipsbeingofferedtohim.
PetehadwonascholarshiptotheUniversityofSouthernCalifornia,wherehehadbecomeoneofthenation’stoptencolegemilers.HeurgedLouietoacceptUSC’s
offerbutdelayentryuntilthefal,sohecouldtrainful-time.SoLouiemovedintoPete’sfrathouseand,withPetecoachinghim,trainedobsessively.Alday,everyday,helivedandbreathedthe1,500metersandBerlin.
Inthespring,hebegantorealizethathewasn’tgoingtomakeit.Thoughhewasgettingfasterbytheday,hecouldn’tforcehisbodyto
improvequicklyenoughtocatchhisolderrivalsbysummer.Hewassimplytooyoung.Hewasheartbroken.
——
InMay,LouiewasleafingthroughanewspaperwhenhesawastoryontheComptonOpen,aprestigioustrackmeettobeheldattheLosAngelesColiseumonMay22.Theheadlinerinthe5,000
meters—threemilesand188yards—wasNormanBright,atwenty-six-year-oldschoolteacher.BrighthadsettheAmericantwo-milerecordin1935andwasAmerica’ssecond-fastest5,000-meterman,behindthelegendaryDonLash,IndianaUniversity’stwenty-three-year-oldrecord-smashingmachine.Americawouldsendthree5,000-metermentoBerlin,andLashand
Brightwereconsideredlocks.PeteurgedLouietoentertheComptonOpenandtryhislegsatalongerdistance.“IfyoustaywithNormanBright,”hetoldLouie,“youmaketheOlympicteam.”
Theideawasastretch.Themilewasfourlapsofthetrack;the5,000wasmorethantwelve,whatLouiewoulddescribeasa“fifteen-minutetorturechamber,”wel
overthreetimeshisoptimaldistance.Hehadonlytwiceracedbeyondamile,andthe5,000,likethemile,wasdominatedbymucholdermen.HehadonlytwoweekstotrainforComptonand,withtheOlympictrialsinJuly,twomonthstobecomeAmerica’syoungestelite5,000-meterman.
Buthehadnothingtolose.Hetrainedsohardthathe
rubbedtheskinrightoffoneofhistoes,leavinghissockbloody.
Therace,contestedbeforetenthousandfans,wasabarnburner.LouieandBrighttookofftogether,leavingthefieldfarbehind.Eachtimeonetookthelead,theotherwouldgunpasthimagainandthecrowdwouldroar.Theyturnedintothehomestretchforthelasttimedead
together,Brightinside,Louieoutside.Ahead,arunnernamedJohnCaseywasonthevergeofbeinglapped.OfficialswavedatCasey,whotriedtoyield,butBrightandLouiecametohimbeforehecouldgetoutoftheway.Brightsqueezedthroughontheinside,butLouiehadtoshiftrighttogoaroundCasey.Confused,Caseyveeredfartherright,carryingLouieout.Louiespedupto
goaroundhim,butCaseyspedupalso,carryingLouiemostofthewaytowardthegrandstand.Finaly,Louietookahalfsteptocutinside,losthisbalance,anddroppedonehandtotheground.Brightnowhadanadvantagethatlooked,toPete’seye,tobeseveralyards.Louietookoffafterhim,gainingrapidly.Withthecrowdonitsfeetandscreaming,LouiecaughtBrightatthetape.Hewasa
beattoolate:Brightwonbyaglimmer.HeandLouiehadclippedoutthefastest5,000runinAmericain1936.Louie’sOlympicdreamwasonagain.
OnJune13,LouiemadequickworkofanotherOlympic5,000qualifier,butthetoeinjuredintrainingopenedupagain.Hewastoolametotrainforhisfinalqualifyingrace,anditcost
him.BrightbeatLouiebyfouryards,butLouiewasn’tdisgraced,clockingthethird-fastest5,000runinAmericasince1931.HewasinvitedtothefinaloftheOlympictrials.
——
OnthenightofJuly3,1936,theresidentsofTorrancegatheredtoseeLouieofftoNewYork.Theypresented
himwithawaletbulgingwithtravelingmoney,atrainticket,newclothes,ashavingkit,andasuitcaseemblazonedwiththewordsTORRANCETORNADO.Fearingthatthesuitcasemadehimlookbrash,Louiecarrieditoutofviewandcoveredthenicknamewithadhesivetape,thenboardedhistrain.Accordingtohisdiary,hespentthejourneyintroducinghimselftoevery
prettygirlhesaw,includingatotaloffivebetweenChicagoandOhio.
WhenthetraindoorsslidopeninNewYork,Louiefeltasifhewerewalkingintoaninferno.ItwasthehottestsummeronrecordinAmerica,andNewYorkwasoneofthehardest-hitcities.In1936,air-conditioningwasararity,foundonlyinafewtheatersanddepartment
stores,soescapewasnearlyimpossible.Thatweek,whichincludedthehottestthree-dayperiodinthenation’shistory,theheatwouldkilthreethousandAmericans.InManhattan,whereitwouldreach106degrees,fortypeoplewoulddie.
LouieandNormanBrightsplitthecostofaroomattheLincolnHotel.Likealoftheathletes,inspiteoftheheat,
theyhadtotrain.Sweatingprofuselydayandnight,traininginthesun,unabletosleepinstiflinghotelroomsandYMCAs,lackinganyappetite,virtualyeveryathletelostahugeamountofweight.Byoneestimate,noathletedroppedlessthantenpounds.Onewassodesperateforreliefthathemovedintoanair-conditionedtheater,buyingticketstomoviesandsleepingthroughevery
showing.Louiewasasmiserableaseveryoneelse.Chronicalydehydrated,hedrankasmuchashecould;afteran880-meterrunin106-degreeheat,hedownedeightorangeadesandaquartofbeer.Eachnight,takingadvantageofthecoolerair,hewalkedsixmiles.Hisweightfelprecipitously.
Thepreracenewspapercoverageriledhim.DonLash
wasconsideredunbeatable,havingjusttakentheNCAA5,000-metertitleforthethirdtime,setaworldrecordattwomilesandanAmericanrecordat10,000meters,andrepeatedlythumpedBright,onceby150yards.Brightwaspeggedforsecond,aseriesofotherathletesforthirdthroughfifth.Louiewasn’tmentioned.Likeeveryoneelse,LouiewasdauntedbyLash,butthefirst
threerunnerswouldgotoBerlin,andhebelievedhecouldbeamongthem.“IfIhaveanystrengthleftfromtheheat,”hewrotetoPete,“I’lbeatBrightandgiveLashthescareofhislife.”
Onthenightbeforetherace,Louielaysleeplessinhisswelteringhotelroom.Hewasthinkingaboutalthepeoplewhowouldbedisappointedifhefailed.
Thenextmorning,LouieandBrightleftthehoteltogether.ThetrialsweretobeheldatanewstadiumonRandal’sIsland,intheconfluenceoftheEastandHarlemrivers.Itwasahairshortof90inthecity,butwhentheygotofftheferry,theyfoundthestadiummuchhotter,probablyfarover100degrees.Aloverthetrack,athleteswerekeelingoverandbeingcartedofftohospitals.Louiesatwaiting
forhisrace,bakingunderascaldingsunthat,hesaid,
“madeawreckofme.”
Atlast,theyweretoldtolineup.Theguncracked,themenrushedforward,andtheracewason.Lashboundedtothelead,withBrightinclosepursuit.
Louiedroppedback,andthefieldsettledinforthegrind.
Ontheothersideofthecontinent,athrongofTorrancerscrouchedaroundtheradiointheZamperinis’house.Theywereinagonies.ThestarttimeforLouie’sracehadpassed,buttheNBCradioannouncerwaslingeringontheswimmingtrials.Petewassofrustratedthatheconsideredputtinghisfootthroughtheradio.Atlast,theannouncerlistedthepositionsofthe5,000-meter
runners,butdidn’tmentionLouie.Unabletobearthetension,Louisefledtothekitchen,outofearshot.
Therunnerspushedthroughlapsseven,eight,nine.LashandBrightledthefield.Louiehoveredinthemiddleofthepack,waitingtomakehismove.
Theheatwassuffocating.Onerunnerdropped,andthe
othershadnochoicebuttohurdlehim.Thenanotherwentdown,andtheyjumpedhim,too.Louiecouldfeelhisfeetcooking;thespikesonhisshoeswereconductingheatupfromthetrack.NormanBright’sfeetwereburningparticularlybadly.Interriblepain,hetookastaggeringstepoffthetrack,twistedhisankle,thenlurchedbackon.Thestumbleseemedtofinishhim.Helost
touchwithLash.WhenLouieandtherestofthepackcameuptohim,hehadnoresistancetooffer.Stilheranon.
Astherunnersenteredthefinallap,Lashgavehimselfabreather,droppingjustbehindhisIndianateammate,TomDeckard.Welbehindhim,Louiewasreadytomove.Anglingintothebackstretch,heaccelerated.Lash’sback
drewcloser,andthenitwasjustayardortwoahead.LookingatthebobbingheadofthemightyDonLash,Louiefeltintimidated.Forseveralstrides,hehesitated.Thenhesawthelastcurveahead,andthesightslappedhimawake.Heopenedupasfastashecouldgo.
Bankingaroundtheturn,LouiedrewalongsideLashjustasLashshiftedrightto
passDeckard.Louiewascarriedthree-wide,losingpreciousground.
LeavingDeckardbehind,LouieandLashransidebysideintothehomestretch.Withonehundredyardstogo,Louieheldaslightlead.Lash,fightingfuriously,stuckwithhim.Neithermanhadanymorespeedtogive.Louiecouldseethathewasmaybeahand’swidthahead,
andhewouldn’tletitgo.
Withheadsthrownback,legspumpingoutofsync,LouieandLashdroveforthetape.Withjustafewyardsremaining,Lashbeganinchingup,drawingeven.Thetworunners,legsrubberywithexhaustion,flungthemselvespastthejudgesinafinishsoclose,Louielatersaid,“youcouldn’tputahairbetweenus.”
Theannouncer’svoiceechoedacrossthelivingroominTorrance.Zamperini,hesaid,hadwon.
Standinginthekitchen,Louiseheardthecrowdinthenextroomsuddenlyshout.Outside,carhornshonked,thefrontdoorswungopen,andneighborsgushedintothehouse.AsacrushofhystericalTorrancerscelebratedaroundher,Louise
wepthappytears.Anthonypoppedthecorkonabottleofwineandbeganfilingglassesandsingingouttoasts,smiling,saidonereveler,likea“jackasseatingcactus.”Amomentlater,Louie’svoicecameoverthe
airwaves,calingagreetingtoTorrance.
LouieandLashatthefinishlineatthe1936Olympictrials.CourtesyofLouisZamperini
Buttheannouncerwasmistaken.ThejudgesruledthatitwasLash,notZamperini,whohadwon.Deckardhadhungonforthird.Theannouncersooncorrectedhimself,butithardlydimmedthecelebrationinTorrance.The
hometownboyhadmadetheOlympicteam.
Afewminutesaftertherace,Louiestoodunderacoldshower.Hecouldfeelthestingoftheburnsonhisfeet,folowingthepatternsofhiscleats.Afterdryingoff,heweighedhimself.Hehadsweatedoffthreepounds.Helookedinamirrorandsawaghostlyimagelookingbackathim.
Acrosstheroom,NormanBrightwasslumpedonabenchwithoneankleproppedovertheotherknee,staringathisfoot.It,liketheotherone,wasburnedsobadlythattheskinhaddetachedfromthesole.Hehadfinishedfifth,twoplacesshortoftheOlympicteam.*
Bytheday’send,Louiehadreceivedsome125telegrams.TORRANCEHASGONE
NUTS,readone.VILLAGEHASGONESCREWEY,readanother.TherewasevenonefromtheTorrancePoliceDepartment,whichmusthavebeenrelievedthatsomeoneelsewaschasingLouie.
Thatnight,Louieporedovertheeveningpapers,whichshowedphotosofthefinishofhisrace.Insome,heseemedtobetiedwithLash;inothers,heseemedtobein
front.Onthetrack,he’dfeltsurethathehadwon.ThefirstthreewouldgototheOlympics,butLouiefeltcheatednonetheless.
AsLouiestudiedthepapers,thejudgeswerereviewingphotographsandafilmofthe5,000.Later,Louiesenthomeatelegramwiththenews:JUDGES
CALLEDITATIE.LEAVE
NOONWEDNESDAYFORBERLIN.WILLRUNHARDERINBERLIN.
WhenSylviareturnedfromworkthenextday,thehousewaspackedwithwel-wishersandnewsmen.Louie’stwelve-year-oldsister,Virginia,clutchedoneofLouie’strophiesandtoldreportersofherplanstobethenextgreatZamperinirunner.Anthonyheadedoff
totheKiwanisclub,whereheandLouie’sBoyScoutmasterwoulddrinktoaststoLouieuntilfourinthemorning.Petewalkedaroundtowntobackslapsandcongratulations.“AmIeverhappy,”hewrotetoLouie.“IhavetogoaroundwithmyshirtopensothatIhaveenoughroomformychest.”
LouieZamperiniwasonhiswaytoGermanytocompete
intheOlympicsinaneventthathehadonlycontestedfourtimes.Hewastheyoungestdistancerunnertoevermaketheteam.
*Louie’stimewascaleda“worldinterscholastic”record,butthiswasamisnomer.Therewerenoofficialworldhighschoolrecords.Latersourceswouldlistthetimeas4:21.2,butalsourcesfrom1934listitas
4:21.3.Becausedifferentorganizationshaddifferentstandardsforrecordverification,thereissomeconfusionaboutwhoserecordLouiebroke,butaccordingtonewspapersatthetime,thepreviousrecordholderwasEdShields,whoran4:23.6in1916.In1925,ChesleyUnruhwastimedin4:20.5,butthiswasn’tofficialyverified.Cunninghamwasalsocreditedwiththerecord,
buthistime,4:24.7runin1930,wasfarslowerthanthoseofUnruhandShields.Louie’smarkstooduntilBobSeamanbrokeitin1953.
*Apparentlybecauseofhisburns,Cunninghamdidn’tstarthighschooluntilhewaseighteen.
*Brightwouldn’thaveanothershotattheOlympics,buthewouldrunfortherest
ofhislife,settingmastersrecordsinhisoldage.Eventualyhewentblind,buthekeptrightonrunning,holdingtheendofaropewhileaguideheldtheother.“Theonlyproblemwasthatmostguidescouldn’trunasfastasmybrother,evenwhenhewasinhislateseventies,”wrotehissisterGeorgieBrightKunkel.“Inhiseightieshisgrandnephewswouldwalkwithhimaround
hiscarecenterashetimedthewalkonhisstopwatch.”
Four
PlunderingGermany
THELUXURYSTEAMERMANHATTAN,BEARINGTHE1936U.S.OlympicteamtoGermany,wasbarelypasttheStatueofLibertybeforeLouiebeganstealingthings.Inhisdefense,hewasn’ttheonewhostartedit.Mindfulofbeingateenagedupstartinthecompanyof
suchseasonedtrackdeitiesasJesseOwensandGlennCunningham,Louiecurbedhiscoltishimpulsesandbegangrowingamustache.Buthesoonnoticedthatpracticalyeveryoneonboardwas“souvenircolecting,”pocketingtowels,ashtrays,andanythingelsetheycouldeasilylift.“Theyhadnothingonme,”hesaidlater.“I[was]PhiBetaKappaintakingthings.”Themustachewas
abandoned.Asthevoyagewenton,LouieandtheotherlightfingersquietlydenudedtheManhattan.
Everyonewasfightingfortrainingspace.Gymnastssetuptheirapparatuses,butwiththeshipswaying,theykeptgettingbuckedoff.Basketbalplayersdidpassingdrilsondeck,butthewindkeptjettisoningthebalsintotheAtlantic.Fencerslurchedal
overtheship.Thewaterathletesdiscoveredthatthesaltwaterintheship’stinypoolsloshedbackandforthvehemently,twofeetdeeponemoment,sevenfeetthenext,creatingwavessolarge,onewaterpolomantookupbodysurfing.Everylargerolheavedmostofthewater,andeveryoneinit,ontothedeck,sothecoacheshadtotietheswimmerstothewal.Thesituationwashardlybetterfor
runners.Louiefoundthattheonlywaytotrainwastocirclethefirst-classdeck,weavingamongdeckchairs,recliningmoviestars,andotherathletes.Inhighseas,therunnerswerebuffetedabout,alstaggeringinonedirection,thenintheother.Louiehadtomovesoslowlythathecouldn’tlosethemarathonwalkercreepingalongbesidehim.
CourtesyofLouisZamperini
ForaDepression-erateenageraccustomedtobreakfastingonstalebreadandmilk,andwhohadeateninarestaurantonlytwiceinhislife,*theManhattanwasparadise.Uponrising,theathletessippedcocoaandgrazedfromplatesofpastries.Atnine,therewassteakandeggsinthediningroom.Acoffeebreak,lunch,tea,anddinner
folowed,nosetotail.Betweenmeals,aringfortheporterwouldbringanythingtheheartdesired,andlateatnight,theathletesraidedthegaley.Inchingaroundthefirst-classdeck,Louiefoundalittlewindowinwhichpintsofbeerkeptmagicalyappearing.Hemadethemmagicalydisappear.Whenseasicknessthinnedtheranksofthediners,extradessertswerelaidout,andLouie,who
hadsturdysealegs,letnothinggotowaste.Hisconsumptionbecamelegendary.Recalinghowtheshiphadtomakeanunscheduledstoptorestockthepantries,runnerJamesLuValejoked,“Ofcourse,mostofthiswasduetoLouZamperini.”LouiemadeahabitofsittingnexttothemountainousshotputterJackTorrance,whohadaninexplicablytinyappetite.
WhenTorrancecouldn’tfinishhisentrée,Louiedroppedontotheplatelikeavulture.
OntheeveningofJuly17,Louiereturnedfromdinnersoimpressedwithhiseatingthatheimmortalizeditonthebackofaletter:1pintofpineapplejuice
2bowlsofbeefbroth
2sardinesalads
5rols
2talglassesofmilk
4smalsweetpickles
2platesofchicken
2helpingsofsweetpotatoes
4piecesofbutter
3helpingsoficecreamwithwafers
3chunksofangelfoodcakewithwhitefrosting
1½poundsofcherries
1apple
1orange
1glassoficewater
“BiggestmealIeverateinmylife,”hewrote,“andIcan’tbelieveitmyself,butIwasthere…Whereitalwent,Idon’tknow.”
He’dsoonfindout.ShortlybeforetheathletescameashoreatHamburg,adoctornotedthatquiteafewwereexpanding.Onejavelincompetitorhadgainedeightpoundsinfivedays.Severalwrestlers,boxers,and
weightliftershadeatenthemselvesoutoftheirweightclasses,andsomewereunabletocompete.DonLashhadgainedtenpounds.Louieoutdidthemal,regainingaltheweightthathe’dlostinNewYork,andthensome.WhenhegotofftheManhattan,heweighedtwelvepoundsmorethanwhenhe’dgottenonninedaysearlier.
——
OnJuly24,theathletesshuffledfromtheshiptoatrain,stoppedoverinFrankfurtforawelcomingdinner,andreboardedthetraintotingquiteafewoftheirhosts’pricelesswineglasses.TheGermanschaseddownthetrain,searchedthebaggage,repatriatedtheglasses,andsenttheAmericansontoBerlin.
There,thetrainwasswampedbyteenagersholdingscissorsandchanting,“WoistJesse?WoistJesse?”WhenOwenssteppedout,thethrongswarmedhimandbegansnippingoffbitsofhisclothing.Owensleaptbackontothetrain.
TheathletesweredriventotheOlympicVilage,amasterpieceofdesigncraftedbyWolfgangFürstner,a
Wehrmachtcaptain.Nestledinanundulatingpatchworkofbeechforests,lakes,andclearingswere140cottages,ashoppingmal,abarbershop,apostoffice,adentist’soffice,asauna,ahospital,trainingfacilities,anddininghals.Anewtechnologycaledtelevisionwasonexhibitinthevilageoffice.Therewerewoodedtrails,overwhichboundedamultitudeofimportedanimals.The
JapaneseathleteswereespecialytakenwiththedeerandbeganfeedingthemtreatsinsuchvolumethattheGermansdiscreetlymovedthedeerout.OneBritishwagwonderedaloudwherethestorkswere.Thenextday,twohundredstorksappeared.
Louiewashousedinacottagewithseveralotherathletes,includingOwens.Thegreatsprinterkeptafatherlyeyeon
him;LouierepaidhimbyswipinghisDONOTDISTURBsign,leavingpoorOwensbesiegedbyautographseekers.Louieswaminthelakes,ateappalingquantitiesoffood,andsocialized.
ThehitofthevilagewastheJapanesecontingent,whosetraditionofprodigiousgiftgivingmadethemthecolectiveSantaClausoftheGames.
OnthefirstofAugust,LouieandtheotherOlympiansweredriventhroughBerlinfortheopeningceremonies.Everyvistasuggestedcoiledmight.Nazibannershadbeenpaperedovereverything.Asmuchasathirdofthemalepopulationwasinuniform,asweremanychildren.Militaryunitsdriledopenly,andthoughpoweredaircraftwereforbiddenundertheVersailesTreaty,thestrengthofthe
burgeoningLuftwaffewasonconspicuousdisplayoveranairfield,whereglidersswoopedoverimpressedtouristsandHitlerYouth.Thebuseshadmachinegunmountsontheroofsandundercarriagesthatcouldbeconvertedintotank-styletracks.Thecitywaspristine.Eventhewagonhorsesleftnomark,theirdroppingsinstantlyscoopedupbyuniformedstreetsweepers.
Berlin’sGypsiesandJewishstudentshadvanished—theGypsieshadbeendumpedincamps,theJewsconfinedtotheUniversityofBerlincampus—leavingonlysmiling“Aryans.”TheonlyvisiblewispofdiscordwasthebrokenglassinthewindowsofJewishbusinesses.
ThebusesdrovetotheOlympicstadium.Enteringin
aparadeofnationsandstandingatattention,theathletesweretreatedtoathunderousshowthatculminatedinthereleaseoftwentythousanddoves.Asthebirdscircledinpanickedconfusion,cannonsbeganfiring,promptingthebirdstorelievethemselvesovertheathletes.Witheachreport,thebirdsletfly.Louiestayedatattention,shakingwithlaughter.
Louiehadprogressedenoughinfour5,000-meterracestocompetewithLash,butheknewthathehadnochanceofwinninganOlympicmedal.Itwasn’tjustthathewasoutofshapefromthelongidlenessontheship,andalmostpudgyfromgorgingonboardandinthevilage.FewnationshaddominatedanOlympiceventasFinlandhadthe5,000,winninggoldin1912,’24,’28,and’32.
LauriLehtinen,whohadwongoldin’32,wasbackforanothergo,alongwithhisbriliantteammatesGunnarHöckertandIlmariSalminen.WhenLouiewatchedthemtrain,notedareporter,hiseyesbulged.
LouiewastooyoungandtoogreentobeattheFinns,andheknewit.Hisdaywouldcome,hebelieved,inthe1,500fouryearslater.
Inthelastdaysbeforehispreliminaryheat,LouiewenttothestadiumandwatchedOwenscrushthefieldinthe100metersandCunninghambreaktheworldrecordforthe1,500butstillosetoNewZealanderJackLovelock.Theatmospherewassurreal.EachtimeHitlerentered,thecrowdjumpedupwiththeNazisalute.Witheachforeignathlete’svictory,anabbreviatedversionofhisor
hernationalanthemwasplayed.WhenaGermanathletewon,thestadiumrangwitheverystanzaof“DeutschlandüberAles”andthespectatorsshouted“Siegheil!”endlessly,armsoutstretched.AccordingtotheswimmerIrisCummings,theslavishnationalismwasajoketotheAmericans,butnottotheGermans.TheGestapopacedthestadium,eyeingthefans.AGerman
womansittingwithCummingsrefusedtosalute.SheshrankbetweenIrisandhermother,whispering,“Don’tletthemseeme!Don’tletthemseeme!”
——
OnAugust4,three5,000-meterqualifyingheatswererun.Louiedrewthethird,deepestheat,facingLehtinen.Thetopfiveineachheat
wouldmakethefinal.Inthefirst,Lashranthird.Inthesecond,TomDeckard,theotherAmerican,failedtoqualify.Louiesloggedthroughheatthree,feelingfatandleaden-legged.Hebarelycaughtfifthplaceattheline.Hewas,hewroteinhisdiary,“tiredashel.”Hehadthreedaystoprepareforthefinal.
Whilehewaswaiting,anenvelopearrivedfromPete.
Insideweretwoplayingcards,anaceandajoker.OnthejokerPetehadwritten,“Whichareyougoingtobe,thejoker,whichisanotherwordforhorse’sass,ortheTOPS:Aceofspades.Thebestinthebunch.Thehighestinthedeck.Takeyourchoice!”Ontheacehehadwritten,“Let’sseeyoustormthroughasthebestinthedeck.Ifthejokerdoesnotappealtoyou,throwitaway
andkeepthisforgoodluck.Pete.”
OnAugust7,LouielayfacedownintheinfieldoftheOlympicstadium,readyinghimselfforthe5,000-meterfinal.Onehundredthousandspectatorsringedthetrack.Louiewasterrified.Hepressedhisfacetothegrass,inhalingdeeply,tryingtosettlehisquiveringnerves.Whenthetimecame,herose,
walkedtothestartingline,bowedforward,andwaited.Hispapernumber,751,flappedagainsthischest.
Atthesoundofthegun,Louie’sbody,electricwithnervousenergy,wantedtobolt,butLouiemadeaconsciousefforttorelax,knowinghowfarhehadtogo.Astherunnerssurgedforward,hekepthisstrideshort,lettingthepacesetters
untangle.Lashemergedwiththelead,atroikaofFinnsjustbehindhim.Louiefloatedleftandsettledintothesecondtierofrunners.
Thelapswoundby.Lashkeptleading,theFinnsonhisheels.Louiepushedalonginthesecondgroup.Hebeganbreathinginasickeningodor.Helookedaroundandrealizedthatitwascomingfromarunneraheadofhim,
hishairaslickofreekingpomade.Feelingaswelofnausea,Louieslowedandslidoutabit,andthestenchdissipated.LashandtheFinnswereslippingoutofreach,andLouiewantedtogowiththem,buthisbodyfeltsodden.
Astheclumpsofmenstretchedandthinnedintoalong,brokenthread,Louiesankthroughthefield,to
twelfth.Onlythreestragglerstrailedhim.
Ahead,theFinnsscuffedandsidledintoLash,roughinghimup.Lashheldhisground.Butontheeighthlap,SalminencockedhiselbowandrammeditintoLash’schest.Lashfoldedabruptly,inevidentpain.TheFinnsboundedaway.Theyenteredtheeleventhlapinatightknot,lookingtosweepthe
medals.Then,foraninstant,theystrayedtooclosetoeachother.Salminen’slegclippedthatofHöckert.AsHöckertstumbled,Salminenfelheavilytothetrack.Herose,dazed,andresumedrunning.Hisrace,likeLash’s,waslost.
Louiesawnoneofit.HepassedthedeflatedLash,butitmeantlittletohim.Hewastired.TheFinnsweresmal
anddistant,muchtoofarawaytocatch.
HefoundhimselfthinkingofPete,andofsomethingthathehadsaidastheyhadsatontheirbedyearsearlier:Alifetimeofgloryisworthamomentofpain.Louiethought:Letgo.
Nearingthefinishlineforthepenultimatetime,Louiefixedhiseyesonthegleaminghead
ofthepomadedcompetitor,whowasmanyrunnersahead.
Hebeganadramaticacceleration.Aroundtheturnanddownthebackstretch,Louiekicked,hislegsreachingandpushing,hiscleatsbitingthetrack,hisspeeddazzling.Onebyone,runnerscameupaheadandfadedawaybehind.“AlIhad,”Louiewouldsay,“Igaveit.”
AsLouieflewaroundthelastbend,Höckerthadalreadywon,withLehtinenbehindhim.Louiewasn’twatchingthem.Hewaschasingtheglossyhead,stildistant.Heheardagatheringroarandrealizedthatthecrowdhadcaughtsightofhisralyandwasshoutinghimon.EvenHitler,whohadbeencontortinghimselfinconcertwiththeathletes,waswatchinghim.Louieranon,
Pete’swordsbeatinginhishead,hiswholebodyburning.Theshininghairwasfaraway,thennearer.ThenitwassoclosethatLouieagainsmeledthepomade.Withthelastofhisstrength,Louiethrewhimselfovertheline.Hehadmadeupfiftyyardsinthelastlapandbeatenhispersonalbesttimebymorethaneightseconds.Hisfinaltime,14:46.8,wasbyfarthefastest5,000
runbyanyAmericanin1936,almosttwelvesecondsfasterthanLash’sbestfortheyear.Hehadjustmissedseventhplace.
AsLouiebent,gasping,overhisspentlegs,hemarveledatthekickthathehadforcedfromhisbody.Ithadfeltvery,veryfast.Twocoacheshurriedup,gapingattheirstopwatches,onwhichtheyhadclockedhisfinallap.
Bothwatchesshowedpreciselythesametime.
Indistancerunninginthe1930s,itwasexceptionalyrareforamantorunalastlapinoneminute.Thisruleheldeveninthecomparativelyshorthopofamile:Inthethreefastestmileseverrun,thewinner’sfinallaphadbeenclockedat61.2,58.9,and59.1seconds,respectively.Nolapinthose
threehistoricperformanceshadbeenfasterthan58.9.Inthe5,000,weloverthreemiles,turningafinallapinlessthan70secondswasamonumentalfeat.Inhisrecord-breaking1932Olympic5,000,Lehtinenhadspunhisfinallapin69.2seconds.
Louiehadrunhislastlapin56seconds.
——
Aftercleaninghimselfup,Louieclimbedintothestands.Nearby,AdolfHitlersatinhisbox,amonghisentourage.SomeonepointedoutacadaverousmannearHitlerandtoldLouiethatitwasJosephGoebbels,Hitler’sministerofpropaganda.Louiehadneverheardofhim.Pulingouthiscamera,hecarriedittoGoebbelsand
askedhimifhe’dsnapapictureoftheführer.Goebbelsaskedhimhisnameandevent,thentookthecamera,movedaway,snappedaphoto,spokewithHitler,returned,andtoldLouiethattheführerwantedtoseehim.
Louiewasledintotheführer’ssection.Hitlerbentfromhisbox,smiled,andofferedhishand.Louie,
standingbelow,hadtoreachfarup.Theirfingersbarelytouched.HitlersaidsomethinginGerman.Aninterpretertranslated.
“Ah,you’retheboywiththefastfinish.”
——
Happywithhisperformance,Louiewasitchingtoraisehel.Hehadhopedtopalaround
withGlennCunningham,buthisheroprovedtoomatureforhim.
Instead,hefoundasuitablyirresponsiblecompanion,donnedhisOlympicdressuniform,anddescendedonBerlin.Thetwoprowledbars,wooedgirls,chirped,“HeilHitler!”ateveryoneinuniform,andstoleanythingGermanishthattheycouldpryloose.Inanautomat,they
discoveredGermanbeer.Theservingsizewasaliter,whichtookLouieagoodwhiletofinish.Buzzing,theywentwalking,thencircledbackforanotherliter,whichwentdowneasierthanthefirst.
TrolingaroundBerlin,theystoppedacrossthestreetfromtheReichChancelery.AcarpuledupandoutsteppedHitler,whowalkedinside.Studyingthebuilding,Louie
spottedasmalNaziflagnearthedoors.Itwouldmakeaswelsouvenir,anditlookedeasytoreach.Thebannerdidn’tyetcarrymuchsymbolicmeaningforhim,ormanyotherAmericans,inthesummerof’36.LouiejusthadahankeringtostealinhisheadandtwopersuasivelitersofGermanbrewinhisbely.
TwoguardspacedtheapronbeforetheChancelery.
Watchingthemwalk,Louienotedthatoneachpass,therewasapointatwhichbothhadtheirbackstotheflag.Asthesoldiersturned,Louierantotheflagandimmediatelyrealizedthatitwasmuchhigherthanhehadthought.Hebeganjumpingintheair,tryingtocatchtheedgeofit.Hebecamesoabsorbedinhistaskthatheforgotabouttheguards,whorantowardhim,shouting.Takingonelast
lungefortheflag,Louiesnaggedtheedgeandfeltothepavement,tearingthebannerdownwithhim,thenscrambledtohisfeetandranlikemad.
Heheardacrack!Behindhim,aguardwasrunningathim,hisgunpointedatthesky,yeling,“HaltenSie!”ThatmuchLouieunderstood.Hestopped.
Theguardgrabbedhisshoulder,spunhimaround,sawhisOlympicuniform,andhesitated.HeaskedLouiehisname.TheonethingthatLouieknewaboutNaziswasthattheywereanti-Semitic,sowhenhegavehisname,hedelivereditinanexaggeratedlyItalianfashion,rolingther,hewouldsay,“forabouttwominutes.”
Theguardsconferred,went
inside,andcameoutwithsomeonewholookedmoreimportantthanthey.ThenewGermanaskedhimwhyhehadstolentheflag.Louie,layingitonthick,repliedthathewantedasouvenirofthehappytimehehadhadinbeautifulGermany.TheGermansgavehimtheflagandlethimgo.
WhenthepressgotwindofLouie’sadventure,reporters
tookcreativeliberties.Louiehad“stormedHitler’spalace”tostealtheflaginahailofgunfirethathad“whistledaroundhishead.”Plunging“eighteenfeet,”hehadracedaway,pursuedby“twocolumns”ofarmedguards,whohadtackledandbeathim.JustasaGermanriflebutthadbeenabouttocrushLouie’shead,theGermanarmy’scommanderinchiefhadhaltedtheattack,and
Louiehadtalkedthegeneralintosparinghislife.Inoneversion,Hitlerhimselfhadalowedhimtokeeptheflag.Inanother,Louiehadconcealedtheflagsocleverlythatitwasneverdiscovered.Hehaddoneital,wentthestory,towintheheartofagirl.
——
OnAugust11,Louiepackedhisbelongings,theflag,and
anarrayofotherstolenTeutonicaandlefthisroomintheOlympicVilage.TheGameswerewindingdown,andthetrackathleteswereleavingearlytocompeteinmeetsinEnglandandScotland.Afewdayslater,fireworksbroughttheGamestoaboomingclose.Hitler’sshowhadgonewithoutahitch.Theworldwasfulofpraise.
TheAmericanbasketbalplayerFrankLubinlingeredinBerlinforafewdays.HisGermanhostshadinvitedhimouttodinner,sotheycruisedthestreetsinsearchofarestaurant.AprettyplacecaughtLubin’seye,butwhenhesuggestedit,hishostsbalked:aStarofDavidhunginthewindow.Tobeseenthere,theysaid,“mightproveharmfultous.”Thegroupfoundagentilerestaurant,
thenvisitedapublicswimmingpool.Astheywalkedin,LubinsawasignreadingJUDENVERBOTEN.Thesignhadn’tbeenthereduringtheGames.AloverBerlin,suchsignswerereappearing,andtheNazis’virulentlyanti-SemiticDerStürmer,nowheretobeseenduringtheGames,wasbackonnewsstands.LubinhadwonagoldmedalinBerlin,but
whenheleft,hefeltonlyrelief.Somethingterriblewascoming.
TheOlympicVilagewasn’temptyforlong.Thecottagesbecamemilitarybarracks.WiththeOlympicsoverandhisusefulnessforpropagandaexpended,thevilage’sdesigner,CaptainFürstner,learnedthathewastobecashieredfromtheWehrmachtbecausehewasa
Jew.Hekiledhimself.
Lessthantwentymilesaway,inthetownofOranienburg,thefirstprisonerswerebeinghauledintotheSachsenhausenconcentrationcamp.
——
OntheeveningofSeptember2,whenLouiearrivedinTorrance,hewasplunked
ontoathroneontheflatbedofatruckandparadedtothedepot,wherefourthousandpeople,whippedupbyaband,sirens,andfactorywhistles,cheered.Louieshookhandsandgrinnedforpictures.“Ididn’tonlystarttooslow,”hesaid,“Irantooslow.”
Ashesettledbackintohome,Louiethoughtofwhatlayahead.Runningthe1936
Olympic5,000atnineteenonfourraces’experiencehadbeenashotatthemoon.Runningthe1940Olympic1,500attwenty-threeafteryearsoftrainingwouldbeanothermatter.ThesamethoughtwascirclinginPete’smind.Louiecouldwingoldin1940,andbothbrothersknewit.
Afewweeksbefore,officialshadannouncedwhichcity
wouldhostthe1940Games.LouieshapedhisdreamsaroundTokyo,Japan.
*Louiewouldlaterrecaleatingatarestaurantonlyonce,whenafamilyfriendboughthimasandwichatalunchcounter,butaccordingtohisOlympicdiary,afterhis5,000-metertrial,afantreatedhimtodinnerinaManhattanskyscraper.Themealcost$7,astaggering
sumtoLouie,whohadbeendiary,afterhis5,000-metertrial,afantreatedhimtodinnerinaManhattanskyscraper.Themealcost$7,astaggeringsumtoLouie,whohadbeenpayingbetween65centsand$1.35forhisdinners,carefulyrecordingthepricesinhisdiary.
Five
IntoWar
ATTHEUNIVERSITYOFSOUTHERNCALIFORNIA,LOUIEfoundhimselfonacampusinfestedwithworld-classtrackathletes.Hespentmorningsinclassandafternoonstrainingwithhisbestfriend,PaytonJordan.Asensationalyfastsprinter,JordanhadseennothingbutJesseOwens’sbackatthe1936
Olympictrialsand,like
Louie,wasaimingforgoldinTokyo.Intheevenings,Louie,Jordan,andtheirteammateswedgedintoLouie’s’31FordanddrovetoTorranceforLouiseZamperini’sspaghetti,consideringthemselvessoclosetofamilythatSylviaoncefoundahighjumperasleeponherbed.Inhissparetime,Louiecrashedsocietyweddings,workedasamovieextra,andharassedhis
housemateswithpracticaljokes,replacingtheirdeviledhamwithcatfoodandmilkwithmilkofmagnesia.Hepursuedcoedsbyalmeansnecessary,oncelandingadatewithabeautybyhurlinghimselfintothesideofhercar,thenpretendingtohavebeenstruck.
Betweenclasses,Louie,Jordan,andtheirfriendscongregatednearthe
administrationbuilding,sittingatthefootofthestatueofTommyTrojan,thesymbolofUSC.Onsomedays,theywerejoinedbyaneatlydressedJapaneseémigréwholingeredontheedgesofthegroup.HisnamewasKunichiJamesSasaki.KnownasJimmie,hehadcometoAmericainhislateteensandsettledinPaloAlto,wherehehadenduredthesocialmiseryofattendingelementary
schoolasanadult.AmongLouie’sfriends,noonewouldrememberwhatSasakistudiedatUSC,buttheyalrecaledhisquiet,anodynepresence;sayingalmostnothing,hesmiledwithoutinterruption.
Sasakiwasanardenttrackfan,andhesoughtLouie’sacquaintance.LouiewasespecialyimpressedwithSasaki’sscholarliness;prior
tocomingtoUSC,Jimmiesaid,hehadearneddegreesatHarvard,Princeton,andYale.Bondingoversharedinterestsinsportsandmusic,thetwobecamegoodfriends.
TrainingfortheOlympics,1940.Bettmann/Corbis
LouieandJimmiehadsomethingelseincommon.Sometimeoverthecourseofthefriendship,Louielearned
thathisfriendwasmakingdailytripstoTorrance.HeaskedJimmieifhelivedthere,andJimmiesaidno.HeexplainedthathewasconcernedaboutthepovertyofhisJapanesehomelandandwasgoingtoTorrancetogivelecturestolocalsofJapaneseancestry,encouragingthemtosendmoneyandfoilfromcigarettepacksandgumwrapperstoJapantohelpthepoor.Louieadmiredhis
friendforhisefforts,butfounditoddthathewouldtraveltoTorranceeveryday,givenhowfewJapaneselivedthere.
JimmieSasakiwasn’twhatheseemed.HehadneverattendedHarvard,Yale,orPrinceton.Hisfriendsthoughthimaboutthirty;hewasinfactnearlyforty.Hehadawifeandtwodaughters,thoughneitherLouienorhis
friendsknewthattheyexisted.Thoughhespentalotoftimeoncampusandledeveryonetobelievethathewasastudent,hewasnot.HehadgraduatedfromUSCsometenyearsearlier,withaB.A.inpoliticalscience.NeitherLouienoranyoneelseknewthatJimmie’sattemptstopassasastudentwereapparentlyanelaborateruse.
——
OnUSC’strackteam,Louiewasajuggernaut.FocusedonwinninginTokyoin1940,hesmashedrecordafterrecordatmultipledistancesandroutinelyburiedhiscompetitionbygiantmargins,oncewinningaracebyonehundredyards.Bythespringof1938,he’dwhittledhismiletimedownto4:13.7,somesevensecondsoffthe
worldrecord,whichnowstoodat4:06.4.HiscoachpredictedthatLouiewouldtakethatrecorddown.Theonlyrunnerwhocouldbeathim,thecoachsaid,wasSeabiscuit.
Oneafternoonin1938,GlennCunninghamstoodintheLosAngelesColiseumlockerroom,talkingwithreportersafterwinningarace.“There’sthenextmilechampion,”he
said,levelinghiseyesacrosstheroom.“Whenheconcentratesonthisdistance,he’lbeunbeatable.”ThereportersturnedtoseewhoCunninghamwaslookingat.ItwasLouie,blushingtotherootsofhishair.
Inthe1930s,trackexpertswerebeginningtotossaroundtheideaofafour-minutemile.Mostobservers,includingCunningham,had
longbelievedthatitcouldn’tbedone.In1935,whenCunningham’srecordof4:06.7reigned,scienceweighedin.StudyingdataonhumanstructurallimitscompiledbyFinnishmathematicians,famedtrackcoachBrutusHamiltonpennedanarticleforAmateurAthletemagazinestatingthatafour-minutemilewasimpossible.Thefastestahumancouldrunamile,he
wrote,was4:01.6.
Petedisagreed.SincetheOlympics,he’dbeencertainthatLouiehadafour-minutemileinhim.Louiehadalwaysshakenthisoff,butinthespringof
’38,hereconsidered.Hiscoachhadforbiddenhimtorunhilsonthemistakenbutcommonbeliefthatitwoulddamagehisheart,butLouie
didn’tbuythewarnings.EverynightthatMay,heclimbedthecoliseumfence,droppedintothestadium,andranthestairsuntilhislegswentnumb.ByJune,hisbodywashumming,capableofspeedandstaminabeyondanythinghe’deverknown.HebegantothinkthatPetewasright,andhewasn’talone.Running
pundits,includingOlympicchampionsprinterCharliePaddock,publishedarticlesstatingthatLouiecouldbethefirstfour-minuteman.Cunningham,too,hadchangedhismind.HethoughtthatfourminutesmightbewithinLouie’sreach.Zamperini,Cunninghamtoldareporter,wasmorelikelytocrackfourminutesthanhewas.
InJune1938,LouiearrivedattheNCAAChampionshipsinMinneapolis,gunningforfourminutes.Spilingoverwitheagerness,hebabbledtootherathletesabouthisnewtrainingregimen,hisracestrategy,andhowfasthemightgo.WordspreadthatLouiewasprimedforasuperlativeperformance.
Onthenightbeforetherace,acoachfromNotreDame
knockedonLouie’shotelroomdoor,agraveexpressiononhisface.HetoldLouiethatsomeofhisrivalcoacheswereorderingtheirrunnerstosharpentheirspikesandslashhim.Louiedismissedthewarning,certainthatnoonewoulddosuchathingdeliberately.
Hewaswrong.Halfwaythroughtherace,justasLouiewasabouttomovefor
thelead,severalrunnersshoulderedaroundhim,boxinghimin.Louietriedrepeatedlytobreakloose,buthecouldn’tgetaroundtheothermen.Suddenly,themanbesidehimswervedinandstompedonhisfoot,impalingLouie’stoewithhisspike.Amomentlater,themanaheadbegankickingbackward,cuttingbothofLouie’sshins.AthirdmanelbowedLouie’schestsohardthathecracked
Louie’srib.Thecrowdgasped.
Bleedingandinpain,Louiewastrapped.Foralapandahalf,heranintheclusterofmen,unabletogetfree,restraininghisstridetoavoidrunningintothemanahead.Atlast,ashenearedthefinalturn,hesawatinygapopenbeforehim.Heburstthrough,blewpasttheraceleader,and,withhisshoetornopen,shins
streamingblood,andchestaching,woneasily.
Heslowedtoahalt,bitterandfrustrated.Whenhiscoachaskedhimhowfasthethoughthehadgone,Louierepliedthathecouldn’thavebeaten4:20.
Theracetimewaspostedontheboard.FromthestandscameasuddenWoooo!Louiehadrunthemilein4:08.3.It
wasthefastestNCAAmileinhistoryandthefifth-fastestoutdoormileeverrun.Louiehadmissedtheworldrecordby1.9seconds.HistimewouldstandastheNCAArecordforfifteenyears.
Weekslater,Japanwithdrewashostofthe1940Olympics,andtheGamesweretransferredtoFinland.AdjustinghisaspirationsfromTokyotoHelsinki,
Louieroledon.Hewoneveryracehecontestedinthe1939schoolseason.Intheearlymonthsof1940,inaseriesofeasternindoormilesagainstthebestrunnersinAmerica,hewasmagnificent,takingtwosecondsandtwoclosefourths,twicebeatingCunningham,andgettingprogressivelyfaster.InFebruaryattheBostonGarden,herana4:08.2,six-tenthsofasecondshortofthe
fastestindoormileeverrun.*AtMadisonSquareGardentwoweekslater,hescorcheda4:07.9,caughtjustbeforethetapebythegreatChuckFenske,whosetimeequaledtheindoorworldrecord.WiththeOlympicsmonthsaway,Louiewaspeakingattheidealmoment.
Withacrackedribandpuncturewoundstobothlegsandonefoot,Louiecelebrates
hisrecord-settingNCAAChampionshipvictory.CourtesyofLouisZamperini
——
AsLouieblazedthroughcolege,faraway,historywasturning.InEurope,Hitlerwaslayingplanstoconquerthecontinent.InAsia,Japan’sleadershaddesignsofequalmagnitude.Poorinnaturalresources,itstradecrippled
byhightariffsandlowdemand,Japanwasstrugglingtosupportagrowingpopulation.Eyeingtheirnation’sresource-richneighbors,Japan’sleaderssawtheprospectofeconomicindependence,andsomethingmore.CentraltotheJapaneseidentitywasthebeliefthatitwasJapan’sdivinelymandatedrighttoruleitsfelowAsians,whomitsawasinherentlyinferior.“Thereare
superiorandinferiorracesintheworld,”saidtheJapanesepoliticianNakajimaChikuheiin1940,“anditisthesacreddutyoftheleadingracetoleadandenlightentheinferiorones.”TheJapanese,hecontinued,are“thesolesuperiorraceoftheworld.”Movedbynecessityanddestiny,Japan’sleadersplannedto“plantthebloodoftheYamato[Japanese]race”ontheirneighboringnations’
soil.TheyweregoingtosubjugatealoftheFarEast.
Japan’smilitary-dominatedgovernmenthadlongbeenpreparingforitsquest.Overdecades,ithadcraftedamuscular,technologicalysophisticatedarmyandnavy,andthroughamilitary-runschoolsystemthatrelentlesslyandviolentlydriledchildrenonthenation’simperialdestiny,ithad
shapeditspeopleforwar.Finaly,throughintenseindoctrination,beatings,anddesensitization,itsarmycultivatedandcelebratedextremebrutalityinitssoldiers.
“Imbuingviolencewithholymeaning,”wrotethehistorianIrisChang,“theJapaneseimperialarmymadeviolenceaculturalimperativeeverybitaspowerfulasthatwhich
propeledEuropeansduringtheCrusadesandtheSpanishInquisition.”Changciteda1933speechbyaJapanesegeneral:
“EverysinglebuletmustbechargedwiththeImperialWay,andtheendofeverybayonetmusthaveNationalVirtueburntintoit.”In1931,Japantestedthewaters,invadingtheChineseprovinceofManchuriaand
settingupafiercelyoppressivepuppetstate.Thiswasonlythebeginning.
Inthelate1930s,bothGermanyandJapanwerereadytomove.ItwasJapanthatstruckfirst,in1937,sendingitsarmiessmashingintotherestofChina.Twoyearslater,HitlerinvadedPoland.America,longisolationist,founditselfpuledintobothconflicts:In
Europe,itsalieslayinHitler’spath;inthePacific,itslongtimealyChinawasbeingravagedbytheJapanese,anditsterritoriesofHawaii,Wake,Guam,andMidway,aswelasitscommonwealthofthePhilippines,werethreatened.Theworldwasfalingintocatastrophe.
OnadarkdayinApril1940,Louiereturnedtohis
bungalowtofindtheUSCcampusbuzzing.HitlerhadunleashedhisblitzkriegacrossEurope,hisSovietalieshadfolowed,andthecontinenthadexplodedintototalwar.Finland,whichwassettohostthesummerGames,wasreeling.Helsinki’sOlympicstadiumwaspartialycolapsed,toppledbySovietbombs.GunnarHöckert,whohadbeatenLouieandwongold
forFinlandinthe5,000inBerlin,wasdead,kileddefendinghishomeland.*TheOlympicshadbeencanceled.
——
Louiewasunmoored.He
becameil,firstwithfoodpoisoning,thenwithpleurisy.Hisspeedabandonedhim,andhelostraceafterrace.WhenUSC’sspringsemesterended,hecolectedhisclassringandleftcampus.Hewasafewcreditsshortofadegree,buthehadalof1941tomakethemup.HetookajobasawelderattheLockheedAirCorporationandmournedhislostOlympics.
AsLouieworkedthroughthesummerof’40,Americaslidtowardwar.InEurope,HitlerhaddriventheBritishandtheiraliesintotheseaatDunkirk.InthePacific,JapanwastearingthroughChinaandmovingintoIndochina.InanefforttostopJapan,PresidentFranklinRooseveltimposedever-increasingembargoesonmatériel,suchasscrapmetalandaviationfuel.Inthecomingmonths,
hewoulddeclareanoilembargo,freezeJapaneseassetsinAmerica,andfinalydeclareatotaltradeembargo.Japanpushedon.
Lockheedwasonawarfooting,punchingoutaircraftfortheArmyAirCorpsandtheRoyalAirForce.Fromthehangarwhereheworked,LouiecouldseeP-38fighterscruisingoverhead.Eversincehistripintheairasaboy,
he’dbeenuneasyaboutplanes,butwatchingtheP-38s,hefeltapul.HewasstilfeelingitinSeptemberwhenCongressenactedadraftbil.Thosewhoenlistedpriortobeingdraftedcouldchoosetheirservicebranch.Inearly1941,LouiejoinedtheArmyAirCorps.*
SenttotheHancockColegeofAeronauticsinSantaMaria,California,Louie
learnedthatflyingaplanewasnothinglikewatchingitfromtheground.
Hewasjitteryanddoggedbyairsickness.Hewashedoutoftheaircorps,signedpapersthathedidn’tbothertoread,andgotajobasamovieextra.HewasworkingonthesetofTheyDiedwithTheirBootsOn,starringErrolFlynnandOliviadeHaviland,whenaletterarrived.
He’dbeendrafted.
Louieintraining.CourtesyofLouisZamperini
TheinductiondatefelbeforetheFlynnfilmwouldwrap,andLouiestoodtoearnabonusifhestayedthroughtheshoot.Justbeforehisarmyphysical,heateafistfulofcandybars;thankstotheconsequentsoaringbloodsugar,hefailedthephysical.
Orderedtoreturnafewdayslatertoretakethetest,hewentbacktothesetandearnedhisbonus.Then,onSeptember29,hejoinedthearmy.
Whenhefinishedbasictraining,hehadanunhappysurprise.Becausehehadn’treadhisaircorpswashoutpapers,hehadnoideathathe’dagreedtorejointhecorpsforfutureservice.In
November1941,hearrivedatElingtonField,inHouston,Texas.Themilitarywasgoingtomakehimabombardier.
——
Thatfal,whileLouiewasonhiswaytobecominganairman,anurgentletterlandedonthedeskofJ.EdgarHoover,directoroftheFBI.Ithadcomefromabrigadier
generalattheWarDepartment,MilitaryInteligenceDivision.ThelettersaidthatacredibleinformanthadwarnedmilitaryofficialsthataCaliforniaman,believedtobeworkingforaninnocuouslocalJapaneseorganization,hadinfactbeenanemployeeoftheJapanesenavy,onassignmenttoraisemoneyforJapan’swareffort.Japanesenavalsuperiorshadrecentlytransferredtheman
toWashington,D.C.,theinformantsaid,tocontinueactingundertheirorders.Accordingtotheinformant,themanwasknownas“Mr.Sasaki.”ItwasLouie’sfriendJimmie.
Thoughthesurvivingrecordsoftheinformant’sreportcontainnodetailsofSasaki’salegedactivities,accordingtonotesmadelaterbyacaptainoftheTorrance
police,Sasakihadbeenmakingvisitstoafieldadjacenttoapowerstation,justoffofTorranceBoulevard.There,hehaderectedapowerfulradiotransmitter,whichhehadusedtosendinformationtotheJapanesegovernment.Ifthealegationwastrue,itwouldexplainSasaki’smysterioustripstoTorrance.Louie’sgoodfriendmayhavebeenaspy.
SasakihadindeedmovedtoWashington,D.C.,intheemployoftheJapanesenavy.HeworkedintheJapaneseembassyandlivedinanapartmentbuildingpopularamongcongressmen.HemadehimselfwelknownamongtheWashingtonelite,mixingwithlegislatorsatbuildingcocktailparties,playinggolfattheArmyNavyCountryClub,socializingwithpolice
officersandStateDepartmentofficials,andvolunteeringtoserveaschauffeurafterparties.Justwhosesidehewasonisunclear;atacocktailparty,hegaveacongressmansensitiveinformationonJapaneseaircraftmanufacturing.
ThelettertotheFBIsetoffalarmbels.Hoover,concernedenoughtoplanoninformingthesecretaryof
state,orderedanimmediateinvestigationofSasaki.
——
NotlongaftersunriseonaSundayinDecember,apilotguidedasmalplaneoverthePacific.Belowhim,thedarkseagavewaytoastrandofwhite:wavesslappingthenortherntipofOahuIsland.TheplaneflewintoabriliantHawaiianmorning.
Oahuwasbeginningtostir.AtHickamField,soldierswerewashingacar.OnHulaLane,afamilywasdressingforMass.Attheofficers’clubatWheelerField,menwereleavingapokergame.Inabarracks,twomenwereinthemidstofapilowfight.AtEwaMooringMastField,atechnicalsergeantwaspeeringthroughthelensofacameraathisthree-year-oldson.Hardlyanyonehadmade
ittothemesshalsyet.Quiteafewwerestilsleepingintheirbunksinthewarships,gentlyswayingintheharbor.AboardtheUSSArizona,anofficerwasabouttosuituptoplayintheUnitedStatesFleetchampionshipbasebalgame.Ondeck,menwereassemblingtoraiseflagsasabandplayedthenationalanthem,aSundaymorningtradition.
Farabovethem,thepilotcountedeightbattleships,thePacificFleet’sfulcomplement.Therewasafaintsheetoffogsettledlowtotheground.
Thepilot’snamewasMitsuoFuchida.Heroledbackthecanopyonhisplaneandsentaflareskiddinggreenacrossthesky,thenorderedhisradiomantotapoutabattlecry.BehindFuchida,180
JapaneseplanespeeledawayanddoveforOahu.*OnthedeckoftheArizona,themenlookedup.
Inthebarracks,oneofthemeninthepilowfightsuddenlyfeltothefloor.Hewasdead,athree-inchholeblownthroughhisneck.Hisfriendrantoawindowandsawabuildingheaveupwardandcrumbledown.Adive-bomberhadcrashedstraight
intoit.Therewereredcirclesonitswings.
——
PeteZamperiniwasata
friend’shousethatmorning,playingafewhandsofhigh-low-jackbeforeheadingoutforaroundofgolf.Behindhim,thesizzleofwafflesonagriddlecompetedwiththechirpofaradio.Anurgentvoiceinterruptedthebroadcast.Theplayersputdowntheircards.
InTexas,Louiewasinatheater,onaweekendpass.Thetheaterwasthickwith
servicemen,takingbreaksfromtheendlessdrilingthatwasthelifeofthepeacetimesoldier.Midwaythroughtheshowing,thescreenwentblank,lightfloodedthetheater,andamanhurriedontothestage.Isthereafire?
Louiewondered.
Alservicemenmustreturntotheirbasesimmediately,themansaid.Japanhasattacked
PearlHarbor.
Louiewouldlongremembersittingtherewithhiseyeswide,hismindfloundering.Americawasatwar.Hegrabbedhishatandranfromthebuilding.
B-24LIBERATOR
*Becauseindoortracksareshorterthanoutdoorones,forcingrunnerstomakemore
turnstocoverthesamedistance,indoorrecordsaregeneralyslower.In1940,theoutdoormileworldrecordwasonesecondfasterthantheindoorrecord.
*Höckert’steammateLauriLehtinen,the19325,000-meterOlympicchampion,gavehisgoldmedaltoanotherFinnishsoldierinHöckert’shonor.
*Manyothergreatrunnersalsoenlisted.WhenNormanBrighttriedtosignup,hewasrejectedbecauseofhisalarminglyslowpulse,aconsequenceofhisextremefitness.Hesolvedtheproblembyrunningthreemiles,straightintoanotherenlistmentoffice.Cunninghamtriedtojointhenavy,butrecruiters,seeinghisgrotesquelyscarredlegs,assumedthathewastoo
crippledtoserve.Whensomeonecameinandmentionedhisname,theyrealizedwhohewasandsignedhimin.
*Onehundredandeighty-threeplaneswerelaunchedinthisfirstoftwowaves,buttwowerelostontakeoff.
Six
TheFlyingCoffin
ASJAPANESEPLANESDOVEOVEROAHU,MORETHANTWOthousandmilestothewest,afewmarinesweresittinginamesstentonWakeAtol,havingbreakfast.Extremelysmal,lackingitsownwatersupply,Wakewouldhave
beenauselessatolbutforoneenormousattribute:ItlayfaroutinthePacific,makingitastrategicalyidealspotforanairbase.AndsoitwashometoonerunwayandaboutfivehundredboredAmericanservicemen,mostlymarines.AsidefromtheoccasionalrefuelingstopoversofPanAmericanWorldAirwaysplanes,nothinginterestingeverhappenedthere.ButthatDecembermorning,justas
themarineswerestartingontheirpancakes,anair-raidsirenbeganwailing.Bynoon,theskywasstreakedwithJapanesebombers,buildingswereexploding,andafewstartledmenonlessthanthreesquaremilesofcoralfoundthemselvesonthefrontintheSecondWorldWar.
AloverthePacificthatmorning,thestorywasthesame.Inlessthantwohours
overPearlHarbor,JapanbadlywoundedtheAmericannavyandkiledmorethan2,400people.Almostsimultaneously,itattackedThailand,Shanghai,Malaya,thePhilippines,Guam,Midway,andWake.Inonedayofbreathtakingviolence,anewJapaneseonslaughthadbegun.
InAmerica,invasionwasexpectedatanymoment.Less
thananhouraftertheJapanesebombedHawaii,mineswerebeinglaidinSanFranciscoBay.
InWashington,CivilDefenseMinisterFioreloLaGuardialoopedaroundthecityinapolicecar,sirensblaring,shoutingtheword“Calm!”intoaloudspeaker.AttheWhiteHouse,EleanorRooseveltdashedoffalettertoherdaughter,Anna,urging
hertogetherchildrenofftheWestCoast.Abutleroverheardthepresidentspeculatingonwhathe’ddoifJapaneseforcesadvancedasfarasChicago.Meanwhile,justupMassachusettsAvenue,smokebilowedfromthegroundsoftheJapaneseembassy,whereJimmieSasakiworked.Stafferswereburningdocumentsintheembassyyard.Onthe
sidewalk,acrowdwatchedinsilence.
OnthenightofDecember7–8,therewerefourair-raidalertsinSanFrancisco.AtSheppardFieldaircorpsschool,inTexas,spookedofficersranthroughthebarracksatfourA.M.,screamingthatJapaneseplaneswerecomingandorderingthecadetstosprintoutsideandthrowthemselves
ontheground.Incomingdays,trenchesweredugalongtheCaliforniacoast,andschoolsinOaklandwereclosed.FromNewJerseytoAlaska,reservoirs,bridges,tunnels,factories,andwaterfrontswereputunderguard.InKearney,Nebraska,citizenswereinstructedondisablingincendiarybombswithgardenhoses.BlackoutcurtainswerehunginwindowsacrossAmerica,
fromsolitaryfarmhousestotheWhiteHouse.Shockingrumorscirculated:KansasCitywasabouttobeattacked.SanFranciscowasbeingbombed.TheJapanesehadcapturedthePanamaCanal.
Japangalopedovertheglobe.OnDecember10,itinvadedthePhilippinesandseizedGuam.Thenextday,itinvadedBurma;afewdayslater,BritishBorneo.Hong
KongfelonChristmas;NorthBorneo,Rabaul,Manila,andtheU.S.baseinthePhilippinesfelinJanuary.TheBritishweredrivenfromMalayaandintosurrenderinSingaporeinseventydays.
Therewasonesnag:Wake,surelyexpectedtobeaneasyconquest,wouldn’tgivein.Forthreedays,theJapanesebombedandstrafedtheatol.OnDecember11,avast
force,includingelevendestroyersandlightcruisers,launchedaninvasionattempt.Thelittlegroupofdefendersshovedthemback,sinkingtwodestroyersanddamagingnineotherships,shootingdowntwobombers,andforcingtheJapanesetoabort,theirfirstlossofthewar.Itwasn’tuntilDecember23thattheJapanesefinalyseizedWakeandcapturedthemenonit.TotheAmericans’
52militarydeaths,anestimated1,153Japanesehadbeenkiled.
Forseveraldays,thecaptiveswereheldontheairfield,shiveringbynight,swelteringbyday,singingChristmascarolstocheerthemselves.Theywereinitialyslatedforexecution,butafteraJapaneseofficer’sintervention,mostwerecrowdedintotheholdsof
shipsandsenttoJapanandoccupiedChinaassomeofthefirstAmericanstobecomePOWsundertheJapanese.UnbeknownsttoAmerica,ninety-eightcaptiveswerekeptonWake.TheJapaneseweregoingtoenslavethem.
——
ThoughLouiehadbeenmiserableoverhavingtorejointheaircorps,itwasn’t
sobadafteral.TrainingatTexas’sElingtonField,thenMidlandArmyFlyingSchool,heearnedsuperbtestscores.Theflyingwasusualystraightandlevel,soairsicknesswasn’taproblem.Bestofal,womenfoundtheflyboyuniformirresistible.WhileLouiewasoutwalkingoneafternoon,aconvertiblefringedinblondespuledup,andhewasscoopedintothecarandspedofftoaparty.
Whenithappenedasecondtime,hesensedapositivetrend.
Louiewastrainedintheuseoftwobombsights.Fordive-bombing,hehada$1handheldsightconsistingofanaluminumplatewithapegandadanglingweight.Forflatruns,hehadtheNordenbombsight,anextremelysophisticatedanalogcomputerthat,at$8,000,cost
morethantwicethepriceoftheaverageAmericanhome.OnabombingrunwiththeNordensight,Louiewouldvisualylocatethetarget,makecalculations,andfeedinformationonairspeed,altitude,wind,andotherfactorsintothedevice.Thebombsightwouldthentakeoverflyingtheplane,folowaprecisepathtothetarget,calculatethedropangle,andreleasethebombsatthe
optimalmoment.Oncethebombsweregone,Louiewouldyel“Bombsaway!”andthepilotwouldtakecontrolagain.Nordenbombsightsweresosecretthattheywerestoredinguardedvaultsandmovedunderarmedescort,andthemenwereforbiddentophotographorwriteaboutthem.Ifhisplanewasgoingdown,LouiewasunderorderstofirehisColt.45into
thebombsighttopreventitfromfalingintoenemyhands,thenseeaboutsavinghimself.
InAugust1942,Louie,graduatedfromMidland,wascommissionedasecondlieutenant.Hejumpedintoafriend’sCadilacanddrovetoCaliforniatosaygood-byetohisfamilybeforeheadingintohisfinalroundoftraining,thenwar.Pete,nowanavy
chiefpettyofficerstationedinSanDiego,camehometoseeLouieoff.
OntheafternoonofAugust19,theZamperinisgatheredonthefrontstepsforalastphotograph.LouieandPete,dashingintheirdressuniforms,stoodonthebottomstepwiththeirmotherbetweenthem,tinybesidehersons.Louisewasonthevergeoftears.TheAugustsunwas
sharponherface,andsheandLouiesquintedhardandlookedslightlyawayfromthecamera,asifalbeforethemwaslostintheglare.
Alastfamilyphotographas
Louieleavestogotowar.Rear,lefttoright:Sylvia’sfuturehusband,HarveyFlammer;Virginia,Sylvia,andAnthonyZamperini.Front:Pete,Louise,andLouie.CourtesyofLouisZamperini
Louieandhisfatherrodetogethertothetrainstation.Theplatformwascrowdedwithuniformedyoungmenandcryingparents,clinging
tooneanother,sayinggood-bye.WhenLouieembracedhisfather,hecouldfeelhimshaking.
Ashistrainpuledaway,Louielookedoutthewindow.Hisfatherstoodwithhishandintheair,awaveringsmileonhisface.Louiewonderedifhe’deverseehimagain.
——
ThetraincarriedhimtoaperpetualduststormknownasEphrata,Washington,wheretherewasanairbaseinthemiddleofadrylakebed.Thelakebedwasonamissiontoburythebase,themen,andaloftheirplanes,anditwassucceeding.Theairwassocloudedwithblowingdirtthatmenwadedthroughdriftsafootandahalfdeep.Clothesleftoutofduffelbagswereinstantlyfilthy,andalof
themeals,whichthecrewsateoutsidewhilesittingontheground,wereinfusedwithsand.Thegroundcrews,whichhadtoreplacetwenty-fourdirt-cloggedaircraftenginesintwenty-onedays,resortedtosprayingoilonthetaxiwaystokeepthedustdown.Gettingthelakebedoffthemenwasproblematic;thehotwaterranoutlongbeforethemendid,andbecausethePXdidn’tselshavingsoap,
practicalyeveryonehadabrambly,dust-catchingbeard.
Notlongafterhisarrival,Louiewasstandingatthebase,sweatinganddespairingoverthelandscape,whenasquarishsecondlieutenantwalkedupandintroducedhimself.HewasRusselAlenPhilips,andhewouldbeLouie’spilot.
BorninGreencastle,Indiana,
in1916,Philipshadjustturnedtwenty-six.HehadgrownupinaprofoundlyreligioushomeinLaPorte,Indiana,wherehisfatherhadbeenaMethodistpastor.Asaboy,he’dbeensoquietthatadultsmusthavethoughthimtimid,buthehadasecretboldstripe.Hesnuckaroundhisneighborhoodwithbagsfulofflour,launchingguerrilaattacksonwindshieldsofpassingcars,andone
MemorialDayweekend,hewedgedhimselfintoacartrunktosneakintotheinfieldoftheIndy500.HehadgonetoPurdueUniversity,wherehe’dearnedadegreeinforestryandconservation.InROTC,hiscaptainhadcaledhim“themostunfit,lousy-lookingsoldier”he’deverseen.Ignoringthecaptain’sassessment,Philipshadenlistedintheaircorps,wherehe’dproventobea
bornairman.Athome,theycaledhimAlen;intheaircorps,theycaledhimPhilips.
ThefirstthingpeopletendedtonoticeaboutPhilipswasthattheyhadn’tnoticedhimearlier.Hewassorecessivethathecouldbeinaroomforalongtimebeforeanyonerealizedthathewasthere.Hewassmalish,short-legged.Someofthemencaledhim
Sandblasterbecause,saidonepilot,“hisfannywassoclosetotheground.”Forunknownreasons,heworeonepantlegmarkedlyshorterthantheother.Hehadatidy,pleasant,boyishfacethattendedtoblendwiththescenery.Thisprobablycontributedtohisinvisibility,butwhatrealydiditwashissilence.Philipswasanamiablemanandwas,judgingbyhisletters,highlyarticulate,buthepreferred
nottospeak.Youcouldparkhiminacrowdofchatteringpartygoersandhe’demergeatevening’sendhavingneversaidaword.Peoplehadlongconversationswithhim,onlytorealizelaterthathehadn’tspoken.
RusselAlenPhilips.CourtesyofKarenLoomis
Ifhehadaboilingpoint,heneverreachedit.Heroledalongwitheveryinexplicable
orderfromhissuperiors,everyfoolishactofhisinferiors,andeveryabrasivepersonalitythatmilitarylifecouldthrowatanofficer.Hedealtwitheverymannerofadversitywithcalm,adaptiveacceptance.Inacrisis,Louiewouldlearn,Philips’sveinsranicewater.
Philipshadoneconsumingpassion.Whenhehadenteredcolege,hisfatherhadtakena
newpastorshipinTerreHaute.There,Philips’ssisterhadintroducedhimtoagirlfromthechurchchoir,acolegestudentnamedCecilePerry,knownasCecy.Shehadblondhair,acurvyfigure,abuoyantdisposition,aquickmind,andafamilycatnamedChopper.Shewasstudyingtobeateacher.AtaprominTerreHaute,AlenkissedCecy.Hewasagoner,andsowasshe.
OnaSaturdaynightinNovember1941,whenheleftfortheaircorps,PhilipsspentfivelastminuteswithCecyattheIndianapolistrainstation.Whenthefightingwasover,hepromised,he’dmakeherhisbride.Hekeptherphotoonhisfootlockerandwroteherlovelettersseveraltimesaweek.Whensheturnedtwenty-one,hesentherhispayandaskedhertofindanengagementring.
Alen’sringwassoononCecy’sfinger.
InJune1942,justafterhergraduation,CecytraveledtoPhoenixtoseeAlengethiswings.Crazyinlove,thetwotalkedaboutrunningofftogethitchedrightthen,butreconsidered,decidingtomarryathisnexttrainingvenueandlivetogetherthereuntilhewasdeployed.ThatvenuewasEphrata,andwhen
Philipssawit,hekickedhimself.“I’vewished100timesthatwehadgottenmarriedwhenwewereatPhoenix,”hewrotetoher,“butIwouldn’taskyounowtocomeouthere+liveinadumplikeEphrata.”Again,theypostponedtheirwedding.Inthefal,Alen’strainingwouldbefinished.Then,theyhoped,they’dhaveonemorechancetoseeeachotherbeforehewentto
war.
InEphrata,LouieandPhilipsfelintogether.PhilipsfloatedalongcontentedlyinLouie’schattybonhomie;LouielikedPhilips’squietsteadiness,andthoughthimthekindestpersonhe’devermet.Theyneverhadasingleargumentandwerealmostneverapart.PhilipscaledLouie“Zamp”;LouiecaledPhilips“Phil.”
Phil’screw.Lefttoright:Philips,temporarycopilotGross,Zamperini,Mitchel,Douglas,Pilsbury,andGlassman.Moznette,Lambert,andBrooksarenotpictured.CourtesyofLouisZamperini
TherestofPhil’sbombercrewassembled.Servingasengineerandtopturretgunnerwouldbetwenty-two-year-oldStanleyPilsbury,
who’dbeenrunninghisfamily’sMainefarmbeforejoiningup.TheotherengineerwasVirginianativeClarenceDouglas,whowouldoperateoneofthetwoside-directedwaistguns,behindthewings.ThenavigatorandnosegunnerwouldbeRobertMitchel,aprofessor’ssonfromIlinois.TinyFrankGlassman,withhistightlycurledhair,wasadeadringerforHarpoMarx.
Hewouldbetheirradiomanand,later,theirbelygunner.BecauseFrankhailedfromChicago,themencaledhimGangster.RayLambertofMarylandwouldmanthetailgun.Thecrew’sgirlmagnetwasHarryBrooks,agood-looking,ebulientradiomanandwaistgunnerfromMichigan.ThecopilotwouldbeGeorgeMoznette,Jr.Becausecopilotswererotatedfromplanetoplaneasthey
qualifiedtobepilots,Moznettewouldn’tstaywiththecrew,buthebecamefastfriendswithPhilandLouie.
Moznette,Mitchel,Phil,andLouiewereofficers;theotherswereenlisted.Alwerebachelors,butHarryBrooks,likePhil,hadasteadygirlbackhome.
HernamewasJeannette,andbeforethewar,sheandHarry
hadsettheirweddingdateforMay8,1943.
——
Themenwereissuedheavysheepskinjacketsandwoolclothing,assembled,andphotographed.TheywouldmakeupcrewNo.8inthenine-crew372ndBombSquadronofthe307thBombGroup,SeventhAirForce.Altheyneededwasaplane.
LouiewashopingtobeassignedtoaB-17FlyingFortress.Itwasthekindofplanethatmenwantedtobeseenin:handsome,masculine,nimble,fiercelyarmed,reliable,long-winded,andpracticalyindestructible.Theplanethatnoonewantedwasanewbomber,ConsolidatedAircraft’sB-24
Liberator.Onpaper,itwasgeneralycomparabletothe
B-17,butforonemajoradvantage.Thankstoauxiliaryfueltanksandslender,ultraefficientDaviswings,itcouldflyliteralyalday,adecisiveassetinthesprawlingWorldWarItheaters.
Flat-faced,rectangular,andbrooding,theB-24hadlooksonlyamyopicmothercouldlove.Crewmengaveitahostofnicknames,amongthem
“theFlyingBrick,”“theFlyingBoxcar,”and“theConstipatedLumberer,”aplayonConsolidatedLiberator.Thecockpitwasoppressivelycramped,forcingpilotandcopilottolivecheekbyjowlformissionsaslongassixteenhours.Craningoverthemountainouscontrolpanel,thepilothadapanoramicviewofhisplane’ssnoutandnotmuchelse.Navigatingthe
nine-inch-widebombbaycatwalkcouldbedifficult,especialyinturbulence;oneslipandyou’dtumbleintothebay,whichwasfittedwithfragilealuminumdoorsthatwouldtearawaywiththeweightofafalingman.
Taxiingwasanadventure.TheB-24’swheelshadnosteering,sothepilothadtocajolethebomberalongbyfeedingpowertooneside’s
engines,thentheother,andworkingbackandforthontheleftandrightbrakes,oneofwhichwasusualymuchmoresensitivethantheother.Thismadethetaxiwaysapageantoflurchingplanes,alofwhich,soonerorlater,endedupveeringintoplacesnowherenearwheretheirpilotsintendedthemtogo,andfromwhichtheyoftenhadtobeextricatedwithshovels.
ApilotoncewrotethatthefirsttimehegotintoaB-24cockpit,“itwaslikesittingonthefrontporchandflyingthehouse.”Thesentimentwascommon.
TheLiberatorwasoneoftheheaviestplanesintheworld;theDmodeltheninproductionweighed71,200poundsloaded.Flyingitwaslikewrestlingabear,leavingpilotswearyandsore.
Becausepilotsusualymannedtheyokewiththeirlefthandswhiletheirrighthandsworkedtheothercontrols,B-24
pilotswereinstantlyrecognizablewhenshirtless,becausethemusclesontheirleftarmsdwarfedthoseontheirrightarms.Theplanewassoclumsythatitwasdifficulttoflyinthetightformationsthatwerecritical
tofendingoffattack.Asquiggleofturbulence,oracrewmanwalkinginsidethefuselage,wouldtiptheplaneoffitsaxis.
TheB-24wasplaguedwithmechanicaldifficulties.Ifoneofthefourenginesquit,stayingairbornewaschalenging;thefailureoftwoengineswasoftenanemergency.Shortlyaftertheplanewasintroduced,there
wereseveralincidentsinwhichB-24tailsdroppedoffinmidair.Andthoughthewarwasyoung,theplanewaswinningareputationforbeingdelicate,especialyintheskinnywings,whichcouldsnapoffifstruckincombat.SomeofthemenatEphratathoughtoftheB-24asadeathtrap.
Afteralongwait,the372ndsquadron’splanesflewinto
Ephrata.Phil’screwwalkedoutandsquintedatthehorizon.Evenfromadistance,therewasnomistakingthesilhouettes.Asthemengrumbled,Louieheardonevoicepipeup.
“It’stheFlyingCoffin.”
——
TheywereassignedtoaB-24Dthatlookedlikealthe
others.Forthenextthreemonths—inEphratainAugustandSeptemberandSiouxCityinOctober
—theypracticalylivedinit.Theyflewinformation,firedattargetspuledbytowplanes,simulatedcombatruns,anddive-bombed.OnedaytheybuzzedsolowoverIowathatthepropelerskickedupastormofsand,skinningthepaintoffthe
plane’sbelyandscouringthelegsofPilsbury,whowassittingbytheopenhatchinthetail,tryingtophotographtheirdummybombsastheyfelintotargetnets.Throughoutital,Louieperchedintheglass-windowed
“greenhouse”intheplane’snose,bombingtargets.TheCOssoonlearnedofthesquadron’sprowess;angry
farmerscamecalingafterthe372nd’shundred-poundbombsflattenedanouthouseandoneunfortunatecow.
Phil’screwhadtheirfirstscareatEphrata.Onatrainingflight,theyhadradiotroubleandgotlost,flewaroundinablindconfusionforhours,andendeduplandingatnearlymidnightinSpokane,halfastateawayfromtheirslateddestination.
They’dbeenmissingforthreeandahalfhours,andtheentireWestCoastaircorpshadbeenhuntingforthem.WhenPhilsteppedofftheplane,hegotonechewingoutfromacolonel.WhenheflewbacktoEphrata,hegotanother,instereo,fromacolonelandmajor.“Igrewalittleolderthatnight,sweet,believeme,”hewrotetoCecy.
Thepanichadbeenjustified,foraccidentswerecommonanddeadly.BeforeLouiehadbegunhisbombardiertraining,hehadreceivedaletterfromafriendwhowasanaircorpscadet.
Iguessyoureadaboutthecadetandinstructorwhowaskiledherelastweek.Thepoordevilsneverhadachance.Theystaledtheirshipwhileturningfrombase
legontolandingapproach.Theshipmadeaone-turnspinandthenrealyhittheground…Whentheyhitittoretheirbodiestopeaces.Thesafetybeltcuttheinstructorhalfin-two.Aloverthewreckedpartoftheairplaneitlooklikesomebodytookandthrewaboutthreepansoftomatoesandcrakersaloverit(bloodandflesh)Theyweremangledtobits,couldn’t
evenidentifythemlookingatthem.
Itwasthekindofstorythatwasfilingthelettersofwould-beairmenaloverthecountry.Pilotandnavigatorerror,mechanicalfailure,andbadluckwerekilingtraineesatastunningrate.IntheArmyAirForces,orAAF,*therewere52,651statesideaircraftaccidentsoverthecourseofthewar,kiling
14,903
personnel.Thoughsomeofthesepersonnelwereprobablyoncoastalpatrolandotherduties,itcanbepresumedthatthevastmajorityweretrainees,kiledwithouteverseeingacombattheater.InthethreemonthsinwhichPhil’smentrainedasacrew,3,041AAFplanes—morethan33perday—metwithaccidentsstateside,kil
ingninemenperday.Insubsequentmonths,deathtaliesexceeding500werecommon.InAugust1943,590airmenwoulddiestateside,19perday.
Louie,Phil,andtheircrewsawthedyingfirsthand.InJuly,Phil’sclosefriendhadbeenkiledinaB-24,justafterPhilhadhaddinnerwithhim.Onanotherday,Phil’screwspentpartofarainy
morningsittinginabriefingroomwithanothercrewastheyawaitedflights.Bothcrewswenttotheirplanes,
butatthelastminute,Phil’screwwasorderedback.Theothercrewtookoff,flewtwomiles,andcrashed,kilingthepilotandnavigator.In
OctoberinSiouxCity,anotherbomberfromtheirgroupplowedontoafield,kilingtwo.Whenhelearnedthatthepresswasreportingonthecrashwithoutgivingthecrewmen’snames,Philranoutofameetingtogetwordtohisfamilythathehadn’tbeenontheplane.
Theaircorpsdiditsbesttoteachmenhowtosurviveacrash.Menweredriledin
preparingtheirplanesforimpactandequippingthemselvesforpostcrashsurvival.Eachmanwasassignedtoacrashstation,whichinLouie’scasewasbythewaistwindowbehindtherightwing.Theywerealsoschooledinbailoutsimulations,jumpingfromparkedplanes.Someroledoffthecatwalkanddroppedthroughtheopenbombbaydoors;othersleaptfromthe
waistwindows,wonderinghow,ifjumpingfromanairborneplane,they’davoidbeingcutintwobythetwinruddersjustbehindthewindows.Theywerealsotaughthowtoditch,ormakeacontroledlandingonwater.Philstudieddutifuly,buthefoundtheideaoflandingagiantbomberonwater“kindofsily.”Thetrainingfilmssurelydeepenedhisdoubts;ineveryfilm,theditchingB-
24brokeapart.
Trainingwasacrucible,andittransformedPhil’screw.Theywouldnotallivethroughwhatlayahead,butthesurvivorswouldspeakoftheirgoodfortuneinservingamongsuchskiledmen.Theyworkedtogetherwithseamlessefficiency,andjudgingbytheirtrainingscores,inthegrimbusinessofbombsandbulets,there
wasnobettercrewinthesquadron.Amongsurvivingcrewmenandmenfromothercrews,thewarmestpraisewouldbereservedforPhil.B-24swerebuiltfortalpilots,andthoughPhilneededacushiontogethisfeettothepedalsandhiseyesoverthecontrolpanel,byalaccountshewassuperbathisjob.Phil,Louietoldareporter,was“adamnswelpilot.”
TheB-24assignedtoPhil’screwhaditsownpersonality.Ithadavalvethatoozedfuelintothebombbay,promptingPilsburytodevelopanervoushabitofpacingthefuselage,sniffingtheair.IthadacurmudgeonlyfueltransfervalvethatPilsburyandDouglashadtofinesseintoplace,lestitstickwideopen,slowanengine,ortriggeradeafeningbackfire.Thefuelgaugeswerereliable
onlyuntilthetanksnearedempty,atwhichpointtheysometimesreportedthattheplanewasmagicalygainingfuel.Oneengine,forreasonsknownonlytotheplane,wasthirstierthantheothers,sothegaugeshadtobewatchedconstantly.
Intime,themen’smisgivingsabouttheLiberatorfelaway.Inhundredsofhoursofintensetraining,theirplane
neverfailedthem.Foralitsuglinessandquirks,itwasanoblething,ruggedandinexhaustible.Thegroundcrewmenfeltthesame,nursingPhil’splanewithaffectionandfrettingwhileitflew.
Whenitreturned,theyreceiveditwithrelief,scoldingthecrewforanyscratches.Airmentalkedof“flyingboxcars,”butPhiland
Louiedismissedthem.
Louiedescribeditas“ourhome.”
Ontheground,thecrewdranktogether,swaminthelocallakes,andcruisedaroundEphrataandSiouxCity.Inthelatter,Louiediscoveredthattheenlistedgroundcrewmen,whohadprecededthemintotown,hadconvincedthelocalwomen
thattheirinsigniaindicatedthattheywereofficers.AsLouiesetofftorightthiswrong,Philpulednightdutyattheoperationsoffice.Sometimeonenight,hedriftedintoatroubleddream.Init,hecamehomefromthewaronlytofindthatCecyhadgivenhimup.
——
OnaSaturdayafternoonin
mid-Octoberof1942,themenofthe372ndweretoldtopacktheirbags.Theirtrainingwasbeingcutshort,andtheyweretobesenttoCalifornia’sHamiltonField,thenrushedoverseas.Philwascrestfalen;Cecywasabouttocomeseehim.Hewouldmissherbythreedays.OnOctober20,thesquadronflewoutofIowa.
AtHamiltonField,anartist
wasworkinghiswaydowntheplanes,paintingeachone’snameandaccompanyingilustration.Namingbomberswasagrandtradition.ManyB-24crewsdreamedupdelightfulyclevernames,amongthemEPluribusAluminum,AxisGrinder,TheBadPenny,andBombsNipOn.Quiteafewoftherestwereshamelesslybawdy,paintedwithscantilycladanduncladwomen.One
featuredasailorchasinganakedgirlaroundthefuselage.ItsnamewasWillieMaker.Louiehadasnapshottakenofhimselfgrinningunderoneofthemoreribaldexamples.
Phil’splaneneededaname,andnoonecouldthinkofone.Afterthewar,thesurvivorswouldhavedifferentmemoriesofwhonamedtheplane,butina
letterpennedthatfal,PhilwouldwritethatitwascopilotGeorgeMoznettewhosuggestedSuperMan.Everyonelikedit,andthenamewaspaintedontheplane’snose,alongwiththesuperherohimself,abombinonehandandamachinegunintheother.Louiedidn’tthinkmuchofthepainting—inphotographs,thegunlookslikeashovel—butPhillovedit.Mostcrewsreferredto
theirplanesas“she.”Philinsistedthathisplanewasalman.
Themenwereslatedforcombat,buttheyhadn’tbeentoldwheretheywouldserve.Judgingbytheheavywintergear,LouiethoughtthattheywereboundforAlaska’sAleutianIslands,whichhadbeeninvadedbytheJapanesemonthsbefore.Hewashappilywrong:theywere
goingtoHawaii.OntheeveningofOctober24,Louiecaledhomeforalastgood-bye.HejustmissedPete,whocameforavisitonlyafewminutesafterhisbrotherhungup.
SometimeafterspeakingtoLouie,LouisepuledoutasetofnotecardsonwhichshekeptlistsofChristmascardrecipients.AfterLouie’slastvisithome,she’dtakenout
oneofthecardsand,onit,jotteddownthedateandafewwordsaboutLouie’sdeparture.Thisday,shenotedLouie’sphonecal.
ThesewerethefirsttwoentriesinwhatwouldbecomeLouise’swardiary.
PhilatthehelmofSuperMan.CourtesyofLouisZamperini
BeforeheleftHamiltonField,Louiedroppedalittlepackageinthemail,addressedtohismother.WhenLouiseopenedit,shefoundinsideapairofairman’swings.Everymorning,throughalthatlayaheadforher,Louisewouldpinthewingstoherdress.Everynight,beforeshewenttobed,she’dtakethemoffherdressandpinthemtohernightgown.
——
OnNovember2,1942,Phil’screwclimbedaboardSuperManandreadiedtogotowar.Theywereheadingintoadesperatefight.Northtosouth,Japan’snewempirestretchedfivethousandmiles,fromthesnowboundAleutianstoJava,hundredsofmilessouthoftheequator.Westtoeast,theempiresprawledovermorethansix
thousandmiles,fromtheborderofIndiatotheGilbertandMarshalislandsinthecentralPacific.InthePacific,virtualyeverythingaboveAustraliaandwestoftheinternationaldatelinehadbeentakenbyJapan.Onlyafeweastwardislandshadbeenspared,amongthemtheHawaiianIslands,Midway,Canton,Funafuti,andatinyparadisecaledPalmyra.Itwasfromtheseoutpoststhat
themenoftheAAFweretryingtowinthePacific,asthesayingwent,“onedamnedislandafteranother.”
Thatday,SuperManbankedoverthePacificforthefirsttime.ThecrewwasboundforOahu’sHickamField,wherethewarhadbegunforAmericaelevenmonthsbefore,andwhereitwouldsoonbeginforthem.TherimofCaliforniaslidaway,and
thentherewasnothingbutocean.Fromthisdayforward,untilvictoryordefeat,transfer,discharge,capture,ordeathtookthemfromit,thevastPacificwouldbebeneathandaroundthem.Itsbottomwasalreadylitteredwithdownedwarplanesandtheghostsoflostairmen.Everydayofthislongandferociouswar,morewouldjointhem.
*InJune1941,theaircorpsbecameasubordinatearmoftheArmyAirForces.Itremainedinexistenceasacombatbranchofthearmyuntil1947.
Seven
“ThisIsIt,Boys”
OAHUWASSTILLRINGINGFROMTHEJAPANESEATTACK.Theenemyhadleftsomanyholesintheroadsthattheauthoritieshadn’tbeenabletofilthemalyet,leavingthelocaldriversswervingaroundcraters.Therewerestilafewgougesintheroofofthe
HickamFieldbarracks,makingforsoggyairmenwhenitrained.Theislandwasonconstantalertforairraidsorinvasion,andwassoheavilycamouflaged,agroundcrewmanwroteinhisdiary,that“oneseesonlyabout⅓ofwhatisactualythere.”Eachnight,theislanddisappeared;everywindowwasfittedwithlightproofcurtains,everycarwithcoveredheadlights,and
blackoutpatrolsenforcedrulessostrictthatamanwasn’tevenpermittedtostrikeamatch.Servicemenwereunderorderstocarrygasmasksinhipholstersataltimes.Toreachtheirbelovedwaves,localsurfershadtowormtheirwayunderthebarbedwirethatranthelengthofWaikikiBeach.
The372ndsquadronwassenttoKahuku,abeachsidebase
atthefootofabladeofmountainsonthenorthshore.LouieandPhil,whowouldsoonbepromotedtofirstlieutenant,wereassignedtoabarrackswithMitchel,Moznette,twelveotheryoungofficers,andhordesofmosquitoes.“Youkilone,”
Philwrote,“andtenmorecometothefuneral.”Outside,thebuildingwaspicturesque;inside,Philwrote,itlooked
“likeadozendirtyMissouripigshavebeenwalowingonit.”Thenonstoprevelrydidn’thelpmatters.AfteronefourA.M.knock-down,drag-outwaterfightinvolvingalsixteenofficers,Philwokeupwithfloorburnsonhiselbowsandknees.Onanothernight,asLouieandPhilwrestledoverabeer,theycrashedintotheflimsypartitionseparatingtheirroomfromthenext.The
partitionkeeledover,andPhilandLouiekeptstaggeringforward,topplingtwomorepartitionsbeforetheystopped.WhenColonelWiliamMatheny,the307thBombGroupcommander,sawthewreckage,hegrumbledsomethingabouthowZamperinimusthavebeeninvolved.
Therewasoneperktolifeinthebarracks.Thebathroom
wasplasteredingirliepinups,aSistineChapelofpornography.Philgapedatit,marvelingatthedistilationoffrustratedflyboylibidothathadinspiredit.Hereinthepornographicpalace,hewasalongwayfromhisministerfather’shouseinIndiana.
——
Everyonewaseagertotakeacrackattheenemy,butthere
wasnocombattobehad.Initsplacewereendlesslectures,endlesstraining,and,whenMoznettewastransferredtoanothercrew,thebreakinginofaseriesoftemporarycopilots.Eventualy,LongBeach,California,nativeCharletonHughCupperneljoinedthecrewasMoznette’sreplacement.Asmart,jovialex–footbalplayerandprelawstudent,builtlikeasideofbeef,
Cuppernelgotalongwitheveryone,dispensingwisecracksthroughteethclenchedaroundagnawed-upcigar.
Louie,readyforthechilofhighaltitude.CourtesyofLouisZamperini
WhentheyfirstwentupoverHawaii,themenweresurprisedtolearnthattheirarcticgearhadn’tbeenissued
inerror.Attenthousandfeet,eveninthetropics,itcouldbesharplycold,andoccasionalythebombardier’sgreenhousewindowsfroze.Onlytheflightdeckupfrontwasheated,sothemeninthereartrampedaroundinfleecejackets,fur-linedboots,and,sometimes,electricalyheatedsuits.Thegroundcrewmenusedthebombersasflyingiceboxes,hidingsodabottlesinthemandretrievingthem,
ice-cold,aftermissions.
TrainingmostlyoverKauai,themendiscoveredtheirtalent.Thoughtheyhadafewmishaps—PhiloncetaxiedSuperManstraightintoatelephonepole—inaerialgunning,theynailedtargetsataratemorethanthreetimesthesquadronaverage.Louie’sbombingscoreswereoutstanding.Inonedive-bombingexercise,hehitthe
targetdeadcentersevenofninetimes.Thebiggestchoreoftrainingwascopingwiththenitpicking,rank-puling,much-loathedlieutenantwhooversawtheirflights.Once,whenoneofSuperMan’senginesquitduringaroutineflight,PhilturnedtheplanebackandlandedatKahuku,onlytobeaccostedbythefuriouslieutenantinaspeedingjeep,orderingthembackup.WhenLouieoffered
toflyonthreeenginessolongasthelieutenantjoinedthem,thelieutenantabruptlychangedhismind.
Whenthemenweren’ttraining,theywereonseasearch,spendingtenhoursadaypatrolingawedgeofocean,lookingfortheenemy.Itwasintenselydulwork.LouiekiledtimebysleepingonMitchel’snavigatortableandtakingflyinglessons
fromPhil.Onsomeflights,hesprawledbehindthecockpit,readingEleryQueennovelsandtaxingthenervesofDouglas,whoeventualygotsoannoyedathavingtostepoverLouie’slonglegsthatheattackedhimwithafireextinguisher.Once,thegunnersgotsoboredthattheyfiredatapodofwhales.Philyeledatthemtoknockitoff,andthewhalesswamon,unharmed.Thebulets,it
turnedout,carriedlethalspeedforonlyafewfeetafterenteringthewater.Oneday,thiswouldbeveryusefulknowledge.
Onemorningonseasearch,Phil’screwpassedoveranAmericansubmarinesittingplacidlyonthesurface,crewmenamblingoverthedeck.Louieflashedtheidentificationcodethreetimes,butthesubcrew
ignoredhim.LouieandPhildecidedto“scaretheheloutofthem.”AsLouieroledopenthebombbaydoors,Philsenttheplanescreamingdownoverthesubmarine.“Theretreatfromthedeckwassohasty,itlookedliketheyweresuckedintothesub,”Louiewroteinhisdiary.“IgavetheskipperanFforidentification,butanA+foraquickdive.”
Thetediumofseasearchmadepracticaljokingirresistible.Whenaloudmouthgroundofficergripedaboutthehigherpayalottedtoairmen,thecrewinvitedhimtoflytheplanehimself.Duringtheflight,theysathiminthecopilot’sseatwhileLouiehidunderthenavigator’stable,nexttothechainsthat
linkedtheplane’syokestothecontrolsurfaces.Whentheofficertooktheyoke,Louiebegantuggingthechains,makingtheplaneswoopupanddown.
Theofficerpanicked,Louiesmotheredhislaughter,andPhilkeptaperfectpokerface.Theofficerneveragaincomplainedaboutairmen’spay.
CopilotCharletonHughCuppernel.CourtesyofLouisZamperini
Louie’stwoproudestmomentsasapranksterbothinvolvedchewinggum.AfterCuppernelandPhilswipedLouie’sbeer,LouieretaliatedbysneakingouttoSuperManandjamminggumintothecockpit“pisspipe”—theurinerelieftube.Duringthatday’sflight,thecalofnature
wasfolowedbyaninexplicablybrimmingpisspipe,turbulence,andatleastonewetairman.LouiehidinHonolulufortwodaystoescaperetribution.Onanotherday,togetevenwithCuppernelandPhilforregularlystealinghischewinggum,Louiereplacedhisordinarygumwithalaxativevariety.Justbeforealongdayofseasearch,CuppernelandPhileachstolethreepieces,
triplethestandarddose.AsSuperManflewoverthePacificthatmorning,Louiewatchedwithdelightaspilotandcopilot,ingreatdistress,madealternatingdashestothebackoftheplane,yelingforsomeonetogetatoiletbagready.Onhislastrun,Cupperneldiscoveredthatalthebagshadbeenused.Withnowhereelsetogo,hedroppedhispantsandhunghisrearendoutthewaist
windowwhilefourcrewmenclungtohimtopreventhimfromfalingout.WhenthegroundcrewsawtheresultsaloverSuperMan’stail,theywerefurious.“Itwaslikeanabstractpainting,”Louiesaidlater.
Phil’sremedyforboredomwashotdogging.Aftereachdayofseasearch,heandanotherpilotsynchronizedtheirreturnstoOahu.Theone
infrontwouldbuzztheislandwithwheelsup,seeinghowlowhecouldgetwithoutskinningtheplane’sunderside,thengoadtheotherintogoinglower.PhilhummedSuperMansoclosetothegroundthathecouldlookstraightintothefirst-floorwindowsofbuildings.Itwas,hesaidinhisstrolingcadence,
“kindofdaring.”
——
Foreachdayintheair,thecrewgotadayoff.Theyplayedpoker,divviedupCecy’scarepackages,andwenttothemovies.Louieranlapsaroundtherunway,keepinghisbodyinOlympiccondition.OnthebeachatKahuku,heandPhilinflatedtheirmattresscovers,madeagoatthewaves,andnearlydrownedthemselves.Tooling
aroundtheislandinborrowedcars,theycameuponseveralairfields,butwhentheydrewcloser,theyrealizedthataloftheplanesandequipmentwerefake,madeofplywood,anelaboraterusedesignedtofoolJapanesereconnaissanceplanes.AndinHonolulu,theyfoundtheirEverest.ItwastheHouseofP.Y.Chongsteakhouse,wherefor$2.50theycouldgetasteaknearlyasfatasaman’sarmandas
broadashishead.
LouieneversawaChongdinerfinishhismeal.
Fortheofficerhalfofthecrew,paradisewasHonolulu’sNorthShoreofficers’club,wherethereweretenniscourts,prettygirlswithten-thirtycurfews,andboilermakers.Whenthecrewgotthebestgunneryscoresinthesquadron,Louie
rewardedtheenlistedmenbypinninghisinsigniatotheiruniformsandsneakingthemintotheclub.JustafterLouiegotuptodancewithagirl,ColonelMathenysatdowninhisplaceandbegantalkingtotheterrifiedClarenceDouglas,whowaspretendingtobeasecondlieutenant.WhenLouiefinalygotfreeandrantoDouglas’srescue,theunsuspectingcolonelstoodupandtoldhimwhata
damnfinemanDouglaswas.
Waitingtofly.CourtesyofLouisZamperini
Onedayontheclub’sdancefloor,Louiespottedthelieutenantwhohadorderedthemtoflyonthreeengines.Hescroungedupabagofflour,recruitedagirl,andbegandancingincirclesnearthelieutenant,droppingapinchofflourdowntheofficer’scolareachtimehe
swungpast.Afteranhourofthis,thewholeclubwaswatching.Finaly,Louiesnaggedaglassofwater,dancedupbehindhisvictim,dumpedthewaterdownhisshirt,andtookoff.Thelieutenantspunaround,hisbackrunningwithdough.Unabletofindtheculprit,hestormedout,andLouiewasthetoastoftheclub.“Wehadonemoregirlforus,”hesaid.
NovemberbecameDecember,andthecrewstilhadn’tseenanyJapanese.TherewashardfightingdownonGuadalcanal,andthemenfeltexcluded,frustrated,andintenselycuriousaboutcombat.EverytimeaB-17wasbroughtupfromthefighting,Louieandhisfriendswenttotheairfieldtogawkatit.
Atfirst,altheplaneslooked
thesame.Thenanairmanshowedthemalonebulethole.“Mygoly!”Louiesaidlater.“Ourhairstoodonend.”
——
ThreedaysbeforeChristmas,thecrew’shourfinalycame.Theyandtwenty-fiveothercrewsweretoldtopackthreedays’worthofclothesandreporttotheirplanes.
WalkingouttoSuperMan,Louiefoundthebombbayfittedwithtwoauxiliaryfueltanksandsixfive-hundred-poundbombs.Judgingbytheauxiliarytanks,Louiewroteinhisdiary,theirdestinationwaslikely“alonghopsomewhere.”InsteadoftheNordenbombsight,Louiewasgiventhehandheldsight,whichprobablymeantthatthey’dbedive-bombing.Thecrewwashandedapacketof
ordersandtoldnottoopenthemuntilairborne.
FiveminutesafterSuperManliftedoff,thecrewmentoreopentheordersandlearnedthattheyweretomakeaheadingforMidway.Whentheylandedthereeighthourslater,theyweregreetedwithacaseofBudweiserandverybignews:TheJapanesehadbuiltabaseonWakeAtol.Inthebiggestraidyetstagedin
thePacificwar,theAAFwasgoingtoburnthebasedown.
Thenextafternoon,thecrewwascaledtothebriefingroom,whichwasactualythebasetheater,strungwithlimpChristmastinselandstreamers.TheyweregoingtohitWakethatnight,withdive-bombing.Themissionwouldtakesixteenhours,nonstop,thelongestcombatflightthewarhadyetseen.
ThiswouldpushtheB-24sasfarastheycouldgo.Evenwithauxiliaryfueltanks,theywouldbecuttingitextremelyclose.
Beforetheflight,Louiewalkedtotheairfield.Thegroundcrewmenwerepreparingtheplanes,strippingouteveryounceofexcessweightandrolingblackpaintonthebeliesandwingstomakethemharderto
seeagainstanightsky.ComingtoSuperMan,Louieclimbedintothebombbay,wherethebombssatready.InhonorofhiscolegebuddyPaytonJordan,whohadjustmarriedhishighschoolsweetheart,LouiescrawledMargeandPaytonJordanonabomb.
At4:00P.M.onDecember23,1942,twenty-sixB-24s,ladenwithsome73,000gal
onsoffueland75,000poundsofbombs,roseupfromMidway.
SuperManslippedtowardtherearoftheprocession.Alafternoonandintotheevening,theplanesflewtowardWake.Thesunset,andthebomberspressedonunderthetimidglowofmoonandstars.
AtelevenP.M.,whenhis
planewasabout150milesfromWake,Philswitchedofftheoutsidelights.Cloudsclosedin.Thebombersweresupposedtoapproachtheatolinformation,butwithcloudsaroundandthelightsoff,thepilotscouldn’tfindtheirflightmates.Theycouldn’triskbreakingradiosilence,soeachplanewentonalone.Thepilotscranedintothedark,swervingawayfromthefaintshadowsofothers,
tryingtoavoidcolisions.Wakewasveryclosenow,buttheycouldn’tseeit.SittinginthetopturretofSuperMan,StanleyPilsburywonderedifhe’dmakeitbackalive.Inthegreenhousebelow,Louiefeltabuzzinginsidehimself,thesamesensationthathehadfeltbeforeraces.Ahead,Wakeslept.
——
Atexactlymidnight,ColonelMatheny,pilotingtheleadplane,DumbotheAvenger,brokeradiosilence.
“Thisisit,boys.”
MathenydroppedDumbo’snoseandsentthebomberplungingoutoftheclouds.TherebeneathhimwasWake,threeslenderislandsjoininghandsaroundalagoon.Ashiscopilotcaled
outspeedandaltitudefigures,MathenypushedhisplanetowardastringofbuildingsonPeacockPoint,theatol’ssoutherntip.OneithersideofMatheny’splane,B-24sfolowedhimdown.Whenhereachedhisbombingaltitude,Mathenyhauledtheplane’snoseupandyeledtothebombardier.
“Whenareyougoingtoturnloosethoseincendiaries?”
“Gone,sir!”
Atthatinstant,thebuildingsonPeacockPointexploded.Itwasforty-fivesecondspastmidnight.
Mathenytippedhisbomberandlookeddown.PeacockPoint,struckbyDumbo’sbombsandthoseofitsflankingplanes,wasengulfedinfire.Mathenyknewhe’dbeenlucky;theJapanesehad
beencaughtsleeping,andnoonehadyetmannedtheantiaircraftguns.AsMathenyturnedbacktowardMidway,waveafterwaveofB-24sdoveatWake.TheJapaneseranfortheirguns.
UpinSuperMan,welbehindandaboveMatheny’splane,Louiesawbroad,quickthrobsoflightintheclouds.Hehitthebombbaydoorcontrolvalve,andthedoors
rumbledopen.Hesethisbombrackonthe“select”position,flippedonhisbombswitches,andfixedthesettings.Phil’sordersweretodiveto4,000feetbeforedroppingthebombs,butwhenhereachedthataltitude,hewasstillostinclouds.Louie’stargetwastheairstrip,buthecouldn’tseeit.Philpushedtheplanestillower,movingatterrificspeed.Suddenly,at2,500
feet,SuperManspearedthroughthecloudsandWakestretchedout,suddenandbriliant,beneathit.
Pilsburywouldnevershakethememoryofwhathesaw.“Itlookedlikeastarstorm,”heremembered.Theislands,sealedinblacknessamomentbefore,wereablazeofgarishlight.Severallargeinfernos,spewingblacksmoke,wereconsumingtheatol’soil
tanks.Everywhere,bombswerestrikingtargets,sendingupmushroomsoffire.Searchlightsswungabout,theirbeamsreflectingoffthecloudsandbackontotheground,iluminatingscoresofJapanese,wearingonlyfundoshiundergarments,sprintingaroundinconfusion.WhatneitherPilsburynoranyoftheotherairmenknewwasthatamongthemenundertheirbombersthat
nightweretheninety-eightAmericanswhohadbeencapturedandenslaved.
Waistandtailgunnersinthebombersfireddownward,andonebyone,thesearchlightsblewtopieces.ToPilsbury,“everygunintheworld”seemedtobefiringskyward.Antiaircraftgunslobbedshelsovertheplanes,wheretheyerupted,sendingshrapnelshoweringdown.Tracers
fromthefiringaboveandbelowstreakedtheairinyelow,red,andgreen.AsPilsburywatchedtheclamorofcolors,hethoughtofChristmas.Thenheremembered:Theyhadcrossedtheinternationaldatelineandpassedmidnight.ItwasChristmas.
PhilwrestledSuperManoutofitsdive.Astheplaneleveledoff,Louiespottedthe
tailightofaZerorolingdownthenorth-southrunway.Hebegansynchronizingonthelight,hopingtohittheZerobeforeittookoff.Below,veryclose,somethingexploded,andSuperManrocked.Ashelburstbytheleftwing,anotherbythetail.Louiecouldseetracerscuttingneatlinesintheskytotheright.Heloosedabomboverthesouthendoftherunway,countedtwoseconds,
thendroppedhisfiveotherbombsoverasetofbunkersandparkedplanesbesidetherunway.
Relievedofthreethousandpoundsofbombs,SuperManbobbedupward.Louieyeled“Bombsaway!”andPhilroledtheplaneroughlytotheleft,throughstreamsofantiaircraftfire.Louielookeddown.Hisgroupoffivebombslandedinsplashesof
fireonthebunkersandplanes.He’dbeenabeattoolatetohittheZero.Hisbombfeljustbehindit,lightinguptherunway.PhilturnedSuperManbackforMidway.Wakewasaseaoffireandrunningmen.
——
Thecrewwasjumpy,coursingwithadrenaline.TherewereseveralZerosin
theair,butinthedarkness,nooneknewwheretheywere.Somewhereinthegalaxyofplanes,aZerofiredonabomber,whichfiredback.TheZerodisappeared.Pilsburylookedtothesideandsawyelowdashesoftracerfire,headingdirectlytowardthem.AB-24gunnerhadmistakenthemforanenemyplaneandwasfiringonthem.PhilsawitjustasPilsburydid,andswungtheplane
away.Thefiringstopped.
Thebombbaydoorswerestuckopen.Themotorsstrained,butcouldn’tbudgethem.Louieclimbedbackandlooked.WhenPhilhadwrenchedtheplaneoutofitsdive,theenormousg-forceshadnudgedtheauxiliaryfueltanksoutofplace,justenoughtoblockthedoors.Nothingcouldbedone.Withthebombbayyawningopen
anddraggingagainsttheair,theplanewasburningmuchmorefuelthanusual.Giventhatthismissionwasstretchingtheplane’srangetothelimit,itwassoberingnews.
Themencoulddonothingbutwaitandhope.Theypassedaroundpineapplejuiceandroastbeefsandwiches.Louiewasdrained,bothfromthecombatandtheincessant
quiveringoftheplane.Hestaredout,sleepy,watchingthestarsthroughbreaksintheclouds.
Seventy-fivemilesawayfromWake,oneofthemenlookedback.Hecouldstilseetheislandburning.
——
AsdaybrokeoverthePacific,BrigadierGeneral
HowardK.RameystoodbytheMidwayairstrip,lookingatthecloudsandwaitingforhisbombers.Hisfacewasfurrowed.Abrowoffoghungtwohundredfeetovertheocean,spilingrain.Insomeplaces,visibilitywasdowntoafewyards.Findingtiny,flatMidwaywouldbedifficult,andtherewasthequestionofwhetherthebombers’fuelwouldlastlongenoughtobringthemhome.
Oneplaneappeared,thenanotherandanother.Onebyone,theylanded,alcriticalylowonfuel,onewithadeadengine.SuperManwasn’tinsight.
Outinthefog,Philmusthavelookedathisfuelgaugeandknownthathewasinrealtrouble.Withhisbombbayopenandwindhowlingthroughthefuselage,hehaddraggedawaymostofhisfuel
andwasrunningonempty.Hedidn’tknowifhe’dbeabletofindMidway,andhedidn’thaveenoughfueltomakeasecondpass.Atlast,ataroundeightA.M.,hesawMidwaydimlythroughthemist.Amomentlater,oneofSuperMan’senginessputteredanddied.
Philknewthattheotherengineswouldquitalmostimmediately.Henursedthe
planealong,spottingtherunwayandaimingforit.Theengineskeptturning.PhildroppedSuperManandtoucheddown.Justaftertheplaneturnedofftherunway,asecondenginedied.Asitreacheditsbunker,theothertwoenginesquit.Hadtheroutebeenonlyslightlylonger,SuperManwouldhavehittheocean.
GeneralRameyrantoeach
bomber,calingoutcongratulations.ThetiredSuperMancrewmendroppedoutoftheplaneandintoamobofmarines,who’dspentayearwaitingtodeliverretributiontotheJapaneseforwhatthey’ddonetotheirbrothersatWake.Themarinespassedoutshotsofliquorandfetedtheairmen.
Themissionhadbeenasmashingsuccess.Every
planehadreturnedsafely.Onlyonebombhadmisseditstarget,ploppingintothewatertwentyfeetoffshore.TheJapanesebasehadbeengravelydamaged—byoneestimate,halfofitspersonnelhadbeenkiled—andAmericahaddemonstratedthereachandpowerofitsB-24s.Andthoughthemendidn’tknowit,theAmericancaptiveshadalsurvived.
Phil’screwspentthedaysittingintherain,watchingseveralalbatrossesmakecomicalyineptattemptsatlandingonthefloodedrunway.Earlythenextmorning,SuperMancarriedthembacktoKahuku.LouiespentNewYear’sEveatapartywithMoznetteandhisbombardier,JamesCarringer,Jr.,anddidn’tdraghimselfbacktothepornographicpalaceuntilfour-thirty.He
puledhimselftogetherafewhourslater,whenAdmiralChesterNimitzpresentedtheWakepilotswithDistinguishedFlyingCrossesandtheircrewmenwithAirMedals.
Newsoftheraidbroke,andthemenwerelaudedasheroes.ThepressplayeduptheirChristmasgifttotheAlies.STEELFILLSJAPSOX,readoneheadline.InTokyo,
radiobroadcastershadadifferenttake.TheyreportedthattheAmericans,uponencounteringJapanesedefenses,had“fledinterror.”
IntheHonoluluAdvertiser,LouiefoundacartoondepictinghisroleinbombingWake.Heclippeditoutandtuckeditinhiswalet.
Withthedawnof1943andthesuccessatWake,themen
feltcocky.Ithadalbeensoeasy.OneadmiralpredictedthatJapanmightbefinishedwithintheyear,andPhiloverheardmentalkingaboutgoinghome.
“Methinks,”hewrotetohismother,“it’salittlepremature.”
Eight
“OnlytheLaundryKnewHowScaredIWas”
ITWASEARLYMORNINGONJANUARY8,1943.THESUNHADN’Tyetrisen.GeorgeMoznetteandJamesCarringer,whohadspentNewYear’sEvewithLouie,joinedtheircrewatthebeachsideairstripatBarkingSandsonKauai,preparingtoleadathree-planetrainingrunoverPearlHarbor.ThepilotwasMajorJonathanCoxwel,oneofPhil’sclosestfriends.
Ashetaxiedoutforhisflight,Coxweltriedtoreachthecontroltower,butthetower’sradiowasdown.Hepoweredhisplanedowntherunway,liftedoff,andflewoverthebeachandintothedarkness.ThetwootherplanestookoffafterCoxwel.Laterthatmorning,theyreturned.Coxwel’splanedidnot.Noonehadseenitsincetakeoff.
Duringabriefingateight,
LouiewastoldthatCoxwel’splanewasmissing.Phil’screwwasslatedforpracticebombingoffBarkingSandsthatmorning,sotheywentearlyandwalkedthebeach,lookingforsomesignoftheirfriends.Someonefounda$400paycheckthathadwashedashore.ItwasmadeouttoMoznette.
TheSuperMancrewwasfifteenthousandfeetupwhen
thelostB-24wasfound,lyingontheoceanfloornotfaroffshore.Altencrewmenweredead.
Coxwelhadbarelymadeitpasttakeoff.Hehadclearedtherunway,turned,andslammedintothewater.Severalcrewmenhadsurvivedthecrashandtriedtoswimtoland,butsharkshadfoundthem.Themenwere,Louiewroteinhisdiary,
“literalyrippedtopieces.”Five,includingMoznette,hadlivedinthepornographicpalacewithLouieandPhil.Carringerhadjustbeenpromotedtofirstlieutenant,buthaddiedbeforeanyonecouldtelhim.TheywereburiedinthecemeteryinHonolulu,joiningthemenkiledatPearlHarbor.
TheB-24StevenovichIIjustafterbeingstruckbyflak.
Theplanespunseveraltimes,thenexploded.Theradaroperator,FirstLieutenantEdwardWalsh,Jr.,wasthrownfromtheplaneandmanagedtoopenhisparachute.Hesurvived.Theothercrewmenwerepresumeddead.
——
Louiewasshaken.He’dbeeninHawaiiforonlytwo
months,yetalreadyseveraldozenmenfromhisbombgroup,includingmorethanaquarterofthemeninhisbarracks,hadbeenkiled.
ThefirstlosshadcomeontheflightfromSanFrancisco,whenaB-24hadsimplyvanished.Thisfatewassadlycommon;between1943and1945,fourhundredAAFcrewswerelostenroutetotheirtheaters.Next,aplane
hadcaughtfireandcrashedatKahuku,kilingfourmen.Anotherplanehadhitamountain.Abomberhadbeenforceddownafterlosingalfourengines,kilingtwo.Inonebomber,agreenengineertransferringfuelacrossthewingshadcausedgasolinetopoolonthefloorofthebombbay.Whenthebombbaydoorshadscrapedopen,ignitingaspark,theplanehadexploded.Three
menhadsurvived,includingapassengerwhosehandhadhappenedtoberestingonaparachutewhentheblastflunghimfromtheplane.AftertheWakeraid,aplanesenttophotographthedamagehadbeenhitbyantiaircraftfire.Thecrewhadsentoutalastmessage—“Can’tmakeit”—andwasneverheardfromagain.ThenhadcomeCoxwel’scrash.
Theselosses,onlyoneduetoenemyaction,werehardlyanomalous.InWorldWarI,35,933AAFplaneswerelostincombatandaccidents.Thesurpriseoftheattritionrateisthatonlyafractionoftheil-fatedplaneswerelostincombat.In1943inthePacificOceanAreastheaterinwhichPhil’screwserved,foreveryplanelostincombat,somesixplaneswerelostinaccidents.Overtime,combat
tookagreatertol,butcombatlossesneverovertooknoncombatlosses.
Asplaneswent,sowentmen.Intheaircorps,35,946personneldiedinnonbattlesituations,thevastmajorityoftheminaccidentalcrashes.*Evenincombat,airmenappeartohavebeenmorelikelytodiefromaccidentsthancombatitself.AreportissuedbytheAAF
surgeongeneralsuggeststhatintheFifteenthAirForce,betweenNovember1,1943,andMay25,1945,70percentofmenlistedaskiledinactiondiedinoperationalaircraftaccidents,notasaresultofenemyaction.
Inmanycases,theproblemwastheplanes.Inpartbecausetheywerenewtechnology,andinpartbecausetheywereusedso
heavily,planeswerepronetobreakdowns.InJanuary1943alone,LouierecordedinhisdiarytenseriousmechanicalproblemsinSuperManandotherplanesinwhichheflew,includingtwoin-flightenginefailures,agasleak,oil-pressureproblems,andlandinggearthatlocked—fortunately,inthedownposition.Once,SuperMan’sbrakesfailedonlanding.BythetimePhilgottheplane
stopped,thebomberwasthreefeetshortoftherunway’send.Justbeyonditlaytheocean.
Flak.
Theweatheralsotookatol.Stormsreducedvisibilitytozero,amajorproblemforpilotssearchingfortinyislandsorthreadingthroughthemountainsthatflankedsomeHawaiianrunways.B-24swerehardtomanageeveninsmoothskies;insometropicaltempests,noteventhecombinedstrengthofpilotandcopilotcouldkeeptheplaneinhand.Twiceinoneweek,SuperManflewinto
stormsthatbuffetedtheplanesoviolentlythatPhillostcontrol.
Once,theplanewasflungaroundtheskyfortenminutes,leavingthetemporarycopilotsoparalyzedwithfearthatPhilhadtocalLouietotakehisplace.
Onedayafterseasearch,asPhilwasdetouringarounda
squal,Cuppernelaskedhimifhe’ddareflyintoit.“Icanflythisthinganywhere,”Philsaid,turningtheplaneintothestorm.SuperManwasinstantlyswalowed,andPhilcouldseenothing.Raindrummedontheplane,windpivoteditsideways,anditbeganporpoising,leavingthecrewmenclingingtoanythingbolteddown.Theyhadonlybeenatonethousandfeetwhenthey’dflownintothe
storm.
Nowtheplanewaspitchingsoerraticalythattheycouldn’treadtheiraltitude,andwithnovisibility,theydidn’tknowwheretheoceanwas.Eachtimetheplaneplunged,themenbracedforacrash.Oahuhadbeeninsightbeforetheyenteredthestorm,butnowtheyhadnoideawhereitwas.Philgrippedtheyoke,sweatstreamingdown
hisface.Pilsburystrappedonhisparachute.
Ridingthebuckingplaneathisradiotable,HarryBrookspickedupasignalfromaHawaiianradiostation.TheplanewasequippedwitharadiocompassthatenabledHarrytodeterminethedirectionfromwhichthesignalwascoming.Philstrong-armedtheplanearoundandheadedtowardit.
Theybrokeoutofthestorm,foundtheairfield,andlanded.Philwasexhausted,hisshirtwringingwet.
Therunwayswereanotherheadache.Manyislandsweresoshortthatengineershadtoplowcoralontooneendtocreateenoughlengthforarunway.
Evenwiththeamendments,thereoftenwasn’tenough
space.Afterlongmissions,groupsofplanesoccasionalycamebacksolowonfuelthatnoneofthemcouldwaitfortheotherstoland,sothey’dlandsimultaneously,withtheleadpilotdelayinghistouchdownuntilhewasfarenoughdowntherunwayfortheplanesbehindhimtolandatthesametime.SomanyplanesshotofftheendofFunafuti’srunwayandintotheoceanthattheground
crewskeptabuldozerequippedwithatowingcableparkedbythewater.
ForloadedB-24s,whichneededweloverfourthousandfeetfortakeoff,thecroppedislandrunways,oftenabuttedbytoweringpalmtrees,wereachalenge.“Thetakeoffprovedexciting,”wroteStaffSergeantFrankRosynekofoneoverloadeddeparture.“Sixofushadto
standonthenarrowbeambetweenthebombbaydoorswithourarmsspreadoutoneachsideoverthetopsofthetwinauxiliaryfueltanks.Thesmelofthehigh-octaneaviationfuelwasalmostintoxicating.Theplanelumbereddowntherunwayforaneternityandwecouldseethehardpackedcoralthroughthecrackswherethebombbaydoorscameupagainstthebeamwewere
standingon,onefootinfrontoftheother.TherewasaSWOOSHandpiecesofpalmfrondssuddenlyappearedjammedinthecracks,onbothsides!…OnlythelaundryknewhowscaredIwas.”
Andthentherewashumanerror.Pilotsflewordrovetheirplanesintoeachother.InB-24snotoriousforfuelleaks,airmenlitcigarettesandblewuptheirplanes.On
oneflight,whenSuperMan’sNo.3enginedied,Pilsburyfoundthetemporarycopilot,oblivious,sittingwithhisbootrestingagainsttheengine’signitionswitch,pushingitintothe“off”position.Louiewasonceaskedtojoinacrewwhosebombardierhadgottensick.Louie,too,wasfeelingil,sothecrewfoundanotherman.Duringtheflight,thetowerwarnedthepilotthathewas
headingtowardamountain.Thepilotrepliedthathesawit,thenflewrightintoit.Thestrangestincidentoccurredwhenabombermadeasharppul-uponatrainingrun.Amaninside,tryingtoavoidfaling,inadvertentlygrabbedtheliferaft–releasehandle.Theraftsprangfromtheroofandwrappedaroundtheplane’shorizontalstabilizer.Barelyabletocontroltheplane,thepilotorderedhismentobail
out.Heandhiscopilotsomehowlandedsafely,andeveryonesurvived.
Finaly,therewastheformidabledifficultyofnavigation.Makingextraordinarilycomplexsphericaltrigonometrycalculationsbasedonfigurestakenfromacrowdofinstruments,navigatorsgropedoverthousandsofmilesoffeaturelessocean
towardtargetsordestinationislandsthatwereblackedoutatnight,oftenonlyyardswide,andflattothehorizon.Evenwithaltheinstruments,theprocedurescouldbecomicalyprimitive.“EachtimeImadeasextantcalibration,”wrotenavigatorJohnWeler,“Iwouldopentheescapehatchontheflightdeckandstandonmynavigationdeskandtheradiooperator’sdeskwhile[the
radioman]heldontomylegssoIwouldnotbesuckedoutoftheplane.”Atnight,navigatorssometimesresortedtofolowingthestars,guidingtheircrewsoverthePacificbymeansnotsodifferentfromthoseusedbyancientPolynesianmariners.Inastormorclouds,eventhatwasimpossible.
Giventhataplanehadtobeonlyatickoffcoursetomiss
anisland,it’samazingthatanycrewsfoundtheirdestinations.Manydidn’t.MartinCohn,anordnanceofficeronOahu,wasonceinaradarshackasalostplane,unequippedwithradar,triedtofindtheisland.“Wejustsatthereandwatchedtheplanepasstheisland,anditnevercameback,”hesaid.“Icouldseeitontheradar.Itmakesyoufeelterrible.Lifewascheapinwar.”
——
Therisksofflyingwerecompoundedexponentialyincombat.FromtheskycameJapanesefighters,chiefamongthemtheswift,agileZero,whichdominatedtheskyinthefirsthalfofthewar.Zeropilotspummeledbomberswithmachinegunfireandmassivelydestructive20mmcannonshels,whichrammedgapingholesintheir
targets.Whenthesefailed,someZeropilotsrammedtheirplanesintobombers,kamikaze-style;oneB-24returnedtobasewithhalfofaZerohangingfromhiswing.Fromthegroundcameantiaircraftfire,includingflak,whichburstintorazor-sharpmetalshardsthatslicedplanesopen.TosurviveAAfireandenemyaircraft,bomberpilotsneededtochangetheiraltitudeand
directionconstantly.Butonapproach,theNordenbombsight,notthepilot,flewtheplane,soevasiveactionwasimpossible.B-24swereinthecontrolofthebombsightforthreetofiveminutesonapproach;Japaneserangefindersneededlessthansixtysecondstopinpointbomberaltitude.ThemathfavoredtheJapanese.
Incombat,bombersevenposedriskstooneanother.Tofendofffighterattackandhitnarrowtargetislands,planeshadtobunchveryclosetogether.Inthechaos,planescolided,firedoneachother,andworse.Inoneincident,threeB-24sonamissiontomineaharborflewintightformationthroughanarrowcanyonatfiftyfeet,underintensegroundfire.Astheydroppedovertheharbor,the
rightwingtipofaplanepilotedbyLieutenantRobertStrongstruckthegreenhousewindowontheplanetohisright,pilotedbyaLieutenantRobinson.ThecolisionrotatedStrong’sbomberontoitsleftsideandunderRobinson’splanejustasRobinson’sbombardierdroppedathousand-poundmine.TheminecrashedintoStrong’splane,andthoughitdidn’tdetonate,ittorean
eighteen-square-footholeinthefuselageandlodgeditselfjustbehindthewaistgunners.Strong’sB-24wasnearlycutintwo,andthemine’sparachutedeployed,draggingtheplanedown.Crewmencuttheparachutefreeandshovedatthemine,butitwouldn’tbudge,sotheydismantledtheirgunsandusedthebarrelstocrowbarthemineout.AsStrongtriedtogetthenearlybisectedplanehome,
thetailflappedinthewind,andahugecrackcreptupthefuselage.Impossibly,StrongflewhisLiberatoreighthundredmilesandlanded.WhenJesseStay,apilotinLouie’ssquadron,wenttoseethebomber,hewasnearlyabletopulitstailoffwithonehand.
Therisksofcombatcreatedgrimstatistics.InWorldWarI,52,173AAFmenwerekil
edincombat.AccordingtoStay,whowouldbecomeasquadroncommander,airmentryingtofulfilthefortycombatmissionsthatmadeupaPacificbombercrewman’stourofdutyhada50percentchanceofbeingkiled.*
Alongwithsafereturn,injury,anddeath,airmenfacedanotherpossiblefate.Duringthewar,thousandsof
airmenvanished,someduringcombatmissions,someonroutineflights.Manyhadbeenswalowedbytheocean.Somewerealivebutlostontheseaorislands.Andsomehadbeencaptured.
Unabletofindthem,themilitarydeclaredthemmissing.Iftheyweren’tfoundwithinthirteenmonths,theyweredeclareddead.
——
Mostofthetime,strickenPacificbomberscamedownonwater,eitherbyditchingorbycrashing.Crewmenwhocrashedwereveryunlikelytosurvive,butditchingofferedbetterodds,dependingonthebomber.TheB-17anditssoon-to-be-introducedcousin,thegiganticB-29,hadwide,lowwingsthat,withthefuselage,formedarelatively
flatsurfacethatcouldsurfontowater.Theirsturdybombbaydoorssatflushtothefuselageandtendedtoholdinaditching,enablingtheplanetofloat.ThefirstditchedB-29notonlysurvived,itfloatedontoanIndianbeach,completelyintact,thefolowingday.TheB-24
wasanotherstory.Itswingswerenarrowandmounted
highonthefuselage,anditsdelicatebombbaydoorsprotrudedslightlyfromthebottomoftheplane.InmostB-24ditchings,thebombbaydoorswouldcatchonthewaterandtearoffandtheplanewouldblowapart.LessthanaquarterofditchedB-17sbrokeup,butasurveyofB-24ditchingsfoundthatnearlytwo-thirdsbrokeupandaquarterofthecrewmendied.
ForB-24survivors,quickescapewascrucial.Withoutsealedfuselages,Liberatorssankinstantly;oneairmanrecaledwatchinghisditchedB-24sinksoquicklythathecouldstilseeitslightswhenitwasfarbelowthesurface.Everyairmanwasgivena“MaeWest”lifevest,*butbecausesomemenstolethevests’carbondioxidecartridgesforuseincarbonatingdrinks,some
vestsdidn’tinflate.Liferaftsweredeployedmanualy:frominsidetheplane,crewmencouldpulareleasehandlejustbeforeditchingorcrashing;fromoutsideafloatingplane,theycouldclimbonthewingsandturnraft-releaselevers.Oncedeployed,raftsinflatedautomaticaly.
Survivorshadtogettoraftsimmediately.Airmenwould
laterspeakofsharksarrivingalmostthemomentthattheirplanesstruckthewater.In1943,navylieutenantArtReading,Louie’sUSCtrackteammate,wasknockedunconsciousasheditchedhistwo-manplane.Astheplanesank,Reading’snavigator,EverettAlmond,puledReadingout,inflatedtheirMaeWests,andlashedhimselftoReading.AsReadingwoke,Almond
begantowinghimtowardthenearestisland,twentymilesaway.Sharkssoonbegancircling.Onesweptin,bitdownonAlmond’sleg,anddove,draggingbothmendeepunderwater.Thensomethinggavewayandthemenrosetothesurfaceinapoolofblood.Almond’sleghadapparentlybeentornoff.HegavehisMaeWesttoReading,thensankaway.Forthenexteighteenhours,
Readingfloatedalone,kickingatthesharksandhackingatthemwithhisbinoculars.Bythetimeasearchboatfoundhim,hislegswereslashedandhisjawbrokenbythefinofashark,butthankstoAlmond,hewasalive.Almond,whohaddiedattwenty-one,wasnominatedforaposthumousmedalforbravery.*
Everyonehadheardstories
likeReading’s,andeveryonehadlookedfromtheirplanestoseesharksroamingbelow.Thefearofsharkswassopowerfulthatmostmen,facedwiththechoiceofridingacrippledplanetoaditchingorbailingout,chosetotaketheirchancesinaditching,evenintheB-24.Atleastthatwouldleavethemneartherafts.
Themilitarywasdedicatedto
findingcrashandditchingsurvivors,butinthesprawlingPacifictheater,theoddsofrescuewereextremelydaunting.
Manydoomedplanessentnodistresscal,andoften,nooneknewaplanewasdownuntilitmisseditsestimatedtimeofarrival,whichcouldbeaslongassixteenhoursafterthecrash.Iftheabsencewentunnoticeduntilnight,an
airsearchcouldn’tbecommenceduntilmorning.Inthemeantime,raft-boundmenstruggledwithinjuriesandexposureanddriftedfarfromtheircrashsite.
Forrescuers,figuringoutwheretolookwastremendouslydifficult.Tokeepradiosilence,manycrewsdidn’tcommunicateanypositionduringflights,soalsearchershadtogoonwas
thecoursetheplanewouldhavefolowedhadeverythinggoneright.Butdownedplaneshadoftenbeenflyingoverhugedistances,andmayhaveveeredhundredsofmilesoffcourse.Onceaplanewasdown,currentsandwindcouldcarryaraftdozensofmilesaday.
Becauseofthis,searchareasoftenextendedoverthousandsofsquaremiles.
Thelongerraftsfloated,thefarthertheydrifted,andtheworsetheoddsofrescuebecame.
Themostheartbreakingfactwasthat,ifsearcherswereluckyenoughtoflyneararaft,chancesweregoodthattheywouldn’tseeit.Raftsforsmalplaneswerethesizeofsmalbathtubs;thoseforlargeplaneswerethelengthofarecliningman.Thoughsearch
planesgeneralyflewatjustonethousandfeet,evenfromthatheight,araftcouldeasilybemistakenforawhitecaporaglintoflight.Ondayswithlowclouds,nothingcouldbeseenatal.Manyplanesusedforrescuesearcheshadhighstalspeeds,sotheyhadtobeflownsofastthatcrewmenbarelyhadamomenttoscaneachareabeforeitwasgonebehindthem.
Inmid-1944,inresponsetothedismalresultsofPacificrescuesearches,theAAFimplementedavastlyenhancedrescuesystem.Liferaftswerestockedwithradiosandbetterprovisions,boatsweresetoutalongthepathsflownbymilitaryplanes,andsearcheswerehandledbydesignatedrescuesquadronsequippedwithfloatplanes.Theseadvancesimprovedtheoddsofrescue,butevenafter
theiradvent,mostdownedmenwereneverfound.
AccordingtoreportsmadebytheFarEastAirForceairsurgeon,fewerthan30percentofmenwhoseplaneswentmissingbetweenJuly1944andFebruary1945wererescued.Evenwhentheplane’slocationwasknown,only46percentofmenweresaved.Insomemonths,thepicturewasfarworse.
InJanuary1945,only21of167downedXXIBomberCommandairmenwererescued—just13percent.
Asbleakastheseoddswerelateinthewar,menwhowentdownbeforemid-1944facedfarworse.Flyingbeforetherescuesystemwasmodernized,theyfacedasituationinwhichsearchesweredisorganized,liferaftspoorlyequipped,and
proceduresineffective.EveryoneonPhil’screwknewthatshouldtheygodown,theirchancesofrescuewereverylow.
Theimprobabilityofrescue,coupledwiththesoaringrateofaccidentalcrashes,createdaterribleequation.Searchplanesappeartohavebeenmorelikelytogodownthemselvesthanfindthementheywerelookingfor.Inone
timeframe,intheEasternAirCommand,halfoftheCatalinaflyingboatsattemptingrescuescrashedwhiletryingtolandontheocean.Itseemslikelythatforeverymanrescued,severalwould-berescuersdied,especialyinthefirstyearsofthewar.
——
Witheverydaythatpassed
withoutrescue,theprospectsforraft-boundmenworseneddramaticaly.Raftprovisionslastedafewdaysatmost.Hunger,thirst,andexposuretoblisteringsunbydayandchilbynightdepletedsurvivorswithfrighteningrapidity.Somemendiedindays.Otherswentinsane.InSeptember1942,aB-17crashedinthePacific,strandingninemenonaraft.Withinafewdays,onehad
diedandtheresthadgonemad.Twoheardmusicandbayingdogs.Onewasconvincedthatanavyplanewaspushingtheraftfrombehind.Twoscuffledoveranimaginarycaseofbeer.Anothershoutedcursesataskythathebelievedwasfulofbombers.Seeingadelusoryboat,hepitchedhimselfoverboardanddrowned.Ondaysix,whenaplaneflewby,theremaining
menhadtoconfertobesurethatitwasreal.Whentheywererescuedondayseven,theyweretooweaktowavetheirarms.
Therewerefatesevenworsethanthis.InFebruary1942,awoodenraftwasfounddriftingnearChristmasIsland,intheIndianOcean.Uponitwasthebodyofaman,lyinginamakeshiftcoffinthatappearedtohave
beenbuiltontheraft.Theman’sboilersuithadbeeninthesunforsolongthatitsbluefabrichadbeenbleachedwhite.Ashoethatdidn’tbelongtothemanlaybesidehim.Nooneeverdeterminedwhohewas,orwherehehadcomefrom.
Ofalofthehorrorsfacingdownedmen,theoneoutcomethattheyfearedmostwascapturebythe
Japanese.Therootsofthemen’sfearlayinaneventthatoccurredin1937,intheearlymonthsofJapan’sinvasionofChina.TheJapanesemilitarysurroundedthecityofNanking,strandingmorethanhalfamilionciviliansand90,000Chinesesoldiers.Thesoldierssurrenderedand,assuredoftheirsafety,submittedtobeingbound.Japaneseofficersthenissuedawritten
order:ALLPRISONERSOFWARARETOBEEXECUTED.
Whatfolowedwasasix-weekfrenzyofkilingthatdefiesarticulation.MassesofPOWswerebeheaded,machine-gunned,bayoneted,andburnedalive.TheJapaneseturnedoncivilians,engaginginkilingcontests,rapingtensofthousandsofpeople,mutilatingand
crucifyingthem,andprovokingdogstomaulthem.Japanesesoldierstookpicturesofthemselvesposingalongsidehacked-upbodies,severedheads,andwomenstrappeddownforrape.TheJapanesepressrantaliesofthekilingcontestsasiftheywerebasebalscores,praisingtheheroismofthecontestants.HistoriansestimatethattheJapanesemilitarymurderedbetween
200,000and430,000Chinese,includingthe90,000POWs,inwhatbecameknownastheRapeofNanking.
EveryAmericanairmanknewaboutNanking,andsincethen,Japanhadonlyreinforcedtheprecedent.AmongthemenofLouie’ssquadron,therewasarumorcirculatingabouttheatolofKwajalein,intheMarshal
Islands,aJapaneseterritory.OnKwajalein,therumorsaid,POWsweremurdered.Themencaledit“ExecutionIsland.”ItistestamenttothereputationoftheJapanesethatofalthemeninonefatalydamagedB-24falingoverJapaneseforces,onlyonechosetobailout.Therestweresoafraidofcapturethattheychosetodieinthecrash.
——
Forairmen,theriskswereimpossibletoshrugoff.Thedeadweren’tnumbersonapage.Theyweretheirroommates,theirdrinkingbuddies,thecrewthathadbeenflyingofftheirwingtensecondsago.Mendidn’tgoonebyone.Aquarterofabarrackswaslostatonce.Therewererarelyfunerals,fortherewererarelybodies.Menwerejustgone,andthatwastheendofit.
Airmenavoidedthesubjectofdeath,butprivately,manyweretormentedbyfear.OnemaninLouie’ssquadronhadchronic,stress-inducednosebleeds.Anotherhadtoberelievedbecausehefrozewithterrorintheair.PilotJoeDeasyrecaledadistraughtairmanwhocametohimwithaquestion:Ifacrewmanwentmadduringamission,wouldthecrewshoothim?Themanwassojitterythathe
accidentalyfiredhissidearmintothegroundashespoke.
Somemenwerecertainthatthey’dbekiled;otherslivedindenial.ForLouieandPhil,therewasnoavoidingthetruth.Afteronlytwomonthsandonecombatmission,fiveoftheirfriendswerealreadydead,andtheyhadsurvivedseveralnearmissesthemselves.Theirroomandicebox,inheritedfromfriends
whosebodieswerenowinthePacific,wereconstantreminders.
BeforeLouiehadlefttheStates,he’dbeenissuedanolive-drabBible.Hetriedreadingittocopewithhisanxiety,butitmadenosensetohim,andheabandonedit.Instead,hesoothedhimselfbylisteningtoclassicalmusiconhisphonograph.HeoftenleftPhilsprawledonhisbed,
penningletterstoCecyonanupturnedbox,asheheadedouttorunoffhisworriesonthemile-longcoursethathehadmeasuredinthesandaroundtherunway.Healsotriedtoprepareforeverycontingency.Hewenttothemachineshop,cutathickmetalslab,luggedittoSuperMan,andplunkeditdowninthegreenhouseinhopesthatitwouldprotecthimfromgroundfire.Hetookclasses
onislandsurvivalandwoundcare,andfoundacourseinwhichanelderlyHawaiianofferedtipsonfendingoffsharks.(Openeyeswideandbareteeth,makefootbal-stylestiff-arm,bopsharkinnose.)Andlikeeveryoneelse,LouieandPhildrank.Afterafewbeers,Louiesaid,itwaspossibletobrieflyforgetdeadfriends.Menweregivenarationoffourbeersaweek,buteveryonescoured
thelandscapeforalternatives.AlcoholwastoLouiewhatacornsaretosquirrels;heconsumedwhathewantedwhenhefounditandhidtherest.Intraining,hehadstashedhishoochinashavingcreambottle.Oncedeployed,hegraduatedtomayonnaisejarsandketchupbottles.HestowedabottleofalocalrotgutcaledFiveIslandGin—nicknamedFiveUlcerGin—inradioman
HarryBrooks’sgasmaskholster.
WhenanMPtappedBrooks’shiptocheckforthemask,thebottlebrokeandleftBrookswithasoggyleg.Itwasprobablyforthebest.Louienoticedthatwhenhedrankthestuff,hischesthairspontaneouslyfelout.HelaterdiscoveredthatFiveIslandGinwasoftenusedaspaintthinner.Afterthat,he
stucktobeer.
Phil,likealairmen,hadtocopewiththepossibilityofdying,buthehadanadditionalburden.Asapilot,hewaskeenlyconsciousthatifhemadeamistake,eightothermencoulddie.Hebegancarryingtwotalismans.OnewasabraceletCecyhadgivenhim.Believingthatitkepthimfromharm,hewouldn’tgoupwithoutit.
Theotherwasasilverdolarthatjingledendlesslyinhispocket.OnthedaythathefinalyranawaywithCecy,hesaid,he’duseittotipthebelboy.“WhenIdogethome,”hewrotetoher,“I’mgoingtohidewithyouwherenoonewilfindus.”
Intheearlydaysof1943,asmendiedoneafteranother,everymandealtwiththelossesinadifferentway.
Somewherealongtheway,aritualsprangup.Ifamandidn’treturn,theotherswouldopenhisfootlocker,takeouthisliquor,andhaveadrinkinhishonor.Inawarwithoutfunerals,itwasthebesttheycoulddo.
*Themilitarydidn’tbreakdownnonbattledeathsbycause,butstatisticsstronglyindicatethataccidentalcrashesaccountedformost
deaths.First,thenonbattledeathfigureexcludesthosewhodiedwhileinterned,captured,orMIA.Disease,too,canbeexcludedasamajorcauseofdeath:giventhatintheentirearmy,includinginfantryfightinginmalarialjungles,15,779personneldiedofdisease,diseasedeathsintheaircorpshadtobeasmalpercentageofnonbattledeaths.Finaly,giventhatsome15,000
airmendiedinaccidentalcrashesstateside,itseemshighlylikelythatthehugenumberofaccidentalcrashesinthewarwouldhaveproducedsimilarlyhighnumbersofdeaths.
*WhenLouieandPhilweredeployed,atourwasthirtymissions.Thenumberwaslateradjustedupward.
*ItwascaledaMaeWest
becauseitgavethewearerabountifulbust.Inthe1970s,servicepersonnelupdatedthename,calingthemDolyPartons.
*TwopublishedaccountsofthisincidentmistakenlyidentifyReadingastheonewhowaseatenbytheshark.NewspaperreportsinwhichReadingwasinterviewedconfirmthatitwasAlmond.
Nine
FiveHundredandNinety-fourHoles
INFEBRUARY1943,DURINGABRIEFVISITTOTHEEQUATORIALislandofCanton,theSuperMancrewhaditsfirstencounterwithexplodingsharks.Cantonwasaseethingpurgatoryintheshapeofaporkchop,consistingmostly
ofcoralandscrubbyplantshuddledclosetotheground,asifcringingfromtheheat.
Therewasonlyonetreeontheentireisland.Thesurroundingwatersweretumblingwithsharks,whichgottrappedinthelagoonatlowtide.Boredoutoftheirwits,thelocalservicemenwouldtiegarbagetolongsticksanddanglethemoverthelagoon.Whenthesharks
snappedatthebait,themenwouldlobhandgrenadesintotheirmouthsandwatchthemblowup.
TheSuperMancrewhadbeensenttoCantonfortwomissionsoverJapanese-occupiedMakinandTarawa,intheGilbertIslands.Onthefirstmission,theleadplanemadeawrongturn,andthemenfoundthemselvesoverHowland,theislandthat
AmeliaEarharthadbeenaimingforwhenshehadvanishedsixyearsearlier.TheynoticedgougesintheHowlandrunway,thecalingcardsoftheJapanese.OncetheygotsortedoutandfoundMakin,Louiecouldn’tseehistargetthroughtheclouds.Theymadethreecircleswithnoluck,sotheircolonelorderedthemtodropthebombsanywhereandgetgoing.Throughagapinthe
clouds,Louiespottedarowofouthousesand,withgigglingglee,walopedthemwiththreethousandpoundsofdemolitionbombs.Toacheerfromthecrew,theouthousesblewsky-high.
Twodayslater,themenflewbacktotheGilbertstophotographtheislands,bringingasix-mancameracrew.Theybuzzedseveralislandsunderfire,snapping
photos.WithSuperMan’snosebloodiedfromanantiaircraftround,theyturnedbackforCanton.Threehundredmilesfromhome,engineerDouglasmadeadiscovery.SuperMan’seccentricfuelgauges,whichhadbeenjigglingaround,hadsettledverylow.Douglasannouncedthatattheircurrentrate,theywouldn’tmakeCanton.
Philslowedthepropelersasfarashedaredand“leaned”thefuelmixturesothattheleastpossiblefuelwasused.Thecrewshovedoutalmosteverythingthatwasn’tbolteddown,andalfifteenmencrowdedintothefrontoftheplane,inthebeliefthatitwouldimproveairspeed.KnowingthattheirchancesofmakingCantonwereslim,theyconsideredHowland,butthenrecaledthepitted
runway.TheydiscussedditchingnearHowland,butthatraisedtheissueofsharks.Intheend,theyagreedtotryforCanton.
Wedgedtogetherinthefrontoftheplane,althemencoulddowaswait.Thesunset.Louiestaredintothedarkbelowandthoughtaboutwhatitwouldfeelliketocrash.Thefuelgaugesinchedlower,andeveryonewaitedto
heartheenginessputteringout.Atlast,withthefuelgaugesatabsolutebottom,Philspottedasearchlightcraningaroundtheskyandrunwaylightsdottingthedarkbelow.Realizingthathewaswaytoohigh,PhildroppedtheplanesosharplythatPilsburybobbedintotheairandhungthereamoment,weightless,beforeslappingdown.
AsSuperMantoucheddownonCanton,itstailsettledlowerthanithadbeenintheair,causingthelastdropsoffueltoshiftback.Amomentlater,oneenginequit.
Twoweekslater,themensawwhatwouldhaveawaitedthemhadtheygonedownatsea.AB-25flyingoffOahuradioedthatitwaslowonfuel,thenwentsilent.SuperManwasscrambledtohunt
forit.Afteranhourandahalfofsearching,Louiespottedacurlofgraysmoke.TwoCatalinaflyingboatswereheadingtowardit.SuperManfolowed.
Whentheyarrivedatthecrashsite,themenwereastonishedbywhattheysaw.Twoliferafts,holdingtheentirefive-manB-25crew,floatedamidplanedebris.Aroundthem,theoceanwas
churningwithhundredsofsharks,someofwhichlookedtwentyfeetlong.Knifingagitatedcirclesinthewater,thecreaturesseemedonthevergeofoverturningtherafts.
TheCatalinasreachedthemenbeforethesharkscould,andtheB-25mentreatedtheirrescuerstodrinksthatnight.ButtheSuperMancrewnowunderstoodthefeelingsofthegrenade
throwersonCanton.Onalaterflight,whentheysawseveralsharksharassingsixwhales,theydovelowoverthewaterandshotatthesharks.Later,theyfeltguilty.Onfutureflights,whentheysawsharks,theyletthembe.
——
Nauruwasalittleafterthoughtofland,eightsquaremilesofsandsitting
aloneinthePacific,abouttwenty-fivehundredmilessouthwestofHawaii.Itwasthekindofplacethattheworldmighthaveleftalone,wereitnotforthefiftythousandtonsofhigh-gradephosphatethatlayunderthefeetofthegrass-skirtednatives.Acentralingredientinfertilizerandmunitions,thephosphatehadbeendiscoveredin1900,andsincethentheislandhadbeen
hometoacommunityofEuropeanbusinessmenandChineseworkerswhominedtheland.Whenthewarbegan,Naurubecameapricelessprize.
JapanseizedNauruinAugust1942,imprisoningtheEuropeanswhohadnotfledandforcingthenativesandtheChinesetominephosphateandbuildarunway.Theyenforcedtheir
authoritywiththesword,beheadingpeopleforinfractionsastrivialasthetheftofapumpkin.Whentherunwaywascomplete,Japanhadarichsourceofphosphateandanidealbaseforairstrikes.
OnApril17,uponreturningfromarun,Louiewascaledtoabriefing.AmericawasgoingafterNauruinabigway,sendingSuperManand
twenty-twootherB-24stohitthephosphateworks.Nooneinthesquadronsawabedthatnight.Theyleftjustbeforemidnight,refueledonCanton,andflewtoFunafuti,thetinyatolfromwhichtheywouldlaunchtheirattack.Theyfounditjostlingwithjournalistsbroughtinbythemilitarytocovertheraid.
Atabriefing,thecrewsweretoldtoapproachNauruat
eightthousandfeet.ThealtitudegaveLouieandtheotherspause.Thatweek,theyhadmadepracticerunsfromeighttotenthousandfeet,andthepotentialforantiaircraftfiretobutcherthematthataltitudehadalarmedthewholecrew.“Weonlyhope,”Louiehadwritteninhisdiarytwodaysearlier,“wedon’tbombthatlowinactualcombat.”Pilsburycouldn’tstopthinkingabout
somethingelsethatthebriefingofficerhadsaid.TherewouldbetentotwelveZeroswaitingforthem.He’dseenadistantZeroatWake,buthadneverbeenengagedbyone.
TheideaofasingleZerowasdaunting.Theprospectoftwelvescaredhimtodeath.
Beforedawnthenextday,themenwalkedtogethertoSuper
Man.WiththemwasalieutenantnamedDonaldNelson.Hewasn’tonthecrew,butaskedifhecouldtagalongsohecouldseecombat.AtfiveA.M.,SuperManwasairborne.
——
Dogleggingtothewesttohidetheirpointoforigin,theplanestooksixandahalfhourstoreachNauru.Noone
spoke.SuperManledthemassofbombers,flyingwithaplaneoneachwing.Thesunrose,andtheplanesflewintoaclearmorning.TheJapanesewouldseethemcoming.
Atabouttwentypasteleven,navigatorMitchelbrokethesilence:They’dbeovertheislandinfifteenminutes.Inthegreenhouse,Louiecouldjustmakeoutanapostrophe
ofland,flattothehorizon.Below,therewasablackshadowinthewater.ItwasanAmericansubmarine,readytopickupsurvivorsifbomberswereshotdown.SuperManpassedoveritandslidoverNauru.Louieshivered.
Itwaseerilysilent.Thefirstnineplanes,SuperManoutfront,crossedtheislandunopposed.Theairwasvery
stil,andtheplaneglidedalongwithoutaripple.PhilrelinquishedcontroltotheNordenbombsight.SuperMan’sfirsttarget,aknotofplanesandstructuresbesidearunway,cameintoview.Louie
lineduponthegleamingbacksoftheplanes.
Andthen,shattering.Theskybecameafuryofcolor,sound,andmotion.Flakhissedup,trailingstreamersofsmokeovertheplanes,thenburstintoblackpuffs,sparklingwithshrapnel.Metalfleweverywhere,streakingupfrombelowandrainingdownfromabove.Withthebombsightincontrol,Philcoulddonothing.
SomethingstruckthebomberonSuperMan’sleftwing,pilotedbyLieutenantJohnJacobs.Theplanesankasifdrowning.Atalmostthesamemoment,theplanetoSuperMan’srightwashit.Justafewfeetaway,Pilsburywatchedthebomberfalter,drop,anddisappearunderSuperMan’swing.
Pilsburycouldseethemeninside,andhismindbriefly
registeredthatalofthemwereabouttodie.SuperManwasalone.
Louiekepthisfocusbelow,tryingtoaimfortheparkedplanes.Asheworked,therewasatremendousbang!andaterrificshudder.MuchofSuperMan’srightrudder,achunkthesizeofadinnertable,blewoff.Louielostthetarget.Ashetriedtofinditagain,ashelbitawidehole
inthebombbay,andtheplanerockedagain.
Atlast,Louiehadhisaim,andthefirstbombsdropped,spundown,andstrucktheirtargets.ThenSuperManpassedoverasetofred-roofedbarracksandanantiaircraftbattery,Louie’ssecondandthirdtargets.Louielinedupandwatchedthebombscrunchintothebuildingsandbattery.Hehad
onebombleftforatargetofopportunity.Northoftheairfield,hesawashackandtookaim.Thebombfelclear,andLouieyeled“Bombsaway!”andturnedthevalvetoclosethebombbaydoors.Inthecockpit,thebomb-releaselightflickedon,andPhiltookcontroloftheplane.Ashedid,behindandbelowtheplane,therewasapulseofwhitelightandanorboffire.Louiehadmadealuckyguess
andaperfectdrop.Theshackwasafueldepot,andhehadstruckitdeadcenter.Inthetopturret,Pilsburypivotedbackwardandwatchedavastcloudofsmokebilowupward.
TheairbattleoverNauru.
Therewasnotimeforcelebration:Zerosweresuddenlyalaround.Louiecountednineofthem,
slashingaroundthebombers,machinegunsblazing.
TheboldnessandskiloftheJapanesepilotsastoundedthebombercrews.TheZerosflewatthebombershead-on,cannonsfiring,slicingbetweenplanesthatwerejustfeetapart.TheypassedsoclosethatLouiecouldseethefacesofthepilots.Firingfuriously,thebombergunnerstriedtotakeouttheZeros.
Theshootingwasalpoint-blank,andbuletswereflyingeverywhere.Onebombersustainedseventeenhitsfromfriendlyplanes,orpossiblyfromitsownwaistguns.
Strickenbombersbeganslippingbehind,andtheZerospounced.OnebomberwashoundedbyfourZerosandabiplane.ItsgunnersshotdownoneZerobeforetheirpilotfoundacloudto
hidein,scatteringhispursuers.Below,LieutenantJacobs,Phil’slostwingman,wasstilairborne,hisplanelaboringalongonthreeenginesandnorightrudderinacircleofZeros.HisgunnerssentoneZerodown.ThorHamrin,pilotoftheB-24JabintheAss,sawJacobsstruggling.Circlingbackandspeedingdown,heopenedupontheZeroswithalofhisguns.TheZerosbackedoff,
andJacobsflewonwithHamrinonhiswing.
Thefirstbombers,pursuedbyZeros,headedouttosea.Withitsfightersgoneandmanyofitsgunsdestroyed,theJapanesebasewasleftexposed.
ThetrailingB-24ssweptin,crossingthroughriversofsmoketorainbombsonthephosphateplant.Inthelast
planeovertheisland,areporterraisedhisbinoculars.Hesaw“avolcano-likemassofsmokeandfire,”aburningJapanesebomber,afewburstsofantiaircraftfire,andnotasinglemovingperson.
——
PhilandCuppernelpushedSuperManful-throttleforhome.Theplanewasgravelywounded,tryingtoflyupand
overontoitsback.Itwantedtostalandwouldn’tturn,andthepilotsneededaltheirstrengthtoholditlevel.ThreeZerosorbitedit,spewingstreamsofbuletsandcannonshels.Thegunners,engulfedinscalding-hotspentcartridges,firedback:Mitchelinthenose,Pilsburyinthetopturret,Glassmaninthebely,Lambertinthetail,andBrooksandDouglasstanding
exposedatthebroad,openwaistwindows.Louie,stilinthegreenhouse,sawroundsrippingthroughtheZeros’fuselagesandwings,buttheplaneswererelentless.BuletsstreakedthroughSuperManfromeverydirection.Ineverypartoftheplane,theseaandskywerevisiblethroughgashesinthebomber’sskin.Everymoment,theholesmultiplied.
JustasLouieturnedtoleavethegreenhouse,hesawaZerodivestraightforSuperMan’snose.MitchelandtheZeropilotfiredsimultaneously.LouieandMitchelfeltbuletscuttingtheairaroundthem,onepassingnearMitchel’sarm,theotherjustmissingLouie’sface.Oneroundsizzledpastandstrucktheturret’spowerline,andtheturretwentdead.Atthesameinstant,Louiesaw
theZeropilotjerk.Mitchelhadhithim.Foramoment,theZerocontinuedtospeeddirectlyatthenoseofSuperMan.ThentheweightofthestrickenpilotontheyokeforcedtheZerodown,duckingunderthebomber.Thefighterpowereddownandsplashedintotheoceanjustshortofthebeach.
LouierotatedthedeadturretbyhandandMitchelclimbed
out.Thegunnerskeptfiring,andSuperMantrembledon.TherewerestiltwoZeroscirclingit.
——
Inthetopturret,facingbackward,StanleyPilsburyhadfearsomeweapons,twin.50-calibermachineguns.Eachguncouldfireeighthundredroundsperminute,thebuletstravelingaboutthreethousandfeetpersecond.Pilsbury’sgunscouldkilamanfromfourmilesaway,andtheycouldtakeoutaZeroifgiventhechance.ButtheZeroswerestayingbelow,wherePil
sburycouldn’thitthem.HecouldfeeltheirroundsthumpingintoSuperMan’sbely,butalhecouldseewerehisplane’swings.FixatedonthenearestZero,Pilsburythought,Ifhe’djustcomeup,Icanknockhimdown.
Hewaited.Theplanegroanedandshook,thegunnersfired,theZerospoundedthemfrombelow,andstilPilsbury
waited.ThenLouiesawaZeroswoopupontheright.Pilsburyneversawit.Thefirstheknewofitwasanearsplittingka-bang!ka-bang!ka-bang!,asensationofeverythingtippingandblowingapart,andexcruciatingpain.
TheZerohadsprayedtheentirerightsideofSuperManwithcannonshels.Thefirstroundshitnearthetail,
spinningtheplanehardonitsside.
ShrapneltoreintothehipandleftlegoftailgunnerRayLambert,whohungonsidewaysasSuperManroled.Theplane’stwistsavedhim;acannonroundstruckexactlywherehisheadhadbeenaninstantearlier,hittingsoclosetohimthathisgogglesshattered.Ahead,shrapneldroppedBrooksand
Douglasatthewaistguns.Inthebelyturret,twohunksofshrapnelpenetratedthebackofGlassman,whowassoadrenalizedthathefeltnothing.Anotherroundhitthepassenger,Nelson.Finaly,ashelblewoutthewalofthetopturret,disintegratingonimpactandshootingmetalintoPilsbury’slegfromfoottoknee.Halfofthecrew,andaloftheworkinggunners,hadbeenhit.SuperMan
reeledcrazilyonitsside,andforamomentitfeltabouttospiraloutofcontrol.PhilandCuppernelwrencheditlevel.
Clingingtohisgunastheshrapnelstruckhislegandtheplane’sspinnearlyflunghimfromhisseat,Pilsburyshoutedtheonlywordthatcametomind.
“Ow!”
——
Louieheardsomeonescream.Whentheplanewasrighted,Philyeledtohimtofindouthowbadthedamagewas.Louieclimbedfromthenoseturret.
ThefirstthinghesawwasHarryBrooks,inthebombbay,lyingonthecatwalk.Thebombbaydoorswerewideopen,andBrookswas
danglingpartwayoffthecatwalk,onehandgrippingthecatwalkandonelegswingingintheair,withnothingbutairandoceanbelowhim.Hiseyesbulged,andhisupperbodywaswetwithblood.HeliftedonearmtowardLouie,aplaintiveexpressiononhisface.
LouiegrabbedBrooksbythewristsandpuledhimintoaseatedposition.Brooks
slumpedforward,andLouiecouldseeholesdottingthebackofhisjacket.Therewasbloodinhishair.
LouiedraggedBrookstotheflightdeckandpuledhimintoacorner.Brookspassedout.Louiefoundacushionandsliditunderhim,thenreturnedtothebombbay.Herememberedhavingturnedthevalvetoclosethedoors,andcouldn’tunderstandwhy
theywereopen.Thenhesaw:Therewasaslashinthewal,andpurplefluidwassplatteredeverywhere.Thehydrauliclines,whichcontroledthedoors,hadbeensevered.Withtheselinesbroken,Philwouldhavenohydrauliccontrolofthelandinggearortheflaps,whichtheywouldneedtoslowtheplaneonlanding.Andwithouthydraulics,theyhadnobrakes.
Louiecrankedthebombbaydoorsshutbyhand.HelookedtotherearandsawDouglas,Lambert,andNelsonlyingtogether,bloody.DouglasandLambertwerepawingalongthefloor,tryingtoreachtheirguns.Nelsondidn’tmove.He’dtakenashottothestomach.
Louieshoutedtothecockpitforhelp.Philyeledbackthathewaslosingcontrolofthe
planeandneededCuppernel.Louiesaidthatthiswasadireemergency.Philbracedhimselfatthecontrols,andCuppernelgotup,sawthemeninback,andbrokeintoarun.Hefoundmorphine,sulfa,oxygenmasks,andbandagesanddroppeddownnexttoeachmaninturn.
LouiekneltbesideBrooks,whowasstilunconscious.Feelingthroughthegunner’s
hair,hefoundtwoholesinthebackofhisskul.Therewerefourlargewoundsinhisback.LouiestrappedanoxygenmasktoBrooks’sfaceandbandagedhishead.Asheworked,hethoughtaboutthestateoftheplane.Thewaist,nose,andtailgunnerswereout,theplanewasshottohel,Philwasaloneinthecockpit,barelykeepingtheplaneup,andtheZeroswerestiloutthere.One
morepass,hethought,willputusdown.
LouiewasbendingoverBrookswhenhefeltatickleonhisshoulder,somethingdripping.HelookedupandsawPilsburyinthetopturret.Bloodwasstreamingfromhisleg.Louierushedtohim.
Pilsburywasstilinhisseat,facingsideways,grippingthegunandsweepinghiseyes
aroundthesky.Helookedabsolutelylivid.Hislegdangledbelowhim,hispantleghanginginshredsandhisbootblasted.Nexttohimwasajaggedhole,theshapeofTexasandalmostaslargeasabeachbal,clawedoutofthesideoftheplane.Theturretwasshotwithholes,andthefloorwasjinglingwithflakesofmetalandturretmotor.
TopturretgunnerStanleyPilsbury,shownatthewaistgun.CourtesyofLouisZamperini
LouiebegandoctoringPilsbury’swounds.Pilsbury,swinginghisheadbackandforth,ignoredhim.HeknewthattheZerowouldcomebacktofinishthekil,andhehadtofindit.Theurgencyofthemomentdrovethepainintoadistantplace.
Suddenly,therewasawhooshofdark,close,upwardmotion,agrayshiningbody,aredcircle.Pilsburyshoutedsomethinguninteligible,andLouieletgoofhisfootjustasPilsburybangedthehigh-speedrotatoronhisturret.Theturretgruntedtolife,whirlingPilsburyaroundninetydegrees.
TheZeroreachedthetopofitsarc,leveledoff,andsped
directlytowardSuperMan.Pilsburywasterrified.Inaninstant,theendwouldcomewiththemostminuteofgestures—theflickoftheZeropilot’sfingeronhiscannontrigger—andSuperManwouldcarrytenmenintothePacific.Pilsburycouldseethepilotwhowouldendhislife,thetropicalsuniluminatinghisface,awhitescarfcoiledabouthisneck.Pilsburythought:Ihaveto
killthisman.
Pilsburysuckedinasharpbreathandfired.Hewatchedthetracersskimawayfromhisgun’smuzzleandpunchthroughthecockpitoftheZero.Thewindshieldblewapartandthepilotpitchedforward.
ThefatalblownevercametoSuperMan.TheZeropilot,surelyseeingthetopturret
smashedandthewaistwindowsvacant,hadprobablyassumedthatthegunnerswerealdead.Hehadwaitedtoolong.
TheZerofoldedontoitselflikeawoundedbird.Pilsburyfeltsurethatthepilotwasdeadbeforehisplanestrucktheocean.
ThelastZerocameupfrombelow,thenfalteredandfel.
ClarenceDouglas,standingatthewaistgunwithhisthigh,chest,andshouldertornopen,broughtitdown.
Intheoceanbehindthem,themenonthesubmarinewatchedtheplanestussleoverthewater.Onebyone,theZerosdropped,andthebombersflewon.ThesubmarinecrewwouldlaterreportthatnotoneZeromadeitbacktoNauru.Itis
believedthatthankstothisraidandothers,theJapaneseneverretrievedasingleshipmentofphosphatefromtheisland.
——
ThepainthathadbeenfarawayduringthegunfightsurgedoverPilsbury.Louiepushedthereleaseontheturretchair,andthegunnerslidintohisarms.
LouieeasedhimtothefloornexttoBrooks.GraspingPilsbury’sboot,hebeganeasingitoffasgentlyashecould.Pilsburyholeredforalhewasworth.
Thebootslidoff.Pilsbury’sleftbigtoewasgone;itwasstilintheboot.Thetoenexttoithungbyastringofskin,andportionsofhisothertoesweremissing.Somuchshrapnelwasembeddedinhis
lowerlegthatitbristledlikeapincushion.Louiethoughtthattherewouldbenowaytosavethefoot.HebandagedPilsbury,gavehimashotofmorphine,fedhimasulfapil,thenhurriedawaytoseeiftheycouldsavetheplane.
SuperManwasdying.Philcouldn’tturnitfromsidetosidewiththenormalcontrols,andtheplanewaspulingupwardsohard,tryingtoflip,
thatPhilcouldn’tholditwithhisarms.Heputbothfeetontheyokeandpushedashardashecould.Thenosekeptrearingupsohighthattheplanewasonthevergeofstaling.Itwasporpoising,upanddown.
Themenwhocouldwalkrushedthroughtheplane,assessingitscondition.Theperiloftheirsituationwasabundantlyclear.Theright
rudderwascompletelyshot,alargeportionofitmissinganditscablessevered.Thecablesfortheelevators,whichcontroledtheplane’spitch,werebadlydamaged.Sowerethecablesforthetrim,whichgavethepilotfinecontroloftheplane’sattitude—itsorientationintheair—andthusgreatlyreducedtheeffortneededtohandletheplane.Fuelwastricklingontothefloorunderthetopturret.No
oneknewtheconditionofthelandinggear,butwiththeentireplaneperforated,itwaslikelythatthetireshadbeenstruck.Thebombbaywassloshingwithhydraulicfluid.
Phildidwhathecould.Slowingtheenginesononesidecreatedapowerdifferentialthatforcedtheplanetoturn.Pushingtheplanetohigherspeedeasedtheporpoisingandreduced
theriskofstaling.IfPhilkepthisfeetontheyokeandpushedhard,hecouldstoptheplanefromflipping.SomeoneshutoffthefuelfeednearPilsbury,andtheleakingstopped.Louietookabomb-armingwireandsplicedtheseveredrudderandelevatorcablestogether.Itdidn’tresultinimmediateimprovement,butiftheleftruddercablesfailed,itmighthelp.
Funafutiwasfivehoursaway.IfSuperMancouldcarrythemthatfar,theywouldhavetolandwithouthydrauliccontrolofthelandinggear,flaps,orbrakes.Theycouldlowerthegearandextendtheflapswithhandpumps,buttherewasnomanualalternativetohydraulicbrakes.Withoutbombsormuchfuelaboard,theplaneweighedsomefortythousandpounds.AB-24
withoutbrakes,especialyonecomingin“hot”—overthestandardof90to110milesperhourlandingspeed—couldeatup10,000feetbeforeitstopped.Funafuti’srunwaywas6,660feetlong.Atitsendwererocksandsea.
Hourspassed.SuperManshookandstruggled.LouieandCuppernelmovedamongtheinjuredmen.Pilsburylayonthefloor,watchinghisleg
bleed.
Mitchelhunchedoverhisnavigationtable,andPhilwrestledwiththeplane.Douglaslimpedabout,lookingdeeplytraumatized,hisshoulderandarm,saidPilsbury,“altorntopieces.”BrookslaynexttoPilsbury,bloodpoolinginhisthroat,makinghimgurgleashebreathed.Pilsburycouldn’tbearthesound.Onceor
twice,whenLouiekneltbeforehim,Brooksopenedhiseyesandwhisperedsomething.LouieputhisearnearBrooks’slips,butcouldn’tunderstandhim.Brooksdriftedoffagain.Everyoneknewhewasalmostsurelydying.Noonespokeofit.
Itwaslikely,theyalknew,thatthey’dcrashonlanding,ifnotbefore.Whatever
thoughtseachmanhad,hekeptthemtohimself.
——
DaylightwasfadingwhenthepalmsofFunafutibrushedoverthehorizon.Philbegandroppingtheplanetowardtherunway.Theyweregoingmuchtoofast.Someonewenttothehandcrankonthecatwalkandopenedthebombbaydoors,andtheplane,
draggingontheair,begantoslow.Douglaswenttothepumpforthelandinggear,justunderthetopturret.Heneededtwohandstoworkit—onetopushthevalveandonetoworkthepump—buthewasintoomuchpaintoholdupeitherofhisarmsformorethanafewseconds.Pilsburycouldn’tstand,butbystretchingasfarashecould,hereachedtheselectorvalve.Together,theygotthegear
downwhileLouiepeeredoutthesidewindow,lookingforayelowtabthatwouldsignifythatthegearwaslocked.Thetabappeared.MitchelandLouiepumpedtheflapsdown.
Louiescroungedupparachutecordandwenttoeachinjuredman,loopingcordaroundhimasabelt,thenwrappingtheropearoundstationarypartsoftheplane.Nelson,
withhisbelywound,couldn’thavearopewrappedaroundhistorso,soLouiefedthelinearoundhisarmandunderhisarmpit.Fearingthatthey’denduponfire,hedidn’tknotthecords.Instead,hewoundtheendsaroundthehandsoftheinjuredmen,sotheycouldfreethemselveseasily.
Thequestionofhowtostopthebomberremained.Louie
hadanidea.Whatiftheyweretotietwoparachutestotherearoftheplane,pitchthemoutofthewaistwindowsattouchdown,andpultheripcords?Noonehadevertriedtostopabomberinthismanner.Itwasalongshot,butitwasaltheyhad.
LouieandDouglasplacedoneparachuteineachwaistwindowandtiedthemtoagunmount.Douglaswentto
hisseat,leavingLouiestandingbetweenthewaistwindows,aripcordineachhand.
SuperMansanktowardFunafuti.Below,thejournalistsandtheotherbombercrewsstood,watchingthecrippledplanecomein.SuperMandroppedlowerandlower.Justbeforeittoucheddown,Pilsburylookedattheairspeedgauge.
Itread110milesperhour.Foraplanewithoutbrakes,itwastoofast.
——
Foramoment,thelandingwasperfect.ThewheelskissedtherunwaysosoftlythatLouiestayedonhisfeet.Thencameaviolentgougingsensation.
Whattheyhadfearedhad
happened:Thelefttirewasflat.Theplanecaughthard,veeredleft,andcareenedtowardtwoparkedbombers.Cuppernel,surelymoreoutofhabitthanhope,stompedontherightbrake.Therewasjustenoughhydraulicfluidlefttosavethem.SuperManspuninacircleandlurchedtoastopjustclearoftheotherbombers.Louiewasstilintheback,grippingtheparachutecords.Hehadnothadtouse
them.*
Douglaspoppedopenthetophatch,draggedhimselfontotheroof,raisedhisinjuredarmoverhishead,andcrosseditwithhisotherarm,thesignalthattherewerewoundedmeninside.Louiejumpeddownfromthebombbayandgavethesamesignal.Therewasastampedeacrosstheairfield,andinsecondstheplanewasswarmingwith
marines.Louiestoodbackandranhiseyesoverthebodyofhisruinedplane.Later,groundcrewmenwouldcounttheholesinSuperMan,markingeachonewithchalktobesurethattheydidn’tcountanytwice.Therewere594holes.AloftheNaurubombershadmadeitback,everyoneofthemshotup,butnonesobadlyasthis.
Brookswaslaidona
stretcher,placedonajeep,anddriventoarudimentary,one-roominfirmary.Hewasbleedinginsidehisskul.
TheycarriedPilsburytoabarrackstoawaittreatment.HewaslyingthereaboutanhourlaterwhenthedoctorcameinandaskedhimifheknewHarryBrooks.Pilsburysaidyes.
“Hedidn’tmakeit,”thedoctorsaid.
——
TechnicalSergeantHaroldBrooksdiedoneweekbeforehistwenty-thirdbirthday.Ittookmorethanaweekforwordtoreachhiswidowedmother,Edna,at511½WesternAvenueinClarksvile,Michigan.AcrosstownonHarleyRoad,thenewsreachedhisfiancée,JeannetteBurtscher.Shelearnedthathewasgoneninedaysbeforetheweddingdatethattheyhadsetbeforeheleftforthewar.
HarryBrooks.
*Eightmonthslater,CharliePrattebecamethefirstpilottostopaB-24withparachutes.Hisbomber,BelleofTexas,hadbeenshotupovertheMarshalIslandsandhadnobrakes,leavingPrattetoattemptalandingonarunwayfartooshortforbombers.Tomakemattersworse,Prattehadeatenbadeggsandwasvomitingashe
flew.Touchingdownatascorching140milesperhour,Pratteorderedhismentodeploythreeparachutes.
Withtheparachutesopenbehindit,theplaneshotofftheendoftherunwayandontothebeachbeforestoppingjustshortoftheocean.Pratteandhiscrewweregivenspecialcommendations.
Ten
TheStinkingSix
ASEVENINGFELLOVERFUNAFUTI,THEGROUNDCREWSnursedthedamagedbombers.Whentheholeswerepatchedandmechanicalproblemsrepaired,theplaneswerefueledupandloadedwithsixfive-hundred-poundbombseach,readyforastrikeonTarawathenextday.
SuperMan,stilstandingwhereithadspuntoahalt,itsentirelengthhoneycombed,wouldn’tjointhem.Itwouldprobablyneverflyagain.
Wornoutfromthemissionandhoursspenthelpingattheinfirmary,Louiewalkedtoagroveofcoconuttreeswherethereweretentsthatservedasbarracks.Hefoundhistentandfloppeddownonacot,nearPhil.Thejournalists
wereinatentnexttotheirs.Attheinfirmary,StanleyPilsburylaywithhisbleedingleghangingoffhiscot.Nearby,theotherwoundedSuperMancrewmentriedtosleep.Blackoutdescended,andahushfel.
Ataboutthreeinthemorning,Louiewoketoaforlorndroning,risingandfaling.Itwasasmalplane,crossingbackandforth
overhead.Thinkingthatitwasacrewlostintheclouds,Louielaytherelistening,hopingthey’dfindhome.Eventualy,thesoundfadedaway.
BeforeLouiecouldfalbackasleep,heheardthegrowlofheavyaircraftengines.Then,fromthenorthendoftheatol,cameaBOOM!Asirenbegansounding,andtherewasdistantgunfire.Thena
marineranpasttheairmen’stents,screaming,“Airraid!Airraid!”Thedroningoverheadhadn’tbeenalostAmericancrew.Ithadprobablybeenascoutplane,leadingJapanesebombers.Funafutiwasunderattack.
Theairmenandjournalists,LouieandPhilamongthem,jammedtheirfeetintotheirboots,boltedfromthetents,andstopped,someshouting,
othersspinninginpanic.Theycouldn’tseeanybombshelters.Fromdowntheatol,theexplosionswerecominginrapidsuccession,eachonelouderandcloser.Thegroundshook.
“Ilookedaroundandsaid,‘Holyhel!Wherearewegoingtogo?’”rememberedpilotJoeDeasy.Thebestshelterhecouldfindwasashalowpitdugarounda
coconutsapling,andheplowedintoit,alongwithmostofthemennearhim.HermanScearce,Deasy’sradioman,leaptintoatrenchnexttoanordnancetruck,joiningfiveofhiscrewmates.PilotJesseStayjumpedintoanotherholenearby.Threemencrawledundertheordnancetruck;anotherflunghimselfintoagarbagepit.Onemanranrightofftheendoftheatol,splashingintothe
oceaneventhoughhedidn’tknowhowtoswim.Somemen,findingnowheretogo,droppedtotheirkneestoclawfoxholesinthesandwiththeirhelmets.Asheduginthedarkwiththebombscoming,onemannoisilycursedthesonofabitchgeneralswhohadlefttheatolwithoutshelters.
Dozensofnativescrowdedintoalargemissionary
churchthatstoodinaclearing.Realizingthatthewhitechurchwouldstandoutbriliantlyonthedarkatol,amarinenamedFonnieBlackLaddraninandyeledatthenativestogetout.Whentheywouldn’tmove,hedrewhissidearm.Theyscattered.
Intheinfirmary,StanleyPilsburylayinstartledconfusion.Onemomenthe’dbeensleeping,andthenext,
theatolwasrockingwithexplosions,asirenwashowling,andpeopleweresprintingby,draggingpatientsontostretchersandrushingthemout.Thentheroomwasempty,andPilsburywasalone.
Hehadapparentlybeenforgotten.Hesatup,frantic.Hecouldn’tstand.
LouieandPhilranthrough
thecoconutgrove,searchingforanythingthatmightserveasshelter.Thebombswereovertakingthem,makingasoundthatonemanlikenedtothefootfalsofagiant:Boom…boom…BOOM…BOOM!Atlast,LouieandPhilspottedanativehutbuiltonfloodstilts.Theydoveunderit,landinginaheapofmorethantwodozenmen.Thebombswerenowsoclosethatthemencouldhearthem
spinningintheair;Deasyrememberedthesoundasawhirr,Scearceasapiercingwhistle.
Aninstantlater,everythingwasscaldingwhitenessandsplinteringnoise.Thegroundheaved,andtheairwhooshedaround,carryinganacridsmel.
Treesblewapart.AbombstruckthetentinwhichLouie
andPhilhadbeensleepingaminutebefore.Anotherburstbesideapileofmeninaditch,andsomethingspearedintothebackofthemanontop.Hesaid,“Thisfeelslikeit,boys,”andpassedout.Abombhittheordnancetruck,sendingitintotheairinthousandsofpieces.TheremainsofthetruckandthemenunderitskimmedpastJesseStay’shead.Anosegunnerheardasingingsound
asthepartsofthetruckflewbyhim.Itwasapparentlythistruckthatlandedononeofthetents,wheretwoairmenwerestilontheircots.AnotherbombtumbledintoScearce’strench,ploppingrightontopofatailgunner.Itdidn’tgooff,butsattherehissing.Thegunnershouted,“Jesus!”Ittookthemamomenttorealizethatwhatthey’dthoughtwasabombwasactualyafire
extinguisher.Yardsaway,LouieandPhilhuddled.Thehutshook,butstilstood.
Thebombsmoveddowntheatol.Eachreportsoundedfartheraway,andthentheexplosionsstopped.Afewmenclimbedfromtheirshelterstohelpthewoundedanddousefires.Louieandtheothersstayedwheretheywere,knowingthatthebomberswouldbeback.
Matcheswerestruckandcigaretteswerepinchedintremblingfingers.Ifwe’rehit,onemangrumbled,there’lbenothingleftofusbutgravy.Faraway,thebombersturned.Theboomingbeganagain.
SomeonerunningbytheinfirmarysawPilsbury,hurriedin,threwhimonastretcher,anddraggedhimintoatinycementbuilding
wheretheotherwoundedhadbeentaken.Thebuildingwassocrowdedthatmenhadbeenlaidonshelves.Itwaspitch-dark,anddoctorswereshufflingaround,peeringattheirpatientsbyflashlight.Pilsburylaypantinginthedarkness,listeningtothebombscoming,feelingclaustrophobic,hismindflashingwithimagesofbombsentombingthem.Withmenstackedeverywhereand
noonespeaking,hethoughtofamorgue.Hisleghurt.Hebegangroaning,andthedoctorfelthiswaytohimandgavehimmorphine.Theboomingwaslouder,louder,andthenitwasoverthemagain,tremendouscrashing.Theceilingshuddered,andcementdustsifteddown.
Outside,itwashelonearth.Menmoanedandscreamed,onecalingforhismother.A
pilotthoughtthevoicessounded“likeanimalscrying.”Men’seardrumsburst.Amandiedofaheartattack.Anotherman’sarmwassevered.Otherssobbed,prayed,andlostcontroloftheirbowels.“Iwasn’tonlyscared,Iwasterrified,”oneairmanwouldwritetohisparents.“IthoughtIwasscaredintheair,butIwasn’t.[Itwas]thefirsttimeinmylifeIsawhowclosedeath
couldcome.”Philfeltthesame;never,evenduringthefightoverNauru,hadheknownsuchterror.Louiecrouchedbesidehim.Ashehadrunthroughthecoconutgrove,hehadmovedonlyoninstinctandroaringadrenaline,feelingnoemotion.Now,asexplosionswentoffaroundhim,fearseizedhim.
StaffSergeantFrankRosynek
huddledinacoraltrench,wearingnothingbutahelmet,untiedshoes,andboxershorts.Thetonnagecomingdown,helaterwrote,“seemedlikearailroadcarload.Thebombssoundedlikesomeonepushingapianodownalongrampbeforetheyhitandexploded.Bigpalmtreeswereshatteredandsplinteredalaroundus;thegroundwouldriseupintheairwhenabombexploded
andtherewasthisterrificflashofsuperbrightlightthatitmade.Theconcussionblewpiecesofcoralintoourholeandweblindlygropedforthemandtossedthemoutasquickaswecouldfindthem.Atintervalsbetweenabombfalingitsoundedlikechurch:voicesfromnearbyslittrenchesalchantingtheLord’sprayertogether—overandoveragain.Louderwhenthebombshitcloser.I
thoughtIevenheardsomeguyscrying.Youwereafraidtolookupbecauseyoufeltyourfacemightbeseenfromabove.”
Twomoresoldierswerekiledonthethirdpass.Onthefourthpass,theJapanesehitthejackpot.Twobombsbul’s-eyedthegassed-up,loadedB-24sparkedbytherunway.Thefirstwentupinahugeexplosion,sendingbomber
partsshoweringalovertheisland.Anotherburstintoflames.Thefiressetoffmachinegunbulets,whichwhizzedinaldirections,theirtracersdrawingribbonsintheair.Thenthefive-hundred-poundbombsontheplanesstartedgoingoff.
Finaly,theatolfelsilent.Afewofthemen,shaking,stoodup.Astheywalkedamongthewreckage,another
B-24blewup,theexplosionaccelerated
byits2,300galonsoffuel,3,000poundsofbombs,and
cacheof.50-caliberammunition.Acopilotwrotethatitsounded“likethewholeislandwasblowingup.”Withthat,itwasover.
——
Whendawnbroke,menbegancreepingfromtheirhidingplaces.Themanwhohadrunintotheoceanwadedashore,havingclungtoarockforthreehoursasthetide
rose.Withthemorninglight,themanwhohadcursedhisgeneralsashehaddughisfoxholediscoveredthatthosegeneralshadbeendiggingrightnexttohim.LouieandPhilcrawledoutfrombeneaththehut.Philwasunscathed;Louiehadonlyacutonhisarm.Theyjoinedaprocessionofexhausted,stunnedmen.
Funafuti,themorningafter.
CourtesyofLouisZamperini
Funafutiwaswrecked.Abombhadstruckthechurchroof,sendingthebuildingdownontoitself,butthankstoCorporalLadd,therehadbeennooneinside.TherewasacraterwhereLouieandPhil’stenthadbeen.Anothertentlaycolapsed,abombstandingonitsnoseinthemiddleofit.Someonetiedthebombtoatruck,dragged
ittothebeach,andturnedsharply,sendingthebombskiddingintotheocean.RosynekwalkeduptherunwayandfoundsixJapanesebombslyinginaneatrow.Thebombswerearmedbyspinningastheyfel,butwhoeverhaddroppedthemhadcomeintoolow,notleavingthebombsenoughdropspacetoarmthemselves.Themendraggedthemintotheoceantoo.
WherethestruckB-24shadbeen,thereweredeepholesringedbydecapitatedcoconuttrees.Onecrater,Louienotedinhisdiary,wasthirty-fivefeetdeepandsixtyfeetacross.Bitsofbomberweresprinkledeverywhere.LandinggearandseatsthathadseenthesunsetfromonesideofFunafutigreetedthesunrisefromtheother.Althatwasleftofonebomberwasatail,twowingtips,andtwo
propelers,connectedbyablacksmudge.Therewasa1,200-horsepowerPrattandWhitneyenginesittingbyitselfontherunway;theplanethatitbelongedtowasnowheretobefound.Louiecameuponareporterstaringintoacrater,intears.Louiewalkedtohim,bracingtoseeadeadbody.Instead,hesawatypewriter,flattened.
Thewoundedanddeadwere
everywhere.Twomechanicswho’dbeencaughtintheopenwerebruisedaloverfromtheconcussiveforceoftheexplosions.Theyweresotraumatizedthattheycouldn’ttalk,andwereusingtheirhandstocommunicate.Menstoodinasolemncirclearoundacoupleofseatsandtwistedmetal,althatwasleftoftheordnancetruck.Thethreemenwhohadsoughtshelterunderitwerebeyond
recognition.Aradiomanwasfounddead,abombshardinhishead.Louiecameuponthebodyofanative,dressedinaloincloth,lyingonhisback.Halfofhisheadwasmissing.
AradiooperatorwouldsaythattherehadbeenaboutfourteenJapanesebombers,butthinkingthattherehadbeentwosetsofthree,someonedubbedthem“the
StinkingSix.”Everyoneexpectedthemtoreturn.PhilandLouiejoinedagroupofmendiggingfoxholeswithshovelsandhelmets.Whentheyhadamoment,theywalkedtothebeachandsattogetherforanhour,tryingtocolecttheirthoughts.
——
Sometimethatday,Louiewenttotheinfirmarytohelp
out.Pilsburywasbackinhiscot.Hislegwasburningterribly,andhelaywithitdanglingintheair,drippingbloodintoapuddleonthefloor.Cuppernelsatwithhim,thankinghimforshootingdownthatZero.
ThedoctorwasconcernedthatPilsbury’sfootwouldn’tstopbleeding.Surgerywasnecessary,buttherewasnoanesthetic,soPilsburywas
justgoingtohavetodowithout.WithPilsburygrippingthebedwithbothhandsandLouielyingoverhislegs,thedoctorusedplierstoteartissuefromPilsbury’sfoot,thenpuledalongstripofhangingskinoverhisbonestumpandseweditup.
SuperMansatbytheairstrip,listingleftonitspeg-leggedlandinggear,theshredded
tirehangingpartwayoff.Theairraidhadmissedtheplane,butitdidn’tlooklikeit.Its594holeswerespreadovereverypartofit:swarmsofbuletholes,slashesfromshrapnel,fourcannon-firegashesatleastaslargeasaman’shead,thegapingpunchholebesidePilsbury’sturret,andtheholeintherudder,asbigasadoorway.Theplanelookedasifithadflownthroughbarbedwire,itspaint
scouredofftheleadingedgeoftheenginesandsides.Journalistsandairmencircledit,amazedthatithadstayedairborneforfivehourswithsomuchdamage.Philwashailedasamiracleworker,andeveryonehadcausetoreassessthesupposedlyfaintheartedB-24.Aphotographerclimbedinsidetheplaneandsnappedapicture.Takenindaylightinthedarkoftheplane’s
interior,theimageshowedshaftsoflightstreamingthroughtheholes,ashowerofstarsagainstablacksky.
Louie,lookingasbatteredashisplane,walkedtoSuperMan.Heleanedhisheadintooneofthecannonholesandsawtheseveredrightruddercables,stilsplicedtogetherashehadleftthem.HeranhisfingersalongthetearsinSuperMan’sskin.Theplane
hadsavedhimandalbutoneofhiscrew.Hewouldthinkofitasadearfriend.
LouieatSuperManonthedayafterNauru.CourtesyofLouisZamperini
LouieboardedanotherplaneandbeganhisjourneybacktoHawaiiwithPhil,Cuppernel,Mitchel,andthebandagedGlassman.Pilsbury,Lambert,andDouglasweretoobadlywoundedtorejointhecrew.Inafewdays,they’dbesenttoSamoa,whereadoctorwouldtakeonelookatPilsbury’slegandannouncethatithadbeen“hamburgered.”Lambertwouldbehospitalizedforfive
months.*WhenageneralpresentedhimwithaPurpleHeart,Lambertapparentlycouldn’tsitup,sothegeneralpinnedthemedaltohissheet.Douglas’swarwasdone.BrookswaslyinginagraveinFunafuti’sMarineCorpscemetery.
Thecrewwasbrokenupforever.TheywouldneverseeSuperManagain.
——
AnoppressiveweightsettledonLouieasheflewawayfromFunafuti.HeandtheremainsofthecrewstoppedatCanton,thenflewontoPalmyraAtol,whereLouietookahotshowerandwatchedTheyDiedwithTheirBootsOnatthebasetheater.Itwasthemoviehe’dbeenworkingonasanextrawhenthewarhadbegun,a
lifetimeago.
BackonHawaii,hesankintoacoldtorpor.Hewasirritableandwithdrawn.Phil,too,wasoff-kilter,drinkingafewtoomany,seemingnothimself.Withaguttedcrewandnoplane,themenweren’tcaledforassignments,sotheykiledtimeinHonolulu.Whenadrunkenhotheadtriedtopickafight,Philstaredbackindifferently,butLouie
obliged.Thetwostompedoutsidetohaveitout,andthehotheadbackedout.Later,drinkingbeerwithfriends,Louiecouldn’tbringhimselftobesociable.Heholedupinhisroom,listeningtomusic.Hisonlyothersolacewasrunning,sloggingthroughthesandaroundtheKahukurunway,thinkingofthe1944Olympics,tryingtoforgetHarryBrooks’splaintiveface.
OnMay24,Louie,Phil,andtheotherSuperManveteransweretransferredtothe42ndsquadronofthe11thBombGroup.The42ndwouldbestationedontheeasternedgeofOahu,onthegorgeousbeachatKualoa.SixnewmenwerebroughtintoreplacethelostSuperMancrewmen.FlyingwithunfamiliarmenworriedLouieandPhil.“Don’tliketheideaabit,”Louieoncewrotein
hisdiary.“Everytimetheymixupacrew,theyhaveacrackup.”
AmongtheSuperManveterans,theonlythingthatseemednoteworthyaboutthenewmenwasthattheirtailgunner,asergeantfromClevelandnamedFrancisMcNamara,hadsuchanaffinityforsweetsthatheatepracticalynothingbutdessert.Themencaledhim
“Mac.”
Forthemoment,theyhadnoplane.Liberatorsdestinedforthe11thBombGroupwerebeingflowninfromothercombatareas,andthefirstfive,pepperedwithbuletholes,hadjustarrived.Oneofthem,GreenHornet,lookedhaggard,itssidessplatteredwithsomethingblack,thepaintwornofftheengines.Evenwithanemptybomb
bayandalfourenginesgoing,itwasonlyjustabletostayairborne.Ittendedtoflywithitstaildraggingbelowitsnose,somethingtheairmencaled“mushing,”areferencetothemushyfeelofthecontrolsofafalteringplane.Engineerswentoverthebomber,butfoundnoexplanation.AloftheairmenwerewaryofGreenHornet.Thebomberwasrelegatedtoerrands,andtheground
crewmenbeganpryingpartsoffitforuseonotherplanes.Louiewentupinitforashorthop,cameawayreferringtoitas“thecraziestplane,”andhopedhe’dneverhavetoflyinitagain.
OnMay26,LouiepackeduphisbelongingsandcaughtaridetohisnewKualoadigs,aprivatecottagethirtyfeetfromtheocean.Louie,Phil,Mitchel,andCuppernel
wouldhavetheplacealtothemselves.Thatafternoon,Louiestayedin,transformingthegarageintohisprivateroom.Philwenttoasquadronmeeting,wherehemetarookiepilot,George“Smitty”Smith,bycoincidenceaclosefriendofCecy’s.Afterthemeeting,PhillingeredlatewithSmitty,talkingaboutCecy.Atthecottage,Louieturnedin.Thenextday,he,Phil,andCuppernelwere
goingtogotoHonolulutotakeanothercrackatP.
Y.Chong’ssteaks.
AcrosstheislandatHickamField,ninecrewmenandonepassengerclimbedaboardaB-24.Thecrew,pilotedbyaTennesseannamedClarenceCorpening,hadjustcomefromSanFranciscoandwasonitswaytoCanton,thenAustralia.Asmenonthe
groundwatched,theplaneliftedoff,bankedsouth,andflewoutofsight.
*Lamberteventualyreturnedtodutywithanothercrewandamassedanastoundingrecord,completingatleastninety-fivemissions.
Eleven
“Nobody’sGoingtoLiveThroughThis”
ONTHURSDAY,MAY27,1943,LOUIEROSEATFIVEA.M.Everyoneelsein
thecottagewasasleep.Hetiptoedoutandhikedupthehilbehindthecottagetorousehimself,thenwalkedback,puledonhisworkoutclothes,andstartedfortherunway.Onhisway,hefoundasergeantandaskedhimtopacehiminajeep.
Thesergeantagreed,andLouiejoggedoffwiththejeepbesidehim.Heturnedamilein4:12,adazzlingtime
giventhathewasrunninginsand.Hewasinthebestshapeofhislife.
Hewalkedbacktothecottage,cleanedhimselfup,anddressed,donningapairoftropical-weightkhakipants,aT-shirt,andamuslintopshirtthathe’dboughtinHonolulu.Afterbreakfastandsometimespentfixinguphisnewroom,hewrotealettertoPaytonJordan,tuckedthe
letterintohisshirtpocket,climbedintoaborrowedcarwithPhilandCuppernel,andheadedforHonolulu.
Atthebasegate,theywereflaggeddownbythedespisedlieutenantwhohadorderedthemtoflySuperManonthreeengines.Thelieutenantwasonurgentbusiness.ClarenceCorpening’sB-24,whichhadleftforCantonthedaybefore,hadneverlanded.
Thelieutenant,whowasundertheimpressionthattheplanewasaB-25insteadofamuchlargerB-24,waslookingforvolunteerstohuntforit.Philtoldhimthattheyhadnoplane.ThelieutenantsaidtheycouldtakeGreenHornet.WhenPhilsaidthattheplanewasn’tairworthy,thelieutenantrepliedthatithadpassedinspection.BothLouieandPhilknewthatthoughtheword“volunteer”
wasused,thiswasanorder.Philvolunteered.ThelieutenantwokepilotJoeDeasyandtalkedhimintovolunteeringaswel.DeasyandhiscrewwouldtaketheB-24DaisyMae.
Phil,Louie,andCuppernelturnedbacktorounduptheircrew.Stoppingatthecottage,LouiegrabbedapairofbinocularsthathehadboughtattheOlympics.Heflipped
openhisdiaryandjotteddownafewwordsonwhathewasabouttodo.“Therewasonlyoneship,‘TheGreenHornet,’a‘musher,’”
hewrote.“Wewereveryreluctant,butPhilipsfinalygaveinforrescuemission.”
Justbeforeheleft,Louiescribbledanoteandleftitonhisfootlocker,inwhichhekepthisliquor-filed
condimentjars.Ifwe’renotbackinaweek,itread,helpyourselftothebooze.
——
ThelieutenantmetthecrewsatGreenHornet.Heunroledamap.HebelievedthatCorpeninghadgonedowntwohundredmilesnorthofPalmyra.Hisreasonforbelievingthisisunclear;theofficialreportofthedowning
statesthattheplanewasn’tseenorheardfromaftertakeoff,soitcouldhavebeenanywhere.Whateverhisreason,hetoldPhiltofolowaheadingof208andsearchtoapointparaleltoPalmyra.HegaveDeasyroughlythesameinstructionbutdirectedhimtoaslightlydifferentarea.Bothcrewsweretoldtosearchalday,landatPalmyra,thenresumesearchingthenextday,if
necessary.
Astheypreparedfortakeoff,everyoneonPhil’screwworriedaboutGreenHornet.Louietriedtoreassurehimselfthatwithoutbombsorammunitionaboard,theplaneshouldhaveenoughpowertostayairborne.Philwasconcernedthathe’dneverbeeninthisplaneanddidn’tknowitsquirks.Heknewthatithadbeencannibalized,and
hehopedthatcriticalpartsweren’tmissing.Thecrewreviewedcrashproceduresandmadeaspecialinspectiontobesurethatthesurvivalequipmentwasaboard.Therewasaprovisionsboxintheplane,andretrievingthiswasthetailgunner’sresponsibility.Therewasalsoanextraraft,storedinayelowbagontheflightdeck.ThisraftwasLouie’sresponsibility,andhe
checkedtobesureitwasthere.HeputonhisMaeWest,asdidsomeothercrewmen.Phillefthisoff,perhapsbecauseitwasdifficulttoflywithiton.
Atthelastmoment,anenlistedmanrantotheplaneandaskedifhecouldhitcharidetoPalmyra.Therewerenoobjections,andthemanfoundaseatintheback.Withtheadditionoftheenlisted
man,therewereelevenonboard.
GreenHornet.CourtesyofLouisZamperini
AsPhilandCuppernelturnedtheplaneupthetaxiway,LouierememberedhislettertoPaytonJordan.Hefisheditfromhispocket,leanedfromthewaistwindow,andtossedittoagroundcrewman,whosaidhe’dmailitforhim.
——
DaisyMaeliftedoffatalmostthesametimeasGreenHornet,andtheplanesflewsidebyside.OnGreenHornet,otherthanthefourSuperManveterans,thecrewmenwerestrangersandhadlittletosaytooneanother.Louiepassedthetimeontheflightdeck,chattingwithPhilandCuppernel.
GreenHornet,truetoform,flewwithitstailwelbelowitsnose,andcouldn’tkeepupwithDaisyMae.Afterabouttwohundredmiles,PhilradioedtoDeasytogoonwithouthim.Thecrewslostsightofeachother.
SometimearoundtwoP.M.,GreenHornetreachedthesearcharea,about225milesnorthofPalmyra.Cloudspressedaroundtheplane,and
noonecouldseethewater.Phildroppedtheplaneundertheclouds,levelingoffateighthundredfeet.Louietookouthisbinoculars,descendedtothegreenhouse,andbeganscanning.Phil’svoicesooncrackledovertheinterphone,askinghimtocomeupandpassthebinocularsaround.Louiedidastold,thenremainedontheflightdeck,justbehindPhilandCuppernel.
told,thenremainedontheflightdeck,justbehindPhilandCuppernel.
Whiletheysearchedtheocean,CuppernelaskedPhilifhecouldswitchseatswithhim,takingoverthefirstpilot’sduties.Thiswasacommonpractice,enablingcopilotstogainexperiencetoqualifyasfirstpilots.Philassented.TheenormousCuppernelsqueezedaround
PhilandintotheleftseatasPhilmovedtotheright.Cuppernelbegansteeringtheplane.
Afewminuteslater,someonenoticedthattheenginesononesidewereburningmorefuelthanthoseontheother,makingonesideprogressivelylighter.Theybegantransferringfuelacrossthewingstoevenouttheload.
Suddenly,therewasashudder.LouielookedatthetachometerandsawthattheRPMsonengineNo.1—onthefarleft—werefaling.Helookedoutthewindow.Theenginewasshakingviolently.Thenitstopped.Thebombertippedleftandbegandroppingrapidlytowardtheocean.
PhilandCuppernelhadonlysecondstosavetheplane.
Theybeganworkingrapidly,butLouiehadthesensethattheyweredisorientedbytheirseatswap.TominimizedragfromthedeadNo.1engine,theyneededto“feather”it—turnthedeadpropelerbladesparaleltothewindandstopthepropeler’srotation.Normaly,thiswasCuppernel’sjob,butnowhewasinthepilot’sseat.Asheworked,Cuppernelshoutedtothenewengineertocometothe
cockpittofeathertheengine.Itisunknownifheoranyoneelsespecifiedwhichengineneededfeathering.Itwasacriticalpieceofinformation;becauseadeadengine’spropelercontinuesturninginthewind,itcanlookjustlikearunningengine.
Onthecontrolpanel,therewerefourfeatheringbuttons,oneforeachengine,coveredbyaplasticshield.Leaning
betweenCuppernelandPhil,theengineerflippedtheshieldandbangeddownonabutton.Themomenthedidit,GreenHornetheavedandlurchedleft.TheengineerhadhittheNo.2
button,nottheNo.1button.Bothleftwardengineswerenowdead,andNo.1stilwasn’tfeathered.
Philpushedthetwoworking
enginesfulon,tryingtokeeptheplanealoftlongenoughtorestartthegoodleftengine.Theracingrightengines,pulingagainstthedragging,liftlessside,roledtheplanehalfwayontoitsleftside,sendingitintoaspiral.Theenginewouldn’tstart.Theplanekeptdropping.
GreenHornetwasdoomed.ThebestPhilcoulddowastotrytolevelitouttoditch.He
gruntedthreewordsintotheinterphone:
“Preparetocrash.”
Louieranfromtheflightdeck,yelingforeveryonetogettocrashstations.Astheplanewhirled,hedugouttheextraliferaft,thenclamberedtowardhiscrashpositionbytherightwaistwindow.HesawMac,thenewtailgunner,clutchingthesurvival
provisionsbox.OthermenwerefranticalypulingonMaeWests.LouiewasdistantlyawarethatMitchelhadn’temergedfromthenose.ItwasMitchel’sdutytocalculatetheplane’sposition,relaythistotheradiomansohecouldsendadistresssignal,andstrapthesextantandcelestialnavigationkittohisbody.Butwiththeplanegyratingdownnosefirstandthe
escapepassagenarrow,perhapsthenavigatorcouldn’tpulhimselfout.
Asthemenbehindthecockpitfledtowardthecomparativesafetyofthewaistandrearoftheplane,oneman,almostcertainlytheengineerwhohadhitthewrongfeatheringbutton,apparentlystayedinfront.Becauseliferaftsdidn’tdeployautomaticalyina
crash,itwastheengineer’sdutytostandbehindthecockpittopultheoverheadraft-releasehandle.Toensurethattheraftswouldbenearenoughtotheplaneforsurvivorstoswimtothem,hewouldhavetowaituntiljustbeforethecrashtopulthehandle.Thismeantthathewouldhavelittleornochancetogettoacrashposition,andthus,littlechanceofsurvival.
PhilandCuppernelfoughttheplane.GreenHornetroledontoitsleftside,movingfasterandfasterastherightenginesthunderedatfulpower.Therewasnotimetoradioadistresscal.Phillookedforasweloverwhichtoorienttheplaneforditching,butitwasnouse.Hecouldn’thaultheplanelevel,andevenifhe’dbeenableto,hewasgoingmuchtoofast.Theyweregoingto
crash,veryhard.Philfeltstrangelydevoidoffear.Hewatchedthewaterrotatingupathimandthought:There’snothingmoreIcando.
Louiesatdownonthefloorbythebulkhead,facingforward.Therewerefivemennearhim.Everyonelookedstunned;noonesaidanything.Louielookedouttherightwaistwindow.Alhesawwasthecloudysky,
turningaroundandaround.Hefeltintenselyalive.Herecaledthebulkheadinfrontofhimandthoughtofhowhisskulwouldstrikeit.Sensingtheoceancomingupattheplane,hetookalastglanceatthetwistingsky,thenpuledtheliferaftinfrontofhimandpushedhisheadintohischest.
Oneterrible,tumblingsecondpassed,thenanother.An
instantbeforetheplanestruckthewater,Louie’smindthrobbedwithasingle,finalthought:Nobody’sgoingtolivethroughthis.
——
ForLouie,therewereonlyjagged,soundlesssensations:hisbodycatapultedforward,theplanebreakingopen,somethingwrappingitselfaroundhim,thecoldslapof
water,andthenitsweightoverhim.GreenHornet,itsnoseandleftwinghittingfirstathighspeed,stabbedintotheoceanandblewapart.
Astheplanedisintegratedaroundhim,Louiefelthimselfbeingpuleddeepunderwater.Then,abruptly,thedownwardmotionstoppedandLouiewasflungupward.Theforceoftheplane’splungehadspent
itself,andthefuselage,momentarilybuoyedbytheairtrappedinside,leapttothesurface.Louieopenedhismouthandgasped.Theairhissedfromtheplane,andthewaterrushedupoverLouieagain.Theplaneslippedunderandsanktowardtheoceanfloorasifyankeddownward.
Louietriedtoorienthimself.Thetailwasnolongerbehind
him,thewingsnolongerahead.Themenwho’dbeenaroundhimweregone.Theimpacthadrammedhimintothewaistgunmountandwedgedhimunderit,facedown,withtheraftbelowhim.Thegunmountpressedagainsthisneck,andcountlessstrandsofsomethingwerecoiledaroundhisbody,bindinghimtothegunmountandtheraft.Hefeltthemandthought:
Spaghetti.Itwasasnarlofwires,GreenHornet’snervoussystem.Whenthetailhadbrokenoff,thewireshadsnappedandwhippedaroundhim.Hethrashedagainstthembutcouldn’tgetfree.Hefeltfrantictobreathe,butcouldn’t.
Intheremainsofthecockpit,Philwasfightingtogetout.Whentheplanehit,hewasthrownforward,hishead
strikingsomething.Awaveofwaterpunchedthroughthecockpit,andtheplanecarriedhimunder.Fromthedarkness,heknewthathewasfarbelowthesurface,sinkingdeeperbythesecond.HeapparentlysawCuppernelpushhisbigbodyoutoftheplane.Philfoundwhathethoughtwasthecockpitwindowframe,itsglassmissing.Heputhisfootonsomethinghardandpushed
himselfthroughtheopeningandoutofthecockpit.Heswamtowardthesurface,thelightcominguparoundhim.
Heemergedinapuzzleofdebris.Hisheadwasgushingbloodandhisankleandonefingerwerebroken.Hefoundafloatinghunkofwreckage,perhapsfourfeetsquare,andclungtoit.Itbegantosink.Thereweretwoliferaftsfaraway.Noonewasinthem.
Cuppernelwasnowheretobeseen.
Farbelow,Louiewasstilensnaredintheplane,writhinginthewires.Helookedupandsawabody,driftingpassively.Theplanecourseddown,andtheworldfledawayabove.Louiefelthisearspop,andvaguelyrecolectedthatattheswimmingpoolatRedondoBeach,hisearswouldpopat
twentyfeet.Darknessenfoldedhim,andthewaterpressureboreinwithgreaterandgreaterintensity.Hestruggleduselessly.Hethought:Hopeless.
Hefeltasudden,excruciatingboltofpaininhisforehead.Therewasanoncomingstupor,afading,ashetoreatthewiresandclenchedhisthroatagainsttheneedtobreathe.Hehadthesoft
realizationthatthiswasthelastofeverything.Hepassedout.
Hewokeintotaldarkness.Hethought:Thisisdeath.Thenhefeltthewaterstilonhim,theheavydroppingweightoftheplanearoundhim.Inexplicably,thewiresweregone,aswastheraft.Hewasfloatinginsidethefuselage,whichwasbearinghimtowardtheoceanfloor,some
seventeenhundredfeetdown.Hecouldseenothing.HisMaeWestwasuninflated,butitsbuoyancywaspulinghimintotheceilingoftheplane.Theairwasgonefromhislungs,andhewasnowgulpingreflexively,swalowingsaltwater.Hetastedblood,gasoline,andoil.Hewasdrowning.
Louieflungouthisarms,tryingtofindawayout.His
righthandstrucksomething,andhisUSCringsnaggedonit.Hishandwascaught.Hereachedtowarditwithhislefthandandfeltalong,smoothlengthofmetal.Thesensationorientedhim:Hewasattheopenrightwaistwindow.Heswamintothewindow,puthisfeetontheframe,andpushedoff,wrenchinghisrighthandfreeandcuttinghisfinger.Hisbackstruckthetopofthewindow,andthe
skinunderhisshirtscrapedoff.Hekickedclear.Theplanesankaway.
LouiefumbledforthecordsonhisMaeWest,hopingthatnoonehadpoachedthecarbondioxidecanisters.Luckwaswithhim:Thechambersbalooned.Hewassuddenlylight,thevestpulinghimurgentlyupwardinastreamofdebris.
Heburstintodazzlingdaylight.Hegaspedinabreathandimmediatelyvomitedupthesaltwaterandfuelhehadswalowed.Hehadsurvived.
Twelve
Downed
THEOCEANWASAJUMBLEOFBOMBERREMAINS.THELIFE-BLOODoftheplane—oil,hydraulicfluid,andsomeonethousandgalonsoffuel—sloppedaboutonthesurface.Curlingamongthebitsofplanewerethreadsofblood.
Louieheardavoice.HeturnedtowarditandsawPhil,afewdozenfeetaway,clingingtowhatlookedlikeafueltank.Withhimwasthetailgunner,Mac.
NeithermanhadaMaeWeston.BloodspoutedinrhythmicarcsfromPhil’sheadandwashedinsheetsdownhisface.Hiseyesloledaboutindazedbewilderment.Phillookedatthehead
bobbingacrossthedebrisfieldandregisteredthatitwasLouie.Noneoftheothermenhadsurfaced.
Louiesawoneoftheliferaftsbobbingonthewater.Itwaspossiblethattherafthadbeenthrownloosebythedisintegratingplane,butitwasmuchmorelikelythattheengineer,inthelastactofhislife,hadyankedtheraft-releasehandlejustbeforethe
crash.Therafthadinflateditselfandwasdriftingawayrapidly.
LouieknewthathehadtogetPhil’sbleedingstopped,butifhewenttohim,theraftwouldbelostandalofthemwouldperish.Heswamfortheraft.Hisclothingandshoesweighedhimdown,andthecurrentandwindcarriedtheraftawayfasterthanhecouldswim.Asitslippedfarther
andfartherfromreach,Louiegaveup.HelookedbackatPhilandMac,sharingtherecognitionthattheirchancewaslost.Thenhesawalongcordtrailingofftheraft,snakingnottwofeetfromhisface.Hesnatchedthecord,reeledtherafttohim,andclimbedaboard.Asecondraftwasslidingaway.Louiepuledouthisraft’soars,rowedashardashecould,andjustmanagedtocatchthecord
andpultherafttohim.Hefedthecordsthroughgrommetsintheraftsandtiedthemtogether.
HerowedtoPhilandMac.Realizingthatthejaggedhunkthathewasclingingtomightperforatetherafts,Philpusheditaway.LouiepuledPhilaboard,andMacclimbedupunderhisownpower.Bothmen,likeLouie,werefilmywithfuelandoil.With
althreeoftheminoneraft,itwascramped;theraftwasonlyaboutsixfeetlongandalittlemorethantwofeetwide.
ThereweretwogashesontheleftsideofPhil’sforehead,bythehairline.Bloodwasspurtingfromthewoundsand,mixedwithseawater,sloshinginthebottomoftheraft.RememberingwhathehadlearnedinBoyScoutsandhisHonolulufirstaid
course,LouieranhisfingersdownPhil’sthroatuntilhefeltapulse,thecarotidartery.HeshowedMacthespotandtoldhimtopressdown.HepuledoffhismuslintopshirtandT-shirtandpuledPhil’sshirtsoffaswel.HeaskedMactodothesame.Settingasidethetopshirts,LouiedippedPhil’sT-shirtinthewater,foldeditintoacompress,andpressedittothewounds.Hetooktheother
T-shirtsandtiedthemtightlyaroundPhil’shead,thenslidPhilintothesecondraft.
Phil’smindwaswoozy.Heknewthathe’dcrashed,thatsomeonehadpuledhimfromthewater,thathewasinaraft,andthatLouiewaswithhim.Hefeltfrightened,thoughnotpanicked.Asthepilot,hewasofficialyincommand,buthegraspedhissituationwelenoughtoknow
thathewasinnoconditiontomakedecisions.HecouldseethatLouiehadanastycutonhisfinger,nearhisUSCring,butwasotherwiseunhurtandlucid.HeaskedLouietotakecommand,andLouieagreed.
“I’mgladitwasyou,Zamp,”Philsaidsoftly.Thenhefelquiet.
Fromsomewherenearby,therewasasmalsound,a
moantrailingoffintoagargle,amouthtryingtoformaword,athroatfilingwithwater—thensilence.Louiegrabbedanoarandcircledaroundasrapidlyashecould,searchingforthedrowningman.MaybeitwasCuppernel,whohadn’tbeenseensincehewasdeepunderwater.Theywouldneverknow.Whoeverhadmadethesoundhadslippedunder.Hedidn’tcomeup
again.
——
WithPhilrelativelystable,Louieturnedhisattentiontotherafts.Madeoftwolayersofcanvascoatedinrubberanddividedintotwoairpocketsbisectedbyabulkhead,eachwasingoodcondition.Thecriticalquestionregardedprovisions.Theprovisionsbox,which
Machadbeenholdingastheplanewentdown,wasgone,eitherrippedfromhishandsduringthecrashorlostinhisescapefromthewreckage.Intheirpockets,themenhadonlywaletsandafewcoins.Theirwatcheswerestilontheirwrists,butthehandshadstoppedwhentheplanehadhitthewater.ProbablyforthefirsttimesincePhilhadarrivedinOahu,Cecy’sluckybraceletwasn’tonhiswrist,
andthesilverdolarhe’dbeenkeepingforhisreunionwithherwasn’tinhispocket.Maybeinthehurrytodressfortheflight,hehadforgottenthem,ormaybethey’dbeenlostinthecrash.
Pocketsintheraftscontainedsomesurvivalprovisions.Whateverwasinthemwasalthatthey’dhave.Louieuntiedthepocketflapsandlookedinside.Hefoundseveralthick
chocolatebars—probablytheHersheyCompany’smilitary-issueRationDbars—dividedintosegmentsandpackagedinwax-dippedcontainerstoresistgasattack.Designedtobeunpalatablybittersosoldierswouldeatthemonlyindirecircumstances,theywereformulatedtobehighlycaloricandmelt-resistant.Thepackageinstructionssaidthateachmanwastobegiventwosegmentsaday,onein
themorning,oneintheevening,tobeheldonthetongueandalowedtodissolveoverthirtyminutes.
Withthechocolate,Louiefoundseveralhalf-pinttinsofwater,abrassmirror,aflaregun,seadye,asetoffishhooks,aspooloffishingline,andtwoairpumpsincanvascases.Therewasalsoasetofplierswithascrewdriverbuiltintothe
handle.Louiepondereditforalongwhile,tryingtocomeupwithareasonwhysomeonewouldneedascrewdriverorpliersonaraft.Eachraftalsohadapatchkit,tobeusediftheraftleaked.Thatwasaltherewas.
Theprovisionsweregrosslyinadequate.Oneyearlater,eachB-24raftwouldbeequippedwithasuntarpaulinforshade,blueononeside,
yelowontheother.Forcamouflageinenemywaters,thetarpaulincouldbespreadbluesideup;forsignaling,theyelowsidecouldbewaved.Eachstandard1944
raftwouldalsobeequippedwithabailingbucket,amastandsail,aseaanchor,sunointment,afirstaidkit,punctureplugs,aflashlight,fishingtackle,ajackknife,scissors,awhistle,acompass,
andreligiouspamphlets.Noneoftheseitems,notevenaknife,wasinGreenHornet’srafts.Theraftsalsohadno“GibsonGirl,”aradiotransmitterthatcouldsendsignalsoversometwohundredmiles.Newerplaneshadbeencarryingthemfornearlyayear,andintwomonths,alplaneswouldbeequipped,butGreenHornethadn’tbeenfurnishedwithone.Andtheyhadno
navigationinstruments.IthadbeenMitchel’sjobtostrapthemtohisbody,butifhehaddoneso,theinstrumentshadgonetothebottomwithhim.
Mostworrisomewasthewatersituation.Afewhalf-pintswouldn’tlastthemlong.Themenweresurroundedbywater,buttheycouldn’tdrinkit.Thesaltcontentinseawaterissohighthatitis
consideredapoison.Whenapersondrinksseawater,thekidneysmustgenerateurinetoflushthesaltaway,buttodoso,theyneedmorewaterthaniscontainedintheseawateritself,sothebodypulswaterfromitscels.Bereftofwater,thecelsbegintofail.
Paradoxicaly,adrinkofseawatercausespotentialyfataldehydration.
Adriftneartheequatorwithlittlewaterandnoshelter,Phil,Louie,andMacwouldsoonbeindiretrouble.Theraftshadn’tbeenequippedwithwaterdesalinizingordistilingmaterials,nordidtheyhavecontainersinwhichtocatchrain.Fivemonthsearlier,GeneralHapArnoldhadorderedthatalliferaftsbeequippedwiththeDelanoSunstil,adevicethatcouldgeneratesmalamountsof
drinkingwaterindefinitely.Deliveryhadbeendelayed.
——
Fromthemomentthathehadcomeoutofthewater,Machadn’tsaidaword.Hehadsomehowescapedthecrashwithoutinjury.HehaddoneeverythingthatLouiehadaskedofhim,buthisfacehadneverlostitsglazed,startledexpression.
LouiewasbentovertheraftwhenMacsuddenlybeganwailing,“We’regoingtodie!”Louiereassuredhimthatthesquadronwouldcomeforthem,thattheywerelikelytobefoundthatnight,atthelatestthenextday.Maccontinuedtoshout.Louie,exasperated,threatenedtoreportMacwhentheyreturned.
Ithadnoeffect.Athiswits’
end,LouiewhackedMacacrossthecheekwiththebackofhishand.Macthumpedbackandfelsilent.
Louiecameupwithgroundrules.Eachmanwouldeatonesquareofchocolateinthemorning,oneintheevening.Louiealottedonewatertinperman,witheachmanalowedtwoorthreesipsaday.Eatinganddrinkingatthisrate,theycouldstretchtheir
suppliesforafewdays.
Withinventorytakenandrulesestablished,therewasnothingtodobutwait.Louiemadeadeliberateefforttoavoidthinkingaboutthemenwhohaddied,andhadtopushawaythememoryofthegurglingvoiceinthewater.Consideringthecrash,hewasamazedthatthreemenhadsurvived.Althreehadbeenontheplane’srightside;the
factthattheplanehadstruckonitslefthadprobablysavedthem.WhatmystifiedLouiewashisescapefromthewreckage.Ifhehadpassedoutfromthepressure,andtheplanehadcontinuedtosinkandthepressuretobuild,whyhadhewokenagain?Andhowhadhebeenloosedfromthewireswhileunconscious?
Themenwatchedthesky.LouiekepthishandonPhil’s
head,stanchingthebleeding.ThelasttraceofGreenHornet,theshimmerofgas,hydraulicfluid,andoilthathadwreathedtheraftssincethecrash,fadedaway.Initsplace,risingfrombelow,camedarkblueshapes,glidinginlithearcs.Aneat,sharpform,flatandshining,cutthesurfaceandbegantracingcirclesaroundtherafts.Anotheronejoinedit.Thesharkshadfoundthem.
Flutteringclosetotheirsideswerepilotfish,stripedblackandwhite.
Thesharks,whichLouiethoughtwereofthemakoandreefspecies,weresoclosethatthemenwouldonlyhavetoextendtheirhandstotouchthem.
Thesmalestwereaboutsixfeetlong;someweredoublethatsize,twicethelengthof
therafts.Theybentaroundtherafts,testingthefabric,draggingtheirfinsalongthem,butnottryingtogetatthemenontop.Theyseemedtobewaitingforthementocometothem.
Thesunsank,anditbecamesharplycold.Themenusedtheirhandstobailafewinchesofwaterintoeachraft.Oncetheirbodieswarmedthewater,theyfeltlesschiled.
Thoughexhausted,theyfoughttheurgetosleep,afraidthatashiporsubmarinewouldpassandthey’dmissit.Phil’slowerbody,underthewater,waswarmenough,buthisupperbodywassocoldthatheshook.
Itwasabsolutelydarkandabsolutelysilent,saveforthechatteringofPhil’steeth.Theoceanwasaflatcalm.A
rough,raspingtremorranthroughthemen.Thesharkswererubbingtheirbacksalongtheraftbottoms.
Louie’sarmwasstildrapedoverthesideofhisraft,hishandrestingonPhil’sforehead.UnderLouie’shand,Phildriftedtosleep,attendedbythesensationofsharksscrapingdownthelengthofhisback.Inthenextraft,Louie,too,felasleep.
Macwasaloneinhiswakefulness,hismindspinningwithfear.Graspingatanaddledresolution,hebegantostir.
Thirteen
MissingatSea
DAISYMAETOUCHEDDOWNONPALMYRALATETHATAFTERNOON.Thecrewhadsearchedfor
Corpening’splanealdaybuthadseennotraceofit.Deasyhaddinner,thenwenttothebasetheater.Hewaswatchingthefilmwhensomeonetoldhimtoreporttothebasecommanderimmediately.Whenhegotthere,hewastoldthatGreenHornethadnevercomein.“Holysmoke!”hesaid.Heknewthatthereweretwopossibilities.OnewasthatPhilips’screwhadturned
backtoHawaii;theotherwasthattheywere,asDeasyphrasedit,“inthedrink.”SomeonewenttocheckwithHawaii.KnowingthatifGreenHornetwasindeeddown,they’dstilhavetowaituntilmorningtosearch,Deasywenttobed.
Ataroundmidnight,asailorwokeDeasy’sradioman,HermanScearce,andtoldhimthatPhil’splanewas
missing.ThenavywantedtocheckScearce’sradiologtoseewhenthelastcontactwiththeplanewas.ScearceaskedthesailortowakeDeasy,andhe,Deasy,andnavyofficialsreviewedthelogatthebaseoffice.Ityieldedlittleinformation.
Atfour-thirtyA.M.,GreenHornetwasdeclaredmissing.Twoplaneswerenowdown—Corpening’sandPhilips’s
—takingtwenty-onemenwiththem.
Thenavyassumedcommandoftherescueeffort.Oncethesunwasup,DaisyMaewouldbesentout,alongwithatleasttwonavyflyingboatsandatleastoneotherAAFplane.BecauseDaisyMaeandGreenHornethadflownsidebysideearlyinthejourney,thesearchersknewthatGreenHornethadnot
crashedduringthefirsttwohundredmilesofthetrip.IthadapparentlygonedownsomewherebetweenthepointatwhichDaisyMaehadleftitandPalmyra,astretchofeighthundredmiles.Thetrickwasfiguringoutthedirectioninwhichanysurvivorswouldbedrifting.TheoceanaroundPalmyrawasawhorlofcurrents,lyingatthemeetingpointofthewestward-carryingnorthequatorial
currentandtheeastward-carryingequatorialcountercurrent.Afewmilesofdifferenceinlatitudecouldmeana180-degreedifferenceincurrentdirection,andnooneknewwheretheplanehadhit.Thesearchareawouldhavetobeenormous.
Eachcrewwasgivensearchcoordinates.FromPalmyra,DaisyMaewouldflynorth.FromOahu,severalplanes
wouldflysouth.Notlongaftersunup,theplanestookoff.Everyoneknewthattheoddsoffindingthecrewwereverylong,but,saidScearce,“wekepthoping,hoping,hoping…”
——
Louiewokewiththesun.Macwasbesidehim,lyingback.Phillayinhisraft,hismindstilfumbling.Louiesat
upandranhiseyesovertheskyandoceaninsearchofrescuers.Onlythesharksstirred.
Louiedecidedtodivvyupbreakfast,asinglesquareofchocolate.Heuntiedtheraftpocketandlookedin.Alofthechocolatewasgone.Helookedaroundtherafts.Nochocolate,nowrappers.HisgazepausedonMac.Thesergeantlookedbackathim
withwide,guiltyeyes.
TherealizationthatMachadeatenalofthechocolateroledhardoverLouie.InthebrieftimethatLouiehadknownMac,thetailgunnerhadstruckhimasadecent,friendlyguy,althoughabitofareveler,confidenttothepointofflippancy.Thecrashhadundonehim.Louieknewthattheycouldn’tsurviveforlongwithoutfood,buthe
queledthethought.Arescuesearchwassurelyunderway.They’dbeonPalmyralatertoday,maybetomorrow,andthelossofthechocolatewouldn’tmatter.Curbinghisirritation,LouietoldMacthathewasdisappointedinhim.UnderstandingthatMachadactedinpanic,hereassuredhimthatthey’dsoonberescued.Macsaidnothing.
Thechilofthenightgave
waytoaswelteringday.Louiewatchedthesky.Phil,weakfrombloodloss,slept.Mac,ashadeshortofbeingaredhead,burnedinthesun.Heremainedinadreamy,distantplace.Althreemenwerehungry,buttheycoulddonothingaboutit.Thefishhooksandlinewereuseless.Therewasnobait.
Asthemenlayinsilence,apurringsoundbegandrifting
gentlybetweentheirthoughts.Thenalthreerealizedthattheywerehearingaplane.Searchingthesky,theysawaB-25,highupandweltotheeast.Flyingmuchtoohightobeasearchplane,itwasprobablyonitswaytoPalmyra.
Louielungedfortheraftpocket,retrievedtheflaregun,andloadedaflarecartridge.Hecouldn’tstand
inthesoft-bottomedraft,sohetippedupontohiskneesandraisedthegun.Hesqueezedthetrigger,thegunbuckedinhishand,andtheflare,roaringred,streakedup.Asitshotoverhead,Louiedugoutadyepackandshookithurriedlyintothewater,andapoolofvividgreenishyelowbloomedovertheocean.
Withtheflarearcingover
them,Louie,Phil,andMacwatchedthebomber,wilingthemenaboardtoseethem.Slowly,theflaresputteredout.Thebomberkeptgoing,andthenitwasgone.Thecircleofcoloraroundtheraftsfadedaway.
Thesightingleftthecastawayswithoneimportantpieceofinformation.Theyhadknownthattheyweredrifting,butwithoutpointsof
reference,theyhadn’tknowninwhichdirection,orhowfast.Sinceplanesonthenorth-southpassagefromHawaiifolowedaflightlanethatranclosetoGreenHornet’scrashsite,theappearanceofaB-25fartotheeastalmostcertainlymeantthattheraftsweredriftingwest,awayfromtheviewoffriendlyplanes.Theirchancesofrescuewerealreadydimming.
Thatevening,thesearchplanesturnedbackfortheirbases.Noonehadseenanything.Theywouldbebackintheairatfirstlight.
Overtherafts,thedaylightdied.Thementooksipsofwater,bailedseawateraroundthemselves,andlaydown.Thesharkscametotheraftsagaintorubtheirbacksontheundersides.
——
Philsleptformostofthenextday.Louiesippedwaterandthoughtaboutfood.Maccontinuedtohunkerdown,speakinglittle.Foranotherday,rescuedidnotcome.
Itwassometimeearlythenextmorning,May30,whenLouie,Mac,andPhilheardabroad,deeprumbleofB-24engines,thesoundofhome.
Thenthereitwas,lowandrightoverhead,ablunt-facedwhaleofaplane,headingsoutheast,plowingthroughtheclouds,disappearingandreappearing.Itwasasearchplane.ItwassoneartheraftsthatLouiethoughtherecognizedtheinsigniaoftheirsquadron,the42nd,ontheplane’stail.
Louiegrabbedtheflaregun,loadedit,andfired.Theflare
shotstraightatthebomber;foramoment,thementhoughtthatitwouldhittheplane.Buttheflaremissed,passingalongsidetheplane,makingafountainofredthatlookedhugefromtheraft.Louiereloadedandfiredagain.Theplaneturnedsharplyright.Louiefiredtwomoreflares,pastthetail.
TheplanewasDaisyMae.Itscrewmenwerestrainingtheir
eyesattheocean,passingapairofbinocularsbetweenthem.Searchingwasdifficultthatday,withloavesofcloudsclosingandparting,offeringthemenonlybriefglimpsesofthesea.Everyonefeltaparticularurgency;themissingmenweretheirsquadronmatesandfriends.“Ifweeverlookedforsomethingonamission,”rememberedScearce,“thatdaywewerelooking.”
Theflaresspentthemselves,andDaisyMaeflewon.Nooneaboardsawanything.Theplane’spivothadonlybeenaroutineturn.Louie,Phil,andMacwatchedDaisyMae’stwintailsgrowsmalerinthedistance,thendisappear.
Foramoment,Louiefeltfuriouswiththeairmenwhohadpassedsoclosetothem,yethadnotseenthem.Buthisangersooncooled.Fromhis
dayssearchingformissingplanes,heknewhowharditwastoseearaft,especialyamongclouds.Foralheknew,hetoohadoverlookedraft-boundmenbelowhim.
Butwhathadprobablybeentheirbestchanceofrescuehadbeenlost.Witheveryhour,theyweredriftingfartherwest,awayfromtheflightlanes.Iftheyweren’tfound,theonlywaythey
couldsurvivewouldbetogettoland.Totheirwest,theyknew,therewasn’tasingleislandforsometwothousandmiles.*Ifbysomemiracletheyfloatedthatfarandwerestilalive,theymightreachtheMarshalIslands.Iftheyveeredalittlesouth,theymightreachtheGilberts.Iftheywereluckyenoughtodrifttothoseislands,ratherthanpassingbyandoutagainintotheopenPacific,they’d
haveanotherproblem.BothsetsofislandsbelongedtotheJapanese.WatchingDaisyMaeflyaway,Louiehadasinkingfeeling.
——
Asthecastawayswatchedtheirwould-berescuersdisappearoverthehorizon,notfaraway,George“Smitty”Smith,whohadsatupthenightbeforethecrash
talkingtoPhilaboutCecy,waspilotinghisB-24overtheocean,searchingforanysignofthelostmen.AboutfiftymilesshortofBarbersPoint,abaseontheleewardsideofOahu,hiscrewspottedsomething.Spiralinginforacloserlook,Smittysawamuddleofyelowrectangularboxes,jostlingonthesurface.Largefishwerecirclingthem.
Theboxeshadnotcomefrom
GreenHornet.TheyweretooclosetoOahutohavetraveledthatfar,especialyasthecurrentswouldn’thavecarriedtheminthatdirection.ButCorpening’splanehadprobablygonedownsomewherealongthenorth-southflightlane,thelaneoverwhichSmittywassearching.TheboxesmaywelhavebeenthelastremainsofCorpening’splane,andthemenaboardit.
Theboxesweren’ttheonlysightingthatSmittyhadthatday.InthesameregionwhereGreenHornethadcrashed,hespottedashock-yelowobjectbobbinginthewater.Heswunghisbomberdowntowardit.Itappearedtobeaprovisionsbox,liketheonescarriedonB-24s,buthewasn’tsure.Smittyflewloopsaroundtheboxforfifteenminutes.Therewasnothinganywherenearit:no
debris,norafts,nomen.SmittyprobablybelievedthathewaslookingatapieceofPhil’splane,andifhedid,hewasprobablyright.HeflewbacktoOahu,thinkingofhisfriendCecyandalthepainshewouldfeelwhenshelearnedthatherfiancéwasmissing.
OnOahu,themenofthe42ndsquadronwerelosinghope.“Cuppernel,Philips,
Zamperini(theOlympicmiler),andMitchel,lost,ontheirwaytoPalmyra,”agroundcrewmanwroteinhisdiary.“Ifindithardtogetusedtosuchathing.JusttheotherdayIdrovethemaltoKahukuandaround—kiddedaroundwiththembutnowthey’reprobablydead!Theotherpilotsactasthoughnothinghashappenedandspeakofsendingtheotherfelow’sclotheshomeasthough
itwereaneverydayoccurrence.That’sthewayithastobeplayedbecausethat’sthewayitis—it’saneverydayoccurrence!”
——
Thecastaways’bodiesweredeclining.OtherthanMac’sfeastonthechocolatebars,noneofthemhadeatensincetheirearlymorningbreakfastbeforetheirlastflight.They
wereintenselythirstyandhungry.AftertheB-24sighting,theyspentanotherfrigidnight,thenalongfourthday.Therewerenoplanes,noships,nosubmarines.Eachmandrankthelastdropsofhiswater.
Sometimeonthefifthday,Macsnapped.Afterhavingsaidalmostnothingfordays,hesuddenlybeganscreamingthattheyweregoingtodie.
Wild-eyedandraving,hecouldn’tstopshouting.Louieslappedhimacrosstheface.Macabruptlywentsilentandlaydown,appearingstrangelycontented.
MaybehewascomfortedbyLouie’sassertionofcontrol,protectedtherebyfromtheawfulpossibilitiesthathisimaginationhungbeforehim.
Machadgoodreasontolose
faith.Theirwaterwasgone.AftertheB-24hadpassedover,nomoreplaneshadcome,andthecurrentwascarryingthemfarfromthepathstraffickedbyfriendlyaircraft.Ifthesearchforthemhadn’tbeencaledoff,themenknew,itsoonwouldbe.
Thatnight,beforehetriedtosleep,Louieprayed.Hehadprayedonlyoncebeforeinhislife,inchildhood,when
hismotherwassickandhehadbeenfiledwitharushingfearthathewouldloseher.Thatnightontheraft,inwordscomposedinhishead,neverpassinghislips,hepleadedforhelp.
——
Asthelostmendriftedfartherandfartheroutofreach,theirlastlettersreachedtheirfamiliesandfriends,whodid
notyetknowthattheyweremissing.Itwasapparentlymilitarypolicytowaitforinitialsearchestobeconductedbeforeinforminglovedones.
Onthedayafterthecrash,Phil’sfinallettertohisfatherarrivedinVirginia.ReverendPhilips—whocaledhissonbyhismiddlename,Alen—hadjoinedthearmyandwasnowChaplainPhilipsat
CampPickett.ThelastnewsofAlenhadreachedhimweeksearlier,innewspaperstoriesaboutSuperMan’ssagaoverNauru.ChaplainPhilipshadcarriedclippingsabouttheraidtotheofficesofalocalnewspaper,whichhadrunastoryonAlen’sheroism.Asproudashewas,ChaplainPhilipswasalsofrightened.“Isurehopethatistheclosestcalheeverhas,”hewrotetohisdaughter.
ItwasprobablythisfearthathadledChaplainPhilipstowritetoAlentoaskaboutthefateoftheraft-boundmenhiscrewhadfound,encircledbysharks,thatspring.Inhislastlettertohisfather,Alenwasreassuring:Themenwerealsafe.Asforhimself,Alenwrote,“I’mstilinthesameplaceIhavebeen…I’lwriteagainsoon.Solongfornow.—Al.”
Ontheweekendafterthecrash,Pete,Virginia,andLouiseZamperinimadeanimpromptuvisittothehomeofCuppernel’sparents,wholivedinLongBeach.Itwasamerrymeeting,andtheyaltalkedoftheirboys.Afterthevisit,PetewrotetoLouie,askinghimtotelCuppernelthathisparentsweredoinggreat.Beforesealingtheenvelope,hetuckedinaphotoofhimself,smiling.On
theback,hehadscribbledaninscription:“Don’tlet’emclipyourwings.”
InSaranap,California,PaytonJordanopenedtheletterthatLouiehadtossedoutthewindowofGreenHornetastheplanetaxiedforitslasttakeoff.
“DearPaytonandMarge,”itread.“Iamstilaliveandkickinaround,whyIdon’t
know.”
Thatlittleturkey’dbettertakecareofhimself,Jordanthought.
Phil’slastlettertoCecyreachedherinPrinceton,Indiana,whereshewasfinishingherfirstyearasahighschoolteacher.Inhisletter,PhilhadwrittenofthemoonoverHawaiiandhowitremindedhimofthelasttime
hewaswithher.“IneverwilforgetthattimeIspenttherewithyou.TherearealotofthingswhichI’lneverforgetwhileIwaswithyou,sweet—I’mwaitingforthedaywhenwecanbegindoingthingstogetheragainasweusedtodo.”Hehadclosedthisletterashehadsomanyothers:“Iloveyou,Iloveyou,Iloveyou.”
Nomoremessageswould
comefromthelostmen.Pete’slettertoLouiemadeitswaytothepostmasterinSanFrancisco,wherethe11thBombGroup’smailwassorted.SomeonewroteMissingatseaontheoutsideanddroppeditbackinthemailtoPete.
——
AweekhadpassedsinceGreenHornethadvanished.
Intensivesearchinghadyieldednothing.EverymanonPhil’screwwasofficialydeclaredmissing,andinWashington,theprocessofinformingfamilymemberswassetinmotion.ThemenfromDaisyMaeweretoldtoreturntheplanefromPalmyratoOahu.Thesearchhadbeenabandoned.Thecrewwasdejected—theywantedtogoonlooking.AstheyflewbacktoOahu,theytalkedofthe
lostmen.
AtKualoa,asecondlieutenantnamedJackKreywalkedintothecottagetoperformthegrimdutyofcatalogingthemen’sthingsandsendingthemtotheirfamilies.Louie’sroomwasmostlyasithadbeenwhenLouiehadwalkedoutthatThursdaymorning:clothes,afootlocker,adiarythatendedwithafewwordsabouta
rescuemission,apinupofactressEstherWiliamsonthewal.ThenotethatLouiehadleftonthelockerwasgone,aswastheliquor.
AmongLouie’sthings,KreyfoundphotographsthatLouiehadtakeninsidehisplane.Insomeofthem,LouiehadforgottentoaimthecameraawayfromtheNordenbombsight,soKreyhadtoconfiscatethose.Therestof
Louie’sbelongingswerepackedintohisfootlockerandreadiedtobesenttoTorrance.
——
OntheeveningofFriday,June4,1943,Phil’smother,Kelsey,wasinPrinceton,Indiana.Intheabsenceofherhusbandandson,shehadsoldthefamilyhouseinTerreHauteandmovedto
Princetontobeclosertoherdaughter,Martha,andfuturedaughter-in-law,Cecy,withwhomshehadbecomedearfriends.Thatevening,whenKelseywasvisitingMartha,someonebroughtheratelegram:
IREGRETTOINFORMYOUTHATTHECOMMANDINGGENERALPACIFICAREAREPORTSYOURSON—FIRST
LIEUTENANTRUSSELLAPHILLIPS—MISSINGSINCEMAYTWENTY-SEVEN.IFFURTHERDETAILSOROTHERINFORMATIONOFHISSTATUSARERECEIVEDYOUWILLBEPROMPTLYNOTIFIED
ThetelegramreachedtheZamperinisthatsameevening.LouisecaledSylvia,whohadrecentlymarrieda
firefighter,HarveyFlammer,andnowlivedinanearbysuburbwithherhusband.Uponhearingthatherbrotherwasmissing,Sylviabecamehysterical,sobbingsoloudlythatherneighborrantoher.
Whentheneighboraskedherwhatwaswrong,Sylviawascryingtoohardtospeak.EventualyshepuledherselftogetherenoughtocalHarveyatthefirestation.She
wasfranticandconfusedanddidn’tknowwhattodo.Harveytoldhertogotohermother.Sylviaputthephonedownandranstraightoutthedoor.
Sylviasobbedfortheentireforty-five-minutedrive.Weeksbefore,justaftertheNaururaid,shehadpickeduphermorningpaperandseen,onthefrontpage,aphotographofLouie,looking
haunted,staringthroughagapingholeinthesideofSuperMan.Theimagehadhorrifiedher.Now,assheabsorbedthenewsthatLouiewasmissing,shecouldn’tstopseeingthatimage.Whenshepuledupatherparents’house,shehadtocomposeherselfbeforeshewalkedin.
Herfatherwascalmbutquiet;hermotherwasconsumedinanguish.Sylvia,
who,liketherestofthefamily,assumedthatLouiehadgonedownintheocean,toldhermothernottoworry.“Withalthoseislands,”Sylviasaid,“he’steachingsomeonehula.”PetearrivedfromSanDiego.“Ifhehasatoothbrushandapocketknifeandhehitsland,”hetoldhismother,“he’lmakeit.”
Perhapsthatday,orperhapslater,Louisefoundthetiny
snapshotthathadbeentakenontheafternoonLouiehadleft,whenhehadstoodbesideheronherfrontsteps,hisarmaroundherwaist.Onthebackofthephotograph,Louisewrote,LouisReportedmissing—May27,1943.
——
ThenewsofLouie’sdisappearanceheadlinedCalifornianewspapersand
ledradiobroadcastsonJune5.TheLosAngelesEveningHeraldandExpressranafeatureonthe“LifeofZamp,”whichlookedanawfullotlikeanobituary.PaytonJordan,nowanavyofficer,wasdrivingtohisbasewhenheheardthenewsontheradio.Jordangasped.Hedroveintothebasefeelingnumb,andforawhiledidnothingatal.Thenhestartedspeakingtohisfelow
officers.Jordan’sjobwastotraincadetsinsurvivaltechniques,andheandtheothersconsideredthepossibilitiesthatmightfaceLouie.AloftheofficersagreedthatifLouiehadtherighttraining,hemightsurvive.
PetecaledJordan,andtheytalkedaboutLouie.AsPetespokeofhishopethatLouiewouldbefound,Jordancould
hearhisvoicewavering.JordanthoughtaboutcalingLouie’sparents,buthecouldn’tbringhimselftodoit.Hehadnoideawhattosay.Thatevening,hedrovehomeandtoldhiswife,Marge,whohadknownLouiewelatUSC.Theymovedthroughtheirroutinesinaquietfog,thenwenttobedandlayawake,insilence.
InTorrance,Anthony
Zamperiniremainedstoic.Louisecriedandprayed.Fromthestress,opensoresbrokeoutaloverherhands.Sylviathoughtherhandslookedlikerawhamburger.
Somewhereinthosejaggeddays,afierceconvictioncameoverLouise.Shewasabsolutelycertainthathersonwasalive.
——
OnSamoa,StanleyPilsburyandClarenceDouglaswerestilinthehospital,tryingtorecoverfromthewoundsincurredoverNauru.Douglas’sshoulderwasfarfromhealed,andtoPilsbury,heseemedemotionalygutted.Pilsburywasinconsiderablepain.Thedoctorshadbeenunabletoremovealoftheshrapnelfromhisleg,andhecouldfeeleveryshard,burning.He
wasn’tclosetobeingabletowalk.Inhisdreams,planesdoveathim,endlessly.
PilsburywasinhisbedwhenDouglascamein,hisfaceradiatingshock.
“Thecrewwentdown,”hesaid.
Pilsburycouldbarelyspeak.Hisfirstemotionwasoverwhelmingguilt.“IfIhad
onlybeenthere,”hesaidlater,“Icouldhavesavedit.”
DouglasandPilsburysaidlittlemoretoeachother.Theyparted,eachmanswimmingingrief.DouglaswouldsoonbegrantedtransferbacktotheStates.PilsburywouldlingeronhiscotinSamoa,hopingthathewouldonedaywalkagain.*
OnOahu,Louie’sfriends
gatheredinabarracks.Inthecornerofoneoftherooms,theyhungasmalflaginmemoryofZamp.ItwouldhangthereasLouie,Phil,andMacdriftedwestandtheAlies,the11thBombGroup’s42ndsquadronamongthem,carriedthewaracrossthePacificandintothethroatofJapan.
*Therewasonespotdirectlywest,abouthalfwaytothe
MarshalIslands,wheretheoceanfloorwasjustfivefeetbelowthesurface.Itwasalmostanisland,butnotquite.
*Assoonashecouldwalk,Pilsburywasassignedtoanewcrewtoreplaceadeadwaistgunner.Superstitiousaboutaddinganewman,thecrewreceivedhimcoldly.Onamission,aZerotriedtoramtheplane,andoneofits
roundsexplodedinsidethefuselage.TheengineerfoundPilsburyonthefloorwithahunkofmetalembeddedjustabovehiseye,thewhiteofwhichwascloudingwithblood.Theplanemadeahastylanding,andPilsburywasbandagedupandsentbacktohisgun.Somehow,Pilsburysurvivedthewar,afistfulofmedalsandapermanentlimptestifyingtoalhe’dendured.“Itwas
awful,awful,awful,”hesaidthroughtearssixtyyearslater.“…Ifyoudigintoit,itcomesbacktoyou.That’sthewaywaris.”
Fourteen
Thirst
PHILFELTASIFHEWEREONFIRE.THEEQUATORIALSUNLAYuponthemen,scaldingtheir
skin.Theirupperlipsburnedandcracked,balooningsodramaticalythattheyobstructedtheirnostrils,whiletheirlowerlipsbulgedagainsttheirchins.Theirbodieswereslashedwithopencracksthatformedunderthecorrosiveonslaughtofsun,salt,wind,andfuelresidue.Whitecapsslappedintothefissures,asensationthatLouiecomparedtohavingalcoholpouredontoa
wound.Sunlightglaredofftheocean,sendingbarbsofwhitelightintothemen’spupilsandleavingtheirheadspounding.Themen’sfeetwerecrateredwithquarter-sizedsaltsores.Theraftsbakedalongwiththeiroccupants,emittingabittersmel.
Thewatercanswereempty.Desperatelythirstyandoverheated,themencoulddo
nomorethanusetheirhandstobailseawateroverthemselves.Thecoolnessoftheoceanbeckonedandcouldn’tbeanswered,forthesharkscircled.Oneshark,sixoreightfeetlong,stalkedtheraftswithoutrest,dayandnight.Themenbecameespecialywaryofhim,andwhenheventuredtooclose,oneofthemwouldjabhimwithanoar.
Onthethirddaywithoutwater,asmudgeappearedonthehorizon.Itgrew,darkened,bilowedovertherafts,andliddedthesun.Downcametherain.
Thementhrewbacktheirheads,spiledtheirbodiesback,spreadtheirarms,andopenedtheirmouths.Therainfelontheirchests,lips,faces,tongues.
Itsoothedtheirskin,washedthesaltandsweatandfuelfromtheirpores,sliddowntheirthroats,fedtheirbodies.Itwasasensoryexplosion.
Theyknewitwouldn’tlast.Theyhadtofindawaytosavethewater.Thenarrowwatertins,openedtothedownpour,caughtvirtualynothing.Louie,keepinghisheadtippedupandhismouthopen,feltaroundtheraftfor
somethingbetter.Hedugintotheraftpocketsandpuledoutoneoftheairpumps.
Itwassheathedinacanvascaseaboutfourteenincheslong,stitcheddownoneside.Hetoretheseamopen,spreadthefabrictoformatriangularbowl,andwatchedhappilyastherainpooledonthefabric.
Hehadcolectedsometwopintsofwaterwhena
whitecapcrackedintotheraft,crestedover,andsloppedintothecanvas,spoilingthewater.Notonlyhadthemostproductivepartofthestormbeenwasted,butthecanvashadtoberinsedintherainbeforeLouiecouldresumecapturingwater.Evenwhenthatwasdone,therewasnowaytoavoidthenextwhitecap,becauseLouiecouldn’tseethemcoming.
Louietriedanewtechnique.Insteadofalowinglargepoolsofwatertogather,hebegancontinuouslysuckingthecapturedwaterintohismouth,thenspittingitinthecans.Oncethecanswereful,hekeptharvestingtherain,givingonemanadrinkeverythirtysecondsorso.Theytoreopenthesecondpumpcasetoformanotherraincatcher.Whenthesunemerged,theyfoundthatthe
canvascasesalsomadeexcelenthats.Theybeganrotationswiththem,twomenin,onemanout.
——
Themenwereravenous.ItwasnowclearthatMac’sbingeonthechocolate,whichhadseemedonlymoderatelyworrisomeatthetime,wasacatastrophe.LouieresentedMac,andMacseemedto
knowit.ThoughMacneverspokeofit,Louiesensedthathewasconsumedwithguiltoverwhathehaddone.
Ashungerbleatedinsidethem,themenexperiencedaclassicsymptomofstarvation,theinabilitytodirecttheirthoughtsawayfromfood.Theystaredintotheocean,undulatingwithediblecreatures;butwithoutbait,theycouldn’tcatcheven
aminnow.Occasionaly,abirdpassed,alwaysoutofreach.Themenstudiedtheirshoesandwonderediftheycouldeattheleather.Theydecidedthattheycouldn’t.
Dayspassed.Eachevening,theroastingheatgavewaytocold.Sleepwaselusive.Phil,aloneinhisraftandlackingtheheatofanothermantowarmthewateraroundhim,sufferedparticularlybadly.
Heshookthrougheachnight,toocoldtosleep.Inthedaytime,exhaustion,heat,andthelolingoftheraftmadealofthemdrowsy.Theysleptthroughmuchofeachdayandspenttherestlyingback,savingtheirprecious,evaporatingenergy.
ItoccurredtoPhilthatfromthepointofviewofthebirds,theirstilforms,obscuredbycanvashoods,musthave
lookedlikelifelessdebris.Hewasright.
Oneday,nineortendaysintotheirodyssey,Louiefeltsomethingalightonhishood,andsawitsshadowfalbeforehim.Itwasanalbatross.WithLouie’sheadhidden,thebirdhadn’trecognizedthathewaslandingonaman.
Slowly,slowly,Louieraisedhishandtowardthebird,his
motionsogradualthatitwaslittlemorenoticeablethantheturningofaminutehandonaclock.
Thebirdrestedcalmly.Intime,Louie’shandwasbesidethebird,hisfingersopen.Alatonce,Louiesnappedhishandshut,clampingdownonthebird’slegs.Thebirdpeckedfranticaly,slashinghisknuckles.Louiegrabbedits
headandbrokeitsneck.
Louieusedtheplierstotearthebirdopen.Agustoffetidodorrosefromthebody,andalthreemenrecoiled.LouiehandedabitofmeattoPhilandMacandtookoneforhimself.Thestenchhungbeforethem,spurringwavesofnausea.Gagging,theycouldn’tgetthemeatintotheirmouths.Eventualy,theygaveup.
Thoughtheycouldn’teatthebird,theyfinalyhadbait.Louietookoutthefishinggear,tiedasmalhooktoaline,baitedit,andfeditintothewater.Inamoment,asharkcruisedby,bitdownonthehook,andseveredtheline,takingthebait,thehook,andafootortwooflinewithhim.Louietriedwithanotherhook,andagain,asharktookit.Athirdtryproducedthesameresult.Finaly,the
sharksletahookhangunmolested.Louiefeltatugandpuleduptheline.Onitsendhungaslenderpilotfish,abouttenincheslong.AsLouiepuleditapart,everyonefeltapprehensive.Noneofthemhadeatenrawfishbefore.Theyeachputabitofmeatintotheirmouths.Itwasflavorless.Theyateitdowntothebones.
Itwasthefirstfoodtocross
theirlipsinmorethanaweek.Betweenthreemen,asmalfishdidn’tgofar,buttheproteingavethemapushofenergy.
Louiehaddemonstratedthatiftheywerepersistentandresourceful,theycouldcatchfood,andbothheandPhilfeltinspired.OnlyMacremainedunchanged.
Philfeltuneasyaboutthe
albatross.Likemanyschoolboysofhisera,hehadreadSamuelTaylorColeridge’s“RimeoftheAncientMariner.”Inthepoem,asailorkilsafriendlyalbatrossthat,itissaid,hadmadethewindsblow.Inconsequence,thesailorandhiscrewarestrandedininfernal,windlesswaters,tormentedbythirstandmonstrouscreatures.Thecrewmenaldie,andthesailor
isleftinahelishlimbo,thealbatrosshungabouthisneck,hiseyesclosedagainsttheaccusingstaresofhisdeadcrewmen.
Louiewasn’tsuperstitious,buthe’dgrownfondofalbatrossesonthatChristmashe’dspentwatchingthemcrash-landonMidway.Hefeltsorryforthebird.PhilremindedLouiethatkilinganalbatrosswassaidtobring
badluck.Afteraplanecrash,Louiereplied,whatmorebadluckcouldtheyhave?
——
Severalmoredayspassed.Louiecaughtnothing,andhishooksupplydwindled.Nomorebirdslandedontheraft.Periodicaly,rainreplenishedthewatertins,butonlypartway.
Themenfloatedinasensoryvacuum.Whentheweatherwascalm,theoceanwassilent.Therewasnothingtotouchbutwater,skin,hair,andcanvas.
Otherthanthecharredsmeloftheraft,therewerenoodors.Therewasnothingtolookatbutskyandsea.Atsomepoint,Louiestuckhisfingerinhisearandfeltwaxthere.Hesmeledhisfinger,
andbyvirtueofbeingnew,thescentofthewaxwascuriouslyrefreshing.Hedevelopedahabitoftwistinghisfingerinhisearandsniffingit.Philbegandoingittoo.
WhenLouieslept,hedreamedofbeingonland,tryingtosleep,buttherewasneveraplacetorestsafely—onlyrocks,suckingmud,bedsofcactus.Hewouldbe
onperilouscliffsorunstableboulders,andthegroundwouldheaveandshiftunderhisweight.Philwashavingthesamedreams.
Astimepassed,Philbeganthinkingaboutanarticle,writtenbytheWorldWarIacepilotEddieRickenbacker,thathehadreadinLifemagazinethatwinter.ThepreviousOctober,aB-17carryingRickenbackeranda
crewoverthePacifichadbecomelostandrunoutoffuel.Thepilothadditchedtheplane,andithadfloatedlongenoughforthementogetintorafts.Themenhaddriftedforweeks,survivingonstoresintherafts,rainwater,fish,andbirdmeat.Onemanhaddied,andtheresthadhalucinated,babblingatinvisiblecompanions,singingbizarresongs,arguingaboutwhereto
pulovertheimaginarycarinwhichtheywereriding.Onelieutenanthadbeenvisitedbyaspecterwhohadtriedtolurehimtothebottomoftheocean.Finaly,theraftshadsplitup,andonehadreachedanisland.NativeshadradioedtoFunafuti,andtheothermenhadbeenrescued.
ItseemedthatRickenbacker’screwhadstretchedthecapacityforhumansurvival
asfarasitwouldgo.Rickenbackerhadwrittenthathehaddriftedfortwenty-onedays(hehadactualydriftedfortwenty-four),andPhil,Louie,andMacbelievedthatthiswasasurvivalrecord.Infact,therecordforinflatedraftsurvivalappearstohavebeensetin1942,whenthreenavyplanecrashvictimssurvivedforthirty-fourdaysonthePacificbeforereachinganisland,wheretheywere
shelteredbynatives.*
Atfirst,Philgavenothoughttocountingdays,butwhentimestretchedon,hebeganpayingattentiontohowlongthey’dbeenoutthere.Hehadnotroublecountingdayswithoutconfusion;becausetheywereontheraftforonlypartofthedaytheycrashed,PhilandLouiecountedthefolowingdayasday1.Witheachnewday,Philtold
himselfthatsurelythey’dbepickedupbeforereachingRickenbacker’smark.Whenheconsideredwhatthey’ddoiftheypassedthatmark,hehadnoanswer.
Rickenbacker’sstory,familiartoLouiealso,wasimportantforanotherreason.Exposure,dehydration,stress,andhungerhadquicklydrivenmanyofRickenbacker’spartyinsane,
acommonfateforraft-boundmen.Louiewasmoreconcernedaboutsanitythanhewasaboutsustenance.Hekeptthinkingofacolegephysiologyclasshehadtaken,inwhichtheinstructorhadtaughtthemtothinkofthemindasamusclethatwouldatrophyifleftidle.
Louiewasdeterminedthatnomatterwhathappenedtotheirbodies,theirmindswould
stayundertheircontrol.
Withinafewdaysofthecrash,Louiebeganpepperingtheothertwowithquestionsoneveryconceivablesubject.Philtookupthechalenge,andsoonheandLouieturnedtheraftintoanonstopquizshow.Theysharedtheirhistories,fromfirstmemoriesonward,recountedinminutedetail.LouietoldofhisdaysatUSC;Philspokeof
Indiana.Theyrecaledthebestdatesthey’deverhad.Theytoldandretoldstoriesofpracticaljokesthatthey’dplayedoneachother.Everyanswerwasfolowedbyaquestion.Philsangchurchhymns;Louietaughttheothertwothelyricsto“WhiteChristmas.”Theysangitovertheocean,aholidaysonginJune,heardonlybycirclingsharks.
Everyconversationmeanderedbacktofood.LouiehadoftenboastedtoPhilabouthismother’scooking,andatsomepoint,PhilaskedLouietodescribehowshemadeameal.Louiebegandescribingadish,andalthreemenfounditsatisfying,soLouiekeptgoing,telingthemabouteachdishinthegreatestpossibledetail.Soon,Louise’skitchenfloatedthere
withthem:Saucessimmered,spiceswerepinchedandscattered,buttermeltedontongues.
Sobeganathrice-dailyritualontheraft,withpumpkinpieandspaghettibeingthefavoritesubjects.ThemencametoknowLouise’srecipessowelthatifLouieskippedasteporforgotaningredient,Phil,andsometimesMac,would
quicklycorrecthimandmakehimstartover.Whentheimaginarymealwasprepared,themenwoulddevoureverycrumb,describingeachmouthful.Theyconjuredupthesceneinsuchvividdetailthatsomehowtheirstomachswerefooledbyit,ifonlybriefly.
Oncethefoodwaseatenandthepastexhausted,theymovedtothefuture.Louie
laidplanstobuytheTorrancetraindepotandturnitintoarestaurant.
PhilfantasizedaboutgettingbacktoIndiana,maybetoteachschool.Hecouldn’twaittoseetheIndy500again.Theracehadbeensuspendedbecauseofthewar,butPhilreviveditinhismind,spreadingablanketontheinfieldgrass,heapingitwithfood,andwatchingthe
carsblurpast.AndhethoughtaboutCecy.Ithadn’toccurredtohimtotuckherpictureinhiswaletbeforeheleftthecottage,butinhismind,sheneverlefthim.
ForLouieandPhil,theconversationswerehealing,pulingthemoutoftheirsufferingandsettingthefuturebeforethemasaconcretething.Astheyimaginedthemselvesbackin
theworldagain,theywiledahappyendingontotheirordealandmadeittheirexpectation.Withthesetalks,theycreatedsomethingtolivefor.
Inalofthesebulsessions,notoncedidtheybroachthesubjectofthecrash.Louiewantedtotalkaboutit,butsomethingaboutPhilstoppedhim.
ThereweretimeswhenPhilseemedlostintroubledthoughts,andLouieguessedthathewasrelivingthecrash,andperhapsholdinghimselfresponsibleforthedeathsofhismen.LouiewantedtoreassurePhilthathe’ddonenothingwrong,buthedecidedthatraisingtheissuewoulddeepenPhil’spreoccupation.Sohesaidnothing.
——
AsLouieandPhilgriledeachother,Macusualysatinsilence.Sometimeshe’daskLouietodescribearecipe,andoccasionalyhewouldinterject,butgettinghimtofulyparticipatewasroughgoing.Hesharedfewmemories,andthoughtheothertwoencouragedhim,hecouldn’timagineafuture.Tohim,itseemed,theworldwas
toofargone.
Giventhedismalrecordofraft-boundmen,Mac’sdespairwasreasonable.WhatisremarkableisthatthetwomenwhosharedMac’splightdidn’tsharehishopelessness.ThoughPhilwasconstantlywonderinghowlongthiswouldgoon,ithadnotyetoccurredtohimthathemightdie.ThesamewastrueforLouie.Thoughtheyboth
knewthattheywereinanextremelyserioussituation,bothhadtheabilitytowarnfearawayfromtheirthoughts,focusinginsteadonhowtosurviveandreassuringthemselvesthatthingswouldworkout.
Itremainsamysterywhythesethreeyoungmen,veteransofthesametrainingandthesamecrash,differedsoradicalyintheir
perceptionsoftheirplight.Maybethedifferencewasbiological;somemenmaybewiredforoptimism,othersfordoubt.Asatoddler,Louiehadleaptfromatrainandwatcheditbearhisfamilyaway,yethadremainedcheerfulyunconcernedabouthissafety,suggestingthathemayhavebeenabornoptimist.Perhapsthemen’shistorieshadgiventhemopposingconvictionsabout
theircapacitytoovercomeadversity.PhilandLouiehadsurvivedFunafutiandperformeduncommonlyweloverNauru,andeachtrustedtheother.“Iftherewasonethingleft,he’dagivenittome,”PhiloncesaidofLouie.Machadneverseencombat,didn’tknowtheseofficers,andwaslargelyanunknownquantitytohimself.Alheknewabouthisabilitytocopewiththiscrisiswasthaton
thefirstnight,hehadpanickedandeatentheonlyfoodtheyhad.Astimepassedandstarvationloomed,thisacttookongreaterandgreaterimportance,anditmayhavefedMac’ssenseoffutility.
ForPhil,therewasanothersourceofstrength,oneofwhichevenLouiewasunaware.Accordingtohisfamily,inhisquiet,private
way,Philwasadeeplyreligiousman,carryingafaithinstiledinhimbyhisparents.“IhadtoldAlseveraltimesbeforetoalwaysdohisbestasheknewhowtodoit,”
Phil’sfatheroncewrote,“andwhenthingsgetbeyondhisskilandabilitytoasktheLordtostepinandhelpout.”Philneverspokeofhisfaith,butashesanghymnsovertheocean,conjuringupa
protectiveGod,perhapsrescuefeltcloser,despairmoredistant.
Fromearliestchildhood,Louiehadregardedeverylimitationplacedonhimasachalengetohiswits,hisresourcefulness,andhisdeterminationtorebel.Theresulthadbeenamutinousyouth.Asmaddeningashisexploitshadbeenforhisparentsandhistown,Louie’s
successincarryingthemoffhadgivenhimtheconvictionthathecouldthinkhiswayaroundanyboundary.Now,ashewascastintoextremity,despairanddeathbecamethefocusofhisdefiance.ThesameattributesthathadmadehimtheboyterrorofTorrancewerekeepinghimaliveinthegreateststruggleofhislife.
Thoughalthreemenfaced
thesamehardship,theirdifferingperceptionsofitappearedtobeshapingtheirfates.LouieandPhil’shopedisplacedtheirfearandinspiredthemtoworktowardtheirsurvival,andeachsuccessrenewedtheirphysicalandemotionalvigor.Mac’sresignationseemedtoparalyzehim,andthelessheparticipatedintheireffortstosurvive,themoreheslipped.Thoughhedidtheleast,as
thedayspassed,itwashewhofadedthemost.LouieandPhil’soptimism,andMac’shopelessness,werebecomingself-fulfiling.
——
Twoweekshadpassed.Themen’sskinwasburned,swolen,andcracked.Mysteriouswhitelinesstripedtheirfingernailsandtoenails,andsaltsoresweremarchingup
theirlegs,buttocks,andbacks.Theraftsweredecomposinginthesunandsaltwater,bleedingvividyelowdyeontothemen’sclothingandskinandmakingeverythingsticky.
Themen’sbodiesslowlywinnowed.Eachday,Louienoticedincrementaldifferencesinhisweight,andtheweightofhisraftmates,fromthedaybefore:thepants
looser,thefacesnarrower.Astheypassedthefortnightmark,theybegantolookgrotesque.Theirfleshhadevaporated.Theircheeks,nowbearded,hadsunkenintoconcavity.Theirbodiesweredigestingthemselves.
Theywerereachingastageoftheirordealthatforothercastawayshadbeenagruesometurningpoint.In1820,afterthewhalingship
Essexwassunkbyanenragedwhale,thelifeboat-boundsurvivors,onthebrinkofdeath,resortedtocannibalism.Somesixtyyearslater,afternineteendaysadrift,starvingsurvivorsofthesunkenyachtMignonettekiledandateateenagedcrewman.StoriesofcannibalismamongcastawaysweresocommonthattheBritishgaveanametothepracticeofchoosinga
victim,dubbingitthe“customofthesea.”Towel-fedmenonland,theideaofcannibalismhasalwaysinspiredrevulsion.Tomanysailorswhohavestoodonthethresholdofdeath,lostintheagonyandmind-alteringeffectsofstarvation,ithasseemedareasonable,eveninescapablesolution.
ForLouie,theideaofconsumingahumanbeing
wasrevoltingandunthinkable.Toeatahumanbeing,evenifthepersonhaddiednaturaly,wouldbeabhorrentforhim.Althreemenheldthesameconviction.Cannibalismwouldn’tbeconsidered,thenorever.
Thetwo-weekmarkwasadifferentkindofturningpointforLouie.Hebegantoprayaloud.Hehadnoideahowto
speaktoGod,soherecitedsnippetsofprayersthathe’dheardinmovies.PhilbowedhisheadasLouiespoke,offering“Amen”attheend.Maconlylistened.
Theraftsslidonthecurrent,theirtetherssnakingbehindthem.Itseemedthattheywerestildriftingwest,butwithoutanypointsofreference,themenweren’tsure.Atleasttheyweregoing
somewhere.
——
ThesecondalbatrossflutteredontoLouie’sheadsometimearoundthefourteenthday.AgainLouieslowlyraisedhishand,snatchedit,andkiledit.Themensattherelookingatit,rememberingthestenchofthefirstalbatross.WhenLouieopeneditup,theywerehappilysurprisedtofindthat
itdidn’tsmelthatbad.Stil,noonewantedtoeatit.Louieportionedthemeatandinsistedthateveryoneeat.Althreemenforcedthemeatdown.BecauseMacseemedtoneedfoodthemost,theygavehimaloftheblood.
Inthebird’sstomachtheyfoundseveralsmalfish,whichtheydecidedtouseasbait,andwiththem,Louiecaughtonemorefish.He
savedsomeofthebirdmeatforbaitandsetthebonesouttodryinhopesthattheymightbeusefulasfishhooks.
——
Timespunoutendlessly.Louiecaughtafewfish,onceparlayingatinyone,thrownintotheraftbyawhitecap,intobaitthatyieldedacomparativelyfatpilotfish.Rainscameintermittently,
leavingthemensuckingupeverydropthatfelintotheirraincatchers.LouieandPhiltookturnsleadingprayerseachnight.Macremainedinhisownworld.
Themengrewthinner.Philwasgradualyregaininghisstrengthafterhisinitialstateofconcussedexhaustion;Mac’sbodygrewweaker,folowinghisbrokenspirit.Thentherainsstoppedandthe
watertinsdriedup.Theyreacheddaytwenty-one.TheycaughtafishandhadalittlecelebrationforpassingwhattheythoughtwasRickenbacker’smark.
Forsometime,Louiehadnoticedastomach-turningreekwaftingtoandfrooverthem.ItwascomingfromPhil’shead.ThebloodonhisT-shirtbandagewasrotting,andcakesofitwerechipping
offandfalingintotheraft.Philcouldn’tsmelit,butLouiecouldn’tbearit.LouieuntiedtheT-shirtandgentlyunwrappedit.Beneathathickcakeofdriedblood,thewoundshadknitneatly.Thebleedingdidn’tresume.TheT-shirtcouldgo.
Afewdayslater,Louiesawsomethingbizarre.Theedgeofthesea,flushtothehorizon,waspeelingupward.
Avastblackrimformed,roseup,andbeganspeedingtowardthemwithatumblingmotion.Louieshoutedawarningandtheothertwomenwheeledaroundtowardit.Theydroppeddown,gettingtheirweightaslowaspossiblesotheywouldn’tbeflippedover.Asthewaveclosedin,theybracedthemselves.
Justasthewavereached
them,theyrealizeditwasn’tawaveatal.Itwasagiantschoolofdolphins,swimmingwithastonishingspeed.Thedolphinsrushedattheraftsandweresoonmusclingalaroundthem.Lookingintothewater,Philsawsmalfish,thousandsofthem,seemingtofiltheocean.Thedolphinswerechasingthem.Thementhrusttheirarmsintothewaterandtriedtograbsome,butthe
fishslippedthroughtheirfingers.Iftheyhadhadanet,theycouldhavewhiskeditthroughthewaterandfiledtherafts.Butwithonlytheirfingers,theycouldn’tsnareevenone.
Louiewasoutofbait.Otherthanthesharks,theonlyfishthatventuredneartheraftswerepilotfish,whichhuggedthesidesofthesharksastheycircled.Theywerewithin
easyreach,onlywhenLouietriedtograbthem,theysquirtedaway.Thesharkshadstoleneveryhooksmalenoughtofitinthemouthsofpilotfish,soLouietriedalbatrossbones,butthefishspatthemout.
Lookingatthefishlinethathehadleft,hegotanidea.Hecutoffsmalportionsofline,tiedthemtothelargefishhooks,andthentiedthree
hookstothefingersofonehand,oneonhispinkie,oneonhismiddlefinger,oneonhisthumb,orientingthemasiftheywereclaws.Heheldhishandoverthewater’ssurfaceandwaited.
Ashark,attendedbyapilotfish,swamby.Onceitsheadhadpassed,Louiesankhishandintothewater.Whentheunsuspectingpilotfishmovedunderhishand,hesnapped
hisfingersshutarounditsback.Thehooksdugin.Louieyankedthefishoutofthewater,jubilant.
Sometimethatweek,asmalternlandedonthewaloftheraft,rightbetweenthemen.ItwasclosesttoPhil,andwithoutspeaking,themenindicatedtoeachotherthathe’dcatchit.Philclappeddownonthebird.Itwastiny,andofferedlittlemeat,but
notlongafter,anotherternsettledontheraft.Thistime,Maccaughtit.Louiewassofamishedthathewentatitwithhisteeth,rippingthefeatherslooseandspittingthemoutinwhuffs.Almostimmediately,hefeltacrawlingsensationonhischin.Theternhadbeencoveredinlice,whichwerenowhoppingoverhisface.
Somethingaboutthetickleof
liceonhisskinrattledLouiemorethananythinghehadyetencountered.Hebeganscratchingandrubbingathisface,buthecouldn’tgetatthelice,whichhadburrowedintohisbeardandweremovinguphisheadandintohishair.Hepitchedhisupperbodyintothewater.PhilandMac,realizingthatLouiewasgoingtogethisheadrippedoff,grabbedtheoarsandbumpedthesharksaway
whileLouiesplashedabout,tryingtodrownthelice.Afterabouthalfadozendunks,theticklewasgone.
Asthedayspassed,themencaughtthree,perhapsfourmorebirds.Onebirdkeptdippinglowovertheraft,thensoaringoffagain.Macsuddenlyshothishandupandsnaggedthebirdbytheleginmidair,thenhandedthesquirminganimaltoLouie,
whowasamazedatMac’salacrity.Themenateeverymorselofthebird,andeveryotherbirdthattheycaught,leavingonlyfeathersandbones.
——
Fordays,Louielayoverthesideoftheraft,fishhookstiedtohisfingers,tryingtocatchanotherpilotfish.Hecaughtnone.Thewaterranout
again,andthethirstwasagonizing.Dayafterdaypassedwithnorain.Twice,themenrowedtowarddistantsquals,buteachtime,therainsputteredoutjustastheyreachedit,leavingthemexhaustedanddemoralized.Whenthenextsqualinchedalongthehorizon,noneofthemhadthestrengthtochaseit.
Theintensethirstand
overheatingdrovePhiltodosomethingalmostsuicidal.Hewaitedforthesharkstowanderashortdistanceaway,thenpuledhimselfoverboard.LouieandMackneltnearhim,jabbingatsharkswiththeoarsasPhilhungontheraft,savoringthecoolwaterandswishingbigmouthfulsofitoverhistonguebeforespittingthemout.Heonlyjusthadthestrengthtodraghimselfback
in.SincePhilhadgottenawaywithit,theothertwothoughtitworthatry,andtooktheirturnsinthewater.Themenwereabletokeepthesharksawaylongenoughforalthreetohaveadip.
Onthesixthdaywithoutwater,themenrecognizedthattheyweren’tgoingtolastmuchlonger.Macwasfailingespecialyquickly.
TheybowedtheirheadstogetherasLouieprayed.IfGodwouldquenchtheirthirst,hevowed,he’ddedicatehislifetohim.
Thenextday,bydivineinterventionortheficklehumorsofthetropics,theskybrokeopenandrainpoureddown.Twicemorethewaterranout,twicemoretheyprayed,andtwicemoretheraincame.Theshowersgave
themjustenoughwatertolastashortwhilelonger.Ifonlyaplanewouldcome.
*In1942,PoonLimsurvivedfor133daysaloneonaraftafterhisshipwassunkbyaGermansubmarine.Lim’sfeatwasarecord,buthisvesselwasalarge,wood-and-metal“Carleyfloatboat”raft,equippedwithtengalonsofwater,afairamountoffood,anelectrictorch,andother
supplies.
Fifteen
SharksandBullets
ONTHEMORNINGOFTHETWENTY-SEVENTHDAY,APLANEcame.
Itbeganwitharumbleofengines,andthenaspotinthesky.Itwasatwin-enginebomber,movingwestata
briskclip.Itwassofarawaythatexpendingtheflaresanddyewasquestionable.Themenconferredandvoted.Theydecidedtotakeashot.
Louiefiredoneflare,reloaded,thenfiredasecond,drawingvividlinesacrossthesky.Heopenedadyecontainerandspileditscontentsintotheocean,thendugoutthemirrorandangledasquareoflighttowardthe
bomber.
Themenwaited,hoping.Theplanegrewsmaler,thenfadedaway.
Asthecastawaysslumpedintherafts,tryingtoacceptanotherlostchance,overthewesternhorizontherewasaglimmer,tracingawidecurve,thenbankingtowardtherafts.Thebomberwascomingback.Weepingwith
joy,Louie,Phil,andMactuggedtheirshirtsovertheirheadsandsnappedthembackandforthintheair,calingout.Thebomberleveledoff,skimmingoverthewater.Louiesquintedatthecockpit.Hemadeouttwosilhouettes,apilotandcopilot.HethoughtofPalmyra,food,solidgroundunderfoot.
Andthen,alatonce,theoceanerupted.Therewasa
deafeningnoise,andtheraftsbeganhoppingandshudderingunderthecastaways.Thegunnerswerefiringatthem.
Louie,Phil,andMacclawedfortheraftwalsandthrewthemselvesoverboard.Theyswamundertheraftsandhuddledthere,watchingbuletstearthroughtheraftsandcutbrightslitsinthewateraroundthem.Thenthefiring
stopped.
Themensurfaced.Thebomberhadovershotthemandwasnowtotheeast,movingaway.Twosharkswerenosingaround.Themenhadtogetoutofthewaterimmediately.
ClingingtothesideofLouieandMac’sraft,Philwascompletelydonein.Theleapintothewaterhadtaken
everythingthatwasleftinhim.Hefloundered,unabletopulhimselfovertheraftwal.Louieswamupbehindhimandgavehimapush,andPhilsloppeduponboard.Mac,too,neededLouie’shelptoclimboverthewal.Louiethendraggedhimselfup,andthethreesatthere,stunnedbutuninjured.Theycouldn’tbelievethattheairmen,mistakingthemforJapanese,wouldstrafeunarmed
castaways.Underthem,theraftfeltdoughy.Itwasleakingair.
Inthedistance,thebomberswungaroundandbeganflyingattheraftsagain.Louiehopedthatthecrewhadrealizedthemistakeandwasreturningtohelpthem.Flyingabouttwohundredfeetoverthewater,thebomberracedatthem,folowingapathslightlyparalel
totherafts,sothatitssidepassedintoview.Althreemensawitatonce.Behindthewing,paintedoverthewaist,wasaredcircle.ThebomberwasJapanese.
Louiesawthegunnerstakingaimandknewhehadtogobackinthewater.PhilandMacdidn’tmove.Theywerebothexhausted.Theyknewthatiftheywentoverboardagain,theywouldn’tbe
strongenoughtogetbackin,andthesharkswouldtakethem.Iftheystayedontheraft,itseemedimpossiblethatthegunnerscouldmissthem.
Asthebomberflewtowardthem,theylaydown.Philpuledhiskneestohischestandcoveredhisheadinhishands.Macbaledhimselfupbesidehim.
Louietookalastglanceat
them,thendroppedintothewaterandswambackundertherafts.
Thebuletsshoweredtheoceaninaglitteringdownpour.Lookingup,Louiesawthempoppingthroughthecanvas,shootingbeamsofintenselybrighttropicalsunlightthroughtheraft’sshadow.Butafterafewfeet,thebuletsspenttheirforceandfluttereddown,fizzing.
Louiestraightenedhisarmsoverhisheadandpushedagainstthebottomofoneoftherafts,tryingtogetfarenoughdowntobeoutsidethebulets’lethalrange.Abovehim,hecouldseethedepressionsformedbyMacandPhil’sbodies.Neithermanwasmoving.
Asthebuletsrakedoverhead,Louiestruggledtostayundertherafts.The
currentclutchedathim,rotatinghisbodyhorizontalyanddragginghimaway.
Hekickedagainstit,butitwasnouse.Hewasbeingsuckedaway,andheknewthatifhelosttouchwiththerafts,hewouldn’tbeabletoswimhardenoughagainstthecurrenttogetback.Ashewaspuledloose,hesawthelongcordthatstrayedofftheendofoneoftherafts.He
grabbeditandtieditaroundhiswaist.
Ashelayunderwater,hislegstuggedinfrontofhimbythecurrent,Louielookeddownathisfeet.Hisleftsockwaspuleduponhisshin;hisrighthadslippedhalfwayoff.Hewatcheditflapinthecurrent.Then,inthemurkyblurbeyondit,hesawthehuge,gapingmouthofasharkemergeoutofthedarkness
andrushstraightathislegs.
Louierecoiled,pulinghislegstowardhisbody.Thecurrentwastoostrongforhimtogethislegsbeneathhim,buthewasabletoswingthemtotheside,awayfromtheshark’smouth.Thesharkkeptcoming,directlyatLouie’shead.LouierememberedtheadviceoftheoldmaninHonolulu:Makeathreateningexpression,then
stiff-armtheshark’ssnout.Asthesharklungedforhishead,Louiebaredhisteeth,widenedhiseyes,andrammedhispalmintothetipoftheshark’snose.Thesharkflinched,circledaway,thenswambackforasecondpass.Louiewaiteduntilthesharkwasinchesfromhim,thenstruckitinthenoseagain.Again,thesharkpeeledaway.
Above,thebuletshad
stoppedcoming.Asquicklyashecould,Louiepuledhimselfalongthecorduntilhereachedtheraft.Hegrabbeditswalandliftedhimselfclearoftheshark.
MacandPhilwerelyingtogetherinthefetalposition.Theywereabsolutelystil,andbuletholesdappledtheraftaroundthem.LouieshookMac.Macmadeasound.Louieaskedifhe’d
beenhit.Macsaidno.LouiespoketoPhil.Philsaidhewasokay.
Thebombercircledbackforanothergo.PhilandMacplayeddead,andLouietippedbackintotheocean.Asbuletsknifedthewateraroundhim,thesharkcameathim,andagainLouiebumpeditssnoutandrepeledit.Thenasecondsharkchargedathim.Louiehungthere,gyratingin
thewaterandflailinghisarmsandlegs,asthesharkssnappedathimandthebuletscamedown.Themomentthebomberspedoutoffiringrange,heclamberedontotheraftagain.PhilandMacwerestilunhit.
FourmoretimestheJapanesestrafedthem,sendingLouieintothewatertokickandpunchatthesharksuntilthebomberhadpassed.Though
hefoughtthemtothepointofexhaustion,hewasnotbitten.Everytimeheemergedfromthewater,hewascertainthatPhilandMacwouldbedead.
Impossibly,thoughtherewerebuletholesalthewayaroundthemen,eveninthetinyspacesbetweenthem,notonebulethadhiteitherman.
Thebombercrewmadealastgestureofsadism.Theplane
circledback,andLouieduckedintothewateragain.Theplane’sbombbaydoorsroledopen,andadepthchargetumbledout,splashingdownsomefiftyfeetfromtherafts.Themenbracedthemselvesforanexplosion,butnonecame.Eitherthechargewasadudorthebombardierhadforgottentoarmit.IftheJapanesearethisinept,Philthought,Americawillwinthiswar.
Louieroledbackontotheraftandcolapsed.Whenthebombercameback,hewastootiredtogooverboard.Astheplanepassedafinaltime,Louie,Mac,andPhillaystil.Thegunnersdidn’tfire.Thebomberflewwestanddisappeared.
——
Phil’srafthadbeenslashedintwo.Abulethadstruckthe
airpumpandricochetedstraightacrossthebaseoftheraft,slittingitfromendtoend.
Everythingthathadbeenintherafthadbeenlostinthewater.Becausetheruinedraftwasmadefromrubberizedcanvas,itdidn’tsink,butitwasEverythingthathadbeenintherafthadbeenlostinthewater.Becausetheruinedraftwasmadefromrubberized
canvas,itdidn’tsink,butitwasobviouslyfarbeyondrepair.Shrunkenandformless,itlappedaboutontheoceansurface.
ThemenweresardinedtogetheronwhatremainedofMacandLouie’sraft,whichwasfartoosmalforalthreeofthem.Thecanvaswasspeckledwithtinybuletholes.Therafthadtwoairchambers,butbothwere
punctured.Eachtimeoneofthemenmoved,airsighedoutofthechambersandthecanvaswrinkledalittlemore.Theraftsatlowerandlowerinthewater.Thesharkswhippedaroundit,surelyexcitedbythebulets,thesightandsmelofmeninthewater,andthesinkingraft.
Asthemensattogether,exhaustedandinshock,asharklungedupoverawalof
theraft,mouthopen,tryingtodragamanintotheocean.Someonegrabbedanoarandhittheshark,anditslidoff.Thenanothersharkjumpedonand,afterit,another.Themengrippedtheoarsandwheeledabout,franticalyswingingatthesharks.Astheyturnedandswungandthesharksfloppedup,airwasforcedoutofthebuletholes,andtheraftsankdeeper.
Soon,partoftheraftwascompletelysubmerged.
Ifthemendidn’tgetairintotheraftimmediately,thesharkswouldtakethem.Onepumphadbeenlostinthestrafing;onlytheonefromMacandLouie’sraftremained.Themenhookedituptooneofthetwovalvesandtookturnspumpingashardastheycould.Airflowedintothechamberand
seepedoutthroughthebuletholes,butthemenfoundthatiftheypumpedveryquickly,justenoughairpassedthroughtherafttoliftitupinthewaterandkeepitmostlyinflated.Thesharkskeptcoming,andthemenkeptbeatingthemaway.
AsPhilandMacpumpedandstruckatthesharks,Louiegropedfortheprovisionspocketandgrabbedthe
patchingkit,whichcontainedsheetsofpatchingmaterial,atubeofglue,andsandpapertoroughenuptheraftsurfacesothegluecouldadhere.Thefirstproblemdeclareditselfimmediately:Thesandpaperwasn’twaterproof.WhenLouiepuleditout,onlythepaperemerged;thesandthathadbeenstucktoithadwashedoff.Fortheumpteenthtime,Louiecursedwhoeverhadstockedtheraft.
Hehadtodevisesomethingthatcouldetchupthepatchareasothegluewouldstick.Heponderedtheproblem,thenpickedupthebrassmirrorthathehadusedtohailthebomber.Usingthepliers,hecutthreeteethintotheedgeofthemirror.
PhilandMackeptfightingthesharksoff.
Louiebeganpatching,
startingwiththeholesonthetopoftheraft.Heliftedtheperforatedareaclearofthewater,wipedthewaterfromthesurface,andhelditawayfromthewaves,lettingitdryinthesun.Then,witheachperforation,heusedthemirroredgetocutanXacrossthehole.Thematerialconsistedoftwolayersofcanvaswithrubberbetween.AftercuttingtheX,hepeeledbackthecanvastorevealthe
rubberlayer,usedthemirrortoscratchuptherubber,squeezedglueontoit,andstuckthepatchon.Thenhewaitedforthesuntodrytheglue.Sometimes,awhitecapwoulddrenchthepatchbeforeitdried,andhe’dhavetobeginagain.
AsLouieworked,keepinghiseyesonthepatches,thesharkskeptsnappingathim.Growingwiser,theygaveup
flingingthemselveshaphazardlyatthemenandbeganstalkingabout,waitingforamomentwhenanoarwasdownorabackwasturnedbeforebulingtheirwayaboard.Overandoveragain,theylungedatLouiefrombehind,wherehecouldn’tseethem.MacandPhilsmackedthemaway.
Hourafterhour,themenworked,rotatingtheduties,
clumsywithfatigue.Thepumpingwasanenormousexertionforthediminishedmen.Theyfoundthatinsteadofstandingthepumpupandpushingthehandledownward,itwaseasiertopressthepumphandletotheirchestsandpulthebasetowardthemselves.Althreemenwereindispensable.Hadtherebeenonlytwo,theycouldn’thavepumped,patched,andrepeledthe
sharks.Forthefirsttimeontheraft,Macwastrulyhelpful.Hewasbarelystrongenoughtopulthepumphandleafewtimesinarow,butwiththeoarhekepteverysharkaway.
Nightfel.Inthedarkness,patchingwasimpossible,butthepumpingcouldn’tbestopped.Theypumpedalnightlong,sodrainedthattheylostthefeelingintheir
arms.
Inthemorningthepatchingresumed.Therateofairlossgradualylessened,andtheywereabletorestforlongerperiods.Eventualy,theairheldenoughforthemtobeginbriefsleeprotations.
Oncethetopwaspatched,therewastheproblemofpatchingthebottom,whichwasunderwater.Althreemen
squeezedontoonesideoftheraft,balancingononeairtube.Theyopenedupthevalveandlettheairoutofthesidetheyweren’tsittingon,lifteditclearofthewater,turneditoversothebottomfacedskyward,wipeditoff,andheldituptodry.ThenLouiebeganpatching.Whenthathalfofthebottomwaspatched,theyreinflatedit,crawledontotherepairedside,deflatedtheotherside,
andrepeatedtheprocess.Again,whitecapsrepeatedlywashedovertheraftandspoiledthepatches,andeverythinghadtoberedone.
Finaly,theycouldfindnomoreholestopatch.Becausebubbleskeptcominguparoundthesidesoftheraft,theyknewtherewereholessomeplacewheretheycouldn’treach.Theyhadtolivewiththem.Thepatches
hadslowedtheairlossdramaticaly.Evenwhenstruckbywhitecaps,thepatchesheld.
Themenfoundthattheycouldcutbackontheirpumpingtoonesessioneveryfifteenminutesorsoduringtheday,andnoneatnight.Withtheraftnowreasonablyinflated,thesharksstoppedattacking.
——
LosingPhil’sraftwasaheavyblow.Notonlyhadtheylostaloftheitemsstoredonit,butnowthreemenwerewedgedinatwo-manraft,soclosetogetherthattomove,eachmanhadtoasktheotherstogivehimroom.Therewassolittlespacethattheyhadtotaketurnsstraighteningtheirlegs.Atnight,theyhadtosleepina
bonypile,feettohead.
Buttwogoodthingscamefromthestrafing.Lookingatthedeadraft,Louiethoughtofauseforit.Usingthepliers,hepuledapartthelayersofcanvasontheruinedraft,creatingalarge,lightsheet.Atlast,theyhadacanopytoblockthesunindaytimeandthecoldatnight.
Theotherbenefitofthe
strafingwastheinformationitgavethemen.Whentheyhadamomenttocolectthemselves,LouieandPhildiscussedtheJapanesebomber.TheythoughtthatitmusthavecomefromtheMarshalorGilbertislands.Iftheywererightintheirbeliefthattheyweredriftingdirectlywest,thentheMarshalsandGilbertswereroughlyequidistantfromthem.Theythoughtthatthe
bomberhadprobablybeenonseasearch,andiftheJapanesefolowedthesameseasearchproceduresastheAmericans,itwouldhavetakenoffataroundsevenA.M.,afewhoursbeforeithadreachedtherafts.
Estimatingthebomber’scruisingspeedandrange,theymaderoughcalculationstoarriveathowmanyhoursthebombercouldremain
airborneafteritleftthem,andthushowfartheywerefromitsbase.Theyguessedthattheyweresome850milesfromthebomber’sbase.Ifthiswascorrect,giventhattheyhadcrashedabout2,000mileseastoftheMarshalsandGilberts,theyhadalreadytraveledmorethanhalfthedistancetothoseislandsandwerecoveringmorethan40milesperday.Philthoughtoverthenumbersandwas
surprised.Theyhadhadnoideathattheyweresofarwest.
Extrapolatingfromthesefigures,theymadeeducatedguessesofwhenthey’dreachtheislands.Philguessedtheforty-sixthday;Louieguessedtheforty-seventh.Iftheirfigureswereright,theyweregoingtohavetolastabouttwiceaslongasRickenbacker.Thatmeant
survivingontheraftforalmostthreemoreweeks.
Itwasfrighteningtoimaginewhatmightawaitthemonthoseislands.Thestrafinghadconfirmedwhatthey’dheardabouttheJapanese.Butitwasgoodtofeeloriented,toknowthattheyweredriftingtowardlandsomewhereoutthere,onthefarsideoftheearth’stilt.Thebomberhadgiventhem
somethingtogroundtheirhope.
Macdidn’tjoininontheprognostication.Hewasslippingaway.
Sixteen
SingingintheClouds
LOUIESATAWAKE,LOOKINGINTOTHESEA.PHILWASASLEEP.Mac
wasvirtualycatatonic.
Twosharks,abouteightfeetlong,wereplacidlycirclingtheraft.Eachtimeoneslidpast,Louiestudieditsskin.Hehadbangedsharksonthenosemanytimesbuthadneverrealyfeltthehide,whichwassaidtofeellikesandpaper.Curious,hedroppedahandintothewaterandlaiditlightlyonapassingshark,feelingitsbackand
dorsalfinasitslidbeneathhim.Itfeltrough,justaseveryonesaid.Thesharkswishedon.Thesecondsharkpassed,andLouieagainlethishandfolowitsbody.Beautiful,hethought.
Soonafter,Louienoticedsomethingodd.Bothsharksweregone.Neverinfourweekshadthesharksleft.Louiegotuponhiskneesandleanedoutoverthewater,
lookingasfardownashecould,puzzled.Nosharks.
Hewaskneelingthere,perchedovertheedgeoftheraft,whenoneofthesharksthathehadtouchedleaptfromthewateratterrificspeed,mouthwideopen,lungingstraightathishead.Louiethrewbothhandsinfrontofhisface.Thesharkcolidedwithhimhead-on,tryingtogetitsmoutharound
hisupperbody.Louie,hishandsontheanimal’ssnout,shovedashardashecould,andthesharksplashedbackintothewater.Amomentlater,thesecondsharkjumpedup.Louiegrabbedanoarandstruckthesharkinthenose,anditjerkedbackandslidaway.Thenthefirstsharklungedforhimagain.Louiewasrecoilingwhenhesawanoarswingpast,sendingtheanimalbackward
intotheocean.ToLouie’ssurprise,itwasn’tPhilwhohadsavedhim.ItwasMac.
Louiehadnotimetothankhim.Oneofthesharksjumpedupagain,folowedbytheother.LouieandMacsatsidebyside,clubbingeachsharkasitlungedatthem.Macwasanewman.Amomentbefore,hehadseemedalmostcomatose.Nowhewasinfusedwith
franticenergy.
Forseveralminutes,thesharkstookturnsbelyingontotheraftwithgapingmouths,alwayslaunchingthemselvesfromthesamespot.Finaly,theygaveup.LouieandMaccolapsed.Phil,whohadbeenstartledawakebuthadbeenunabletohelpbecausetherewereonlytwooars,staredatthemingroggyconfusion.
“Whathappened?”hesaid.
LouielookedatMacwithhappyamazementandtoldhimhowgratefulandproudofhimhewas.Mac,crumpledonthebottomoftheraft,smiledback.
Hehadpushedhimselfbeyondhisbody’scapacities,butthefrightened,childlikeexpressionhadlefthisface.Machadreclaimedhimself.
——
Louiewasfuriousatthesharks.Hehadthoughtthattheyhadanunderstanding:Themenwouldstayoutofthesharks’turf—thewater—andthesharkswouldstayoffoftheirs—theraft.Thatthesharkshadtakenshotsathimwhenhehadgoneoverboard,andwhentherafthadbeenmostlysubmergedafterthestrafing,hadseemedfair
enough.ButtheirattempttopoachmenfromtheirreinflatedraftstruckLouieasdirtypool.Hestewedalnight,scowledhatefulyatthesharksalday,andeventualymadeadecision.Ifthesharksweregoingtotrytoeathim,hewasgoingtotrytoeatthem.
Hekneltbytheraftwalandwatchedthesharks,searchingforabeatableopponent.One
thatlookedaboutfivefeetlongpassed.Louiethoughthecouldtakeit.LouieandPhilmadeaplan.
Theyhadalittlebaitontheraft,probablytheremainsoftheirlastbird.Philhungitonafishhookandstrungitintothewateratoneendoftheraft.Attheotherend,Louieknelt,facingthewater.Smelingthebait,thesharkswamtowardPhil,orientingitself
sothatitstailwasunderLouie.Louieleanedasfaroverboardashecouldwithoutlosinghisbalance,plungedbothhandsintothewater,andgrabbedthetail.Thesharktookoff.Louie,grippingthetail,flewoutoftheraftandcrashedintothewater,sendingalargeservingofthePacificuphisnose.ThesharkwhippeditstailandflungLouieoff.Louieboltedbackontotheraftsoquickly
thathelaterhadnomemoryofhowhehaddoneit.
Soakingandembarrassed,Louierethoughthisplan.Hisfirsterrorhadbeenoneofappraisal:Sharkswerestrongerthantheylooked.Hissecondhadbeentofailtobracehimselfproperly.Histhirdhadbeentoalowtheshark’stailtostayinthewater,givingtheanimalsomethingtopushagainst.He
settledintowaitforasmalershark.
Intime,asmalerone,perhapsfourfeetlong,arrived.Louiekneltattheraft’sside,tippinghisweightbackwardandkeepinghiskneesfaraparttobracehimself.Phildangledabaitedhookinthewater.
Thesharkswamforthebait.Louieclappedhishands
aroundthetailandheaveditoutofthewater.Thesharkthrashed,butcouldneithergetfreenorpulLouieintothewater.Louiedraggedtheanimalontotheraft.Thesharktwistedandsnapped,andPhilgrabbedaflarecartridgeandjammeditintotheshark’smouth.Pinningthesharkdown,Louietookthepliersandstabbedthescrewdriverendofthehandlethroughtheanimal’seye.The
sharkdiedinstantly.
InhisHonolulusurvivalcourse,Louiehadbeentoldthattheliverwastheonlypartofasharkthatwasedible.Gettingatitwasnomeanfeat.Evenwithaknife,sharkskinisaboutaseasytocutasacoatofmail;withonlytheedgeofamirrortocutwith,thelaborwasdraining.Aftermuchsawing,Louiemanagedtobreakthe
skin.Thefleshunderneathstankofammonia.Louiecuttheliverout,anditwassizable.Theyateiteagerly,givingMacalargerportion,andforthefirsttimesincebreakfastonMay27,theywerealful.Therestofthesharkreeked,sotheythrewitoverboard.Later,usingthesametechnique,theycaughtasecondsharkandagainatetheliver.
Amongthesharks,wordseemedtogetaround;nomoresmalsharkscamenear.Largesharks,someaslongastwelvefeet,lumberedalongsidetheraft,butLouiethoughtbetteroftakingthemon.Themen’sstomachsweresoonemptyagain.
Macwasinasharpdownwardspiral.Herarelymoved.Althreemenhadlostastaggeringamountof
weight,butMachadshriveledthemost.Hiseyes,sunkenintheirsockets,staredoutlifelessly.
——
Itwasnightfalsomewherearoundthethirtiethday.Themenwentthroughtheirusualroutine,bailingwaterintotheraftandentwiningthemselvesforwarmth.Theskywasclearandstarry,andthe
moonshoneonthewater.Themenfelasleep.
Louiewoketoatremendouscrash,stingingpain,andthesensationofweightlessness.Hiseyessnappedopenandherealizedthathe,Mac,andPhilwereairborne.Theyfloppeddowntogetherontotheraftandtwistedaboutinconfusion.Somethinghadstruckthebottomoftheraftwithawesomepower.
Thegarden-varietysharksthatmadeuptheirentourageweren’tlargeenoughtohitthemwithsuchforce,andhadneverbehavedinthisway.
Lookingoverthesideoftheraft,theysawit.Swelingupfromunderthewatercamealeviathan:avastwhitemouth,abroadbackpartingthesurface,andalongdorsalfin,ghostlyinthemoonlight.Theanimalwassometwentyfeet
long,morethanthreetimesthelengthoftheraft.Louierecognizeditsfeaturesfromhissurvivalschooltraining.Itwasagreatwhiteshark.
Asthecastawayswatchedinterrifiedsilence,thesharkswamthelengthofonesideoftheraft,thenbentaroundtotheotherside,exploringit.Pausingonthesurface,itswisheditstailaway,thenslappeditintotheraft,
sendingtheraftskiddingsidewaysandsplashingawaveofwaterintothemen.Louie,
Mac,andPhilcameupontheirkneesinthecenteroftheraftandclungtooneanother.Thesharkbegantoswimaroundtotheotherside.Louiewhispered,“Don’tmakeanoise!”Againcamethemightyswing,theshowerofwater,thejoltthroughtheraftandthemen.
Aroundandaroundthesharkwent,drenchingtheraftwith
eachpass.Itseemedtobeplayingwiththeraft.Witheverypass,themencringedandwaitedtobecapsized.Finaly,thegreatbackslidunder,andtheseasmoothedbehindit.Itdidnotsurfaceagain.
Louie,Phil,andMaclaydownagain.Thewateraroundthemwasnowcold,andnoneofthemcouldsleep.
——
Thenextmorning,Maccouldnolongersitup.Helayontheflooroftheraft,littlemorethanawrinkledmummy,hisgazefixedfaraway.
Onelastalbatrosslanded.Louiecaughtit,wrencheditsheadoff,andhandedittoPhil.PhilturneditupsidedownoverMacandletthe
bloodflowintohismouth.AsLouieandPhilatethemeat,dippingitintotheoceantogiveitflavor,theyfedbitstoMac,butitdidn’trevivehim.
Insubsequentdays,Macbecameafaintwhisperofaman.Hiswatertinsrandry.WhenPhilopenedhistinandtookasipofthelittlehehadleft,Macaskedifhecoulddrinkfromit.ForPhil,thirsthadbeenthecruelesttrial,
andheknewthatthewaterleftinhistin,essentialtohisownsurvival,couldn’tsaveMac.HegentlytoldMacthathedidn’thaveenoughlefttoshare.LouiewassympathetictoPhil,buthecouldn’tbringhimselftorefuseMac.Hegavehimasmalsipofhisownwater.
Thatevening,Philheardasmalvoice.ItwasMac,askingLouieifhewasgoing
todie.LouielookedoveratMac,whowaswatchinghim.LouiethoughtitwouldbedisrespectfultolietoMac,whomighthavesomethingthatheneededtosayordobeforelifelefthim.Louietoldhimthathethoughthe’ddiethatnight.Machadnoreaction.PhilandLouielaydown,puttheirarmsaroundMac,andwenttosleep.
Sometimethatnight,Louie
wasliftedfromsleepbyabreathysound,adeepoutrushingofair,slowandfinal.Heknewwhatitwas.
FrancisMcNamaraonMay26,1943,thedaybeforethecrash.CourtesyofLouisZamperini
——
SergeantFrancisMcNamarahadbegunhislastjourney
withapanickedact,consumingtherafts’preciousfoodstores,andindoingso,hehadplacedhimselfandhisraftmatesinthedeepestjeopardy.Butinthelastdaysofhislife,inthestruggleagainstthedeflatingraftandthejumpingsharks,hehadgivenalhehadleft.Itwasn’tenoughtosavehim—ithadprobablyhastenedhisdeath—butitmayhavemadethedifferencebetweenlifeand
deathforPhilandLouie.HadMacnotsurvivedthecrash,LouieandPhilmightwelhavebeendeadbythatthirty-thirdday.Inhisdyingdays,Machadredeemedhimself.
Inthemorning,PhilwrappedMac’sbodyinsomething,probablypartoftheruinedraft.TheykneltoverthebodyandsaidaloudalofthegoodthingstheyknewofMac,laughingalittleathis
penchantformesshalpie.Louiewantedtogivehimareligiouseulogybutdidn’tknowhow,sohereciteddisjointedpassagesthatherememberedfrommovies,endingwithafewwordsaboutcommittingthebodytothesea.AndheprayedforhimselfandPhil,vowingthatifGodwouldsavethem,hewouldserveheavenforever.
Whenhewasdone,Louie
liftedtheshroudedbodyinhisarms.Itfeltasifitweighednomorethanfortypounds.LouiebentoverthesideoftheraftandgentlyslidMacintothewater.Macsankaway.Thesharkslethimbe.
Thenextnight,LouieandPhilcompletedtheirthirty-fourthdayontheraft.Thoughtheydidn’tknowit,theyhadpassedwhatwasalmostcertainlytherecord
forsurvivaladriftinaninflatedraft.Ifanyonehadsurvivedlonger,theyhadn’tlivedtotelaboutit.
——
Theraftbobbedwestward.Petulantstormscameovernowandthen,rainingenoughtokeepthewatersupplysteady.Becausethewaterrationwasnowdividedbytwoinsteadofthree,each
manhadmoretodrink.Louiemadeahookoutofhislieutenant’spinandcaughtonefishbeforethepinbroke.
PhilandLouiecouldseethebendoftheirthighbonesundertheirskin,theirkneesbulginginthecentersofbirdlikelegs,theirbeliesholow,theirribsstark.Eachmanhadgrownaweedybeard.Theirskinglowedyelowfromtheleachedraftdye,and
theirbodieswerepatternedwithsaltsores.Theyheldtheirsun-scorchedeyestothehorizon,searchingforland,buttherewasnone.Theirhungerdimmed,anominoussign.Theyhadreachedthelaststageofstarvation.
Onemorning,theywoketoastrangestilness.Theriseandfaloftherafthadceased,anditsatvirtualymotionless.Therewasnowind.The
oceanstretchedoutinaldirectionsinglossysmoothness,regardingtheskyandreflectingitsimageincrystalineperfection.Liketheancientmariner,LouieandPhilhadfoundthedoldrums,theeeriepauseofwindandwaterthatlingersaroundtheequator.Theywere,asColeridgewrote,“asidleasapaintedshipuponapaintedocean.”
Itwasanexperienceoftranscendence.Philwatchedthesky,whisperingthatitlookedlikeapearl.Thewaterlookedsosolidthatitseemedtheycouldwalkacrossit.Whenafishbrokethesurfacefaraway,thesoundcarriedtothemenwithabsoluteclarity.Theywatchedaspristineringletsofwatercircledoutwardaroundtheplacewherethefishhadpassed,thenfadedtostilness.
outwardaroundtheplacewherethefishhadpassed,thenfadedtostilness.
Forawhiletheyspoke,sharingtheirwonder.Thentheyfelintoreverentsilence.Theirsufferingwassuspended.Theyweren’thungryorthirsty.Theywereunawareoftheapproachofdeath.
Ashewatchedthisbeautiful,
stilworld,Louieplayedwithathoughtthathadcometohimbefore.Hehadthoughtitashehadwatchedhuntingseabirds,marvelingattheirabilitytoadjusttheirdivestocompensatefortherefractionoflightinwater.Hehadthoughtitashehadconsideredthepleasinggeometryofthesharks,theirgradationofcolor,theirslidethroughthesea.Heevenrecaledthethoughtcoming
tohiminhisyouth,whenhehadlainontheroofofthecabinintheCahuilaIndianReservation,lookingupfromZaneGreytowatchnightsettlingovertheearth.Suchbeauty,hethought,wastooperfecttohavecomeaboutbymerechance.ThatdayinthecenterofthePacificwas,tohim,agiftcrafteddeliberately,compassionately,forhimandPhil.
Joyfulandgratefulinthemidstofslowdying,thetwomenbathedinthatdayuntilsunsetbroughtit,andtheirtimeinthedoldrums,toanend.
——
Givenhowbadlythemen’sbodieswerefaring,itwouldseemlikelythattheirminds,too,wouldbegintofail.Butmorethanfiveweeksinto
theirordeal,bothLouieandPhilwereenjoyingremarkableprecisionofmind,andwereconvincedthattheyweregrowingsharpereveryday.Theycontinuedquizzingeachother,chasingeachother’sstoriesdowntothesmalestdetail,teachingeachothermelodiesandlyrics,andcookingimaginarymeals.
Louiefoundthattheraftofferedanunlikelyintel
ectualrefuge.Hehadneverrecognizedhownoisythecivilizedworldwas.Here,driftinginalmosttotalsilence,withnoscentsotherthanthesingedodoroftheraft,noflavorsonhistongue,nothingmovingbuttheslowprocessionofsharkfins,everyvistaemptysavewaterandsky,histimeunvariedandunbroken,hismindwasfreedofanencumbrancethatcivilizationhadimposedon
it.Inhishead,hecouldroamanywhere,andhefoundthathismindwasquickandclear,hisimaginationunfetteredandsupple.Hecouldstaywithathoughtforhours,turningitabout.
Hehadalwaysenjoyedexcelentrecal,butontheraft,hismemorybecameinfinitelymorenimble,reachingbackfurther,offeringdetailthathadonceescapedhim.One
day,tryingtopinpointhisearliestmemory,hesawatwo-storybuildingand,inside,astairwaybrokenintotwopartsofsixstepseach,withalandinginbetween.Hewasthereintheimage,atinychildtoddlingalongthestairs.Ashecrawleddownthefirstsetofstepsandmovedtowardtheedgeofthelanding,atalyelowdogsteppedinfrontofhimtostophimfromtumblingoff.It
washisparents’dog,Askim,whomtheyhadhadinOlean,whenLouiewasverylittle.Louiehadneverrememberedhimbefore.*
——
Onthefortiethday,LouiewaslyingbesidePhilunderthecanopywhenheabruptlysatup.Hecouldhearsinging.Hekeptlistening;itsoundedlikeachoir.
HenudgedPhilandaskedhimifheheardanything.Philsaidno.Louieslidthecanopyoffandsquintedintothedaylight.Theoceanwasafeaturelessflatness.Helookedup.
Abovehim,floatinginabrightcloud,hesawhumanfigures,silhouettedagainstthesky.Hecountedtwenty-oneofthem.Theyweresingingthesweetestsonghe
hadeverheard.
Louiestaredup,astonished,listeningtothesinging.Whathewasseeingandhearingwasimpossible,andyethefeltabsolutelylucid.Thiswas,hefeltcertain,nohalucination,novision.Hesatunderthesingers,listeningtotheirvoices,memorizingthemelody,untiltheyfadedaway.
Philhadheardandseennothing.Whateverthishadbeen,Louieconcluded,itbelongedtohimalone.
——
Onthemendrifted.Severaldayspassedwithnofoodandnorain.Theraftwasagelatinousmess,itspatchesbarelyholdingon,somespotsbubblingoutward,onthevergeofpopping.Itwouldn’t
bearthemen’sweightmuchlonger.
Inthesky,Philnoticedsomethingdifferent.Thereweremorebirds.Thentheybegantohearplanes.Sometimesthey’dseeatinyspeckinthesky,sometimestwoormoretogether,makingadistantbuzz.Theywerealwaysmuchtoofarawaytobesignaled,andbothmenknewthatasfarwestasthey
hadprobablydrifted,theseplanesweresurelyJapanese.Asthedayspassed,moreandmorespecksappeared,everydayarrivingearlier.
Louiehadcometolovesunriseandthewarmthitbrought,andeachmorninghe’dliewithhiseyesonthehorizon,awaitingit.OnthemorningofJuly12,theforty-sixthday,thedaythatPhilhadpickedfortheirarrivalat
land,nosunrisecame.Therewasonlyagradual,gloomyiluminationofabroodingsky.
PhilandLouielookedupapprehensively.Thewindcaughtthemsharply.Theseabegantoarchitsbackundertheraft,sendingthemenuptodizzyingheights.Louielookedoutoverthechurningwaterandthoughthowlovelyitwas.Philwasfondofroler-coasteringoverthebig
swelsthatcamewithstorms,thriledasheskiddeddownoneandturnedhisfaceuptoseethesummitofthenext,butthiswasominous.
Tothewest,somethingappeared,sofarawaythatitcouldbeglimpsedonlyfromthetopsoftheswels.Itwasalow,gray-greenwiggleonthehorizon.
PhilandLouiewouldlater
disagreeonwhosawitfirst,butthemomenttheseatossedthemup,thehorizonroledwestward,andtheireyesgraspedit,theyknewwhatitwas.
Itwasanisland.
*Askimwasnotoriousforhiskleptomania;theZamperinislivedaboveagrocery,andthedogmaderegularshopliftingrunsdownstairs,snatching
foodandfleeing.Hisnamewasacleverjoke:Whenpeopleaskedwhatthedog’snamewas,theywereinvariablyconfusedbythereply,whichsoundedlike“Askhim.”
Seventeen
Typhoon
ALLDAY,UNDERADARK,GYRATINGSKY,
LOUIEANDPHILrodetheswels,strainingtheireyeswestwardandfeelingawearythrilasthebumponthehorizonpeekedintoview.Slowly,asthecurrentcarriedthemtowardit,theislandbecamemoredistinct.Theycouldseeabrightwhitelinewherewavesdashedagainstsomething,maybeabeach,maybeareef.Intheafternoon,oneislandbecametwo,andthenadozenorso,
lineduplikerailcars.Thecastawayshadexpectedthatiftheyeversawland,they’dberapturous.Instead,theydiscusseditmatter-of-factly.Theyweretooweakforanythingmore,andtherewerepressingworries.Overhead,ahugestormwasgathering.
Intraining,LouieandPhilhadmemorizedthegeographyofthecentral
Pacific.TheyknewthattheislandsaheadhadtobepartoftheGilbertsorMarshals,enemyterritory.Betweenthem,thetwoislandgroupshaddozensofatolsandislands,sotherewasagoodlikelihoodthattherewereplacesunoccupiedbytheJapanese.LouieandPhildecidedtohangoffshoreuntiltheyfoundanislandthatlookeduninhabited,orinhabitedonlybynatives.
Theybeganrowingoverthewind-chappedsea,turningparaleltotheislandssotheycouldwaituntilnighttoslipashore.
Theskybrokealatonce.Asudden,slashingraincamedown,andtheislandsvanished.Theoceanbeganheavingandthrashing.Thewindslappedtheraftinonedirection,thenanother,sendingitspinningupswels,
perhapsfortyfeet,thencareeningdownintotroughsasdeepascanyons.PhilandLouiehaddriftedintowhatwasalmostcertainlyatyphoon.
Waveafterwaveslammedintotheraft,tippingitsidewaysandpeelingitupward,onthevergeofoverturning.Totrytostopitfromflipping,LouieandPhilbailedinwaterasbalast,
positionedthemselvesonoppositesidestobalancetheirweight,andlayontheirbackstokeepthecenterofgravitylow.
Knowingthatiftheywerethrownloose,they’dnevergetbackin,Louiereeledintheraftcord,loopeditaroundthecushionsewnintothecenteroftheraft,threadeditthroughagrommet,thenwounditaroundhiswaistand
Phil’swaist,pulingittaut.Theypushedtheirfeetunderthecushion,leanedback,andheldon.
Nightfel,andthestormpounded.Theraftracedupanddownhundredsofmountainsofwater.Attimes,inthedarkness,theyfeltthestrangelightnessofflyingastheraftwassweptintotheairoffthetopsofthewaves.Louiefeltmoreintensely
afraidthanhehadfeltasGreenHornetwasfaling.Acrossfromhim,Phillayingrimsilence.Bothmenthoughtofthenearnessofthelandtheycouldnolongersee.Theyfearedthatanysecond,they’dbeflungintoareef.
Sometimeinthenight,thestormsaggedandsoftened,thenmovedon.*Theswelsremained,buttheirtopsbecamesmooth.Louieand
Philfreedthemselvesfromtheraftcordandawaiteddaylight.
Inthedark,theycouldsmelsoil,greenness,rainwashingoverlivingthings.Itwasthesmelofland.Itflirtedwiththemalnight,growingstronger.Asdawnneared,theycouldhearthehissofwaterscouringareef.Exhausted,theydecidedtotaketurnsnapping,withone
manonthelookoutforland.
Somewherealongtheway,theybothfelasleep.
——
Theywokeinanewuniverse.Theyhaddriftedintotheembraceoftwosmalislands.Ononeisland,theysawhuts,treesheavywithfruit,butnopeople.
TheyhadheardoftheJapaneseenslavingnativepopulationsandmovingthemenmasseofftheirhomeislands,andtheythoughtthatperhapsthishadbeenthefateofthisisland’sinhabitants.Theypuledtheirshoesovertheirsore-pockedfeetandbeganrowingforshore.Fromoverheadcamethewhineofengines.TheylookedupandsawZerosloopingthroughcombatmaneuvers,fartoo
highfortheirpilotstonoticetheraftbelow.Theyrowedon.
Louiehadpredictedthatthey’dfindlandontheforty-seventhday.Philhadchosenthedaybefore.BecausetheyhadspottedlandonthedayPhilhadchosenandwereabouttoreachitonthedayLouiehadchosen,theydecidedthattheyhadbothbeenright.
Theycouldseemoreislandsnow.LouiespottedatinyislandtotheirleftandpointeditouttoPhil,describingitashavingonetreeonit.Thenastrangethinghappened.Thelonetreebecametwotrees.Afteramoment’sconfusion,themensuddenlyunderstood.Itwasn’tanisland,andthoseweren’ttrees.Itwasaboat.Ithadbeenperpendiculartothem,leavingonlyonemastvisible,andthenithad
turned,bringingtherearwardmastintoview.
LouieandPhilducked.Theyrowedasfastastheycould,tryingtogettoshorebeforethesailorsspottedthem.Theyweretoolate.Theboatmadeasharpturnandspedtowardthem.Theweakenedmencouldn’trowfastenoughtoescape.Theygaveupandstopped.
Theboatdrewalongsidetheraft,andLouieandPhillookedup.Abovethemwasamachinegun,mountedontheboat’sbow.Alongthedeckstoodalineofmen,alJapanese.Eachoneheldaweapon,pointedatthecastaways.
OneoftheJapaneseopenedhisshirtandpointedtohischest.HeseemedtowanttheAmericanstodothesame.As
Louieopenedhisshirt,hebracedhimself,expectingtobeshot,butnoshotcame.Themanhadonlywantedtoseeiftheywerearmed.
Oneofthesailorsthrewaropeattheraft,andLouiecaughtit.LouieandPhiltriedtoclimbontotheboat,buttheirlegsweretooweak.Thesailorsbroughtoutaropeladder,tiedthecastawaystoit,anddraggedthemup,then
puledtheraftaboard.Onthedeck,LouieandPhilattemptedtorise,buttheirlegsbuckled.TheJapanesewereimpatientforthementomoveacrossthedeck,sotheAmericanscrawledonalfours.Whentheyreachedthemast,theywerepickedupandlashedtoit.Theirhandswereboundbehindtheirbacks.
Oneofthesailorsbegan
speakingtotheminJapanese.Heseemedtobeaskingquestions.LouieandPhilofferedresponses,tryingtoguesswhatthemanwantedtoknow.AsoldierwavedabayonetpastLouie’sface,tryingtohackoffhisbeard.AnothermancrackedapistolacrossPhil’sjaw,thenmovedtodothesametoLouie.Louietippedhisheadforwardinhopesthatthesailorwouldaimforthefrontofhisface;
whenthesailorswung,Louiejerkedhisheadback.Themanmissed,butLouiesmackedhisheadagainstthemast.
Theboat’scaptainapproachedandchastisedthecrewmen.Themoodchanged,andLouie’sandPhil’shandswereuntied.Someonegavethecastawayscigarettes,buttheendskeptlightingtheirbeardsonfire.Someoneelse
broughtthemcupsofwaterandonebiscuiteach.Louietookabiteofthebiscuitandhelditinhismouth,caressingit,feelingtheflavor.Heateslowly,savoringeachcrumb.Itwashisfirstfoodineightdays.
——
Asecondboatpuledalongsidethefirst.LouieandPhilwerehelpedontoit,and
itbeganmoving.Asitsailed,acrewmancametothecastawaysandfedthemmorebiscuitsandsomecoconut.Thenayoungsailorapproached,Japanese-Englishdictionaryinhand,andaskedquestions.PhilandLouiegavebriefaccountsoftheirjourney.
Intime,theboatdrewuptoalargeisland.Asailorapproachedwithtwo
blindfoldsandtiedthemaroundLouie’sandPhil’sheads.Mengotoneithersideofthem,grabbedtheirarms,andhalf-dragged,half-carriedthemofftheboat.Afterafewminutes,Louiefelthimselfbeinglaiddownonsomethingsoft.Hisblindfoldwastakenoff.
Hewasinsideaninfirmary,lyingonasoftmattressonanironbed.Philwasonabed
besidehis.Therewasasmalwindownearby,andthroughit,hecouldseeJapanesesoldiersthrustingbayonetsintodummies.AnofficerspoketotheJapanesesurroundingthecastaways,thenspokeinEnglish,apparentlyrepeatinghisstatementsoLouieandPhilwouldunderstandhim.
“TheseareAmericanfliers,”hesaid.“Treatthemgently.”
Adoctorcamein,smiledwarmly,andexaminedPhilandLouie,speakingEnglish.Hesmoothedointmentontheirsaltsoresandburnedlips,palpatedtheirabdomens,tooktheirtemperaturesandpulses,andpronouncedthemhealthy.LouieandPhilwerehelpedtotheirfeetandledtoascale.Theytookturnsstandingonit,eachwithamanreadytocatchhimifhislegsfailed.
Philhadweighedabout150poundswhenhehadsteppedaboardGreenHornet.Louie’swardiary,begunshortlyafterhearrivedinHawaii,notedthatheweighed155pounds.Hebelievedthatweighttraininghadaddedanother5poundsbythetimeofthecrash.NowPhilweighedabout80pounds.
Accordingtodifferentaccounts,five-foot,ten-inch
Louieweighed67pounds,79.5pounds,or87pounds.Whatevertheexactnumber,eachmanhadlostabouthalfofhisbodyweight,ormore.
Onthedoctor’sorders,incameabottleofRussiancognacandtwoglasses,whichLouieandPhilquicklyemptied.Thencameaplatterofeggs,ham,milk,freshbread,fruitsalad,andcigarettes.Thecastawaysdug
in.Whentheyweredone,theywerehelpedintoanotherroomandseatedbeforeagroupofJapaneseofficers,whogapedattheshrunken,canaryyelowmen.Anofficer,speakingEnglish,askedhowtheyhadendedupthere.LouietoldthestoryastheJapaneselistenedinsilentfascination,tracingthejourneyonamap.
LouieandPhilknewwhere
theirjourneyhadbegun,butdidnotyetknowwhereithadended.Theofficerstoldthem.TheywereonanatolintheMarshalIslands.Theyhaddriftedtwothousandmiles.
AsJapaneseservicemencrowdedaround,theraftwasspreadoutandthebuletholescounted.Therewereforty-eight.ThecuriousservicemenpressedtowardtheAmericans,butthe
officerskeptthemback.AnofficeraskedLouiewherethebuletholeshadcomefrom.LouierepliedthataJapaneseplanehadstrafedthem.Theofficersaidthatthiswasimpossible,aviolationoftheirmilitarycodeofhonor.Louiedescribedthebomberandtheattack.Theofficerslookedatoneanotherandsaidnothing.
Twobedsweremadeup,and
LouieandPhilwereinvitedtogetasmuchrestastheywished.Slippingbetweencool,cleansheets,theirstomachsful,theirsoressoothed,theyweredeeplygratefultohavebeenreceivedwithsuchcompassion.Philhadarelievedthought:Theyareourfriends.
LouieandPhilstayedintheinfirmaryfortwodays,attendedbyJapanesewho
caredforthemwithgenuineconcernfortheircomfortandhealth.Onthethirdday,thedeputycommandingofficercametothem.Hebroughtbeef,chocolate,andcoconuts—agiftfromhiscommander—aswelasnews.Afreighterwascomingtotransportthemtoanotheratol.ThenamehegavesentatremorthroughLouie:Kwajalein.ItwastheplaceknownasExecutionIsland.
“Afteryouleavehere,”Louiewouldlongremembertheofficersaying,“wecannotguaranteeyourlife.”
——
ThefreighterarrivedonJuly15.LouieandPhilweretakenintotheholdandhousedseparately.Thecaptainhadbountifulportionsoffoodsenttothem.
Theprisonersatealtheycould.
Oneofthecrueltiesofstarvationisthatabodydyingofhungeroftenrejectsthefirstfooditisgiven.Thefoodontheatolhadapparentlyagreedwiththecastaways,butnotthefoodonthefreighter.Louiespentmuchofthatdayhunchedovertheshiprailing,vomitingintothesea,whileaguardheldhim.
Phil’smeallefthimalmostasquickly,butbyadifferentroute;thatevening,hehadtobetakenonatleastsixrunstothehead.
AsthefreighterdrewuptoKwajaleinonJuly16,theJapanesebecameharsh.Oncametheblindfolds,andLouieandPhilweretakenontowhatseemedtobeabarge.Whenthebargestopped,theywerepickedup,
heavedovermen’sshoulders,andcarried.Louiefelthimselfbobbingthroughtheair,thenslappeddownonahardsurface.Philwasdroppedbesidehim.LouiesaidsomethingtoPhil,andimmediatelyfeltabootkickintohimasavoiceshouted,“No!”
Anenginestarted,andtheyweremoving.Theywereontheflatbedofatruck.Ina
fewminutes,thetruckstopped,andLouiewastuggedoutandflungoverashoulderagain.Therewaswalking,twostepsup,adarkening,thesensethatPhilwasnolongernearhim,andthedisorientingfeelingofbeingthrownbackward.Louie’sbackstruckawal,andhefeltoafloor.Someoneyankedoffhisblindfold.Adoorslammed,alockturned.
Atfirst,Louiecouldbarelysee.Hiseyesdartedaboutuncontrolably.Hismindraced,flittingincoherentlyfromthoughttothought.Afterweeksofendlessopenness,hewasdisorientedbythecompressionofthespacearoundhim.Everynerveandmuscleseemedinapanic.
Slowly,histhoughtsquietedandhiseyessettled.Hewas
inawoodencel,aboutthelengthofamanandnotmuchwiderthanhisshoulders.Overhisheadwasathatchedroof,aboutsevenfeetup.Theonlywindowwasahole,aboutafootsquare,inthedoor.Thefloorwasstrewnwithgravel,dirt,andwigglingmaggots,andtheroomhummedwithfliesandmosquitoes,alreadybeginningtoswarmontohim.Therewasaholeinthefloor
withalatrinebucketbelowit.Theairhunghotandstil,oppressivewiththestenchofhumanwaste.
Louielookedup.Inthedimlight,hesawwordscarvedintothewal:NINEMARINESMAROONEDONMAKINISLAND,AUGUST18,1942.Belowthatwerenames:RobertAlard,DalasCook,RichardDavis,JosephGifford,John
Kerns,AldenMattison,RichardOlbert,WiliamPalesen,andDonaldRoberton.
InAugust1942,afterabotchedAmericanraidonaJapanesebaseatMakinintheMarshalIslands,ninemarineshadbeenmistakenlyleftbehind.
CapturedbytheJapanese,theyhaddisappeared.Louiewasalmostcertainlythefirst
AmericantolearnthattheyhadbeentakentoKwajalein.ButotherthanPhilandLouie,therewerenoprisonersherenow.Louiefeltawaveofforeboding.
HecaledtoPhil.Phil’svoiceanswered,distantandsmal,somewheretotheleft.HewasdownthehalinasqualidholelikeLouie’s.Eachmanaskedtheotherifhewasokay.Bothknewthatthiswas
likelythelasttimetheywouldtalk,butiftheywishedtosaygood-bye,neitherhadthechance.Therewasshufflinginthecorridorasaguardtookuphisstation.LouieandPhilsaidnothingelse.
Louielookeddownathisbody.Legsthathadsprungthrougha4:12mileoverbrightsandonthatlastmorningonKualoawerenow
useless.Thevibrant,generousbodythathehadtrainedwithsuchvigilancehadshrunkenuntilonlythebonesremained,drapedinyelowskin,crawlingwithparasites.
AllIsee,hethought,isadeadbodybreathing.
Louiedissolvedintohard,rackingweeping.Hemuffledhissobssotheguardwouldn’thearhim.
*Severaldayslater,acatastrophictyphoon,almostcertainlythesamestorm,plowedintothecoastofChina,colapsinghomes,uprootingtelephonepoles,andcausingextensiveflooding.
Eighteen
ADeadBodyBreathing
SOMETHINGFLEWTHROUGHTHEWINDOWINTHEDOORofLouie’scelandstruckthefloor,breakingintowhitebits.Itwastwopiecesofhardtack,thedrybiscuitthatwasthestandardfareofsailors.Atinycupoftea—soweakthat
itwaslittlemorethanhotwater,sosmalthatitconstitutedasingleswalow
—wassetonthesil.Philreceivedfoodalso,butnowater.HeandLouiecrawledabouttheircels,pickingupsliversofbiscuitandputtingthemintotheirmouths.Aguardstoodoutside.
TherewasarustleoutsideLouie’scel,andaface
appeared.ThemangreetedLouiecheerfuly,inEnglish,byname.Louiestaredupathim.
ThemanwasaKwajaleinnative,andheexplainedthattheAmericancastawayswerethetalkoftheisland.Asportsfanatic,hehadrecognizedLouie’sname,whichLouiehadgiventohiscaptors.Prattlingabouttrack,footbal,andtheOlympics,hepaused
onlyrarelytoaskLouiequestions.OnceLouiegotoneortwowordsoff,thenativeboundedbackintohisnarrative.
Afterafewminutes,thenativeglancedathiswatchandsaidhehadtoleave.Louieaskedhimwhathadhappenedtothemarineswhosenameswerecarvedintothewal.Inthesamechippertone,thenative
repliedthatthemarinesweredead.AlofthePOWsheldonthatisland,hesaid,wereexecuted.
Asthenativewalkedout,theguardlookedchalenginglyatLouie,liftedaflattenedhandtohisthroat,andmadeaslashinggesture.Hepointedtothenamesonthewal,thentoLouie.
Thatnight,Louierestedhis
headnexttothedoor,tryingtogetasfaraspossiblefromthewastehole.Hehadonlyjustsettledtherewhenthedoorswungopenandtheguardgrabbedhimandspunhimaround,pushinghisheadagainstthehole.Louieresisted,buttheguardbecameangry.Louiegaveupandlayastheguardordered.Hecouldseethattheguardwantedhimtolieinthispositionsohecouldseehim
throughthewindowinthedoor.
Everyfewminutes,alnightlong,theguardpeeredin,makingsurethatLouiedidn’tmove.
——
Themorningoftheseconddaybegan.PhilandLouielayinswelteringsilence,thinkingthatatanymomentthey’dbe
draggedoutandbeheaded.Theguardsstalkedbackandforth,snarlingatthecaptivesanddrawingthesidesoftheirhandsacrosstheirneckswithsadisticsmiles.
ForLouie,thedigestivemiseriescontinued.Hisdiarrheabecameexplosive,andcrampsdoubledhimover.Helayunderablanketoffliesandmosquitoes,keepinghisbuttocksoverthe
wasteholeforaslongashecould,untiltheguardsnappedathimtomovehisfacebacktothehole.
Thedaypassed.Threetimes,asinglewadofrice,alittlebiggerthanagolfbal,sailedthroughthedoorwindowandbrokeagainstthefloor.Onceortwice,aswalowofteainacupwasleftonthesil,andLouiesuckeditdown.Nightcame.
Anotherdaycameandwent,thenanother.Theheatwassmothering.Licehoppedoverthecaptives’skin.MosquitoespreyedontheminswarmssothickthatwhenLouiesnappedhisfingersintoafist,thenopenedhishand,hisentirepalmwascrimson.Hisdiarrheaworsened,becomingbloody.Eachday,Louiecriedoutforadoctor.Oneday,adoctorcame.Heleanedintothecel,
lookedatLouie,chuckled,andwalkedaway.
Curleduponthegravelyfloor,bothmenfeltasiftheirboneswerewearingthroughtheirskin.Louiebeggedforablankettositon,butwasignored.Hepassedthetimetryingtostrengthenhislegs,pulinghimselfuprightandstandingforaminuteortwowhileholdingthewal,thensinkingdown.Hemissedthe
raft.
Twosipsofwateradayweren’tnearlyenoughtoreplaceLouie’storrentialfluidloss.Histhirstbecameworsethananythinghe’dknownontheraft.Hecrawledtothedoorandpleadedforwater.Theguardleft,thenreturnedwithacup.Louie,grateful,drewclosetothedoortotakeadrink.Theguardthrewscaldingwaterin
hisface.Louiewassodehydratedthathecouldn’thelpbutkeepbegging.Atleastfourmoretimes,theresponsewasthesame,leavingLouie’sfacespeckledwithblisters.Louieknewthatdehydrationmightkilhim,andpartofhimhopeditwould.
Oneday,ashelayinmisery,Louieheardsinging.Thevoiceshehadheardoverthe
rafthadcometohimagain.Helookedaroundhiscel,butthesingersweren’tthere.Onlytheirmusicwaswithhim.Heletitwashoverhim,findinginitareasontohope.Eventualy,thesongfadedaway,butsilently,inhismind,Louiesangitoverandovertohimself.Heprayedintensely,ardently,hourafterhour.
Downthehal,Phil
languished.Ratswereeverywhere,climbinguphiswastebucketandwalowinginhisurinepail,wakinghimatnightbyskitteringoverhisface.Periodicaly,hewasproddedoutside,haltedbeforeapanofwater,andorderedtowashhisfaceandhands.Phildroppedhisfaceintothepanandslurpedupthewater.
Louieoftenstaredatthe
namesofthemarines,wonderingwhotheywere,ifthey’dhadwivesandchildren,howtheendhadcomeforthem.Hebegantothinkofthemashisfriends.Onedayhepuledoffhisbeltandbentthebuckleupward.Intal,blockletters,hecarvedhisnameintothewalbesidetheirs.
Louiecouldn’tspeaktoPhil,norPhiltohim,but
occasionalyoneofthemwouldcoughorscuffthefloortolettheotherknowthathewasthere.Once,theguardsleftthecelsunattended,andforthefirsttime,PhilandLouiewerealone.LouieheardPhil’svoice.
“What’sgoingtohappen?”
Louiehadnoanswer.Therewasabeatingofbootsinthe
halandtheAmericansfelsilent.
——
Theguardsmaintainedafixedstateoffuryatthecaptives,glaringatthemwrathfuly,makingthreateninggestures,shoutingatthem.Virtualyeveryday,theyflewintoragesthatusualyendedinPhilandLouiebeingbombardedwithstones
andlitcigarettes,spatupon,andpokedwithsticks.Louiealwaysknewthathewasinforitwhenheheardaguardarrivinginastompingfit—aconsequence,hehoped,ofanAmericanvictory.Thesituationworsenedwhentheguardhadcompany;theguardsusedthecaptivestoimpresseachotherwiththeircruelty.
Thepretextformanyofthe
outburstswasmiscommunication.Thecaptivesandtheirguardscamefromcultureswithvirtualynooverlapinlanguageorcustom.LouieandPhilfounditalmostimpossibletounderstandwhatwasbeingaskedofthem.Signlanguagewasoflittlehelp,becauseeventhecultures’gesturesweredifferent.Theguards,likenearlyalcitizensoftheir
historicalyisolatednation,hadprobablyneverseenaforeignerbefore,andprobablyhadnoexperienceincommunicatingwithanon-Japanese.Whenmisunderstood,theyoftenbecamesoexasperatedthattheyscreamedatandbeatthecaptives.
Forself-preservation,LouieandPhilstudiedeverythingtheyheard,developingsmal
Japanesevocabularies.Kocchikoimeant“comehere.”Ohiowasagreeting,usedbytheoccasionalcivilguard.ThoughLouiesoonknewwhatitmeant,hisstockreplywas“No,California.”Phillearnedthatmizumeantwater,buttheknowledgegothimnowhere;hiscriesformizuwereignored.
Whentheguardsweren’tventingtheirfuryatthe
captives,theyentertainedthemselvesbyhumiliatingthem.Everyday,atgunpoint,Louiewasforcedtostandupanddance,staggeringthroughtheCharlestonwhilehisguardsroaredwithlaughter.TheguardsmadeLouiewhistleandsing,peltedhimwithfistfulsofgravel,tauntedhimashecrawledaroundhisceltopickupbitsofrice,andslidlongsticksthroughthedoorwindowsotheycould
stabandswathim,findinghishelplesscontortionshilarious.Downthehal,theguardsdidthesametoPhil.SometimesLouiecouldhearPhil’svoice,tinyandthin,groaning.Once,driventohisbreakingpointbyaguardjabbinghim,Louieyankedthestickfromtheguard’shands.Heknewhemightgetkiledforit,butunderthisunceasingdegradation,somethingwashappeningtohim.Hiswilto
live,resilientthroughalofthetrialsontheraft,wasbeginningtofray.
ThecrashofGreenHornethadleftLouieandPhilinthemostdesperatephysicalextremity,withoutfood,water,orshelter.ButonKwajalein,theguardssoughttodeprivethemofsomethingthathadsustainedthemevenasalelsehadbeenlost:dignity.Thisself-respectand
senseofself-worth,theinnermostarmamentofthesoul,liesattheheartofhumanness;tobedeprivedofitistobedehumanized,tobecleavedfrom,andcastbelow,mankind.
Mensubjectedtodehumanizingtreatmentexperienceprofoundwretchednessandlonelinessandfindthathopeisalmostimpossibletoretain.Without
dignity,identityiserased.Initsabsence,menaredefinednotbythemselves,butbytheircaptorsandthecircumstancesinwhichtheyareforcedtolive.
OneAmericanairman,shotdownandrelentlesslydebasedbyhisJapanesecaptors,describedthestateofmindthathiscaptivitycreated:“Iwasliteralybecomingalesserhuman
being.”
Fewsocietiestreasureddignity,andfearedhumiliation,asdidtheJapanese,forwhomalossofhonorcouldmeritsuicide.ThisislikelyoneofthereasonswhyJapanesesoldiersinWorldWarIdebasedtheirprisonerswithsuchzeal,seekingtotakefromthemthatwhichwasmostpainfulanddestructive
tolose.OnKwajalein,LouieandPhillearnedadarktruthknowntothedoomedinHitler’sdeathcamps,theslavesoftheAmericanSouth,andahundredothergenerationsofbetrayedpeople.Dignityisasessentialtohumanlifeaswater,food,andoxygen.Thestubbornretentionofit,eveninthefaceofextremephysicalhardship,canholdaman’ssoulinhisbodylongpastthe
pointatwhichthebodyshouldhavesurrenderedit.Thelossofitcancarryamanoffassurelyasthirst,hunger,exposure,andasphyxiation,andwithgreatercruelty.InplaceslikeKwajalein,degradationcouldbeaslethalasabulet.
——
LouiehadbeenonKwajaleinforaboutaweekwhenhiscel
doorwasthrownopenandtwoguardspuledhimout.Heflushedwithfear,thinkingthathewasbeingtakentothesword.Ashewashustledtowardwhatseemedtobeanofficers’quarters,hepassedtwogirlswithAsianfeatures,walkingwithheadsdown,eyesaverted,astheyretreatedfromthebuilding.Louiewaspuledintoaroomandstoppedbeforeatablecoveredwithawhite
tablecloth,onwhichwasarrangedaselectionoffoods.ArounditsatJapaneseofficersindressuniforms,smokingcigarettes.Louiewasn’theretobeexecuted.Hewasheretobeinterrogated.
TheofficerstooklongdrawsontheircigarettesandsighedthesmoketowardLouie.Periodicaly,oneofthemwouldopenabottleofcola,
pouritintoacup,anddrinkitslowly,makingashowofhisenjoyment.
Therankingofficerstaredcoolyathiscaptive.HowdoAmericansoldierssatisfytheirsexualappetites?heasked.Louierepliedthattheydon’t—theyrelyonwilpower.Theofficerwasamused.TheJapanesemilitary,hesaid,provideswomenforitssoldiers,anal
usiontothethousandsofChinese,Korean,Indonesian,andFilipinowomenwhomtheJapanesemilitaryhadkidnappedandforcedintosexualslavery.Louiethoughtofthegirlsoutside.
TheinterrogatorsaskedaboutLouie’splane.Theyknew,probablyfromLouie’sconversationwiththeofficersonthefirstatol,thatitwasaB-24.Whatmodelwasit?On
Oahu,Louiehadheardthatduringabattle,aB-24DhadcrashedonareefandhadbeenretrievedbytheJapanese.GreenHornethadbeenaDmodel.KnowingthattheJapanesealreadyknewaboutthismodel,hedecidednottolie,andtoldthemthathehadbeeninaD.Theyhandedhimapencilandpaperandaskedhimtodrawtheplane.Whenhewasdone,hisinterrogatorsheldupa
photographofaDmodel.Theyhadbeentestinghim.
WhatdidheknowabouttheE-modelB-24?Nothing,hetoldthem.Itwasalie;SuperMan,whilealwaysofficialyaDmodel,hadundergoneupgradesthathadeffectivelymadeitanE.Wherewastheradarsystem?Thelocationoftheradarhadnobearingonhowitworked,soLouietoldthetruth.Howdoyouoperate
it?Louieknewtheanswer,butherepliedthatasabombardier,hewouldn’tknow.Theinterrogatorsaskedhimtodrawtheradarsystem.
Louieinventedanimaginarysystem,makingadrawingsoelaboratethat,itwaslaterwritten,thesystemlookedlike“arupturedoctopus.”Theinterrogatorsnodded.
TheymovedontotheNordenbombsight.Howdoyouworkit?Youjusttwisttwoknobs,Louiesaid.Theofficerswereannoyed.Louiewassentbacktohiscel.
Suspectingthathe’dbebroughtback,Louiebrainstormed,tryingtoanticipatequestions.Hethoughtaboutwhichthingshecoulddivulgeandwhichthingshecouldn’t.Forthe
latter,hecameupwithliesandpracticeduntilhecouldutterthemsmoothly.Becausehe’dbeenpartialytruthfulinthefirstsession,hewasnowinabetterpositiontolie.
Philwaspuledinforinterrogation.He,too,knewaboutthecapturedB-24D,sohespokefreelyabouttheplane’scomponents.TheinterrogatorsaskedhimtodescribeAmericanwar
strategy.Herepliedthathethoughttheywouldattacktheoutlyingcapturedterritories,thenworktheirwayinuntiltheydefeatedJapan.Theinterrogatorsrespondedwithwhoopsoflaughter.Philsensedsomethingforced.Thesemen,hesuspected,thoughtthatJapanwasgoingtolose.
——
Louiewassittinginhiscelwhenanewguardappearedatthedoor.Louielookedup,sawafacehedidn’trecognize,andfeltanupswelofdread,knowingthatanewguardwouldlikelyasserthisauthority.
“YouChristian?”theguardasked.
Louie,whoseparentshadtriedtoraisehimCatholic,
hadn’tgonenearchurchsinceoneSundayinhisboyhood,whenapriesthadpunishedhimfortardinessbygrabbinghimbytheearanddragginghimout.ButthoughLouieemergedwithasoreear,alittlereligionhadstuckwithhim.Hesaidyes.
Theguardsmiled.
“MeChristian.”
Theguardgavehisname,whichLouiewouldlaterrecal,withsomeuncertainty,asKawamura.HebeganbabblinginEnglishsopoorthatalLouiecouldpickoutwassomethingaboutCanadianmissionariesandconversion.TheguardslippedtwopiecesofhardcandyintoLouie’shand,thenmoveddownthehalandgavetwopiecestoPhil.Afriendshipwasborn.
Kawamurabroughtapencilandpaperandbeganmakingdrawingstoilustratethingshewishedtotalkabout.Walkingbackandforthbetweenthecels,he’ddrawapictureofsomething—acar,aplane,anicecreamcone—andsayandwriteitsJapanesename.LouieandPhilwouldthenwriteandsaytheEnglishname.TheprisonersunderstoodalmostnothingofwhatKawamurasaid,buthis
goodwilneedednotranslation.Kawamuracoulddonothingtoimprovethephysicalconditionsinwhichthecaptiveslived,buthiskindnesswaslifesaving.
WhenKawamurawasoffguardduty,anewguardcame.HelaunchedhimselfatLouie,rammingastickthroughthedoorwindowandintoLouie’sface,asiftryingtoputouthiseyes.Thenext
day,KawamurasawLouie’sbloodyfaceandaskedwhohaddoneit.Uponhearingtheguard’sname,Kawamurahardened,liftinghisarmandflexinghisbicepsatLouie.Whenhisshiftwasup,hespedawaywithanexpressionoffuriousdetermination.
Fortwodays,LouiesawnothingofKawamuraortheviciousguard.ThenKawamurareturned,opened
Louie’sceldooracrack,andproudlypointedouttheguardwhohadbeatenLouie.Hisforeheadandmouthwereheavilybandaged.Heneverguardedthecelagain.
——
AsLouieandPhillayintheircelsoneday,theyheardacommotionoutside,theclamoringsoundsofamob.Thenfacespressedinto
Louie’sdoorwindow,shouting.Rocksstartedflyingin.Moremencame,oneafteranother,screaming,spittingonLouie,hittinghimwithrocks,hurlingstickslikejavelins.Downthehal,themenweredoingthesametoPhil.Louiebaledhimselfupatthefarendofthecel.
Onandontheprocessionwent.Therewereeighty,perhapsninetymen,andeach
onespentsomethirtysecondsattackingeachcaptive.Atlast,themenleft.Louiesatinpoolsofspitandjumbledrocksandsticks,bleeding.
WhenKawamurasawwhathadhappened,hewaslivid.Heexplainedthattheattackerswereasubmarinecrewstoppingoverontheisland.WhenLouiewastakentointerrogation,hecomplainedabouttheattack.
Theofficersrepliedthatthiswaswhatheoughttoexpect.
TheinterrogatorswantedLouietotelthemthenumbersofaircraft,ships,andpersonnelinHawaii.Louietoldthemthatthelasttimehe’dseenHawaii,ithadbeenMay.NowitwasAugust.Hecouldn’tbeexpectedtohavecurrentinformation.Hewassentbacktohiscel.
——
SomethreeweeksafterhisarrivalonKwajalein,Louiewasagainpuledfromhiscel.Outsideforthefirsttimesincehisarrivalontheisland,hesawPhil.
Theireyesmet.Itlookedlikethismightbetheend.
Theyweretakentotheinterrogationbuilding,but
thistimetheywerehaltedonthefrontporch,Philononeend,Louieontheother.Twomeninwhitemedicalcoatsjoinedthem,alongwithfouraidesholdingpaperworkandstopwatches.Japanesebegancolectingbelowtheporchtowatch.
LouieandPhilwereorderedtoliedown.Thedoctorspuledouttwolonghypodermicsyringesandfiledeachwith
amurkysolution.Someonesaiditwasthemilkofgreencoconuts,thoughwhetherornotthiswastrueremainsunknown.Thedoctorssaidthatwhattheywereabouttodowouldbegoodfortheprisoners.Ifthesolutionworkedashoped—improvingtheircondition,theyweretold—itwouldbegiventoJapanesetroops.
Thedoctorsturnedthe
captives’handspalm-upandswabbedtheirarmswithalcohol.Theneedlesslidin,theplungersdepressed,andtheaidesclickedthestopwatches.Thedoctorstoldthecaptivestodescribetheirsensations.
ForLouie,withinafewseconds,theporchstartedgyrating.Thedoctorpushedmoresolutionintohisvein,andthespinningworsened.
Hefeltasifpinswerebeingjabbedaloverhisbody.Thenthebloodrushedfromhishead,thesamesensationthatheusedtofeelwhenPhilliftedSuperManoutofadive.Hisskinburned,itched,andstung.Theporchpitchedandturned.Acrosstheporch,Philwasexperiencingthesamesymptoms.Thedoctors,speakinginsteriletones,continuedtoquestionthem.Theneverythingblurred.
Louiecriedoutthathewasgoingtofaint.Thedoctorwithdrewtheneedle.
Thecaptivesweretakenbacktotheircels.Withinfifteenminutes,Louie’sentirebodywascoveredinarash.Helayawakealnight,itchingandburning.Severaldayslater,whenthesymptomssubsided,heandPhilwereagaintakentotheporchandagaininjected,thistimewithmore
solution.
Againtheyroledthroughvertigoandburnedwithrashes.Afteranotherfewdays,theyweresubjectedtoathirdexperiment,andafewdayslatercameafourth.Inthelastinfusion,afulpintofthefluidwaspumpedintotheirveins.
Bothmensurvived,andasterribleastheirexperience
hadbeen,theywerelucky.Alovertheircapturedterritories,theJapanesewereusingatleasttenthousandPOWsandcivilians,includinginfants,astestsubjectsforexperimentsinbiologicalandchemicalwarfare.Thousandsdied.
——
Backinhiscel,Louiefeltasharpheadachecomingon,andwassoondizzyand
bakingwithfever.Hisbonesached.Philwasgoingthroughthesameordeal.Theguardssummonedadoctor.Louiepickedoutafamiliarword:dengue.Theprisonershaddenguefever,apotentialyfatalmosquito-borneilnessthatwasravagingthetropics.Thedoctorofferednotreatment.
Louiedriftedintoafebrilefog.Timeslidby,andhefelt
littleconnectiontohisbody.Ashelaythere,feettrampedoutside,lividfacesappearedagainatthedoor,andLouiefelthimselfstruckwithrocks,stabbedwithsticks,andslappedwithwadsofspit.Anewcropofsubmarinershadcome.
Louiefloatedthroughit,toosicktoresist.Thefacesstreamedpast,andthestonesandstickscrackedoffhis
burningbones.Timepassedwithmercifulspeed,andtheabusewassoonover.
——
Louiewasbroughttointerrogationagain.TheofficerspushedamapofHawaiiinfrontofhimandtoldhimtomarkwheretheairbaseswere.
Louieresistedforsometime,
buttheinterrogatorsleanedhardonhim.Atlast,hebroke.Hedroppedhisheadand,withanexpressionofashamedresignation,toldthemeverything—theexactlocationofthebases,thenumbersofplanes.
TheJapanesebrokeintojubilantsmiles.TheyopenedupabottleofcolaandgaveittoLouie,alongwithabiscuitandapastry.Asthey
celebrated,theyhadnoideathatthe“bases”thatLouiehadidentifiedwerethefakeairfieldshehadseenwhentoolingaroundHawaiiwithPhil.IftheJapanesebombedthere,theonlyplanestheywouldhitwouldbemadeofplywood.
LouieandPhil’susefulnesshadbeenexhausted.Atheadquarters,theofficersdiscussedwhattodowiththe
captives.Thedecisionwasprobablyeasy;thesameJapaneseofficershadbeenresponsibleforkilingthemarineswhosenameswerewrittenonLouie’scelwal.LouieandPhilwouldbeexecuted.
OnAugust24,mengatheredbeforeLouie’scel,andoncemorehewasdraggedout.Isthisit?hethought.Hewastuggedtotheinterrogation
building.
Expectingtolearnthathewascondemnedtoexecution,hewastoldsomethingelse:AJapanesenavyshipwascomingtoKwajalein,andhewasgoingtobeputonitandtakentoaPOWcampinYokohama,Japan.Atthelastminute,theofficershaddecidednottokilhim.ItwouldbealongtimebeforeLouielearnedwhy.
Louiefeltdeeprelief,believingthatataPOWcamp,hewouldbetreatedunderthehumanerulesofinternationallaw,putincontactwiththeRedCross,andalowedtocontacthisfamily.Phil,too,wastoldthathewasgoingtoYokohama.Hewasamazedandhopeful.
OnAugust26,1943,forty-twodaysafterarrivingat
ExecutionIsland,LouieandPhilwereledfromtheircels,strippednaked,splashedwithbucketsofwater,alowedtodressagain,andtakentowardtheshipthatwouldcarrythemtoJapan.
Ashewalkedfromhiscelforthelasttime,Louielookedback,searchingforKawamura.Hecouldn’tfindhim.
Nineteen
TwoHundredSilentMen
LOUIEANDPHILWERESITTINGINAHOLDINGROOMONthenavyshipwhenthedoorslappedopenandacrowdofagitated,sloppy-drunkJapanesesailorspushedin.OneofthemaskedifJapanwouldwinthewar.
“No,”saidPhil.
AfistcaughtPhilintheface,thenswungbackandstruckhimagain.Louiewasaskedwhowouldwinthewar.
“America.”
Thesailorsfelontothecaptives,fistsflying.SomethingconnectedwithLouie’snose,andhefeltacrunch.Anofficerranin,peeledthecrewmenoff,andorderedthemout.Louie’s
nosewasbleeding.Whenhetouchedit,hefeltagashandaboneelbowingoutsideways.
InchoppyEnglish,theofficertoldthemthatthecrewmenhadbeenriflingthroughthecaptives’walets,whichhadbeenconfiscatedwhentheycameonboard.InLouie’swalet,theyhadfoundafolded,stainedbitofnewspaper.Itwasthecartoon
thatLouiehadcutfromtheHonoluluAdvertisermanymonthsbefore,depictinghisserviceintheraidonWake.Theofficersaidthatabouthalfoftheship’screwhadbeenonWakethatnight,andtheirship,apparentlyanchoredoffshore,hadbeensunk.
Thecrewmenhadregretsaboutattackingthecaptives.Later,thedooropenedagain,
andtwoofthemlurchedin,mutteredapologies,drapedtheirarmsaroundLouie,andgavehimsake.
ThisclippingwasinLouie’swaletthroughouthisraftjourney,andwasstainedpurplebythewaletdye.ItsdiscoverybytheJapaneseresultedinLouieandPhilbeingbeaten.CourtesyofLouisZamperini
LouieandPhilwereseparatedagain,andLouiewaslockedinanofficer’scabin.Everyfewdays,hehadstrangevisitsfromagrinningsailorwhowouldleanintotheroom,say,“Thumpontheheadforabiscuit?,”raphisknucklesonLouie’shead,handhimabiscuit,andambleaway.
Betweenthesailor’svisits,Louiehadnothingtodobut
sit,pinchinghisfingersaroundhisnosetosetthebones.Bored,herummagedthroughthecabinandfoundabottleofsake.Hebegantakingfurtivesipsofthericewine,littleenoughthatitsabsencemightnotbemissed.When,duringasubmarinealert,hepanickedanddranksomuchthatnoonecouldfailtonoticeit,hedecidedthathemightaswelfinishitoff.Inthelastdaysofthe
journey,theskinnyAmericanandthefatJapanesebottlehadagrandtimetogether.
——
Afterathree-weekjourney,includingastopoveratTrukAtol,theshipdockedatYokohama,ontheeasterncoastofJapan’scentralisland,Honshu.Louiewasblindfoldedandledout.Solidgroundcameunderfoot.
Throughagapinhisblindfold,Louie’sfirstglimpseofJapanwasthewordCHEVROLET,stampedonahubcap.Hewasstandingbeforeacar.
Heheardsomeonestompingofftheship,shouting.ThemenaroundLouiefroze;themanapproaching,heassumed,mustbeanofficer.Louiefelttheofficergrabbinghimandshoving
himintothecar’sjumpseat.Ashestruggledtogethislegsin,theofficercrackedhiminthefacewithaflashlight.Louiefelthisnosebonessplayagain.Hethoughtofthesakeandwonderedifthismanwasitsowner.Hefoldedhimselfintotheseat,alongsidePhil.
TheChevymotoredupthroughhilycountry.Afterthebetterpartofanhour,it
stopped.HandspuledLouieontohisfeetandledhimintoanenclosed,humidspace.Theblindfoldwasuntied.Hewasinabathhouse,apparentlyinthepromisedPOWcamp.Philwasnolongerwithhim.Therewasatubbeforehim,filedwithwaterthatcarriedthetartsmelofdisinfectant.Toldtoundressandgetin,hesteppedintothewater,luxuriatinginthewarmth,scrubbing
himselfcleanforthefirsttimesincehe’dleftOahu.
Whenhisbathwasover,hewastoldtodressagain.Amancamewithclippersandshavedhisheadandbeard.Louiewasescortedout,leddownahalway,andstoppedatadoor.Theguardtoldhimtogoinandwaitfororders.
Louiewalkedintotheroom.Thelightswereout,andhe
couldonlyjustmakeoutthesilhouetteofamanincivilianclothing,facingawayfromhim.
Someoneflippedonalight,themanturned,andLouiesawhisface.
ItwashiscolegefriendJimmieSasaki.
——
“Wemeetagain,”Sasakisaid.Louiegapedathiminastonishment.HeknewnothingofSasaki’salegedspying,andwasstunnedtoseehisfriendintheserviceofhisenemy.Sasakilookedathimwarmly.He’dbeenpreparedtoseeLouie,buthewasdisturbedbyhowthinhewas.HemadeaplayfulcrackabouthowuglyLouielookedbald.
Whatfolowedwasastrangeandstiltedconversation.SasakiaskedafewquestionsaboutLouie’sodyssey,thenbeganreminiscingaboutUSC,mealsatthestudentunion,ten-centmoviesoncampus.Louie,uneasy,waitedforquestionsonmilitarymatters,buttheynevercame.TheclosestSasakigotwastoexpressconfidencethatJapanwouldwinthewar.HetoldLouie
thathewasacivilianemployeeoftheJapanesenavy,whichhadmadehimheadinterrogatorofalPOWsinJapan.Hesaidheborearankequaltothatofadmiral.
Louiewastakenoutside.Hewasinalargecompoundwithseveralone-storybuildingssurroundedbyahighfencetoppedwithbarbedwire.Therewassomethingspookyaboutthisplace.Louie,like
everymanbroughtthere,noticeditimmediately.Gatheredindriftsagainstthebuildingsweresometwohundredwhisper-thincaptiveAliedservicemen.Everyoneofthemhadhiseyesfixedontheground.Theywereassilentassnow.
Louiewasledtoabench,somedistancefromtheothercaptives.HesawPhilfaraway,sittingalone.Acouple
ofcaptivessatonotherbenchesacrossthecompound,hidingtheirhandsfromtheguards’viewandgesturingtoeachotherinMorsecode—fistsfordotsandflathandsfordashes.Louiewatchedthemuntilacaptiveapproached.Themanseemedtohavepermissiontospeak.HebegantotelLouieaboutwherehewas.
Thiswasn’taPOWcamp.It
wasasecretinterrogationcentercaledOfuna,where“high-value”capturedmenwerehousedinsolitaryconfinement,starved,tormented,andtorturedtodivulgemilitarysecrets.BecauseOfunawaskeptsecretfromtheoutsideworld,theJapaneseoperatedwithanabsolutelyfreehand.ThemeninOfuna,saidtheJapanese,weren’tPOWs;theywere“unarmed
combatants”atwaragainstJapanand,assuch,didn’thavetherightsthatinternationallawaccordedPOWs.Infact,theyhadnorightsatal.Ifcaptives“confessedtheircrimesagainstJapan,”they’dbetreated
“aswelasregulationspermit.”Overthecourseofthewar,someonethousandAliedcaptiveswouldbe
hauledintoOfuna,andmanywouldbeheldthereforyears.
ThemantoldLouietherules.Hewasforbiddentospeaktoanyonebuttheguards,toputhishandsinhispockets,ortomakeeyecontactwithothercaptives.Hiseyesweretobedirecteddownwardataltimes.HehadtolearntocountinJapanese,becauseeverymorningtherewastenko,arolcalandinspection
inwhichmenhadtocountoff.Tousethebenjo—latrine—hehadtoaskinbrokenJapanese:“Benjokudasai,”saidwhilebowing.Hewouldn’tbegivenacup,soifhewasthirstyhe’dhavetobegtheguardtoescorthimtothewashstand.Therewererulesabouteverydetailoflife,fromthefoldingofblanketstothebuttoningofclothes,eachreinforcingisolationandtotalobedience.
Theslightestviolationwouldbringabeating.
TheJapanesewereabundantlyclearaboutonething.Inthissecretplace,theycould,anddid,doanythingtheywantedtotheircaptives,andnoonewouldeverknow.TheystressedthattheydidnotguaranteethatcaptiveswouldsurviveOfuna.“Theycankilyouhere,”Louiewastold.“No
oneknowsyou’realive.”
Afternightfal,Louiewastakenintoabarracksandledtoatinycel.Onthefloorwasathintatami(strawmat),whichwouldbehisbed,withthreepapersheets.Therewasasmalwindow,butithadnoglass,sowindeddiedthroughtheroom.Thewalswereflimsy,thefloorboardsgapped,theceilingwastarpaper.Itwasmid-
September,andwithwinterapproaching,Louiewouldbelivinginabuildingthatwas,inonecaptive’swords,barelyawindbreak.
Louiecurledupunderthepapersheets.Thereweredozensofmenincelsnearhim,butnoonemadeasound.Philwasinacelfardownthehal,andforthefirsttimeinmonths,Louiewasn’tnearhim.Inthis
warrenofcaptivemen,hewasalone.
——
Eachdaybeganatsix:abelclanging,ashoutingguard,captivesrunningoutsidetotenko.Louiewouldfalintoalineofhaggardmen.Guardsstalkedthem,clubsorbasebalbatsintheirhandsandrifleswithfixedbayonetsovertheirshoulders,makingmenacing
posturesandyelinguninteligibly.Thecaptiveswerehoundedthroughafrenziedroutine:countingoff,bowingtowardEmperorHirohito,rushingtothewashstandandbenjo,thenrushingbacktotheassemblyareafiveminuteslater.Thenitwasbacktothebarracks,whereguardsrifledthroughthemen’sthingsinsearchofcontraband,misfoldedblankets,misalignedbuttons
—anythingtojustifyabeating.
Breakfastcamefromcaptiveswhohandedoutbowlsofwatery,fetidslop,whicheachmanatealoneinhiscel.Thenmenwerepairedoff,givenclotsofwetrope,andforcedtobenddouble,puttheropeonthefloor,andwashthe150-foot-longbarracksaisleflooratarun,orsometimeswaddlingduck-
style,whiletheguardstrottedbehindthem,swattingthem.Thenitwasbackoutside,wheretheguardsmadethemenruncirclesorperformcalisthenics,oftenuntiltheycolapsed.Whentheexercisewasover,themenhadtositoutside,regardlessoftheweather.Theonlybreaksinthesilencewerethescreamscomingfromtheinterrogationroom.
Punctuatingthepassageofeachdaywerebeatings.Menwerebeatenforfoldingtheirarms,forsittingnakedtohelphealsores,forcleaningtheirteeth,fortalkingintheirsleep.Mostoften,theywerebeatenfornotunderstandingorders,whichwerealmostalwaysissuedinJapanese.Dozensofmenwerelinedupandclubbedinthekneesforoneman’salegedinfraction.Afavoritepunishmentwasto
forcementostand,sometimesforhours,inthe
“Ofunacrouch,”apainfulandstrenuouspositioninwhichmenstoodwithkneesbenthalfwayandarmsoverhead.Thosewhofeloverordroppedtheirarmswereclubbedandkicked.Captiveswhotriedtoassistvictimswereattackedthemselves,usualyfarmoreviolently,sovictimswereontheirown.
Anyattempttoprotectoneself—ducking,shieldingtheface—provokedgreaterviolence.“Myjob,”rememberedcaptiveGlennMcConnel,“wastokeepmynoseonmyfaceandkeepfrombeingdisassembled.”Thebeatings,hewrote,“wereofsuchintensitythatmanyofuswonderedifwe’deverlivetoseetheendofthewar.”
Atnight,inthecelagain,
Louieawaiteddinner,eatenaloneinthedark.Thenhejustsatthere.Hewasn’tpermittedtospeak,whistle,sing,tap,read,orlookouthiswindow.Therewasanotherinspectionoutside,anotherharanguing,andthentheuneasypauseofnight,thepacingoftheguards,beforethedawnagainbroughtshoutingandrunningandthethudofclubs.
——
AtOfuna,asatthescoresofPOWcampsscatteredthroughoutJapananditsconquests,themenusedforguarddutywerethedregsoftheJapanesemilitary.Manyhadwashedoutofregularsoldierlylife,tooincompetenttoperformbasicduties.Quiteafewwerederanged.Accordingtocaptives,thereweretwocharacteristics
commontonearlyalOfunaguards.Onewasmarkedstupidity.Theotherwasmurderoussadism.
IntheJapanesemilitaryofthatera,corporalpunishmentwasroutinepractice.“Ironmustbebeatenwhileit’shot;soldiersmustbebeatenwhilethey’refresh”wasasayingamongservicemen.“Nostrongsoldiers,”wentanother,“aremadewithout
beatings.”ForalJapanesesoldiers,especialylow-rankingones,beatingwasinescapable,oftenadailyevent.Itisthusunsurprisingthatcampguards,occupyingtheloweststationinamilitarythatapplaudedbrutality,wouldventtheirfrustrationsonthehelplessmenundertheirauthority.Japanesehistorianscalthisphenomenon“transferofoppression.”
ThistendencywaspowerfulyreinforcedbytwoopinionscommoninJapanesesocietyinthatera.OneheldthatJapanesewereracialyandmoralysuperiortonon-Japanese,a“pure”peopledivinelydestinedtorule.JustasAliedsoldiers,liketheculturestheycamefrom,oftenheldvirulentlyracistviewsoftheJapanese,Japanesesoldiersandcivilians,intensely
propagandizedbytheirgovernment,usualycarriedtheirowncausticprejudicesabouttheirenemies,seeingthemasbrutish,subhumanbeastsorfearsome“Anglo-Saxondevils.”Thisracism,andthehatredandfearitfomented,surelyservedasanaccelerantforabuseofAliedprisoners.
InJapan’smilitaristicsociety,alcitizens,fromearliest
childhood,wererelentlesslyindoctrinatedwiththelessonthattobecapturedinwarwasintolerablyshameful.The1941JapaneseMilitaryFieldCodemadeclearwhatwasexpectedofthosefacingcapture:“Haveregardforyourfamilyfirst.
Ratherthanliveandbeartheshameofimprisonment,thesoldiermustdieandavoidleavingadishonorable
name.”Asaresult,inmanyhopelessbattles,virtualyeveryJapanesesoldierfoughttothedeath.ForeveryAliedsoldierkiled,fourwerecaptured;forevery120Japanesesoldierskiled,onewasvirtualyeveryJapanesesoldierfoughttothedeath.ForeveryAliedsoldierkiled,fourwerecaptured;forevery120Japanesesoldierskiled,onewascaptured.Insomelosingbattles,Japanese
soldierscommittedsuicideenmassetoavoidcapture.Thefewwhowerecapturedsometimesgavefalsenames,believingthattheirfamilieswouldratherthinkthattheirsonhaddied.ThedepthoftheconvictionwasdemonstratedatAustralia’sCowracampin1944,whenhundredsofJapanesePOWsflungthemselvesatcampmachinegunsandsettheirlivingquartersafireinamass
suicideattemptthatbecameknownas“thenightofathousandsuicides.”ThecontemptandrevulsionthatmostJapanesefeltforthosewhosurrenderedorwerecapturedextendedtoAliedservicemen.Thisthinkingcreatedanatmosphereinwhichtoabuse,enslave,andevenmurderacaptiveorPOWwasconsideredacceptable,evendesirable.
Someguards,intoxicatedbyabsolutepowerandindoctrinatedinracismanddisgustforPOWs,feleasilyintosadism.Butthoselessinclinedtowardtheirculture’sprejudicesmaystilhavebeenvulnerabletothecaltobrutality.Tobemaderesponsibleforimprisoningpeopleissurely,tomanyguards,anunsettlingexperience,especialywhentheyaretaskedwith
deprivingtheirprisonersofthemostbasicnecessities.Perhapssomeguardsforcedtheirprisonerstoliveinmaximalydehumanizingconditionssothattheycouldreassurethemselvesthattheyweremerelygivingloathsomebeaststheirdue.
Paradoxicaly,then,someoftheworstabusesinflictedoncaptivesandPOWsmayhavearisenfromtheguards’
discomfortwithbeingabusive.
Writingofhischildhoodinslavery,FrederickDouglasstoldofbeingacquiredbyamanwhosewifewasatenderheartedwomanwhohadneverownedaslave.“Herfacewasmadeofheavenlysmilesandhervoiceoftranquilmusic,”Douglasswrote.Shelavishedhimwithmotherlylove,evengiving
himreadinglessons,unheardofinslaveholdingsociety.Butafterbeingorderedbyherhusbandtotreattheboyliketheslavehewas,shetransformedintoavicious“demon.”She,liketheOfunaguardsmorethanacenturylater,hadsuccumbedtowhatDouglasscaled“thefatalpoisonofirresponsiblepower.”
Ofalofthewarped,pitiless
menwhopersecutedcaptivesatOfuna,SueharuKitamurastoodabovealothers.Incivilianlife,bydifferentaccounts,hewaseitherasakesalesmanoramoviescenariowriter.InOfuna,hewasthemedicalofficer.Fascinatedbysuffering,heforcedsickandinjuredcaptivestocometohimfor“treatment,”thentorturedandmutilatedthemwhilequizzingthemontheirpain,hismouthcurvedina
moistsmile.Knownas“theButcher”and“theQuack,”KitamurawasOfuna’smosteagerinstigatorofbeatings.Hewasamassiveman,builtlikeabison,andhepunchedlikeaheavyweight.NoofficialinOfunawasmorehatedorfeared.
Thoughundergreatpressuretoconformtoacultureofbrutality,afewguardsrefusedtoparticipateinthe
violence.Inoneincident,acaptivewasclubbedsosavagelythathewascertainhewasgoingtobekiled.Inthemiddleoftheassault,theattackingguardwascaledaway,andaguardknownasHirose*wasorderedtofinishthebeating.Outofsightofotherguards,Hirosetoldthecaptivetocryoutasifhewerebeingstruck,thenpoundedhisclubharmlesslyagainstthefloor.Thetwo
actedouttheirpartsuntilitseemedenough“beating”hadbeendone.ThecaptivebelievedthatHirosemayhavesavedhislife.
WhatHirosedidtooknerve.EverywhereinJapan,demonstratingsympathyforcaptivesorPOWswastaboo.WhenachildlivingneartheZentsujiPOWcampexpressedcompassionfortheprisoners,hercomments
becameanationalscandal.CamppersonnelcaughttryingtoimproveconditionsforPOWs,orevenvoicingsympathyforthem,weresometimesbeatenbytheirsuperiors.“ThegeneralopiniontowardsPOWsatthattimewasverybad,”
wroteYukichiKano,aprivateatanothercampwhowasbelovedbyPOWshetriedtoassist.“Therewas
alwayssomeriskoftobemisunderstoodbyotherJapanesebymakinghumaneinterpretationofourduty.Toresistagainstthewronghostilefeeling,prejudice,andlackofknowledgewasnotveryeasyforthelowerranksoldierlikeme.”
AtOfuna,mercifulguardspaidtheprice.Oneofficer,uponlearningthatanotherguardhadshownleniencyto
captives,assaultedtheguardwithasword.Duringhisnightlywalkfromhiskitchenjobtohiscel,onecaptivewouldregularlyseeaguardwhorefusedtobeatprisonersbeingsingledoutforgangattacksfromhisfelowguards.
——
AtOfuna,captivesweren’tjustbeaten,theywere
starved.Thethrice-dailymealsusualyconsistedofabowlofbrothwithabitofvegetableandabowlorhalfbowlofrancidrice,sometimesmixedwithbarley.Itcontainedvirtualynoproteinandwasgrosslylackinginnutritivevalueandcalories.Itwascamppolicytogivediminishedand/orspoiledrationstocaptivessuspectedofwithholdinginformation,andattimesthe
entirecamp’srationswerecuttopunishonecaptive’sreticence.Thefoodwasinfestedwithratdroppings,maggots,andsomuchsandandgritthatLouie’steethweresoonpitted,chipped,andcracked.Themennicknamedtherations“aldumpo.”
Theextremelylowcaloricintakeandbefouledfood,coupledwiththeexertionof
theforcedexercise,putthemen’slivesingreatdanger.“Weweredying,”wrotecaptiveJeanBalch,“onabout500caloriesaday.”Scurvywascommon.Foodborneparasitesandpathogensmadediarrheaalmostubiquitous.Mostfearedwasberiberi,apotentialydeadlydiseasecausedbyalackofthiamine.Thereweretwoformsofberiberi,andtheycouldoccurconcurrently.“Wet”beriberi
affectedtheheartandthecirculatorysystem,causingmarkededema—sweling—oftheextremities;ifuntreated,itwasoftenfatal.“Dry”beriberiaffectedthenervoussystem,causingnumbness,confusion,unsteadygait,andparalysis.Whenwetberiberivictimspressedontheirswolenlimbs,deepindentationswouldremainlongafterthepressurewasremoved,givingthementheunnerving
impressionthattheirbonesweresoftening.Insomecases,wetberibericausedextremeswelingofthescrotum.Somemen’stesticlessweledtothesizeofbreadloaves.
——
InOfuna’stheaterofcruelty,survivalwasanopenquestion,anddeathswerecommon.ForLouie,Phil,and
theothercaptives,theonlyhopelayintheAliesrescuingthem,butthisprospectalsocarriedtremendousdanger.
Inthefalof1942,whentheAmericansattackedJapaneseshipsoffTarawa,intheGilbertIslands,theJapanesebeheadedtwenty-twoPOWsheldontheisland.AsimilarhorrorplayedoutonJapanese-heldBalale,inthe
ShortlandIslands,whereBritishPOWswerebeingusedasslavestobuildanairfield.AccordingtoaJapaneseofficer,inthespringof1943,whenitappearedthattheAmericansweresoontolandonBalale,Japaneseauthoritiesissuedadirectivethatintheeventofaninvasion,thePOWsweretobekiled.Nolandingoccurred,butinresponsetoanAliedbombing,the
JapaneseexecutedalofthePOWsanyway,someseventytoonehundredmen.
AfewweeksafterLouiearrivedatOfuna,anAmericancarrierforcebeganbombingandshelingWakeAtol,wheretheAmericanscapturedduringtheJapaneseinvasionwerestilbeingheldasslaves.Mistakenlybelievingthataninvasionwasimminent,theJapanese
commanderhadtheprisonersblindfolded,bound,shot,anddumpedinahole.Onemanescaped.Whenhewascaughtthreeweekslater,thecommanderhimselfbeheadedhim.Theonlytraceofthemenwasfoundyearsafterward.Intheatollagoon,onahunkofcoral,oneofthePOWshadscrapedamessage:98
US
P.W.
5-10-43
Thesemurderswerethefirstapplicationsofwhatwouldcometobeknownasthe“kil-al”rule.Japanesepolicyheldthatcampcommanderscouldnot,underanycircumstances,alowAliedforcestorecapturePOWs.If
Aliedadvancesmadethisapossibility,POWsweretobeexecuted.“IfthereisanyfearthatthePOWswouldberetakenduetothetideofbattleturningagainstus,”readaMay1944orderissuedtoeveryPOWbranchcampcommander,
“decisivemeasuresmustbetakenwithoutreturningasinglePOW.”
ThatAugust,theJapaneseWarMinistrywouldissueaclarificationofthisorder,sendingittoalPOWcampcommanders:Atsuchtimeasthesituationbecomesurgentanditbeextremelyimportant,thePOWswilbeconcentratedandconfinedintheirpresentlocationandunderheavyguardthepreparationforthefinaldispositionwilbemade…Whethertheyaredestroyed
individualyoringroups,orhoweveritisdone,withmassbombing,poisonoussmoke,poisons,drowning,decapitation,orwhat,disposeofthemasthesituationdictates…Inanycaseitistheaimnottoalowtheescapeofasingleone,toannihilatethemal,andnottoleaveanytraces.
AstheAliesfoughttheirwaytowardJapan,thecaptivesin
OfunaandPOWseverywhereelsefacedtheveryrealthreatthatAliedsuccesseswouldbringthekil-alpolicytobearonthem.Whilenoneofthecaptivesknewoftheincidentsinwhichthisorderhadalreadybeenfolowed,theguardsatOfunaenjoyedwarningthemaboutthepolicy.Likeeveryothercaptive,Louieknewthatmostoftheguardswouldbeeagertocarryitout.
*ProbablyLieutenantHiroetsuNarushima.
Twenty
FartingforHirohito
ATFIRST,THEREWASONLYSILENCEANDISOLATION.ATnight,alLouiecouldseewerewals,stripesofgroundthroughthegapsinthefloorboards,andhisownlimbs,asslenderasreeds.Theguardswouldstompdowntheaisles,occasionalydraggingamanouttobebeaten.ThereweremenincelsaroundLouie,butnoonespoke.Comedaylight,Louiewassuddenly
amongthem,hustledoutsideandherdedincrazycircles;withhiseyestrainedobedientlyonthegroundandhismouthobedientlyclosed,Louiewasnolessalone.Theonlybreakinthegloomcameintheformofasmilingguardwholikedtosaunterdownthebarracksaisle,pausebeforeeachcel,raiseoneleg,andventasurlyfartatthecaptivewithin.Heneverquitesucceededinfartinghisway
downtheentirecelblock.
Instolenglances,nods,andhushedwords,LouiesortedouttheconstelationsofOfuna.Hisbarrackswasinhabitedbynewcaptives,mostlyAmericans,survivorsofdownedaircraftandsunkenseacraft.DownthehallivedtwoemaciatedAmericannavyofficers,therankingAliedservicemen.
FirstinrankwasCommanderArthurMaher,whohadsurvivedthesinkingofhisship,theHouston,inIndonesia’sSundaStrait.HehadswumtoJavaandfledintothemountains,onlytobehunteddown.Secondinrankwasthirty-five-year-oldCommanderJohnFitzgerald,whohadfalenintoJapanesehandsafterhe’dscuttledhisburningsubmarine,theGrenadier,whichhadbeen
bombed.TheJapanesehadattempted,invain,totortureinformationoutofFitzgerald,clubbinghim,jammingpenknivesunderhisfingernails,tearinghisfingernailsoff,andapplyingthe“watercure”—tippinghimbackward,holdinghismouthshut,andpouringwateruphisnoseuntilhepassedout.BothMaherandFitzgeraldspokeJapanese,andtheyservedasthecamp’s
onlyresidentinterpreters.Alcaptives,regardlessofnationality,deferredtothem.
Louie’sbarracksatOfuna.Hiscelwindowwasthethirdfromtheright.FrankTinker
Duringforcedexerciseoneday,LouiefelintostepwithWiliamHarris,atwenty-five-year-oldmarineofficer,thesonofmarinegeneralFieldHarris.Taland
dignified,withafacecutinhardlines,HarrishadbeencapturedinthesurrenderofCorregidorinMay1942.WithanotherAmerican,*hehadescapedandembarkedonaneight-and-a-half-hourswimacrossManilaBay,kickingthroughadownpourindarknessasfishbithim.DragginghimselfashoreontheJapanese-occupiedBataanPeninsula,hehadbegunarunforChina,hikingthrough
junglesandovermountains,navigatingthecoastinboatsdonatedbysympatheticFilipinos,hitchingridesonburros,andsurvivinginpartbyeatingants.HehadjoinedaFilipinoguerrilaband,butwhenhehadheardoftheAmericanlandingatGuadalcanal,themarineinhimhadcaled.MakingadashbyboattowardAustraliainhopesofrejoininghisunit,hehadgottenasfarasthe
IndonesianislandofMorotaibeforehisjourneyended.CivilianshadturnedhimintotheJapanese,whohaddiscoveredthathewasageneral’ssonandsenthimtoOfuna.Evenhere,hewasitchingtoescape.
WiliamHarris.CourtesyofKatherineH.Meares
Eachday,LouieandHarrishungtogether,laboring
throughforcedexercise,bearingblowsfromtheguards,andwhispering.ThecuriousthingaboutHarriswasthatwhilehewascertainlyatalman—sixfoottwoorthree,accordingtohisdaughter—virtualyeveryone,includingLouie,wouldrememberhimasagiant,byoneaccountsixfooteight,byanothersix-ten.Figuratively,though,Harriswasindeedagiant.Hewasprobablya
genius.Impeccablyeducated,conversantinseverallanguages,includingJapanese,hehadaperfectphotographicmemory.Withasingleglance,hecouldmemorizeahugevolumeofinformationandretainitforyears.InOfuna,thisattributewouldbeablessingandaterriblecurse.
JimmieSasakimadefrequentvisitstoOfuna,andheliked
tocalLouietohisoffice.Amongraggedcaptivesandguardsindrabuniforms,Sasakiwasaspectacle,dressinglikeamoviestarandwearinghishairslickedbackandparteddownthemiddle,likeHowardHughes.Thecaptivesdubbedhim
“HandsomeHarry.”Louieexpectedinterrogation,butitnevercame.Sasakionlywantedtoreminisceabout
USCandboastofJapan’scomingvictory.HeknewthatLouiehadliedinhisinterrogationonKwajalein,buthedidn’tpursuethetruth.Louiecouldn’tunderstandit.Everyothercaptivewasgriled,atleastatfirst,butnoeffortwasmadetointerrogatehim.HesuspectedthatSasakiwasusinghisinfluencetoprotecthim.
Ofunahadoneothernotable
resident.Gagawasaduckwhobobbedaroundinafiretrough,paddlingwithabrokenlegthatacaptivehadfittedwithalittlesplint.Theducktrailedthecaptivesaroundlikeapuppy,limpinginandoutofthekitchen,wheretheworkersapparentlyfedhim.Everymorningattenko,Gagapeg-leggedtotheparadegroundandstoodwiththemen,andonecaptivewouldlaterswearthatwhen
themenbowedtowardtheemperor,tenko,Gagapeg-leggedtotheparadegroundandstoodwiththemen,andonecaptivewouldlaterswearthatwhenthemenbowedtowardtheemperor,Gagabowedinimitation.Insodarkaplace,thischeerfulbirdbecameespecialybeloved.Forthecaptives,wroteOfunasurvivor“Pappy”Boyington,Gagabecameacreatureonwhich“toresttheirtortured
brainsamomentwhilethey[were]prayingandworryingifanyone[would]everfreethem.”
LouierarelycrossedpathswithPhil,whowashousedfardownthehal.ThepilotseemedtobehandlingOfunawelenough,butheremainedshrunkenandfrail,aholowdistanceinhiseyes.Duringforcedexercise,hewasn’tstrongenoughtorun,sohe
andafewotherswereseparatedandharanguedthroughcalisthenics.
Once,whenLouieandPhilshuffledupnexttoeachotherontheparadeground,Philfinalyspokeofthecrash.Filedwithanguish,hesaidthathefeltresponsibleforthedeathsofalofthosemen.Louiereassuredhimthatthecrashhadn’tbeenhisfault,butPhilwasunswayed.
“I’lneverflyagain,”hesaid.
——
Intime,LouiediscoveredthatboththeforcedsilenceofOfunaandthebowingsubmissionofitscaptiveswereilusions.Beneaththehushwasahummingundergroundofdefiance.
Itbeganwithsidelongwhispers.Theguards
couldn’tbeeverywhere,andassoonasanareawasleftunattended,thecaptivesbecameabsorbedinstealthymuttering.Menscribblednotesonslipsoftoiletpaperandhidthemforeachotherinthebenjo.Once,whengivenpermissiontospeakaloudsohecouldtranslateorders,CommanderMaheradvisedanothercaptiveonstealingtechniques,rightinfrontoftheobliviousguards.The
boldestcaptiveswouldwalkuptotheguards,lookstraightatthem,andspeakinEnglish,usingaqueryingtone.Theconfusedguardsthoughttheywerebeingaskedquestions,wheninfactthemenwerespeakingtoeachother.
Whenwordscouldn’tbeused,Morsecodecould.Atnight,inthesmalintervalswhentheguardsleftthebuilding,thewholebarracks
wouldstarttapping.Outside,menwouldwhisperincode,using“tit”for“dot”and“da”for“dash,”wordsthatcouldbespokenwithoutmovingthelips.Louieusedhishandsforcode,obscuringthemfromtheguards.Mostofthediscussionsweretrivial—Louiewouldberememberedfordescriptionsofhismother’scooking—butthecontentdidn’tmatter.Thetriumphwasinthe
subversion.
Louiesoonlearnedacriticalruleofconversation:Neveruseaguard’srealname.Guardswhodiscoveredthattheywerebeingdiscussedoftendeliveredsavagebeatings,sothemeninventednicknamesforthem.Thesluggish,quietcampcommanderwascaledtheMummy.GuardnicknamesincludedTurdbird,Flange
Face,theWeasel,LiverLip,Fatty,andTermite.AparticularlyrepugnantguardwasknownasShithead.
Thedefiancetookonalifeofitsown.Menwouldsmileandaddresstheguardsinfriendlytones,cooingoutinsultsfilthyenoughtocurlaman’shair.
Onecaptiveconvincedaparticularlydim-wittedguard
thatasundialwouldworkatnightifheusedamatch.Afragrantfavoriteinvolvedsavingupintestinalgas,explosivelyvoluminousthankstochronicdysentery,priortotenko.Whenthemenwereorderedtobowtowardtheemperor,thecaptiveswouldpitchforwardinconcertandletthunderclapsflyforHirohito.
Louiehadanother,privateact
ofrebelion.Afelowcaptive,abookbinderincivilianlife,gavehimatinybookthathe’dmadeincampwithricepasteflattenedintopagesandsewntogether.Louieeitherfoundorstoleapencilandbegankeepingadiary.Init,herecordedwhathadhappenedsincehiscrash,thencontinuedwithlifeinthecamp.Onthebook’scentralpages,inboldprint,hewrotehometowncontact
informationforothercaptives,makingitseemtobeaninnocuousaddressbook.Hewrotehisdiaryentriesinfaintscriptupsidedowninthebackofthebook,wheretheymightbeoverlooked.
Hepriedupaboardonhiscelfloorandhidthediaryunderneath.Withdailyroominspections,discoverywaslikely,andwouldprobably
bringaclubbing.
ButthissmaldeclarationofselfmatteredagreatdealtoLouie.Heknewthathemightweldiehere.Hewantedtoleaveatestamenttowhathehadendured,andwhohehadbeen.
Afterfood,whateverymanwantedmostwaswarnews.TheJapanesesealedtheircampsfromoutside
informationandwenttosomelengthstoconvincetheircaptivesofAliedannihilation,firstbytrumpetingJapanesevictories,andlater,whenvictoriesstoppedcoming,byinventingstoriesofAliedlossesandridiculouslyimplausibleJapanesefeats.Once,theyannouncedthattheirmilitaryhadshotAbrahamLincolnandtorpedoedWashington,D.C.
“Theycouldn’tunderstandwhywelaughed,”saidaprisoner.Ofunaofficialshadnoideathatthecaptiveshadfoundwaystofolowthewarinspiteofthem.
Newcaptiveswerefontsofinformation,andnosoonerhadtheyarrivedthantheirmindswerepickedclean,thenewstappingitswaydownthecelblocksinminutes.Newspapersrarelyappeared,
butwhenonedid,stealingitbecameacampwideobsession.Rationsweresometimesdeliveredtocampwrappedinnewspapers,andthetwokitchenlaborers,AlMeadandErnestDuva,wouldquietlypocketthem.Theboldestmenevenmanagedtopinchpapersfromtheinterrogationroomastheywerebeingquestioned.Oncestolen,thepapersmadeelaboratesecret
journeys,passedhandtohanduntiltheyreachedthetranslators,Harris,Fitzgerald,andMaher.Astranslationsweredone,lookoutsstoodby,pretendingtotietheirshoesoradjusttheirbelts.Whenguardsneared,warningswereissued,andthepapersvanished,soontobeputtotheirfinaluse.Inacampwithalotofdysenteryandlittletoiletpaper,newspaperswerepriceless.
Inasecretplaceinsidehiscel,Harrisstoredthetoolsofhisclandestinetranslatingtrade.SometimeduringhisstayatOfuna,hehadscavengedorstolenbitsofwireandstring,stripsofcardboard,scrapsofpaper,andapencil.ThecardboardhadbeencutfromaCanadianRedCrossPOWreliefpackage;becausetheRedCrossdidn’tknowofOfuna’sexistence,thepackagehadprobablybeen
broughtfromanothercampbytheJapanese,whoroutinelypurloinedthecontentsofsuchparcelsfortheirownconsumption.Cuttingortearingthepaperintosmalpages,Harrishadusedthewireandstringtobindthemintotwobooks,sewingonthecardboardascovers.
Inonebook,Harrishadrecordedtheaddressesofhis
felowcaptives,includingLouie.Intheother,hehadbeguncreatinganelaborateJapanese-Englishdictionary.Inside,hehadwrittensentencesinJapaneseandEnglish—“Ifeellikeeatingmelon,”“Don’tyouintendtobuyapiano”—folowedbynotesonproperphrasing,verbs,andtenses.Otherpagesweredevotedtoacomprehensivelistoftranslationsofmilitaryterms,
wordslike“torpedoplane,”“tank,”“bomber,”“antiaircraftgun,”and“captive.”Increatingthedictionary,Harrismayhavehadmoreinmindthantranslatingstolendocuments;ifheeverescapedfromOfuna,theJapanesetranslationsofwordslike“compass,”“seacoast,”and“ashore”mightbecriticaltoknow.Alongwiththebooks,Harriskeptacolectionof
hand-drawnwarmaps;he’dseentheoriginalmapsinstolennewspapers,memorizedthem,andrecreatedthem.Hestoredaloftheseitems,alongwithanewspaperclipping,inasmalbagthathekeptcarefulyhiddenfromtheguards.
Thankstotheworkofthievesandtranslators,mostcaptiveswerewelenoughinformedonthewar’sprogressthatthey
hadwagersridingonwhenitwouldend.KnowingthattheAlieswerewinningwasimmenselyinspiring,enablingmentogoonalittlelonger.Thoughthecaptives’resistancewasdangerous,throughsuchacts,dignitywaspreserved,andthroughdignity,lifeitself.Everyoneknewwhattheconsequenceswouldbeifanyonewerecaughtstealingnewspapersorhidingitemsasincriminating
asHarris’smapsanddictionary.Atthetime,itseemedworththerisk.
——
Inthefal,thesnowcame,glidingthroughthegapsinthebarrackswals.Duringthemorningmopping,thewaterintheaislefroze.Nearlyeverycaptivefelil.Louie,stilwearingonlytheclotheshe’dcrashedin,developedan
ominouscough.Shutoutsidealday,heandtheothersstoodinlargehuddles,mixingslowlytogiveeachmantimeinthemiddle,whereitwaswarmest.
Therationsdwindled.ThecentralauthoritieswerealottingscantfoodtoOfuna,butthiswasn’tthehalfofit.Unloadingtherationtrucks,captivessawbeans,vegetables,andother
nutritiousfare,yetatmealtime,theseitemswerealmostneverintheirbowls.Campofficials,includingthecommander,werestealingthem.Themostflagrantthiefwasthecook,aringlet-hairedcivilianknownasCurley.Curleywouldstandinfulviewofthecaptivesashewerestealingthem.Themostflagrantthiefwasthecook,aringlet-hairedcivilianknownasCurley.Curleywould
standinfulviewofthecaptivesashehoistedtheirfoodoverthefencetocivilians,orpackeditontohisbicycleandpedaledofftoselitontheblackmarket,whereitwouldbringastronomicalprices.Sometimeshe’dcalLouieover,givehimapackageofthecaptives’food,andorderhimtowalkitovertothefence,whereawomanwouldtakeitinexchangeforbarterpayment.Accordingto
onecaptive,itwaswidelyknownthatCurleyhadboughtandfurnishedahousewithhisprofits.
ThestealingleftOfunainastateoffamine.“Togiveyouanideaofhowhungrywewere,”wroteCommanderFitzgerald,“itcanbestbeexplainedbythefactthatittookanawfullotofwilpowertotakethelastpartofstarchfrommyricebowlin
ordertostickasnapshotofmywifetoapieceofplywood.”
CommanderMaherpleadedformorefood.Officialspunishedhisimpertinencebyslashingtheprisoners’rationsandintensifyingtheirexercise.
Insearchofsomethingtooccupytheirhungrymouths,thecaptiveswereseizedbya
maniaforsmoking.Smalalotmentsoffoultobaccowerehandedout,andLouie,likealmostalcaptives,resumedthehabit.Menbecamefiercelyaddicted.Thefewwhodidn’tsmokestilreceivedthetobaccoration;theywerericherthankings.OneofLouie’sfriends,anagingNorwegiansailornamedAntonMinsaas,becamesohookedthathebegantradinghisfoodfor
smokes.Louieurgedhimtoeat,butMinsaascouldn’tbepersuaded.Hegreweverthinner.
Everymanincampwasthin,manyemaciated,butLouieandPhilwerethinnerthananyoneelse.Therationsweren’tnearlyenough,andLouiewasplaguedbydysentery.Hecouldn’tgetwarm,andhewasrackedbyacough.Heteeteredthrough
theexercisesessions,tryingtokeephislegsfrombuckling.Atnight,hefoldedhispaperblanketstocreateloft,butitbarelyhelped;theunheated,draftyroomswereonlyafewdegreeswarmerthanthefrigidoutsideair.Whencampofficialsstagedabasebalgame,Louiewassenttobat.Hehitthebal,tookonestep,andcolapsed.Sprawledontheground,heheardlaughing.
Onedaythatfal,aJapanesenewspapereditorcametocamp.HehadlearnedthataLouisZamperiniwasbeingheldthere.InJapan,trackwaswildlypopular,andinternationalrunningstarswerewelknown.TheeditorcarriedafilefulofinformationonLouie,andshowedittotheguards.
Theguardswerefascinatedtolearnthatthesick,emaciated
maninthefirstbarrackshadoncebeenanOlympicrunner.TheyquicklyfoundaJapaneserunnerandbroughthiminforamatchraceagainsttheAmerican.Hauledoutandforcedtorun,Louiewastrounced,andtheguardsmadetitteringmockeryofhim.Louiewasangryandshaken,andhisgrowingweaknessscaredhim.POWsweredyingbythethousandsincampsaloverJapanandits
capturedterritories,andwinterwascoming.
LouiewenttoSasakitoaskforhelp.SinceSasakiwas,byhisownaccount,abigwig,itseemedthatitwouldbeeasyforhimtointervene.Butaftertalkingaboutwhat“we”woulddo,Sasakineverfolowedthrough.ThemosthedidforLouiewastogivehimaneggandatangerine,whichLouiesharedwithother
captives.LouiebegantobelievethatSasakiwasn’thisaly,andwasn’tprotectinghimfrominterrogation.ItnowseemedthattheJapanesesimplyweren’tinterestedinwhatheknew.TheyhadbroughthimtoOfunatosoftenhimupforsomethingelse,buthehadnoideawhatitwas.
WhereSasakifailedLouie,thekitchenworkers,Mead
andDuva,camethrough,atconsiderablerisktothemselves.Eachdayastheywalkedthebarrackshaltodeliverrations,theybaledupanextraportionofriceandsometimesabitoffish,waitedforamomentwhentheguardsglancedaway,andtossedittoLouie.Meadwhisperedhisonlyrequest:GivehalftoPhil.Louiewouldhidehalftherice,inchuptoPhilontheparade
ground,andslipitintohishand.
InOctober,AntonMinsaas,stiltradinghisfoodforcigarettes,sanktothegroundduringanexercisesession.Theguardsdroppedonhim,clubsflying.
Notlongafter,beriberisetin,andMinsaasbecametooweaktowalk,thencouldnolongerspeak.Campofficials
broughtinadoctor,whoinjectedMinsaaswithagreenfluid.Minsaasdiedimmediately.Ofthegreenfluid,captiveJohanArthurJohansenwrote,“We…believedthatitwasanattempttoendhislife.”*
Louiesatinhiscel,shiveringandpraying.ANorwegiansailor,ThorbjørnChristiansen,feltforhim,andgavehimagiftthatmaywel
havesavedhislife.
Diggingthroughhispossessions,hepuledoutacoatandpassedittoLouie.Louiebundledup,hungon,andhopedhewouldn’tenduplikeMinsaas.
——
As1943drewtoitsend,themeninOfunahadatasteofliberation.Theveteran
captives,Louieincluded,werealowedtospeaktooneanotherwhentheywereoutside.Whennewcaptivesarrived,theywerewhiskedintosolitaryconfinementandbannedfromspeakinguntiltheyweredonewiththeinitialinterrogation.Veteransbeganloiteringoutsidethenewmen’swindows,pretendingtospeaktoeachotherwheninfacttheyweregrilingtheneophytes.
Intheearlyweeksof1944,Louiegotwordthatanewcaptive,justoutofsolitary,waslookingforhim.Whenhetrackedthemandown,hefoundawavy-hairedblondfromBurbank,notfarfromTorrance.Oneoftheman’slegswasgone,hispantlegtiedabovetheknee.HeintroducedhimselfasFredGarrett,aB-24pilot.HeseemedamazedtoseeLouie.AsLouielistened,Garrett
toldaremarkablestory.
BeforeChristmas,theAmericanshadgoneaftertheJapanesebasesintheMarshalIslands,sendingwavesofbombers.Flyingononesuchmission,Garrettwasshotdownovertheocean,incurringacompoundanklefracture.Afterfloatingfortenhoursonaraft,hewaspickedupbyaJapanesetugboatcrew.Theytookhimtoan
island,whereJapanesesoldierstookturnskickinghisdanglingankle.ThenGarrettwasflowntoanotherislandandthrownintoacelblockwherenineteenotherdownedAmericanairmenwerebeingheld.Hisanklefestered,maggotshatchedinit,andGarrettbegantorunahighfever.Hewastoldthathe’dbegivenmedicalcareonlyifhedivulgedmilitarysecrets.Ifnot,he’dbekiled.Garrett
liedininterrogation,andtheJapaneseknewit.
TwodaysafterChristmas,Garrettwastieddown,givenaspinalanesthetic,andforcedtowatchasaJapanesecorpsmansawedathisleg,thensnappeditoff.Thoughtheinfectionwaslimitedtotheankle,thecorpsmancuttheentirelegoff,because,hetoldGarrett,thiswouldmakeitimpossibleforhimtoflya
planeagain.Garrett,delirious,wasdumpedbackinhiscel.Thenextmorning,hewasthrownontoatruckandtakentowardmainlandJapanwithtwoothercaptives.TheirjourneybroughtthemtoOfuna.TheseventeenAmericanswhowereleftbehindwereneverseenagain.
GarrettthentoldLouiewhyhehadsoughthimout.Ashe
hadlaininfeveredagonyinhiscelonthesecondisland,hehadlookeduptoseetennamesscratchedintothewal.Hehadaskedaboutthemandhadbeentoldthatthefirstninemenhadbeenexecuted.Noonehadtoldhimwhathadhappenedtothetenthman.Garretthadspentmuchofhistimemulingoverthatlastnameonthewal,perhapsthinkingthatifthismanhadsurvived,somighthe.
WhenhehadarrivedatOfuna,hehadaskedifanyonehadheardofthatman,LouisZamperini.GarrettandZamperini,bothLosAngeles–areanatives,hadbeenheldinthesametinyKwajaleincelalmostfivethousandmilesfromhome.
——
Ploddingaroundtheparadegroundthatwinter,Louieand
HarrisbefriendedFrankTinker,adive-bomberpilotandoperasingerwhohadbeenbroughtfromKwajaleinwithGarrett.Thethreespentmostoftheiroutdoortimetogether,sittingonbenchesortracingtheedgesofthecompound,distractingoneanotherfromthetooth-chatteringcoldwithmindexercises.HarrisandTinkerwereexperiencingthesparklingmentalclarity,
promptedbystarvation,thatLouiehadfirstknownontheraft.TinkerbecameconversantinNorwegianinasingleweek,takinglessonsfromhiscelneighbors.HesawHarrisarguingwithanothercaptiveaboutmedievalhistoryandtheMagnaCarta,andheoncefoundthemarinesittingwithhishandspartedasifholdingabook,staringatthemandmumblingtohimself.When
Tinkeraskedwhathewasdoing,HarrissaidhewasreadingatextthathehadstudiedatAnnapolismanyyearsearlier.Harriscouldseethebookinfrontofhim,asifitswordswerewrittenacrosshisoutspreadfingers.
WiththehelpofChristiansen’scoat,DuvaandMead’srice,andHarris,Tinker,andGarrett’sfriendship,Louiesurvivedthe
winter.Buoyedbytheextracalories,hestrengthenedhislegs,liftinghiskneesupanddownashewalkedthecompound.Theguardsbegangoadinghimintorunningaroundthecompoundalone.
compoundalone.
Whenspringarrived,OfunaofficialsbroughtinaJapanesecivilianandorderedLouietoracehim.Louie
didn’twanttodoit,buthewastoldthatifherefused,alcaptiveswouldbepunished.Theracewasaboutamileandahalf,inlapsaroundthecompound.Louiehadnointentionofwinning,andlaggedbehindformostofit.Butasheran,hefoundthathisbodywassolightthatcarryingitwassurprisinglyeasy.Alaroundthecompound,thecaptiveswatchedhim,breathless.As
thefinishapproached,theystartedcheering.
LouielookedaheadattheJapaneserunnerandrealizedthathehaditwithinhimselftopasstheman.Heknewwhatwouldhappenifhewon,butthecheeringandtheaccumulationofsomanymonthsofhumiliationbroughtsomethinginhimtoahardpoint.Helengthenedhisstride,seizedthelead,and
crossedthefinishline.Thecaptiveswhooped.
Louiedidn’tseetheclubcomingathisskul.Hejustfelttheworldtipandgoaway.Hiseyesopenedtothesightofthesky,ringedwiththefacesofcaptives.Ithadbeenworthit.
Theguardsthoughttheyhadtaughthimalesson.Anotherrunner,hisgirlfriendintow,
arrived.Louiewasreadytobeathimtoo,butbeforetherace,therunnerspoketohimkindly,inEnglish,offeringtogivehimaricebalifhe’dthrowtherace.Itwouldmeanalottohim,hesaid,towininfrontofhisgirlfriend.Louielost,thegirlfriendwasimpressed,andtherunnerdeliveredonericebal,plusasecondasinterest.Thepayment,Louiesaid,“mademeaprofessional.”
——
InMarch,Philwastakenaway.Itseemedthathehadatlastgottenlucky;officialssaidthathewasbeingsenttoaPOWcampcaledZentsuji.EverycaptivelongedtobetransferredtoaPOWcamp,where,itwassaid,menwereregisteredwiththeRedCrossandcouldwritehomeandenjoyvastlybetterlivingconditions.OfalPOW
camps,Zentsujiwasrumoredtobethebest.Theinterrogatorshadlongdangledthis“plush”campbeforethecaptivesasarewardforcooperation.
PhilandLouiehadonlyabriefgood-bye.Theyspokeoffindingeachotheragainsomeday,whenthewarwasover.Philwasledthroughthegateanddrivenaway.
TheZentsujistorywasfalse.PhilwassenttoAshio,acampnorthofTokyo.ThePOWsofAshiowerehandedovertoawire-and-cablefirm,whichherdedthemundergroundtominecopperinconditionsthatwerealmostunlivable.Thisworkwasusualy,butnotalways,restrictedtoenlistedPOWs.
WhetherornotPhilwasforcedintoslaveryis
unknown.
Therewas,itseemed,onegoodthingaboutAshio.Philhadn’tseenCecyorhisfamilyinwelovertwoyears,andknewthattheyprobablythoughthewasdead.AtAshio,hewastoldthathecouldwritehome.Givenpaperandpen,hewroteabouthisdaysontheliferaftwithZamp,hiscapture,andhisyearningforhome.“Thefirst
nighthomewilhearsomeinterestingtales,”hewrote.“Muchlovetilwe’retogetheragain.Al.”
SometimeafterPhilturnedinhisletter,someonefounditinagarbageheap,burned.Thoughtheedgeswerecharred,thetextwasstilvisible.Philtookbackhisletterandtuckeditaway.Ifhegotoutofthiswaralive,he’ddeliveritinperson.
*FutureIndianagovernorEdgarWhitcomb.
*Theymayhavebeenright.Later,twoothercaptivesweregivensimilarinjections,andbothdied.Thedoctor’sintentmayhavebeencompassionate;mercykilingwasthenanacceptedpracticeinJapan.
Twenty-one
Belief
BEHINDTORRANCEHIGHSCHOOLSTOODAHUDDLEOFtrees.Onmanyeveningsinthemonthsafterherbrotherwentmissing,SylviaZamperiniFlammerwoulddrivetotheschool,turnhercarunderthetrees,andparkthere,thensitinthequietandthedimness,alone.Asthecarcooledoverthepavement,tearswouldstream
downSylvia’scheeks.Sometimesshe’dletherselfsob,knowingthatnoonewouldhearher.Afterafewminutes,she’ddabawayhertears,straightenherself,andstartthecaragain.
Onthedrivehome,she’dthinkofalietoexplainwhyherpostofficetriphadagaintakensolong.Sheneverletanyoneknowhowfrightenedshewas.
——
InTorrance,theJune4,1943,telegramannouncingLouie’sdisappearancewasfolowedbyexcruciatingsilence.Manyweekspassed,andthemilitary’ssearchyieldednotraceofLouie,hiscrew,orhisplane.Intown,hopedissolved.WhentheZamperiniswentout,theysawresignationintheirneighbors’faces.
InsidethewhitehouseonGramercyAvenue,themoodwasdifferent.Inthefirstdaysafterthetelegramarrived,LouiseZamperinihadbeenseizedwiththeconvictionthathersonwasalive.Herhusbandandchildrenhadfeltthesame.Dayspassed,thenweeks;springbecamesummer;andnowordcame.Butthefamily’sconvictionremainedunshaken.Tothefamily,Louiewasamong
themstil,spokenofinthepresenttense,asifhewerejustdownthestreet,expectedatanymoment.
WhattheZamperiniswereexperiencingwasn’tdenial,anditwasn’thope.Itwasbelief.Louise,Anthony,Pete,andVirginiastilsensedLouie’spresence;theycouldstilfeelhim.TheirdistresscamenotfromgriefbutfromthecertaintythatLouiewas
outthere,introuble,andtheycouldn’treachhim.
OnJuly13,Louisefeltawaveofurgency.ShepennedalettertoMajorGeneralWilisHale,commanderoftheSeventhAirForce.Init,shebeggedHalenottogiveupsearching;Louie,shewrote,wasalive.UnbeknownsttoLouise,onthatsameday,Louiewascaptured.
Severalweekslater,areplycamefromHale’soffice.Thelettersaidthatgiventhefailureofthesearchtoyieldanyclues,themilitaryhadbeenforcedtoacceptthatLouieandtherestofthemenontheplaneweregone.Itwashoped,thelettersaid,thatLouisewouldacceptthisalso.Louiserippeduptheletter.
PetewasstilinSanDiego,
trainingnavyrecruits.Thestressworeonhim.SometimeshedrovetoTorrancetovisithisfamily,andwhenhearrived,everyonequietlyworriedabouthowthinhewas.InSeptember,hislastlettertoLouie,mailedhoursbeforehisfamilywasnotifiedofhiscrash,camebacktohim.ScribbledonthefrontwerethewordsMissingatsea.Ontheback,therewasastamp:
CASUALTYSTATUSVERIFIED.ThephotographofPetewasstilsealedintheenvelope.
Thatsamemonth,Sylvia’shusband,Harvey,leftforthewar.Hewouldn’tseehiswifeagainfortwoyears.Livingalone,Sylviawasrackedwithanxietyforherbrotherandherhusband,andshehadnoonetoshareitwith.LikePete,shewasbarelyableto
eat.Herbodyhadbecomeaslender,tautline.Yearningtoconnectwithsomeone,shedecidedtomovebackinwithherparents.
Sylviaheldayardsaletogetridofalofherpossessions.Shehadaclotheswasheranddryer,bothrationeditemsthatwerealmostimpossibletobuynew.Onewomanwantedtobuythem,butSylviarefused,inhopesthatshe
couldseleverythinginonelot.Thewomanpromptlyboughttheentirehouse’scontentsfor$1,000,justtogettheappliances.SylviatookwhatlittleshehadleftanddrovetoTorrance.
Shefoundherfatherjustashehadbeensincethenewshadcome:chinup,smilingbravely,sometimesthroughtears.Virginia,livingathomeandbuildingmilitaryshipsat
WesternPipeandSteel,wasasdistraughtasSylvia.Theirmotherwasthebiggestworry.AtfirstLouisecriedoften.Then,asthemonthspassed,shehardeneddown.Theweepingrashonherhands,whichhadappearedalmostthemomentshe’dlearnedofLouie’sdisappearance,raged.Shecouldn’tweargloves,andcouldnolongerdoanythingwithherhands.Sylviaand
herfathertookoverthecooking.
Sylviaquitherjobinadentist’sofficeandtookanewoneasadentalassistantinanarmyhospital,hopingthatthejobmightgiveheraccesstoinformationaboutLouie.There,sheheardtalkofaplaneshortageinthemilitary,soshetookasecondjob,moonlightingontheeveningshiftintheblueprint
officeofanaircraftfactory.Shewasalmostunbearablytense.Onenight,leavingworklate,shecameuponagroupofworkerssittingunderaplane,gambling.Shesuddenlyfoundherselfshoutingatthem,sayingthatherbrotherwasmissing,Americaneededplanes,andheretheyweregoofingoff.Sylviawasstartledbyheroutburst,butshedidn’tregretit.Itmadeherfeelbetter.
——
OnOctober6,Louie’sarmytrunkbumpedontohisparents’doorstep,heavyandfinal.Louisecouldn’tbringherselftolookinside.Shehaditdraggedtothebasementandcoveredwithablanket.Itwouldsitthere,unopened,fortherestofherlife.
Everyoneinthefamilywas
suffering,butthechildrenwantedtoinsulatetheirmother.Theynevercriedtogether,insteadtelingeachotherinventedstoriesofLouie’sadventuresonatropicalisland.Mostofthetime,Anthonysimplycouldn’ttalkaboutLouie.Sylviaspentalotoftimeinchurch,prayingforLouieandHarvey.SometimessheandVirginiadrovetoSanDiegotoseePete,andthey’dalgo
outforadrinktocheeroneanotherup.TheyneverdiscussedthepossibilitythatLouiewasdead.WhenSylviawalkedthroughdowntownTorrancewithherfamily,shenoticedobliqueglancesfrompassersby.
TheirexpressionsseemedtosaythattheypitiedtheZamperinisforbeingunabletoacceptthetruth.
Everyevening,Sylviawrotealettertoherhusband.Everyweekorso,shewroteonetoLouie.Shemadeapointofwritingasifeverythingwerenormal,sharingthetrivialnewsofhome.ShehadanaddressforHarvey;forLouieshehadnothing,sosheaddressedhisletterstotheRedCross.She’dtelhermotherthatshewasmailingletters,getinthecar,drivetothepostoffice,anddropthe
lettersinthebox.Thenshe’ddrivetoTorranceHigh,parkunderthetrees,andcry.
Atnight,whenthelightswereoutandshewasaloneinherchildhoodbed,Sylviaoftenbrokedownagain.Whensleepcame,itwasfitfulandhaunted.Becausesheknewnothingofwhathadhappenedtoherbrother,hermindlatchedontotheimageshehadseeninthenewspaper
afterNauru:LouiepeeringthroughaholeinthesideofSuperMan.TheimagehadfixedinhermindtheideaofLouiebeingshot,andthiswasthepointaroundwhichhernightmarescircled:neveracrash,neverwater,onlybuletsbloodyingLouieashesatinhisplane.SylviawasalwaystryingtogettoLouie,butshewasneverable.Asbadasthenightmareswere,inthem,Louiewasneverkil
ed.EvenSylvia’simaginationdidn’talowforherbrother’sdeath.
InDecember1943,thefamilypreparedtocelebratetheirfirstChristmaswithoutLouie.Themailmanknockedatthedooreachdaytodeliveraharvestofcardsandletters,mostofthemofferingsympathy.Theholidaytreewasstrungwithpopcornandcranberries,andbeneathitsat
acolectionofgiftsforLouie.Thegiftswouldbetuckedawayinthebeliefthatoneday,Louiewouldcomehometoopenthemhimself.
LouiseboughtalittleChristmascarddepictingacherubinareddressblowingahornasshestoodsurroundedbylambs.Inside,shewroteamessage.
DearLouis.Whereeveryou
are,Iknowyouwantustothinkofyouaswellandsafe.MayGodbewithyou,+guideyou.Lovefromall.MotherDadPeteSylviaandVirginia.Christmas25-43.
——
Twomonthslater,afteracampaignofsaturationbombing,AmericaseizedKwajalein.Theisland’sdensejunglehadbeenbombed
away;initsplaceweremassivecraters,burnedtreestumps,andchurnedearth.“Theentireislandlookedasifithadbeenpickeduptwentythousandfeetandthendropped,”saidoneserviceman.Inwhatwasleftofanadministrativebuilding,someonefoundastackofdocuments.
Outside,aserviceman,climbingthroughtheremains
ofawoodenstructure,sawsomethinginthewreckageanddugitout.Itwasalongsplinterofwood.Etchedalongtheslat,incapitalletters,wasthenameLOUISZAMPERINI.
OnOahu,JoeDeasywassummonedtoHickamField.Whenhearrived,hewashandedtranslationsofsomeoftheJapanesedocumentsthathadbeentakenfrom
Kwajalein.Hebegantoread.TwoAmericanairmen,thedocumentssaid,hadbeenfishedfromaliferaftandbroughttoKwajalein.Theirnamesweren’tgiven,buttheyweredescribedasapilotandabombardier.They’dbeeninaplanecrash—thedatewasapparentlyprovided—andthreemenhadsurvived,butonehaddiedontheraft.Theothertwohaddriftedforforty-sevendays.Included
amongthepaperswereinterrogationreportsanddrawingsofB-24smadebythecaptives.Thereportstatedthatthemenhadbeenbeaten,thensenttoJapanbyboat.
ThemomentthatDeasyreadthereport,heknewwhothemenwere.Deasyhadbeenlongatwar,andtheexperiencehadgroundawayhisemotions,butthisrevelationbrokethrough:Phil
ipsandZamperinihadsurvivedtheircrash.Deasy’selationwastailedbyasinkingsenseofguilt:Intheirpainstakingsearchoftheocean,theyhadmissedseeingthelostmen,buttheenemyhadnot.
“Iwashappytohavefoundthem,”Deasyrecaled,“butthenextthingis,wherethehelarethey?”IfthereportoftheirtransporttoJapanwas
correct,itstildidn’tmeantheyhadgottentherealive,orthattheyhadsurvivedwhateverlayinstoreforthemthere.
ThemilitarynowknewwithafairamountofcertaintythateveryonewhohadgoneuponGreenHornet,withtheexceptionofZamperiniandPhilips,wasdead.Apparentlybecauseofthesketchinessofthereportsand
thefactthatLouie’sandPhil’sfateswerestilunknown,thefamiliesofthedeadandthetwostilmissingweren’tnotified.
LiketheZamperinis,thePhilipsfamilyhadbeenlargelyinthedarksinceAlenhaddisappeared.Alen’sfatherwasatCampPickettinVirginia;hismother,Kelsey,rattledaroundinheremptyhouseinPrinceton,Indiana.
AfterthetelegraminformingthemthatAlenwasmissing,theyreceivedaletterfromanadjutantfromthe42ndsquadron,givingdetailsonhowAlenhaddisappeared.Theadjutantwrotewithatoneoffinality,speakingof“yourhourofgrief,”notingthatAlen“wilalwaysbereveredbythemembersofthisorganization”andofferingto“extendmyselftoyoutoeaseyoursorrow.”
Thenextmonth,apackagecametoAlen’sfatheratCampPickett.Initweretwobronzeoak-leafclusters,awardedtoAlenforhisvalorinthemissionsofMakin,Tarawa,andNauru.“Pendingfinaldeterminationofyourson’sstatus,”thecoverletterread,“theOakLeafClustersarebeingsenttoyouforsafe-keeping.”ThoughthePhilipsesdidn’tknowit,themedalsarrivedthesameweek
Alenwascaptured.
ChaplainPhilipswantedtosendtheoak-leafclusterstohiswifebutfearedlosingtheminthemail,sohekeptthemwithhiminVirginia.Hetookapictureofthem,alongwithAlen’sserviceribbons,wings,insignia,andAirMedal,attachedthepicturetoamaroonpieceoffelthe’dcutfromalady’shat,andgluedthefelttoa
walnutplaque.WhenhegotbacktoIndiana,heplannedtoattachtheactualmedalsandribbonstothefeltandstandtheplaqueonthebookcase,underAlen’spicture.“Itcertainlyisswel,”hewrotetohisdaughter.
Intheabsenceofinformation,althePhilipsescoulddowasponderwhatlittletheyknew.They,liketheZamperinis,refusedtoconcludethattheir
boywasdead.“IthinkIhavethoughtofeveryconceivableangletowhatAlendidandIhavenotdismissedanyofthemfrommymindyet,”ChaplainPhilipswrotetohisdaughterinAugust.“Somanythingscouldbetrueaboutitalthattheybuildupformeafeelingofconfidencethatwilnotbeshaken.Somedaywearealgoingtohavethatreunionwearehopingandwaitingfor.”
ForCecyPerry,thenewsthatherfiancéwasmissingwasfolowedbyaletterfromheroldfriendSmitty,oneofthepilotswhohadsearchedforGreenHornet.Inhisletter,SmittytoldCecyeverythingthatwasknownaboutAlen’sdisappearanceandhowdedicatedthesearchersweretofindinghim.Hedidn’ttelherthathehadseenwhathadprobablybeentheprovisionsboxforthelostplane,
floatingbyitselfontheocean.HewroteabouthavingsatwithAlenonthenightbeforehedisappeared,andhowAlenhadbeenthinkingofherandhopingtogetleavetoseeher.
Phil’sfiancée,CecyPerry.CourtesyofKarenLoomis
AfterSmitty’sletter,nonewscame.Cecy,desperateforinformation,feltisolatedinIndiana.OneofherfriendswaslivinginasuburbofWashington,D.C.,andCecythoughtthatinthecapital,shecouldfindoutmoreaboutAlen.Shegaveupteaching,traveledeast,andmovedintoherfriend’sapartment,whichshedecoratedwithpicturesofAlen.ShegotajobwithTWA,thinkingthatthrough
theairline,shemightlearnsomething.Shespentmuchofhertimeaskingquestions,butlearnednothing.
Cecywasasensible,educatedwoman,butinheranguish,shedidsomethingcompletelyoutofcharacter.Shewenttoafortune-telerandaskedaboutAlen.
Thefortune-telertoldherthatAlenwasn’tdead.He
wasinjuredbutalive.Hewouldbefound,shesaid,beforeChristmas.Cecylatchedontothosewordsandbelievedthem.
——
Bythespringof1944,themothersoftheGreenHornetcrewmen,aswelasotherfamilymembers,hadbeguntocorrespond.Indozensoflettersthatcrisscrossed
America,theysharedtheiremotionsandbolsteredeachother’shopesabout“ourboys.”Kelseywouldlatersaythatshecametolovealofthemthroughthoseletters.
“Thisyearsurehasbeenanawfullongyearjustwaitingofsomewordfromthem,”wroteDeliaRobinson,thesisterofGreenHornetgunnerOttoAnderson,thatJune.“Wejusthavetokeepon
hoping.”
ThewaitinghadtakenitstoloncrewmanLeslieDean’smother,Mable—herfailinghealthhadsenthertoWichitaforweeksoftreatment—butshe,liketheothers,hadnotgivenup.“Wethoughtsurelywewouldhaveheardsomethingwhentheyearwasup,”shewrotetoLouise.“Soitseemstheyarenotsurethecrewwerekiled,orthey
wouldhavenotifieduslongbeforethis.SoIfeelthatwecanstilhavehopeofthembeingalivesomewhere.”
MableDeanwrotethosewordsonJune27,1944.Onthatveryday,exactlythirteenmonthsafterGreenHornethadgonedown,messagesweretypedupattheWarDepartmentandsenttothefamiliesoftheplane’screwmen.WhenLouise
Zamperini’smessagereachedherdoor,sheopeneditandburstintotears.ThemilitaryhadofficialydeclaredLouie,andaltheothercrewmen,dead.
KelseyPhilipswasnotpersuaded.SheeitherlearnedorguessedthattheLaPorteHerald-Argus,thenewspaperoftheirformerhometown,wouldpublishthenews.Shecontactedthepaperandasked
themnottoprintthedeathnotice;herson,shetoldthem,wasnotgone.Theeditorshonoredherrequest.RusselAlenPhilipshadofficialybeendeclareddead,butnoobituaryappeared.
ThefeelingintheZamperinihomewasthesameasinthePhilipses’.Whentheinitialshockfromthedeathnoticefaded,aloftheZamperinisrealizedthatitchanged
nothing.Thenoticehadbeengeneratedasabureaucraticmatterofcourse,adesignationmadeforalmissingservicemenafterthirteenmonthshadpassed.Louie’sofficialdeathdatewaslistedasMay28,1944,ayearandadayafterhisplanehadvanished.Thenoticewasjustapieceofpaper.“Noneofusbelievedit.Noneofus,”Sylviawouldsay.“Neveronce.Notunderneath,even.”
Insidethemselves,theZamperinisstilfeltthatpersistentlittleechoofLouie,thesensethathewasstilintheworldsomewhere.Untilitwasgone,theywouldgoonbelievingthathewasalive.
Duringfamilydinners,PeteandhisfatherbegandrawingupplanstohuntforLouie.Whenthewarwasover,they’drentaboatandsailfromislandtoislanduntil
theyfoundhim.They’dgoonforaslongasittook.
Twenty-two
PlotsAfoot
THEPLOTBEGANWITHAQUESTION.ITWASTHESUMMERof1944,andLouieandFrankTinkerwerewalkingtogetherintheOfunacompound.Louiecouldhearsmalplanescomingand
goingfromanairstripsomewhereinthedistance,andthesoundstartedhimthinking.Ifwecouldgetoutofhere,heaskedTinker,couldyouflyaJapaneseplane?
“Ifithaswings,”Tinkerreplied.
Fromthatbriefexchange,anideatookroot.Louie,Tinker,andHarrisweregoingto
escape.
——
They’dbeendriventothispointbyalong,desperatespringandsummer.Everyday,themenwereslapped,kicked,beaten,humiliated,anddriventhroughforcedexercises.Thereweresuddenexplosionsofviolencethatleftcaptivesspiledovertheground,hopingtheywouldn’t
bekiled.Andthatspring,thecentralauthoritieshadcutrationstoalprisonersdramaticaly.Withonlyabouthalfoftheofficialrationendingupinthecaptives’bowls,themenwerewastingaway.WhentheJapaneseweighedthecaptives,BilHarris,oversixfeettal,tippedthescaleat120pounds.Hehaddevelopedberiberi.
Louiewasdriventoevermorerecklesseffortstofindfood.Hestoleanonionandsecretlycookeditunderawaterheater,butdividedbetweenseveralmen,itdidn’tamounttomuch.Hestoleapackageofmisopasteand,whentheguardsweren’tlooking,shoveleditintohismouthandswaloweditinonegulp,notknowingthatmisopasteisextremelyconcentrated,meanttobe
dilutedinwater.Hewassoondoubledoverbehindthebarracks,heavinghisgutsout.Hewassomadforfoodthathesnuckfromhiscellateatnight,brokeintothekitchen,andcrammedhismouthfulofchestnutsthatweretobeservedtotheguards.Whenhelookedup,Shitheadwasthere,watchinghim.Louiebackedaway,thensprintedbacktohiscel.Shitheaddidn’tbeathimfor
it,buttheguard’sappearancewasenoughtoscareLouieoutofanothergoatthekitchen.Thebesthecoulddowasvolunteertostarchtheguards’
shirts.Thestarchwasmadefromricewaterpressedthroughcloth;afterLouiepressedtherice,hespenttherestofhistimepickingflecksofitofftheclothandeatingthem.
Finaly,opportunityknocked.Campofficialsaskedforavolunteertoworkasbarberfortheguards,offeringpaymentofonericebalperjob.Theideaofworkingaroundtheguardswasintimidating,butLouiehadtoeat.Whenhecameforward,hewasgivennotjustelectricclippersbutastraightrazor.
He’dneverusedonebefore,andheknewwhattheguards
woulddotohimiftheywerenicked.Hetooktherazortohiscelandpracticedonhimselfuntilhecouldshavewithoutdrawingblood.Whenhewalkedouttodohisfirstjob,theguardbaleduphisfistathim,thenmadeademandthat,toanAmerican,seemedbizarre.Hewantedhisforeheadshaved,astandardbarberingpracticeinJapan.AloftheguardsexpectedLouietodothis.
Louiemanagednottocutanyone,andthericebalskepthimalive.
AnotoriouslycruelguardcaledtheWeaselbegancomingtoLouieforshaves,buteverytime,heleftwithoutpaying.Louieknewwhathewouldriskineveningthescore,buthecouldn’tresist.WhileshavingtheWeasel’sforehead,heletthebladestrayalittlelow.Bythetime
hewasdone,althatwasleftoftheWeasel’sbushyeyebrowswasacoquettishline.TheWeaselstood,leftwithoutpaying,andenteredtheguardhouse.Amomentlater,Louieheardashout.
“MarleneDietrich!”
Louiebackedaway,waitingfortheWeaseltoburstout.Severalotherguardswentintotheguardhouse,and
Louiecouldhearlaughing.TheWeaselneverpunishedLouie,butthenexttimeheneededashave,hewentelsewhere.
——
Forthecaptives,everydaywaslivedwiththeknowledgethatitcouldbetheirlast.ThenearertheAliescametoJapan,thelargerloomedthethreatofthekil-alorder.The
captiveshadonlyavagueideaofhowthewarwasgoing,buttheJapanesewereclearlyworried.Inaninterrogationsessioninlatespring,anofficialtoldFitzgeraldthatifJapanlost,thecaptiveswouldbeexecuted.“HopeforJapan’svictory,”hesaid.Thequestfornewsofthewartookonspecialurgency.
Onemorning,Louiewason
theparadeground,underorderstosweepthecompound.HesawtheMummy—thecampcommander—sittingunderacherrytree,holdinganewspaper.Hewasnoddingoff.Louieloiterednearhim,watching.TheMummy’sheadtipped,hisfingersparted,andthepaperflutteredtotheground.Louieswepthiswayover,reachedoutwiththebroom,and,as
quietlyashecould,forkedthenewspapertohimself.ThetextwasinJapanese,buttherewasawarmapononepage.Louierantothebarracks,foundHarris,andheldthepaperupbeforehim.Harrisstaredatit,memorizingthemap.Louiethenranthepapertothegarbagesothey’dhavenoevidenceofthetheft.Harrisdrewaperfectrenderingofthemap,showedittothe
othercaptives,thendestroyedit.ThemapconfirmedthattheAlieswereclosinginonJapan.
InJuly,thescuttlebuttincampwasthattheAmericanswereattackingthecriticalislandofSaipan,intheMarianaIslands,southofmainlandJapan.Aspindlynewcaptivewashauledin,andeveryoneeyedhimasasourceofinformation,butthe
guardskepthimisolatedandforbadetheveteransfromspeakingtohim.Whenthenewmanwasledtothebathhouse,Louiesawhischance.Hesnuckbehindthebuildingandlookedinanopenwindow.Thecaptivewasstandingnaked,holdingapanofwaterandwashingastheguardstoodby.Thentheguardsteppedawaytolightacigarette.
“Ifwe’vetakenSaipan,dropthepan,”Louiewhispered.
Thepanclatteredtothefloor.Thecaptivepickeditup,droppeditagain,thendiditathirdtime.Theguardrushedbackin,andthecaptivepretendedthatthepanhadaccidentalyslipped.
LouiehurriedtohisfriendsandannouncedthatSaipanhadfalen.Atthetimeof
theircapture,theAmericanbomberwiththelongestrangewastheB-24.BecausetheLiberatordidn’thavetherangetomakethethree-thousand-mileround-tripbetweenSaipanandJapan’shomeislands,thecaptivesmusthavebelievedthatwinningSaipanwasonlyapreliminarysteptoestablishinganislandbasewithinbomberrangeofmainlandJapan.Theydidn’t
knowthattheAAFhadintroducedanewbomber,onewithtremendousrange.FromSaipan,theJapanesemainlandwasalreadywithinreach.
Theguardsandofficialswereincreasinglyagitated.SasakihadlongcrowedabouttheinevitabilityofJapan’svictory,butnowhebuddieduptothecaptives,telingLouieofhishatredofformer
primeministerandwararchitectHidekiTojo.HebegantosoundlikehewasrootingfortheAlies.
AstheyconsideredthenewsonSaipan,LouieandtheothershadnoideawhathorrorswereattendingtheAliedadvance.Thatsamemonth,AmericanforcesturnedonSaipan’sneighboringisle,Tinian,wheretheJapaneseheldfive
thousandKoreans,conscriptedaslaborers.ApparentlyafraidthattheKoreanswouldjointheenemyiftheAmericansinvaded,theJapaneseemployedthekil-alpolicy.TheymurderedalfivethousandKoreans.
Atnight,astheylayintheircels,thecaptivesbeganhearinganunsettlingsound,farinthedistance.Itwasthe
screamofair-raidsirens.Theylistenedforbombers,butnonecame.
——
Assummerstretchedon,conditionsinOfunadeclined.Theairwascloudedwithflies,licehoppedoverscalps,andwigglinglinesoffleasranthelengthoftheseamsinLouie’sshirt.Louiespenthisdaysandnightsscratching
andslapping,andhisskin,likethatofeveryoneelse,wasspeckledwithangrybitemarks.TheJapaneseofferedaricebaltothemanwhokiledthemostflies,inspiringacutthroatswattingcompetitionandhoardingofflattenedcorpses.
Then,inJuly,themenweremarchedoutsideandintoacanaltobailwaterintoricepaddies.Whentheyemerged
attheday’send,theywerecoveredinleeches.Louiehadsixonhischestalone.Themenbecamefrantic,beggingtheguardsfortheircigarettes.Astheysquirmedaround,jabbingattheleecheswithcigarettes,oneoftheguardslookeddownatthem.
“Youshouldbehappyinyourwork,”hesaid.
OnAugust5,atruckbearing
themonth’srationsarrived.AsFitzgeraldwatched,campofficialsstrippeditnearlyclean.Curleyannouncedthattherationswereagainbeingcut,blamingitonrats.Fitzgeraldnotedinhisdiarythatafterofficialsweredone“brownbagging”theirwaythroughtheseventypoundsofsugaralottedtothecaptives,oneteacupofsugarremained.OnAugust22,atruckbackeduptothekitchen
door,andthecaptivekitchenworkersweretoldtoleave.Fitzgeraldwenttothebenjo,fromwhichhecouldseethekitchen.Hesawsacksoffoodbeingpiledintothetruck,whichthenleftcamp.“Someonemustbeopeningupastoreandrealygettingsetupinbusiness,”hewrote.
Thebeatingswenton.TheQuackwasespecialyferal.Oneday,Louiesawsome
Japanesedumpingfishintothetroughinwhichthecaptiveswashedtheirhandsandfeet.Toldtowashthefish,Louiewalkedupandpeeredintothetrough.Thefishwereputridandundulatingwithmaggots.Asherecoiled,theQuacksawhim,poundedover,andpunchedhimadozentimes.Thatnight,thesamefishwasladledintoLouie’sbowl.Louiewouldn’ttouchit.A
guardjabbedhimbehindtheearwithabayonetandforcedhimtoeatit.
AndthentherewasGaga.Somethingaboutthisaffectionatelittleduck,perhapsthefactthathewasbelovedtothecaptives,provokedtheguards.
Theytorturedhimmercilessly,kickinghimandhurlinghimaround.Thenone
day,infulviewofthecaptives,Shitheadopenedhispantsandviolatedthebird.Gagadied.Ofalthethingshewitnessedinwar,Louiewouldsay,thiswastheworst.
Louie’smindfledOfunaandcarriedhimhome.Hehadn’tseenhisfamilyintwoyears.Hethoughtofthelittlewhitehouse,VirginiaandSylvia,hisfatheranddear,devotedPete.Mostpoignantwerehis
memoriesofhismother.FredGarretthadtoldLouiethathe’dbeengivenupfordead.Louiecouldn’tbearthethoughtofwhatthisnewsmusthavedonetohismother.
Itwastheaccumulationofsomuchsuffering,thetugofmemory,andtheconvictionthattheJapanesewouldn’tletthemleaveOfunaalivethatledLouietolistentothenearbyplanesandwonderif
theycouldbeawayout.Examiningthefence,he,Tinker,andHarrisconcludedthatitmightbepossibletogetaroundtheguardsandoverthebarbedwire.Thethoughthookedalthreeofthem.Theydecidedtomakearunforit,commandeeraplane,andgetoutofJapan.
——
Atfirst,theirplanshitadead
end.They’dbeenbroughtinblindfoldedandhadventuredoutofcamponlybriefly,toirrigatethericepaddies,sotheyknewlittleaboutthearea.Theydidn’tknowwheretheairportwas,orhowthey’dstealaplane.Thenakindguardinadvertentlyhelpedthem.Thinkingthattheymightenjoylookingatabook,hegavethemaJapanesealmanac.Harriscrackeditopenandwas
immediatelyrapt.ThebookwasfulofdetailedinformationonJapan’sports,theshipsinitsharborsandthefuelstheyused,andthedistancesbetweencitiesandlandmarks.Itwaseverythingtheyneededtocraftanescape.
Inhoursspentporingoverthebook,theyshapedaplan.Theydiscardedtheplaneideainfavorofescapebyboat.
JustafewmilestotheeastwastheportofYokohama,onlytherewasnowheretogofromthere.ButiftheycrossedJapantothewesternshore,theycouldgettoaportthatwouldofferagoodroutetosafety.
They’dgoonfoot.Harrisplottedapathacrosstheisland,awalkofabout150miles.Itwouldbedangerous,butHarris’searlier
experienceofhikingalovertheBataanPeninsulagavethemconfidence.Onceataport,they’dstealapowerboatandfuel,crosstheSeaofJapan,andfleeintoChina.GiventhatLouiehaddriftedtwothousandmilesonahole-riddledraftwithvirtualynoprovisions,afewhundredmilesontheSeaofJapaninasturdypoweredboatseemedmanageable.Tinker,who’dbeencapturedmorerecently
thanHarrisandLouie,hadthemostcurrentknowledgeofwhichareasofChinawereoccupiedbytheenemy.HeworkedoutaroutethattheyhopedwouldsteerthemclearoftheJapanese.
TheycountedonfindingsafeharborinChina.In1942,Americahadlauncheditsfirstand,untilrecently,onlybombingraidonJapan’shomeislands.
TheraidhadusedB-25sflown,perilously,offanaircraftcarrier,undercommandofLieutenantColonelJimmyDoolittle.AfterbombingJapan,someoftheDoolittlecrewshadrunoutofgasandcrashedorbailedoutoverChina.CivilianshadhiddentheairmenfromtheJapanese,who’dransackedthecountryinsearchofthem.Harris,Tinker,andLouiehadheard
rumorsthattheJapanesehadretaliatedagainstChineseciviliansforshelteringtheDoolittlemen,butdidn’tknowthetrueextentofit.TheJapanesehadmurderedanestimatedquarterofamilioncivilians.
Therewasoneproblemthatthemendidn’tknowhowtoovercome.Whentheystoodneartheguards,itwasimpossiblenottonoticehow
muchtheAmericansdifferedfromtypicalJapanesepeople,andnotsimplyinfacialfeatures.TheaverageJapanesesoldierwasfivefootthree.Louiewasfivefootten,Tinkersixfeet,Harriseventaler.HikingacrossJapan,they’dbeextremelyconspicuous.Chinamightbewelcoming,butinJapan,itwouldbefoolishtoassumethatthey’dfindfriendlycivilians.Afterthewar,some
POWswouldtelofheroicJapanesecivilianswhosnuckthemfoodandmedicine,incurringferociousbeatingsfromguardswhentheywerecaught.Butthisbehaviorwasnottherule.POWsledthroughcitieswereoftenswarmedbycivilians,whobeatthem,struckthemwithrocks,andspatonthem.IfLouie,Harris,andTinkerwerecaught,theywouldalmostcertainlybekiled,
eitherbyciviliansorbytheauthorities.Unabletoremedytheheightdifference,theydecidedtomoveonlyatnightandhopeforthebest.IftheyweregoingtodieinJapan,atleasttheycouldtakeapaththattheyandnottheircaptorschose,declaring,inthislastactoflife,thattheyremainedsovereignovertheirownsouls.
Astheplantookshape,the
prospectiveescapeeswalkedasmuchaspossible,strengtheningtheirlegs.Theystudiedtheguards’shifts,notingthattherewasapatchoftimeatnightwhenonlyoneguardwatchedthefence.Louiestolesuppliesforthejourney.Hisbarberjobgavehimaccesstotools,andhewasabletomakeoffwithaknife.Hestolemisopasteandrice.Hegatheredbitsofloosepaperthatflittedacrossthe
compound,tobeusedfortoiletpaper,andeverystrandofloosestringhecouldfind.Hestashedalofitunderafloorboardinhiscel.
Fortwomonths,themenprepared.Asthedateofescapeneared,Louiewasfiledwithwhathecaled“afearfuljoy.”
Justbeforethegetawaydate,aneventoccurredthat
changedeverything.AtoneofthePOWcamps,aprisonerescaped.Ofunaofficialsassembledthemenandissuedanewdecree:Anyonecaughtescapingwouldbeexecuted,andforeveryescapee,severalcaptiveofficerswouldbeshot.Louie,Tinker,andHarrissuspendedtheirplan.
——
Withtheescapeoff,Louie
andHarrischanneledtheirenergyintothecaptiveinformationnetwork.AtthebeginningofSeptember,acaptivesawanewspaperlyingontheQuack’sdesk.Therewasawarmapprintedinit.FewthingsweremoredangerousthanstealingfromtheQuack,butgiventhe
threatofmassexecutionsuponanAliedinvasion,the
captiveswerewilingtodoalmostanythingtogetnews.Onlyonemanhadthethievingexperienceforajobthisrisky.
Forseveraldays,LouiestakedouttheQuack’soffice,peekinginwindowstowatchhimandtheguards.Atacertaintimeeachday,they’dgointotheofficefortea,walkouttogethertosmoke,thenreturn.Thelengthof
theircigarettebreaknevervaried:threeminutes.ThiswasLouie’sonlywindowofopportunity,anditwasgoingtobeavery,veryclosecal.
WithHarrisinplace,LouieloiteredbytheQuack’soffice,waitingforhismoment.TheQuackandtheguardssteppedout,cigarettesinhand.Louiecreptaroundthesideofthebuilding,droppedontoalfourssothat
hewouldn’tbeseenthroughthewindows,andcrawledintotheoffice.Thenewspaperwasstilthere,sittingonthedesk.Louiesnatchedthepaper,stuckitunderhisshirt,thencrawledbackout,rosetohisfeet,andwalkedtoHarris’scel,stridingasquicklyashecouldwithoutattractingattention.HeopenedthepaperandshowedittoHarris,whostaredatitforseveral
seconds.ThenLouiecrammeditunderhisshirtagainandspedbacktotheQuack’soffice.Hisluckhadheld;theQuackandtheguardswerestiloutside.Hewentbackdownonalfours,hurriedin,threwthepaperonthedesk,andfled.Noonehadseenhim.
Atthebarracks,Harrispuledoutastripoftoiletpaperandapencilanddrewthemap.
Themenallookedatit.Memorieslaterdifferedastothesubjectofthemap,buteveryonerecaledthatitshowedAliedprogress.Harrishidthemapamonghisbelongings.
InthelateafternoonofSeptember9,Harriswassittinginacelwithanothercaptive,discussingthewar,whentheQuacksweptintothedoorway.Harrishadn’t
heardhimcoming.TheQuacknoticedsomethinginHarris’shand,steppedin,andsnatchedit.Itwasthemap.
TheQuackstudiedthemap;onit,hesawthewords“Philippine”and“Taiwan.”HedemandedthatHarristelhimwhatitwas;Harrisrepliedthatitwasidlescribbling.TheQuackwasn’tfooled.HewenttoHarris’scel,ransackedit,andfound,
byhisaccount,atroveofhand-drawnmaps—someshowingairdefensesofmainlandJapan—aswelasthestolennewspaperclippingandthedictionaryofmilitaryterms.TheQuackcaledinanofficer,whospoketoHarris,thenleft.Everyonethoughtthattheissuewasresolved.
Thatnight,theQuackabruptlycaledalcaptivesintothecompound.He
lookedstrange,hisfacecrimson.Heorderedthementodopush-upsforabouttwentyminutes,thenadopttheOfunacrouch.ThenhetoldHarristostepforward.Louieheardthemarinewhisper,“OhmyGod.Mymap.”
Themenwhowitnessedwhatfolowedwouldneverblotitfrommemory.Screechingandshrieking,theQuack
attackedHarris,kickinghim,punchinghim,andclubbinghimwithawoodencrutchthathetookfromaninjuredcaptive.WhenHarriscolapsed,hisnoseandshinsstreamingblood,theQuackorderedothercaptivestoholdhimup,andthebeatingresumed.Forforty-fiveminutes,perhapsanhour,thebeatingwenton,longpastwhenHarrisfelunconscious.Twocaptivesfainted.
Harris’shandmadeJapanese-Englishdictionary,discoveredbySueharuKitamura,“theQuack.”CourtesyofKatherineH.MearesTheQuack.CourtesyofLouisZamperini
WiliamHarris.CourtesyofKatherineH.Meares
Atlast,raindropsbegantopatteroverthedirt,theQuack,andthebodybeneathhim.TheQuackpaused.Hedroppedthecrutch,walkedtoanearbybuilding,leanedagainstitswal,andslidlanguidlytotheground,panting.
AstheguardsdraggedHarristohiscel,Louiefolowed.TheguardsjammedHarrisinaseatedpositionagainstawal,thenleft.ThereHarrissat,eyeswideopenbutblankasstones.Itwastwohoursbeforehemoved.
Slowly,inthecomingdays,hebegantorevive.Hewasunabletofeedhimself,soLouiesatwithhim,helpinghimeatandtryingtospeak
withhim,butHarriswassodazedthathecouldbarelycommunicate.Whenhefinalyemergedfromhiscel,hewanderedthroughcamp,hisfacegrotesquelydisfigured,hiseyesglassy.Whenhisfriendsgreetedhim,hedidn’tknowwhotheywere.
——
Threeweekslater,onthemorningofSeptember30,
1944,theguardscaledthenamesofZamperini,Tinker,Duva,andseveralothermen.ThemenweretoldthattheyweregoingtoaPOWcampcaledOmori,justoutsideofTokyo.Theyhadtenminutestogathertheirthings.
Louiehurriedtohiscelandliftedthefloorboard.Hepuledouthisdiaryandtuckeditintothefoldsofhisclothing.Atanewcamp,abodysearch
wouldbeinevitable,sohelefthisothertreasuresforthenextcaptivetofind.Hesaidgood-byetohisfriends,amongthemHarris,stilfloatinginconcussedmisery.SasakibidLouieafriendlyfarewel,offeringsomeadvice:Ifinterrogated,sticktothestoryhe’dtoldonKwajalein.Afewminuteslater,afterayearandfifteendaysinOfuna,Louiewasdrivenfromcamp.Asthe
truckrattledoutofthehils,hewaseuphoric.AheadofhimlayaPOWcamp,apromisedland.
Twenty-three
Monster
ITWASLATEMORNINGONTHELASTDAYOFSEPTEMBER1944.Louie,FrankTinker,andahandfulofotherOfunaveteransstoodbythefrontgateoftheOmoriPOWcamp,whichsatonanartificialislandinTokyoBay.Theislandwasnothingmore
thanasandyspit,connectedtoshorebyatenuousthreadofbambooslats.AcrossthewaterwasthebrightbustleofTokyo,stilvirtualyuntouchedbythewar.Otherthanthepatchesofearlysnowscatteredoverthegroundlikehopscotchsquares,everyinchofthecampwasanashen,otherworldlygray,remindingonePOWofthemoon.Therewerenobirdsanywhere.
Theywerestandingbeforeasmaloffice,wherethey’dbeentoldtowait.Infrontofthem,standingbesidethebuilding,wasaJapanesecorporal.Hewasleeringatthem.
Hewasabeautifulycraftedman,afewyearsshortofthirty.Hisfacewashandsome,withfullipsthatturnedupslightlyattheedges,givinghismoutha
faintlycruelexpression.Beneathhissmartlytailoreduniform,hisbodywasperfectlybalanced,historsoradiatingpower,hisformtrim.Aswordangledelegantlyoffofhiship,andcirclinghiswaistwasabroadwebbedbeltembelishedwithanenormousmetalbuckle.Theonlyincongruitiesonthisstrikingcorporalwerehishands—huge,brutish,animalthingsthatonemanwould
likentopaws.
MutsuhiroWatanabe,“theBird.”NationalArchives
Louieandtheotherprisonersstoodatattention,armsstiff,handsflattotheirsides.Thecorporalcontinuedtostare,butsaidnothing.Nearhimstoodanothermanwhoworeasecondlieutenant’sinsignia,yethoveredaboutthelower-rankingcorporalwitheager
servility.Five,perhapstenminutespassed,andthecorporalnevermoved.Then,abruptly,heswepttowardtheprisoners,thesecondlieutenantscurryingbehind.Hewalkedwithhischinhighandhischestpuffed,hisgesturesexaggeratedandimperious.Hebegantoinspectthemenwithanairofpossession—lookingthemover,Louiethought,asifhewereGodhimself.
Downthelinethecorporalstrode,pausingbeforeeachman,rakinghiseyesoverhim,andbarking,“Name!”WhenhereachedLouie,hestopped.
Louiegavehisname.Thecorporal’seyesnarrowed.Decadesafterthewar,menwhohadlookedintothoseeyeswouldbeunabletoshakethememoryofwhattheysawinthem,a
wrongnessthatelicitedatwistinthegut,aprickleupthebackoftheneck.Louiedroppedhiseyes.Therewasarushintheair,thecorporal’sarmswinging,thenafistthuddingintoLouie’shead.Louiestaggered.
“Whyyounolookinmyeye?”thecorporalshouted.Theothermeninthelinewentrigid.
Louiesteadiedhimself.Heheldhisfacetautasheraisedhiseyestothecorporal’sface.Againcamethewhirlingarm,thejarringblowintohisskul,hisstumblinglegstryingtoholdhimupright.
“Younolookatme!”
Thisman,thoughtTinker,isapsychopath.
——
Thecorporalmarchedthementoaquarantinearea,wheretherestoodaricketycanopy.Heorderedthementostandbeneathit,thenleft.
Hourspassed.Themenstood,thecoldworkingitswayuptheirsleevesandpantlegs.Eventualytheysatdown.Themorninggavewaytoalong,coldafternoon.Thecorporaldidn’tcomeback.
Louiesawawoodenappleboxlyingnearby.RememberinghisBoyScoutfriction-firetraining,hegrabbedtheboxandbrokeitup.Heaskedoneoftheothermentounthreadthelacefromhisboot.Hefashionedaspindleoutofabamboostick,fititintoaholeinaslatfromtheapplebox,woundthebootlacearoundthespindle,andbeganalternatelypulingtheends,turningthespindle.
Afteragoodbitofwork,smokerosefromthespindle.Louiepickedupbitsofadiscardedtatamimat,laidthemonthesmokingarea,andblewonthem.Thematremnantswhooshedintoflames.Themengatheredclosetothefire,andcigarettesemergedfrompockets.Everyonegotwarmer.
Thecorporalsuddenly
reappeared.“Nanda,nanda!”hesaid,awordthatroughlytranslatesto“Whatthehelisgoingon?”Hedemandedtoknowwherethey’dgottenmatches.Louieexplainedhowhehadbuiltthefire.Thecorporal’sfacecloudedover.Withoutwarning,thecorporalsluggedLouieinthehead,thenswunghisarmbackforanotherblow.Louiewantedtoduck,buthefoughttheinstinct,knowingfrom
Ofunathatthiswouldonlyprovokemoreblows.Sohestoodstil,holdinghisexpressionneutral,asthesecondswingconnectedwithhishead.Thecorporalorderedthemtoputthefireout,thenwalkedaway.
Louiehadmetthemanwhowoulddedicatehimselftoshatteringhim.
——
Thecorporal’snamewasMutsuhiroWatanabe.*HewasbornduringWorldWarI,thefourthofsixchildrenofShizukaWatanabe,alovelyandexceptionalywealthywoman.TheWatanabesenjoyedaprivilegedlife,havingamassedrichesthroughownershipofTokyo’sTakamatsuHotelandotherrealestateandminesinNaganoandManchuria.Mutsuhiro,whose
father,apilot,seemstohavediedorleftthefamilywhenMutsuhirowasrelativelyyoung,grewuponluxury’slap,livinginbeautifulhomesaloverJapan,reportedlywaitedonbyservantsandswimminginhisfamily’sprivatepool.HissiblingsknewhimaffectionatelyasMu-cchan.
AfterachildhoodinKobe,MutsuhiroattendedTokyo’s
prestigiousWasedaUniversity,wherehestudiedFrenchliteratureandcultivatedaninfatuationwithnihilism.In1942,hegraduated,settledinTokyo,andtookajobatanewsagency.Heworkedthereforonlyonemonth;Japanwasatwar,andMutsuhirowasdeeplypatriotic.Heenlistedinthearmy.
Watanabehadlofty
expectationsforhimselfasasoldier.Oneofhisolderbrotherswasanofficer,andhisoldersister’shusbandwascommanderofChangi,agiantPOWcampinSingapore.Attaininganofficer’srankwasofsupremeimportancetoWatanabe,andwhenheappliedtobecomeanofficer,heprobablythoughtthatacceptancewashisdue,givenhiseducationandpedigree.Buthewas
rejected;hewouldbeonlyacorporal.Byalaccounts,thiswasthemomentthatderailedhim,leavinghimfeelingdisgraced,infuriated,andbitterlyjealousofofficers.Thosewhoknewhimwouldsaythateverypartofhismindgatheredaroundthisblazinghumiliation,andeverysubsequentactionwasinformedbyit.Thisdefiningeventwouldhavetragicconsequencesforhundredsof
men.
CorporalWatanabewassenttoaregimentoftheImperialGuardsinTokyo,stationednearHirohito’spalace.Asthewarhadn’tyetcometoJapan’shomeislands,hesawnocombat.Inthefalof1943,forunknownreasons,Watanabewastransferredtothemilitary’smostignominiousstationforNCOs,aPOWcamp.Perhaps
hissuperiorswantedtoridtheImperialGuardsofanunstableandvenomoussoldier,orperhapstheywantedtoputhisvolatilitytouse.WatanabewasassignedtoOmorianddesignatedthe“disciplinaryofficer.”OnthelastdayofNovember1943,Watanabearrived.
——
EvenpriortoWatanabe’s
appearance,Omorihadbeenatryingplace.The1929GenevaConvention,whichJapanhadsignedbutneverratified,permitteddetainingpowerstousePOWsforlabor,withrestrictions.Thelaborershadtobephysicalyfit,andthelaborcouldn’tbedangerous,unhealthy,orofunreasonabledifficulty.Theworkhadtobeunconnectedtotheoperationsofwar,andPOWsweretobegivenpay
commensuratewiththeirlabor.
Finaly,toensurethatPOWofficershadcontrolovertheirmen,theycouldnotbeforcedtowork.
VirtualynothingaboutJapan’suseofPOWswasinkeepingwiththeGenevaConvention.TobeanenlistedprisonerofwarundertheJapanesewastobeaslave.
TheJapanesegovernmentmadecontractswithprivatecompaniestosendenlistedPOWstofactories,mines,docks,andrailways,wherethemenwereforcedintoexceptionalyarduouswar-productionorwar-transportlabor.Thelabor,performedunderclub-wieldingforemen,wassodangerousandexhaustingthatthousandsofPOWsdiedonthejob.Intheextremelyrareinstancesin
whichtheJapanesecompensatedthePOWsfortheirwork,paymentamountedtoalmostnothing,equivalenttoafewpenniesaweek.TheonlyaspectoftheGenevaConventionthattheJapanesesometimesrespectedwastheprohibitiononforcingofficerstowork.
Likealmosteveryothercamp,Omoriwasaslavecamp.Fortentoelevenhours
aday,sevendaysaweek,Omori’senlistedPOWsdidbackbreakinglaboratshipyards,railyards,truck-loadingstations,asandpit,andacoalyard.Menhadtobeonthevergeofdeathtobespared;minimumfeverlevelsforexemptionwere40degreesCelsius,or104degreesFahrenheit.Thelaborwasextremelygrueling;accordingtoPOWTomWade,eachmanattheTokyo
railyardsliftedatotaloftwentytothirtytonsofmaterialaday.ProbablybecauseOmoriwasusedasashowcampwhereprisonersweredisplayedfortheRedCross,themenwere“paid”tenyenpermonth—lessthanthepriceofapackofcigarettes—buttheywerepermittedtospenditonlyonatinyselectionofworthlessgoodsatacampcanteen,sothemoneycamerightbackto
theJapanese.
CompoundingthehardshipofOmoriwasthefoodsituation.TherationswereofbetterqualitythanthoseatOfunabutweredoledoutinonlyslightlylargerquantities.Becauseofficersweren’tenslaved,theywerealowedonlyhalftherationgiventoslaves,onthejustificationthattheyneededfewercalories.Alongwithrice,the
menreceivedsomevegetables,butproteinwasalmostnonexistent.Aboutonceaweek,someonewouldpushawheelbarrowintothecamp,bearing“meat.”Becauseawheelbarrow’sworthwasspreadoverhundredsofmen,aservingamountedtoaboutathimble-sizedportion;itconsistedofthingslikelungsandintestines,assorteddogparts,somethingthePOWscaled
“elephantsemen,”and,once,amysterylumpthat,afterconsiderablespeculation,themendecidedwasahorse’svagina.
JustasatOfuna,beriberiandotherpreventablediseaseswereepidemicatOmori.Becauserationswerehalvedforsickmenwhowereunabletowork,theilcouldn’trecover.Menharrowedbydysentery—“thebenjo
boogie”—swalowedlumpsofcoalorburntstickstoslowthedigestivewaterfal.
Manymenweighedlessthanninetypounds.
TheonlysavinggraceofOmori,priortoNovember1943,hadbeentheattitudeoftheJapanesepersonnel,whoweren’tnearlyasviciousasthoseatOfuna.Theprisonersgavethemnicknames,
includingHogjaw,BabyDumpling,Bucktooth,GenghisKhan,andRovingReporter;oneunfortunateofficer,wrotePOWLewisBush,worepuffypantsand“walkedasthoughhewasalwaysburstingtogotothelavatory,”promptingthementocalhimLieutenantShit-in-Breeches.Therewereafewroguesandoneortwooutrightloons,butseveralcampemployeeswere
friendly.Therestwereindifferent,enforcingtheruleswithblowsbutatleastbehavingpredictably.Relativelyspeaking,Omoriwasn’tknownforviolence.WhenWatanabecame,althatchanged.
——
HearrivedbearingcandyandcigarettesforthePOWs.Hesmiledandmadepleasant
conversation,posedforphotographswithBritishofficers,andspokeadmiringlyofAmericaandBritain.Forseveraldays,heraisednotaripple.
OnaSundaymorning,WatanabeapproachedsomePOWscrowdedinabarracksdoorway.APOWnamedDerekClarkepipedup,“Gangway!”toclearapath.ThatonewordsentWatanabe
intoanexplosion.HelungedatClarke,beathimuntilhefeldown,thenkickedhim.AsBushtriedtoexplainthatClarkehadmeantnoharm,WatanabedrewhisswordandbeganscreamingthathewasgoingtobeheadClarke.AJapaneseofficerstoppedtheattack,butthateveningWatanabeturnedonBush,hurlinghimontoascaldingstove,thenpummelingandkickinghim.AfterBushwent
tobed,Watanabereturnedandforcedhimtohisknees.Forthreehours,WatanabebesiegedBush,kickinghimandhackingoffhishairwithhissword.Heleftfortwohours,thenreturnedagain.Bushexpectedtobemurdered.Instead,Watanabetookhimtohisoffice,huggedhim,andgavehimbeerandhandfulsofcandyandcigarettes.Throughtears,heapologizedandpromised
nevertomistreatanotherPOW.Hisresolutiondidn’tlast.Laterthatnight,hepickedupakendostick—along,heavytrainingsword—andranshriekingintoabarracks,clubbingeverymanhesaw.
Watanabehad,inBush’swords,“shownhishand.”Fromthatdayon,bothhisvictimsandhisfelowJapanesewouldponderhis
violent,erraticbehavioranddisagreeonitscause.ToYuichiHatto,thecampaccountant,itwassimplymadness.Otherssawsomethingcalculating.AfterWatanabeattackedClarke,POWofficerswhohadbarelynoticedhimbeganlookingathimwithterror.Theconsequenceofhisoutburstansweredaraveningdesire:Rawbrutalitygavehimswayovermenthathisrankdid
not.“Hesuddenlysawafterhehitafewmenthathewasfearedandrespectedforthat,”saidWade.
“Andsothatbecamehisstyleofbehavior.”
Watanabederivedanotherpleasurefromviolence.AccordingtoHatto,Watanabewasasexualsadist,freelyadmittingthatbeatingprisonersbroughthimto
climax.“HedidenjoyhurtingPOWs,”wroteHatto.“Hewassatisfyinghissexualdesirebyhurtingthem.”
Atyrantwasborn.WatanabebeatPOWseveryday,fracturingtheirwindpipes,rupturingtheireardrums,shatteringtheirteeth,tearingoneman’searhalfoff,leavingmenunconscious.Hemadeoneofficersitinashack,wearingonlya
fundoshiundergarment,forfourdaysinwinter.Hetiedasixty-five-year-oldPOWtoatreeandlefthimtherefordays.Heorderedonemantoreporttohimtobepunchedinthefaceeverynightforthreeweeks.Hepracticedjudoonanappendectomypatient.Whengrippedintheecstasyofanassault,hewailedandhowled,droolingandfrothing,sometimessobbing,tearsrunningdown
hischeeks.Mencametoknowwhenanoutburstwasimminent:Watanabe’srighteyelidwouldsagamomentbeforehesnapped.
Veryquickly,WatanabegainedafearsomereputationthroughoutJapan.OfficialsatothercampsbegansendingtroublesomeprisonerstoWatanabefor“polishing,”andOmoriwasdubbed“punishmentcamp.”Inthe
wordsofCommanderMaher,who’dbeentransferredfromOfunatobecometherankingOmoriPOW,Watanabewas“themostviciousguardinanyprisoncamponthemainislandofJapan.”
TwothingsseparatedWatanabefromothernotoriouswarcriminals.Onewastheemphasisthatheplacedonemotionaltorture.Evenbythestandardsofhis
honor-consciousculture,hewasunusualyconsumedbyhisperceivedhumiliation,andwasintentuponinflictingthesamepainonthemenunderhispower.WheremenliketheQuackweresimplygoons,Watanabecombinedbeatingswithactsmeanttobattermen’spsyches.Heforcedmentobowatpumpkinsortreesforhours.HeorderedaclergymanPOWtostandalnight
salutingaflagpole,shoutingtheJapanesewordfor“salute,”keirei;theexperienceleftthemanweepingandoutofhismind.HeconfiscatedanddestroyedPOWs’familyphotographs,andbroughtmentohisofficetoshowthemlettersfromhome,thenburnedtheunopenedlettersinfrontofthem.Toensurethatmenfeltutterlyhelpless,hechangedthemannerinwhichhe
demandedtobeaddressedeachday,beatinganyonewhoguessedwrong.Heorderedmentoviolatecamppolicies,thenattackedthemforbreakingtherules.POWJackBradysummedhimupinonesentence.“HewasabsolutelythemostsadisticmanIevermet.”
TheotherattributethatseparatedWatanabefromfelowguardswashis
inconsistency.Mostofthetime,hewasthewrathfulgodofOmori.Butafterbeatings,hesometimesreturnedtoapologize,oftenintears.Thesefitsofcontritionusualylastedonlymomentsbeforetheshriekingandpunchingbeganagain.Hewouldspinfromserenitytoravingmadnessintheblinkofaneye,usualyfornoreason.OnePOWrecaledseeinghimgentlypraiseaPOW,fly
intoarageandbeatthePOWunconscious,thenambletohisofficeandeathislunchwiththeplacidityofagrazingcow.
WhenWatanabewasn’tthrashingPOWs,hewasforcingthemtobehisbuddies.He’dwakeaPOWinthenightandbe“niceaspie,”askingthemantojoinhiminhisroom,wherehe’dservecookiesandtalkabout
literature.Sometimeshe’droundupanyoneincampwhocouldplayaninstrumentorsing,bringthemtohisroom,andhostaconcert.Heexpectedthementorespondasiftheyadoredhim,andattimes,heseemedtohonestlybelievethattheydid.
MaybeheheldthesegatheringsbecausetheyleftthePOWsfeelingmorestressedthanifhewere
consistentlyhostile.Ormaybehewasjustlonely.
AmongtheJapaneseatOmori,Watanabewasdespisedforhishaughtiness,hisboastsabouthiswealth,andhiscurtness.Hemadeagreatshowofhiseducation,droningonaboutnihilismandgivingpompouslecturesonFrenchliteratureatNCOmeetings.Noneofhiscoleagueslistened.Itwasn’tthe
subjectmatter;itwassimplythattheyloathedhim.
PerhapsthisiswhyheturnedtoPOWsforfriendship.Theteaparties,wroteDerekClarke,were“tense,sitting-on-the-edge-of-a-volcanoaffairs.”Anymisstep,anymisunderstoodwordmightsetWatanabeoff,leavinghimsmashingteapots,upendingtables,andpoundinghisguestsintooblivion.Afterthe
POWsleft,WatanabeseemedtofeelhumiliatedbyhavinghadtoforcefriendshipfromlowlyPOWs.Thenextdayhewouldoftendeliverawild-eyedwhippingtothepreviousnight’sbuddies.
Likeanybuly,hehadatasteforaparticulartypeofvictim.Enlistedmenusualyreceivedonlytheoccasionalslappedface;officerswereinforunrelentingcruelty.Among
thoseofficers,afewwereespecialyirresistibletohim.Somehadelevatedstatus,suchasphysicians,chaplains,barrackscommanders,andthosewho’dbeenhighlysuccessfulincivilianlife.Othersheresentedbecausetheywouldn’tcrawlbeforehim.Thesehesingledoutandhuntedwithinexhaustiblehatred.
Fromthemomentthat
WatanabelockedeyeswithLouieZamperini,anofficer,afamousOlympian,andamanforwhomdefiancewassecondnature,nomanobsessedhimmore.
*InPOWmemoirs,Watanabe’sfirstnameisalmostalwayslistedasMatsuhiro.OfficialdocumentsconfirmthatthecorrectspelingwasMutsuhiro.
Twenty-four
Hunted
AFTERADAYSPENTSHIVERINGINOMORI’SQUARANTINEarea,Louiewasledintothemainbodyofthecamp,anenormouscompoundcrowdedwithsomeninehundredprisoners.Hewandereddownalongrowofbarracksuntilhefoundtheonetowhichhe
wasassigned.Ashewalkedin,severalPOWscameforwardtogreethim.Oneofthemslippedacupofpipinghotteaintohischiledhands.AScottishprisonerapproached,carryingaspoonandabulgingsock.HedippedthespoonintothesockandladledouttwoheapingteaspoonsofsugarintoLouie’scup.ToanyPOW,sugarwasatreasureofincalculablevalue,andLouie
couldn’tunderstandhowthismancouldhaveacquiredanentiresockfulofit.
Ashesippedhistea,Louiewasintroducedtotwobarrackscommanders,BritishlieutenantTomWadeandAmericanlieutenantBobMartindale,whobeganfilinghiminonOmori.Theyspokeaboutthecorporalwhohadattackedhimatthegate.HisnamewasWatanabe,they
said,butLouieshouldneverrefertohimbyhisrealname.SuchwasWatanabe’sparanoiathatheoftenhidoutsidethebarracks,tryingtocatchmenspeakingofhimsohecouldbeatthemforit.Themenreferredtohimbyahostofnicknames,includingtheAnimal,theBigFlag,LittleNapoleon,and,mostoften,theBird,anamechosenbecauseitcarriednonegativeconnotationthatcouldgetthe
POWsbeaten.
ItwastheBird’sfavoritepastimetosendguardsburstingintoabarracksaheadofhim,screamingKeirei!Hewouldthenraceintochoosehisvictim.
Sittingfarfromthedoordidn’tensuresafety;theBirdlovedtoleapthroughopenwindows.Menweretoldtoalwaysbeready,speakof
himonlyinwhispers,andagreeinadvanceonasubjecttoswitchtoiftheBirdranintotheroomdemandingtobetoldwhattheyweretalkingabout.Menwereadvisedtosaythattheywerespeakingofsex,becausethesubjectinterestedanddistractedhim.
TheOmoribarrackswerearrangedintwolinesseparatedbyacentralavenue.
Attheavenue’sendstoodtheBird’soffice,placedsothatthecorporalcouldseetheentireavenuethroughhislargefrontwindow.Togetanywhereincamp,otherthanthebenjosbehindthebarracks,POWshadtostepintotheBird’sview.Oneofhisdemandswasthatmensalutenotonlyhimbuthiswindow.Heoftenlefttheofficevacantandhidnearby,basebalbatinhand,readyto
clubmenwhofailedtosalutethewindow.
AmongthePOWs,therewasanelaboratesentrysystemtomonitortheBird’smovements.Whenhewasinhisoffice,menwouldsay,“TheAnimalisinhiscage.”Whenhewasout,they’dsay,“TheAnimalisontheprowl.”
“Flag’sup!”meantthatthe
Birdwascoming.MenweresoattunedtotheBird’spresencethattheyinstantlyrecognizedthecloppingsoundhisclogsmadeinthesand.Thesoundusualytriggeredastampedetothebenjos,wheretheBirdseldomwent.
AsheabsorbedtheadviceoncopingwiththeBird,Louielearnedsomethingelsethatsurelysankhisheart.Hehad
thoughtthatsincethiswasaPOW
camp,hewouldbeabletowritehometolethisfamilyknowhewasalive.Once,OmoriPOWshadbeenalowedtowriteletters,butnolonger.TheBirddidn’talowit.
WhennewPOWsarrivedatOmori,theywereregisteredwiththeRedCross,andword
oftheirwhereaboutswasforwardedtotheirgovernments,thentheirfamilies.ButOmoriofficialsdidn’tregisterLouie.Theyhadspecialplansforhim,andwereapparentlyhidinghim.IntheabsenceofLouie’snameonaRedCrossroster,theAmericangovernmenthadnoreasontobelievethathewasalive,andLouie’sfamilywastoldnothing.
ForLouie,thesharedlessonsabouttheBirddidnogood.NosoonerhadLouiesteppedoutsidethantheBirdfoundhim,accusedhimofanimaginaryinfraction,andattackedhiminawildfury.Thenextdaycameanotherbeating,andthenext,another.ThoughtherewerehundredsofPOWsincamp,thisderangedcorporalwasfixatedonLouie,huntingtheformerOlympian,whomhewould
cal“numberoneprisoner.”Louietriedtoconcealhimselfingroupsofmen,buttheBirdalwaysfoundhim.“Afterthefirstfewdaysincamp,”Louiesaid,“IlookedforhimlikeIwaslookingforalionlooseinthejungle.”
——
WhenLouiewokeeachmorning,thefirstthingthathethoughtofwastheBird.
He’dlookforthecorporalthroughmorningtenko,rolcal,fartingattheemperor,andforcingdownrations.Afterbreakfast,theenlistedmenwereassembledintoworkpartiesandmarchedaway.Withthecamppopulationdrasticalydiminishedbytheexodus,Louiehadnocrowdstohidein.TheBirdwasonhimimmediately.
TheonegoodthingaboutbeinganofficerinOmoriwasthatonewasexemptfromslavelabor,albeitatthepainfulcostofhalfofthestandardration.
ButsoonafterLouie’sarrival,theBirdcaledouttheofficersandannouncedthatfromnowon,they’dlaborattheworksitesalongsidetheenlistedmen.
Whenamanprotestedthatthisviolatedinternationallaw,theBirdswunghiskendostickstraightintotheman’shead.TheBirdapproachedthenextman,whoalsosaidhewouldn’twork.Againthekendostickbangeddown.Louiewasthethirdman.Tryingtoavoidgettinghisheadcrackedopen,heblurtedoutacompromiseidea.They’dlovetoworkwithinthecamp,
hesaid,makingitabetterplace.
TheBirdpaused.Heseemedtofeelthataslongasheforcedtheofficerstowork,hewaswinning.Hesentthemintoashackandorderedthemtostitchupleatherammunitionpouches,backpacks,andequipmentcoversfortheJapanesemilitary.Louieandtheothermenwerekeptthereforabout
eighthoursaday,buttheyworkedonlywhentheBirdwasaround,andeventhen,theydeliberatelystitchedtheleatherimproperly.
TheBird’snextmovewastoannouncethatfromnowon,theofficerswouldemptythebenjos.Eightbenjoswerenomatchforninehundreddysentericmen,andkeepingthepitsfromoozingoverwasatalorder.Louieandthe
otherofficersused“honeydippers”—giantladles—tospoonwastefromthepitsintobuckets,thencarriedthebucketstocesspitsoutsidethecamp.Theworkwasnauseatinganddegrading,andwhenheavyrainscame,thewasteoozedoutofthecesspitsandbackintocamp.TodeprivetheBirdofthepleasureofseeingthemmiserable,themenmadeapointofbeingjoly.
Martindalecreatedthe“RoyalOrderoftheBenjo.”
“Themotto,”hewrote,“wasunprintable.”
——
Astheofficersfinishedeachdayofabuse,honey-dipping,anderrantsewing,theenlistedslavesweredrivenbacktocamp.ThefirsttimeLouiesawthemreturn,he
learnedwherethatsockofsugarhadcomefrom.
Attheworksites,Omori’sPOWswerewagingaguerrilawar.Attherailyardsanddocks,theyswitchedmailinglabels,rewrotedeliveryaddresses,andchangedthelabelingonboxcars,sendingtonsofgoodstothewrongdestinations.Theythrewfistfulsofdirtintogastanksandbrokeanything
mechanicalthatpassedthroughtheirhands.Forcedtobuildengineblocks,AmericanMiltonMcMulencraftedtheexteriorswelenoughtopassinspectionbutfashionedtheinteriorssotheengineswouldneverrun.POWsloadingatdocks“accidentaly”droppedfragileitems,includingalargeshipmentofwineandfurnitureenroutetoaNaziambassador.(Thebroken
furniturewassenton;thewinewasdecantedintoPOWcanteens.)CominguponthesuitcasesoftheGermanenvoy,POWsshreddedtheclothes,soakedtheminmudandoil,andrepackedthemwithfriendlynotessigned“WinstonChurchil.”Theydrankhugequantitiesofteaandpeedprofuselyonnearlyeverybagofricetheyloaded.Andinonecelebratedincident,POWsloading
heavygoodsontoabargehurledthematerialdownwithsuchforcethattheysankthebarge,blockingacanal.AfteraHerculeaneffortwasputintoclearingthesunkenbargeandbringinginanewone,thePOWssankit,too.
EmboldenedbythethoughtthathewasprobablygoingtodieinJapanand,thus,hadnothingtolose,McMulenjoinedseveralotherPOWsin
committinganactthatwaspotentialysuicidal.Whileenslavedatarailyard,theynoticedthatagroupoftrackworkershadneglectedtoputtheirtoolsaway.Whentheirguardbecameabsorbedinwooingaprettygirl,thePOWssprintedfromtheirstations,snatchedupthetools,dashedovertoasectionoftrack,wrenchedthepinsandboltsout,andrushedbacktotheirwork.The
guard,stiltalkingtothegirl,noticednothing.Aswitchenginechuggedin,pulingseveralboxcars.Theenginehitthesabotagedstrip,therailsshotoutfromunderit,andtheentiretraintippedover.Noonewashurt,buttheJapanesewerefrantic.TheylookedtothePOWs,whokeptworking,theirfacesdevoidofexpression.TheJapanesebeganscreamingaccusationsatoneanother.
Asdangerousastheseactswere,forthePOWs,theyweretransformative.Inriskingtheirneckstosabotagetheirenemy,themenwerenolongerpassivecaptives.Theyweresoldiersagain.
WhatthePOWscouldn’tsabotage,theystole.Theybrokeintoshippingboxes,tappedbottles,liftedstorageroomdoorsofftheirhinges,
raidedships’
galeys,andcrawledupfactorychutes.ScottishPOWswhoworkedintheMitsubishifoodwarehouseranthemostsophisticatedoperation.WhentheJapanesetooktheirshoesizesforworkboots,themenaskedforbootsseveralsizestoobig.Theyknittedspecialsocks,somefourfeetlong,andhoardedholowbamboo
reeds.Onceatthesites,theyleanedcasualyagainstsugarsacks,stabbedthereedsin,thenranthereedsintothesocks,alowingsugartopourthroughthereedsuntilthesockswereful.Otherstieduptheirpantcuffs,stuckthereedsintheirwaistbands,andfiledtheirpantswithsugar.Eachloadwasdepositedinasecretcompartmentinthelatrine,toberetrievedatday’send.
Eachevening,Louiesawtheslavestrampingbackin,theirclothespackedwithbooty.Thecriticalmomentcamewheninspectionwascaled.Menwoulddeftlypasscontraband,orthemenbearingit,aroundduringthesearches,whiletheguards’backswereturned.McMulenwouldhidefishinhissleeves;whenpatteddown,he’dholdhisarmsupandgripthefishtailssotheywouldn’tslide
out.ThebiggesttrickwashidingthePOWswhoarrivedfal-
downdrunkafterchuggingdownanyalcoholthattheycouldn’tsmuggle.Thedrunkenmenwereshuffledintothecenterofthelineup,theirshoulderspinchedbetweentheshouldersofsobermen,sothattheywouldn’tpitchfaceforwardintotheguards.
Whenthemenweresafelyinthebarracks,Louiewatchedthemunpackthemselves.Underthemen’sclothes,sugar-filedsockshungfromnecksorarms,dangledunderarmpitsanddownpantlegs,inthenecksofturtlenecksweaters,infalsepockets,underhats.Two-foot-longsalmonwouldemergefromundershirts.Louieoncesawathiefpulthreecansofoystersfromasingleboot.
Legswouldbeswaddledintobaccoleaves.OneAmericanbuiltasecretcompartmentinhiscanteen,filingthebottomwithstolenalcoholwhilethetop,uponinspection,yieldedonlywater.
Menwerecaughtalthetime,andwhentheywere,althemenoftheworkpartywerebeatenwithfists,bats,andriflebutts.Butthemenwere
fedsolittleandworkedsohardthattheyfelttheyhadtostealtosurvive.Theysetupa“UniversityofThievery,”inwhich“professors”—themostadeptthieves
—taughttheartofstealing.Thefinalexamwasaheist.Whenmenwerecaughtstealing,POWofficerssuggestedthattheculpritsbetransferredtositesthatdidn’tcarryfood.TheJapanese
agreed,andthePOWofficersthenreplacedtheineptthieveswithUniversityofThieveryalumni.
ThoughLouie,asanofficer,hadnoopportunitytosteal,hewasquicklyintegratedintothethievingsystem,rolingtobaccoleavesfordryingandputtingthemupinsecret“walsafes”tocure.Oncetheleaveswereproperlyaged,Louiewouldreturntoshave
themintosmokableshreds.
Thankstothestealing,ablackmarketwitharemarkablediversityofgoodsflourishedincamp.Onegroupstolealtheingredientsforacake,onlytodiscover,uponbakingit,thattheflourwasactualycement.Becausethereweresomanymen,therewasn’talotofloottogoaround,buteveryonebenefitedinsomeway.
Wheneverthethieveshadsomethingextra,theygaveittoLouie,whostilwasn’tmanagingtogainweight.Afewtimes,theyevensmuggledhimsmokedoysters.LouiedevouredthemandtiptoedtothefencetopitchthecansintoTokyoBay.
Stolenfood,especialytheScots’sugar,wasthecampcurrency,andthe“sugar
barons”becametherichmenofOmori,evenhiringassistantstodotheirlaundry.TheScotsdrovehardbargains,buttheyalsodonatedone-quarteroftheloottosickPOWs.Onenight,whenhefoundFrankTinkerdeathlyil,Louiewaitedfortheguardstopass,snucktotheScots’barracks,andtoldthemthatTinkerwasintrouble.TheScotssentLouiebacktoTinkerwithaloadof
sugar,nocharge.TinkerwouldlatersaythatLouie’ssugarrun“savedmysoul.”AccordingtoMartindale,Tinkerwasn’ttheonlymansaved.Deathsfromilnessandmalnutritionhadoncebeencommonplace,butafterthethieveryschoolwascreated,onlytwoPOWsdied,onefromaburstappendix.
Andinaplacepredicatedondegradation,stealingfromthe
enemywonbackthemen’sdignity.
——
Astheweekspassed,theBirddidn’trelentinhisattacksonLouie.Thecorporalspranguponhimrandomly,everyday,poundinghisfaceandhead.AnyresistancefromLouie,evenshieldinghisface,wouldinspiretheBirdtomoreviolence.Louiecould
donothingbutstandthere,staggering,astheBirdstruckhim.Hecouldn’tunderstandthecorporal’sfixationonhim,andwasdesperateforsomeonetosavehim.
DuringoneoftheBird’sattacks,Louiesawthecampcommander,KanameSakaba,stepoutofhisofficeandlooktowardhim.Louiefeltrelief,thinkingthatnowthatSakabahadseenthisabuseofaPOW
byalowlycorporal,hereatashowcamp,he’dputastoptoit.ButSakabawatchedindifferently,thenwalkedbackinside.Subsequentbeatings,ofLouieandofothers,werenodifferent.OtherJapaneseofficerswatched,somelookingonapprovingly,otherslookingdismayed.Sometimes,whentheyissuedorders,theyalowedtheBird,amerecorporal,tooverrulethem
righttotheirfaces.
AccordingtocampaccountantYuichiHatto,thisstrangesituationwastheresultofawrinkleinrank.Sakabawasravenousforpromotion.Theappearanceoforderinhiscampandtheproductivityofitsslavesfurtheredhisinterests,andWatanabe’sbrutalitywashisinstrument.WhileitisunknownwhetherSakaba
orderedWatanabetoabusePOWs,heobviouslyapproved.AccordingtoHatto,somecampemployeeswereoffendedbyWatanabe’streatmentofPOWs,butbecausethoseactspleasedSakaba,theBirdwasuntouchable,evenbythosewhooutrankedhim.Inconsequence,theBirdflauntedhisimpunityandvirtualyranthecamp.HeviewedthePOWsashis
possessions,andhesometimesattackedotherJapanesewhointeractedwiththem.Watanabewas,saidHatto,“notamereguard,butanabsolutemonarchofPOWsatOmori.”
SomeJapanese,includingHatto,triedtohelpPOWsbehindWatanabe’sback.NoonedidmorethanPrivateYukichiKano,thecampinterpreter.
Whensickmenweretakenoffworkduty,losinghalftheirrations,Kanofoundthemeasyjobstokeepthemofficialy“atwork”sotheycouldeatenoughtogetwel.Whenhesawprisonersviolatingtherulesbyeatingvegetablesinthegardenarea,orpocketingmusselsatlowtideoutsidethecamp,hetalkedtheguardsintolookingtheotherway.Inwinter,hehungblanketsalongthe
infirmarywalsandscroungedupcharcoaltoheattherooms.HesnucksickmenawayfromthesadisticJapanesedoctorandintothehandsofaPOWwhowasaphysician.“TherewasafarbravermanthanI,”wrotePOWPappyBoyington,winneroftheMedalofHonor.Kano’s“heartwasbeingtornoutmostofthetime,acombinationofpityfortheignoranceand
brutalityofsomeofhisowncountrymenandacompleteunderstandingofthesufferingoftheprisoners.”ButforLouie,theBird’spetproject,Kanocoulddonothing.
WhenLouiesawRedCrossofficialsbeingtakenonacarefulystagedtourofcamp,hethoughtthathelphadfinalyarrived.Buttohisdismay,theBirdtailedtheofficialsandstoodby,listening
intently,asPOWsansweredtheofficials’questionsaboutlifeincamp.NoPOWwasfoolishenoughtoanswertruthfuly,knowingtheretributionthatwouldfolow.Louiehadnochoicebuttokeephismouthshut.
Louiewasonhisown.Astheattackscontinued,hebecameincreasinglyangry.Hisexperienceinchildhood,whenbulieshadsenthim
homebloodyeveryday,wasrepeatingitself.Hisinteriorworldlitupwithrage,andhecouldn’thideit.
EachtimetheBirdlungedforhim,Louiefoundhishandsdrawingintofists.Aseachpunchstruckhim,heimaginedhimselfstranglingtheBird.TheBirddemandedthatLouielookhimintheface;Louiewouldn’tdoit.TheBirdtriedtoknockLouie
down;Louiewobbledbutwouldn’tfal.Inhisperipheralvision,hecouldseetheBirdlookingfuriouslyathisclenchedfists.OtherprisonerswarnedLouiethathehadtoshowdeferenceortheBirdwouldneverstop.Louiecouldn’tdoit.Whenheraisedhiseyes,althatshoneinthemwashate.ToWatanabe,whoselifewasconsumedwithforcingmenintosubmission,Louie’s
defiancewasanintolerable,personaloffense.
Moreandmorenow,thePOWscouldhearair-raidsirensechoingacrossthebay,fromTokyo.Theywerealfalsealarms,buttheyraisedtheprisoners’
hope.LouiesearchedtheemptyskyandhopedthatthebomberswouldcomebeforetheBirdputanendtohim.
——
AthalfpastsixGreenwichmeantimeonWednesday,October18,1944,aprogramcaledPostmanCallsbeganitseveningairingonRadioTokyo.ItwasoneoftwelvepropagandaprogramsconductedinEnglishandbroadcasttoAliedtroops.ThebroadcasterswerePOWsknownas“propagandaprisoners,”usualyworking
underthreatofexecutionorbeating.
Thisevening,theprogrammadeanannouncement:“ThisisthepostmancalingCaliforniaandMrs.LouiseZamperini,2028GramercyStreet,Torrance,California.Hereisamessagefromherson,FirstLieutenantLouisSilvieZamperini,nowinternedintheTokyocamp.‘Mydarlingfamily,Iam
uninjuredandingoodhealth.Imissyoualtremendouslyanddreamofyouoften.Prayingthatyouarealingoodhealthandhopetoseeyouagainsomeday.Lovetoalrelativesandfriends.Holdmybelongingsandmoneyforme.Love,Louis.’”
AfewmilesawayatOmori,Louieknewnothingofthebroadcast.TheJapanesehadwrittenitthemselvesor
forcedapropagandaprisonertodoso.
Thebroadcastwasn’tairedinAmerica,butinthetownofClaremont,SouthAfrica,amannamedE.H.Stephaneitherpickedupthesignalonshortwaveradioorreceivedareportofit.StephanworkedforaservicethatmonitoredbroadcastsandsentnewsofPOWstofamilymembers.Hefiledoutacardwith
informationaboutthebroadcast.Louie,thecardsaid,wasaPOWinanAxiscamp.
Stephanstapledatranscriptoftheradiomessagetothecard.Headdresseditusingthecontactinformationtypedinthemessage,misunderstoodasLouiseVancerini,2028BrammerseeStreet,Terence,California.Hedroppedthecardinthe
mail.
Thankstothemistakenaddressandtheseveredelaysofthewartimemail,thecardwouldwandertheworldformonths.InJanuary1945,itwouldturnupinTrona,acrossroadsintheCaliforniadesert.ItwouldbetheendofJanuary,nearlythreeandahalfmonthsafterthebroadcast,whensomeoneinTronawouldpickupthe
letter,scribbletryTorranceontheoutside,andmailiton.
Twenty-five
B-29
ONONEOFTHELASTDAYSOFOCTOBER1944,LOUIEpushedawheelbarrowovertheOmoribridge,throughthevilageatthebridge’send,andintoTokyo.
WithhimwereanotherPOWandaguard;they’dbeenorderedtopickupmeatforthePOWrations.LouiehadbeeninJapanforthirteenmonths,butthiswasthefirsttimethathehadpassed,unblindfolded,intothesocietythatheldhimcaptive.
Tokyowasbleddry.Therewerenoyoungmenanywhere.Thewarhadcausedmassiveshortagesin
foodandgoods,andthemarketsandrestaurantswereshuttered.Thecivilianswereslipshodandunbathed.EveryoneknewthattheAmericanswerecoming,andthecityseemedtobeholdingitsbreath.
Teamsofchildrenandteenagerswereshovelingoutslittrenchesandtearingdownbuildingstomakefirebreaks.
Louie,theotherPOW,andtheguardarrivedataslaughterhouse,wheretheirwheelbarrowwasfiledwithhorsemeat.AstheypusheditbacktowardOmori,Louielookedupatabuildingandsawgraffitiscrawledoveronewal.Itsaid,BNijuKu.Thefirstcharacterwassimpleenough,theEnglishletterB.Louieknewthatnijumeanttwentyandkumeantnine,thoughhedidn’tknowthatku
carriedanothermeaning:pain,calamity,affliction.LouiewalkedthewheelbarrowintoOmori,wonderingwhat“Btwenty-nine”referredto,andwhysomeonewouldwriteitonawal.
——
AttenminutestosixonthemorningofNovember1,1944,awondrousAmerican
planeliftedoffarunwayonSaipan.Itssizeboggledtheimagination:99
feetlong,141feetfromwingtiptowingtip,almost30feethighatthetail,andweighing120,000poundsormoreloaded,itdwarfedthefamouslyhugeB-24.Poweredbyfour2,200-horsepowerengines—eachenginealmosttwiceaspowerfulaseachofthoseof
theB-24—itcouldrocketacrosstheskyatupto358milesperhourandcarrygiantbombloads.AB-24didn’thaveaprayerofmakingitfromSaipantoJapan’shomeislandsandback.Thisplanecoulddoit.ItwastheB-29Superfortress,anditwouldbringdownJapan.
Thebomber,soontobenamedTokyoRoseasamockinghomagetothe
womenwhobroadcastJapanesepropaganda,waspilotedbyCaptainRalphSteakley.Thatmorning,heflewhisplanenorth.Theplanesplittheairnearlysixmilesup.Abovewasaskyofintenseblue;below,slidingoverthehorizon,cameJapan.
B-29shadbeenusedahandfuloftimesoverJapan,inraidslaunchedfromChina,beginningfourandahalf
monthsearlier.LargelybecauseofthedifficultyofsupplyingtheChinesebasesandflyingthevastdistancesbetweenthosebasesandJapan,themissionshadbeenineffective.ButtotheJapanese,theswiftleviathanswereterrifying,inspiringthegraffitithatLouiehadseen.ThreeweeksafterthefirstChina-basedraid,Saipanhadbeencaptured,andAmericanplanshadshiftedtolaunching
B-29sfromthere.Steakley’swasthefirstrunfromSaipantoTokyo,whichhadn’tseenanAmericanplanesincetheDoolittleraidin1942.Hisplanecarriednotbombsbutcameras:SteakleywasmappingthepathfortheB-29sthatwouldfolowhis.Atnoon,theplanereachedthecity.
LouiewasstandinginagroupofPOWs,doingcalisthenics
ontheordersoftheguards,whenasirenbegansounding.Theguards,asusualduringalerts,shooedthemenintothebarracks.ThePOWswereusedtothesirens,whichhadalwaysbeenfalsealarms,sothealertcausedlittleconcern.
Inthebarracks,themenpeeredoutthewindows.Somethingwasdifferent;theguardsweregapingattheskyasif,wroteBobMartindale,
“theywerelookingfortheMessiah.”Thentherewasaglintabove,afingerpointingurgently,andacrushofPOWsboltingforthedoor.Runningintothecompoundwithhisfaceskyward,LouiesawasliverofradiantwhitelighthighoverTokyo,contrailscurlingbehinditliketwistingspines.“OhGod,God,anAmericanplane!”someoneshouted.Theguardslookedstricken.Martindale
heardthemspeakingtoeachotherinhighagitation.Onephrasestoodout:“Bnijuku.”
Louie,likealthePOWs,hadnoideawhatkindofplanethiswas.ThenaPOWwho’djustbeencapturedsaidthatitwasanewAmericanbombercaledaB-29.Acheerrangout.Menbeganshouting,“B-29!B-29!”ThebomberwasthemostbeautifulthingthatLouiehadeverseen.
Acrossthebay,massesofciviliansstoodinthestreets,lookingatthesky.Astheplanepassedintothecivilians’view,FrankTinkerheardthepeopleshouting,soundsthatblendedintoaroar.Louieglancedtowardthesouthendofcamp.TheBirdwasstandingjustoutsidehisoffice,motionlessandexpressionless,watchingtheplane.
“ItwasnottheirMessiah,”Martindalewrote,“butours.”
——
Thebomberwasflyingatperfectliberty.Steakleyguideditinaseriesofstraightrunsoverthecityashiscrewmensnappedphotographs.Below,theguardsbeganpursuingtheelatedPOWs,tryingtoforcethembackintothebarracks.
Themenshushedeachother,fearingthatthey’dbebeatenforcelebrating.Theclamordieddown.Louiestoodwiththeothermenandwatchedthebomber,occasionalydartingbetweenbarrackstoavoidtheguards.
SteakleyflewoverTokyoformorethananhour.NoJapaneseplanesorgunsengagedhim.Finaly,asheturnedbackforSaipan,a
Zerobankedupforhistail,folowedbriefly,thenturnedaway.
NewspaperswererelativelyeasytocomebyinOmori.Slavelaborerssnuckthemin,andeachday,athisworksite,MiltonMcMulengaveaKoreantruckdriverabagofstolenriceinexchangeforasmalEnglish-languagepaper,whichMcMulensmuggledintocampinhisboot.Forthe
POWs,thepaperswereinexhaustiblyamusing.ThoughtheJapanesepresscoveredtheEuropeantheateraccurately,itwasnotoriousfordistortingthenewsofthePacificwar,sometimesabsurdly.LouieoncereadastoryaboutaJapanesepilotwhoranoutofammunitioninadogfightanddownedhisopponentwitharicebal.
OnthedayaftertheB-29
flyover,thecoverageworeasimilarstripe.“Papersays,‘LoneenemyB-29visitsTokyoarea,’”wrotePOWErnestNorquistinhisdiary.“ItsaiditcamefromtheMarianaIslandgroup,flewoverthecityand‘wasdriveoff’[sic]withoutdroppingasinglebomb.IlaughedasIreadthewords‘drivenoff’forneithertheantiaircraftfirenortheZeroshadcomewithinmilesofthatgreatbig
beautifulbird.”LouiesawanotherheadlinethatsaidthebomberhadFLEDINCONSTERNATION.
TheplanehadsimplycrossedoverTokyo,buteveryoneinJapan,captiveandfree,knewwhatitmeant.Everymorning,theOmoriPOWswereassembledandorderedtocalouttheirnumberinJapanese.AfterNovember1,1944,themanassigned
numbertwenty-ninewouldsingout“Nijuku!”atthetopofhislungs.“Notevenbayonetprods,”wroteWade,“couldwipethesmilesfromthePOWfacesnow.”
——
Louiewasn’tsmilingforlong.TheB-29,andwhatitportended,fedtheBird’svitriol.OnedayLouiewasinhisbarracks,sittingwith
friendsfarintherear,outofsightofthedoor,incasetheBirdcamein.Asthemenpassedaroundacigaretteroledintoiletpaper,twoguardsbangedin,screaming“Keirei!”
Louieleaptupintandemwiththeothermen.InboundedtheBird.
Forseveralseconds,theBirdlookedaround.Hetookafew
stepsintotheroom,andLouiecameintohisview.ThecorporalrusheddownthebarracksandhaltedbeforeLouie.HeworethewebbedbeltthatLouiehadseenonhimhisfirstdayinOmori.Thebucklewasseveralinchessquare,madeofheavybrass.StandingbeforeLouie,theBirdjerkedthebeltoffhiswaistandgraspedoneendwithbothhands.
“Youcometoattentionlast!”
TheBirdswungthebeltbackward,withthebuckleonthelooseend,andthenwhippeditaroundhimselfandforward,asifhewereperformingahammerthrow.ThebucklerammedintoLouie’slefttempleandear.
Louiefeltasifhehadbeenshotinthehead.Thoughhehadresolvednevertoletthe
Birdknockhimdown,thepoweroftheblow,andtheexplosivepainthatfolowed,overawedeverythinginhim.Hislegsseemedtoliquefy,andhewentdown.Theroomspun.
Louielayonthefloor,dazed,hisheadthrobbing,bloodrunningfromhistemple.Whenhegatheredhiswits,theBirdwascrouchingoverhim,makingasympathetic,
almostmaternalsound,asortofAwwww.HepuledafoldoftoiletpaperfromhispocketandpresseditgentlyintoLouie’shand.Louieheldthepapertohistemple.
“Oh,itstop,eh?”theBirdsaid,hisvoicesoft.
Louiepuledhimselfupright.TheBirdwaitedforhimtosteadyhimself.Thesoothingvoiceandtheofferofthe
paperforhiswoundwererevelationstoLouie:Therewascompassioninthisman.Thesenseofreliefwasjustenteringhismindwhenthebuckle,whirlingaroundfromtheBird’sswingingarms,struckhisheadagain,exactlywhereithadhitbefore.Louiefeltpainburstingthroughhisskul,hisbodygoingliquidagain.Hesmackedintothefloor.
——
Forseveralweeks,Louiewasdeafinhisleftear.TheBirdcontinuedtobeathim,everyday.Ashisattackerstruckhim,Louieboreitwithclenchedfistsandeyesblazing,buttheassaultswerewearinghimdown.Thesergeantbeganlordingoverhisdreamlife,comingathimandpoundinghim,hisfeaturesalightinvicious
rapture.Louiespenthourafterhourinprayer,beggingforGodtosavehim.HelosthimselfinfantasiesofrunningthroughanOlympicstadium,climbingontoapodium.Andhethoughtofhome,tormentedbythoughtsofwhathisdisappearancemusthavedonetohismother.Helongedtowritetoher,buttherewasnopoint.Once,aJapaneseofficerhadannouncedthatmencould
writehome,andeveryoneincamppennedletterstotheirparents,wives,children,andsteadygirls.WhentheBirdlearnedofit,hecaledinCommanderMaher,handedhimtheletters,andforcedhimtoburnthem.
Onedayinmid-November,LouiewassittinginhisbarrackswhentheBirdwalkedinandapproachedhim,accompaniedbytwo
Japanesestrangers.
Louieexpectedabeating,butinstead,thestrangerswerefriendly.TheytoldLouiethattheywereproducersfromRadioTokyoandthattheyhadsomethingtheythoughthe’dliketosee.TheyhandedLouieapieceofpaper.Louielookedatit:ItwasatranscriptofanNBCradiobroadcastannouncinghisdeath.Thetranscriptwasreal.
Louie’sdeathdeclaration,deliveredinJune,hadreachedtheAmericanmediaonNovember12,thatsameweek.
TheRadioTokyomenwantedLouietocometotheirstudiotoannouncethathewasaliveonthePostmanCallsshow.TheywantedLouietodothis,theysaid,forhissakeandthatofhissufferingfamily.Hewasfree
towritehisownmessage.Louiedidn’ttrustthem,andgavethemnoanswer.Theytoldhimtotakeadaytothinkaboutit.LouieconsultedMartindale,whotoldhimthatseveralPOWshadmadesuchbroadcasts,andaslongasLouiedidn’treadpropaganda,therewasnoharminaccepting.
SoLouiesaidyes.TheRadioTokyomenbroughthimpen
andpaper,andhesettowork.Knowingthathisfamilymightnotbelievethatitwasrealyhe,headdeddetailsthathehopedwouldconvincethem.Toensurethathismessagegotthrough,hedecidedtospeakpositivelyabouthiscaptors.HeincludedthenamesofotherPOWswhofearedthattheirfamiliesthoughttheyweredead,andalsomentionedBilHarris,whomhe’dlastseena
monthandahalfearlier,atOfuna.HeoptednottomentionPhil.Hehadn’tseenthepilotforeightmonths,anddidn’tknowifhewasstilalive.
LouiewasdriventotheRadioTokyostudio.Theproducersgreetedhimasifhewereabelovedfriend.Theyreadhisspeechandgaveitaheartyapproval.Itwouldbetapedforbroadcasttwodayslater.
Theproducersplannedtousethatevening’sbroadcasttoteasetheaudience,thenwaitbeforepresentinghisvoicetotheworld,proofthattheyweretelingthetruth.
Louiewastakentothemicrophoneandgivenhiscue.Hereadhismessage,tothepleasureoftheproducers.AstheofficialspreparedtodrivehimbacktoOmori,Louiewenttoaproducerwho
hadbeenespecialykind.HesaidthattherewasamanincampnamedWatanabewhowasbeatingthePOWs.TheproducerseemedconcernedandtoldLouiethathe’dseewhathecoulddo.
——
InSanFranciscoathalfpasttwoonthemorningofNovember18,1944,ayoungwomannamedLynnMoody
wasaloneintheOfficeofWarInformation,workingthegraveyardshift.AcrossthehalintheFederalCommunicationsCommissionstation,oneofhercoleagueswaslisteningtoJapaneseradioandtypingupbroadcastsforreviewbypropagandaanalysts.Moodywasbored,soshecrossedthehaltosayhelo.ThecoleagueaskedifMoodycouldfilinwhileshetookabreak.
Moodyslippedontheearphonesandbegantyping.TheshowairingwasPostmanCalls.Asshetyped,Moodywasstartledtohearanamethatsheknewwel:LouisZamperini.MoodywasamemberoftheUSCclassof1940,andLouiewasanoldfriend.TheannouncerwasspeakingabouttheOctober18messagethathadbeenbroadcast,supposedlyfromLouie,butinfactwritten
withoutLouie’sknowledge.Giddywithexcitement,Moodytyped,placingunclearwordswithinparentheses:
Exactlyonemonthagowebroadcastamessage.Thismessageoverthesamestation,sameprogram,“PostmanCals,”wasfromFirstLieutenantLouis(Silvie)Zamperini,UnitedStatesArmyAirCorps.Recentlyanewsreporthas
beenbroughttoourattentioninwhichitisstatedthatFirstLieutenantLouisZamperiniislistedasdeadbytheUnitedStatesWarDepartment.Accordingtothereport,LieutenantZamperiniwasreportedmissinginactionintheSouthPacificinMay,1943.TheapparentlyuninformedsourceofthisitemisabroadcastingstationinCaliforniaquotingtheWarDepartmentoftheUnited
StatesofAmerica.Wehopewecanrectifythismistakeonsomeone’spartbysayingthatLouisZamperiniisaliveandwelasaprisonerofwarhereinTokyo.
Thisisoneofthemanyexamplesofthemenmissinginactionerroneouslyreportedandlaterbeingestablishedasalie.Thelastwarwasfulofsuchinstancesandmuchsufferingandheartaches
couldhavebeenavoidedbythetransmittalofreliableinformationtothepartiesconcernedregardingthewhereaboutsofmen(insuchcases);Itisoneofthepurposesofthisprogramtoaleviatethisconditionandfurnishspeedy,reliableandauthenticmessageservicetotherelativesandfriendsofmeninternedinprisonerofwarcampsthroughoutJapan.WesincerelyhopeLouis’
motherislisteningintonightorwilbeinformedofwhatwesay.
LongwilLouisZamperini’snameliveinourmemories.ThoseofusfromtheregionsofSouthernCaliforniawelrecalthedaysthatLouiswasbreakingalrecordsinthemilerun.Hisunbrokennationalinterscholasticmilerecordstandsasachalengetotheaspirantsofthe(Ginger
Cup).WefolowedcloselyZamperini’seffortsin1936OlympicgamesheldinBerlin,Germany.Hisopponentsandsomeoftheforemostinthecountryspeakhighlyofhim.Hehasrunagainstsuchnamesas(Bensig)andCunningham.Thesamepersonalitythatsoendearedhimtousasheracedagainsttimeonthetracksoftheworldisnotdeadbutverymuchaliveand
withusyet.Weregrettheunhappinessthatmusthaveaccompaniedthenewsofhisreporteddeathbuthopethattheeffortsofhisfelowprisonersofwaron“PostmanCals”wil(atone)insomesmalwayfortheerror.
Sochinup,Mrs.LouisZamperiniof(Torrance)California,Louisishere;thesameoldLouis,cheerful,sportsmanlike,theidolofal
ourSouthernCaliforniafansandgraduates.Youmightpassthegladtidingsalong,Mrs.Zamperini,forweknowaltheloversofthe(spikedshoe)sportwilb[sic]
gladtohearthis.Louisisnotonthetrackanymorean[sic]forthatwearesorry.Hewilbemissedthere.Louisisneithermissingnordeadashasbeenreportedandforthatwearemorethanglad.It
makesusveryhappyindeedtohaveperformedthisserviceforourprisonersandrelativesanditisout[sic]earnestwishthatnoothersuchinstancesofthisinformationwilbeforthcoming.Wehopethislittlegroupofprisonersconnectedwith
“PostmanCals”programcanbeoffurtherserviceinthefuture.That’swhatwe’re
herefor,sokeeponlistening,Mrs.Zamperini,anddon’tmentionit;thepleasureisalours.
Moodytypedasfastasshecould,makingastringoftyposinherexhilaration.Aboutanhourlater,theFCCwomancameback.“Ipracticalydancedaroundtheroomtelingheraboutit,”Moodylaterwrote.
DownthecoastinTorrance,theZamperiniswerecopingwiththeaftermathofthepublicannouncementofLouie’sdeath.AfterapackagecamebearingLouie’sPurpleHeart,aletterarrivedconcerninghislifeinsurancepayout,$10,000.Louisedepositedthemoneyinthebankbutdidn’tspendanyofit.WhenLouiecamehome,shedeclared,itwouldbehis.Andafterthenewsof
Louie’sdeathbroke,thefilmdirectorCecilB.DeMileshoweduptodoaradiointerviewwiththefamilyfortheSixthWarBondDrive.SylviaandLouiseweregivenscriptsthatcaledforthemtospeakofLouieasifheweredead.Outofpoliteness,theZamperinisreadthescriptsaswritten.
Somewhereinalofthis,adeliverymancame,bearinga
bouquetofflowersforSylvia.Itwasananniversarygiftfromherhusband,Harvey,nowmanningatankguninHoland.Afewdayslatershegotatelegram:Harveyhadbeenwounded.Thetelegramsaidnothingofwhathisinjurieswere,orhowserious.Sylviawaited,knottedwithanxiety.Finaly,aletterarrived,composedbyHarveyanddictatedtoanursefromhishospitalbed.Histankhad
beenhitandhadburstintoflames.Hehadescaped,buthishandsandfacewereburned.OfaltheterriblescenariosthathadrunthroughSylvia’smind,firewastheonethingthatshe’dneverimagined.Harveywas,afteral,afirefighter.Exhaustedandbarelyabletoeat,SylviacreptthroughNovember,hauntedbynightmaresandgrowingevermoregaunt.
——
OnNovember20,LynnMoody,stilinhighspiritsoverthebroadcastaboutLouietwodaysbefore,wasbackworkingthemidnight-to-eightshift.Attwo-thirtyA.M.,oneoftheFCCtranscribersyeledtohertocomequickly.
Moodyranin,putontheearphones,andlistened.It
wasPostmanCallsagain.“Helo,America,”theannouncerbegan,“thisisthepostmancalingandbringingaspecialmessageaspromisedearlierintonight’sprogramtoMrs.LouisZamperini,2028GramercyStreet,Torrance,California.WehopeMrs.
Zamperiniislisteningintonightforwehavearealtreatforher.Hersonhas
comedowntothestudioespecialytosendherthismessageofreassuranceaftertheerroneousreportofafewdaysagobytheUnitedStatesWarDepartment,thathewasofficialygivenupasdeadandmissing.WeassureMrs.
Zamperinithatsuchisnotthecase.ThenextvoiceheardwilbethatofFirstLieutenantLouisHelzie[sic]Zamperini,UnitedStatesAirForce,now
internedintheTokyocamp.Gorightahead,LieutenantZamperini.”
Ayoungman’svoicecameacrosstheairwaves.Moodyknewtheinstantsheheardit:ItwasLouie.
——
Helomotherandfather,relativesandfriends.ThisisyourLouietalking.Through
thecourtesyoftheauthoritieshereIambroadcastingthispersonalmessagetoyou.
Thiswilbethefirsttimeintwoandonehalfyearsthatyouwilhaveheardmyvoice.IamsureitsoundsthesametoyouasitdidwhenIlefthome.
Iamuninjuredandingoodhealthandcanhardlywaituntilthedaywearetogether
again.Nothavingheardfromyousincemymostabruptdeparture,Ihavebeensomewhatworriedabouttheconditionofthefamily,asfarashealthisconcerned.Ihopethismessagefindsalofyouinthebestofhealthandgoodspirits.
IamnowinternedintheTokyoprisoners’campandambeingtreatedaswelascanbeexpectedunderwar
timeconditions.ThecampauthoritiesarekindtomeandIhavenokickcoming.
Pleasewriteasoftenasyoucanandindoingso,sendmesnapshotsofeveryone.Inmylonesomehoursnothingwouldbemoreappreciatedthantolookatpicturesofthefamily.
BeforeIforgetit,Dad,Iwouldbeverypleasedifyou
wouldkeepmygunsingoodconditionsowemightdosomegoodhuntingwhenIreturnhome.
MotherSylviaandVirginia,Ihopeyouwilkeepupyourwonderfultalentsinthekitchen.Ioftenvisualizethosewonderfulpiesandcakesyoumake.
IsPetestilabletopayyouhisweeklyvisitsfromSan
Diego?Ihopeheisstilnearhome.
GivemybesttoGorton,Harvey,EldonandHenryandwishthemthebestofcare.IsendmyfondestlovetoSylvia,VirginiaandPeteandhopetheyareenjoyingtheirworkatthepresent.Imissthemverymuch.
SinceIhavebeeninJapanIhaverunintoseveralofmy
oldacquaintances.Youwilprobablyrememberafewofthem.
ThetalMarine,WiliamHarris,fromKentuckyishereandenjoyinggoodhealth.LorrenStoddardStanleyManeivveandPeterHryskanicharethesame.YoumustrememberWiliamHastyfromBishopvile?Wehavebeenroomingtogetherforthepasttwomonths.Heis
lookingfine.
Iknowthatyouhavetakencareofmypersonalbelongingsandsavinglongago.YouhavenodoubtreceivedtherestofmybelongingsfromtheArmy.
HelotoBobLewelynandalofmyhometownfriends.BeforeclosingIwishyouamerryXmasandaHappyNewYear.
Yourlovingson,Louie
——
Laterthatday,thephonerangattheZamperinis’house.ThecalerwasawomanfromthenearbysuburbofSanMarino.Shesaidthatshe’dbeenlisteningtoherradiowhenthestationhadairedaninterceptedbroadcastofanAmericanprisonerofwarspeakingonJapaneseradio.
Thebroadcasthadbeenscratchyandindistinct,butshewassurethatshehadheardthenameright.ThePOWshehadheard,shesaid,wasLouie.
TheZamperiniswereshockedandwary.Thewomanwasastranger,andtheywereafraidthatshewasaprankster.SylviaandLouiseaskedforheraddressanddrovetoherhouse.Thewomantoldthem
everythingshehadheard.SylviaandLouisethankedherandleft.Theybelievedthewoman,buttheydidn’tknowiftheycouldbelievethebroadcastitself.Itcouldeasilyhavebeenfaked.“Iwasthinking,‘Coulditbetrue?Coulditbetrue?’”Sylviarecaled.
AfterSylviaandLouisegothome,aWesternUniontelegramarrivedfromthe
provostmarshalgeneral.Itread,FOLLOWINGENEMYPROPAGANDABROADCAST
FROMJAPANHASBEENINTERCEPTED.BelowwereLouie’swords,astypedbyMoody.Thetelegramendedwithadisclaimer:PENDINGFURTHERCONFIRMATION
THISREPORTDOESNOT
ESTABLISHHISSTATUSASAPRISONEROFWAR.
Messagesbeganpouringin,fromfriendsandstrangersaloverthecountry,telingtheZamperinisofthebroadcast,whichhadbeeninterceptedandre-airedonseveralstations.AndLouie’suncleGildoDossicaledfromWilmington,Iowa.Hehadclickedonhisradioandheardavoicethathefeltcertain
wasthatofhisnephew.
Themessagesrelayingthecontentofthebroadcastwerevaried,butacommonthreadranthroughseveralofthem:arequestthattheytakecareofLouie’sguns.Louiehadgrownuphunting,shootingrabbitsinthefieldsaroundTorranceandontheCahuilaIndianReservation,andhewasespecialycarefulwithhisguns.TotheZamperinis,
thiswasthefingerprint,thedetailthattheJapanesecouldnothaveknown.LouiseandSylviadissolvedintears,thenbeganshoutingwithjoy.
Petepickedupthephone,dialedPaytonJordan’snumber,andshoutedthreewordsintothereceiver:
“Payt!He’salive!”
Twenty-six
Madness
THERADIOTOKYOMENWEREBACKATOMORI,SMILING.WhatalovelyvoiceLouiehad,whatabriliantjobhehaddone.Howaboutanotherbroadcast?
Aslongashewrotehisowncopy,Louiesawnoreasontodecline.Hecomposedanothermessagetohisfamily,thenrodewiththe
producerstoTokyo.
Whenhereachedthestudio,theproducersannouncedachangeofplans.Theydidn’tneedthemessagehe’dwritten;theyhadonealready.TheyhandedLouieasheetofpaper.Thisiswhatitsaid,exactlyaswritten:
Wel,believeitornot…IguessI’moneofthose“Luckyguys”,ormaybe,I
dunno,maybeI’mrealyunlucky…Anyway…here’sme,LouisZamperini,age27,hometownLosAngeles,California,goodoleUnitedStatesofAmericaspeaking.WhatImeanbyluckyisthatI’mstilaliveandhealthy…Yes,andit’safunnything…I’veheardandalsosawwithmyowneyesthatI’mwashed-upthatisIwasreportedtohavediedincombat.…
Yes,oneofthosewhodiedgalantry[sic]fightingforthecause…Ithinktheofficialreportwentsomethinglikethis…‘FirstLieutenantLouisS.
Zamperini,holderofthenationalinterscholasticmilerecord,is,listedasdeadbytheWarDepartment…TheformerUniversityofSouthernCaliforniamilerwasreportedmissinginactionin
theSouthPacificinMay1943’…Wel,whatdoyouknow?…Boy.…that’srich.…HereIamjustasaliveasIcouldbe.…buthelI’msupposedtobedead.…Yeahandthisremindsmeofanotherfelowwho’sinthesameboatasmeoratleasthewas.…
Anywayhetoldmethathewasofficialyreportedas‘kiledinaction’butinreality
wasaprisoner-of-war.…Afterseveralmonthshereceivedaletterfromhiswifeinwhichshetoldhimthatshehadmarriedagainsinceshethoughthewasdead…Ofcourse,shewasastonishedtohearthathewassafeandheldinaninternmentcamp.…Shehowever,consolatedhimbysayingthatshewaswilingtodivorceagainormarryhimonceagainwhenhegetshome.…Boy,Irealyfeel
sorryforafelowlikethat.andtheblamelieswiththeofficialwhoalowsuchunreliablerports[sic].…Afteraltheleasttheycandoistoletthefolksbackhomeknowjustwheretheriboyare[sic]…
AnywaythatsnotmyworrybutIhopethefolksbackhomeareproperlynotifiedofthefactthatIamaliveandintendtostayalive…It’s
certainlyasadworldwhenafelowcan’tevenbealowedtolive,Imeanwhenafelowiskiledoffbyaso-caled‘officialreport.…Howaboutthat?…
Louiewasaghast.Hehadlongwonderedwhyhe’dbeensparedfromexecutiononKwajalein,aftertheninemarineshadbeenkiled,andwhyhe’dbeensubjectedtothewil-weakeningtorment
ofOfunayetnotinterrogated,eventhougheveryoneelsehadbeen.Atlast,theJapanesehadmadetheirintentionsclear.OnKwajalein,afterLouie’sexecutionhadbeenordered,anofficerhadpersuadedhissuperiorstokeepLouiealivetomakehimintoapropagandatool.AfamousAmericanOlympian,he’dreasoned,wouldbeespecialyvaluable.*TheJapanesehad
probablysentLouietothecrucibleofOfuna,thentoOmoriundertheBird,tomakehislifeincampunbearablesohe’dbewilingtodoanything,evenbetrayhiscountry,toescapeit.Theyhadhiddenhimfromtheworld,keepinghisnameoffRedCrossrosters,andwaiteduntilhisgovernmenthadpubliclydeclaredhisdeathbeforeannouncingthathewasalive.Indoingso,they
hopedtoembarrassAmericaandundermineAmericansoldiers’faithintheirgovernment.
Louierefusedtoreadthestatement.Stilsmiling,theproducersaskedhimtojointhemonalittletour.TheybroughthimtoacafeteriaandservedhimadeliciousAmerican-stylemeal,thentookhimtoaprivatelivingareathathadbedswith
mattressesandsheets.IfLouiewouldmakethebroadcast,theproducerssaid,hecouldlivehere,andhe’dneverhavetoseeOmoriagain.Finaly,Louiewasintroducedtoagroupofmen,AustraliansandAmericans.
Thesemen,theproducerssaid,werehelpingthemmakebroadcasts.AsLouieheldouthishand,thepropagandaprisonersdroppedtheireyes
tothefloor.Theirfacessaidital;ifLouieagreedtomakethisbroadcast,hewouldbeforcedintoalifeashisenemy’spropagandist.
Louiewastakenbacktothestudioandurgedtodothebroadcast.Herefused.Thesmilesevaporated;thefaceshardened.Theproducersorderedhimtodoit.Hesaidno.Theproducerslefttheroomtomeetinprivate.
Louiewasaloneinthestudio.Infrontofhimwereseveralcopiesofthemessagethattheywantedhimtodeliver.Heslidhishandthroughatearinhispocket,snaggedacopy,andpuleditintohiscoat.Theproducersreturned.
“Okay,”oneofthemsaid.“Ithinkyougotopunishmentcamp.”
Omoriwascaleda
punishmentcamp,buttheproducerswereclearlyreferringtosomeotherplace.ForLouie,anycamphadtobebetterthanOmori,becausetheBirdwouldn’tbethere.Theproducersgavehimonelastchancetochangehismind.Hedidnot.
LouiewasdumpedbackatOmori.TheBirdwaswaitingforhim,glowingwithrenewedhatred.Hisbeatings
resumed,withintensifiedvigor.MaybeLouiewasbeingpunishedforrefusingtomakethebroadcast,ormaybetheproducertowhomLouiehadappealedforhelphadtoldtheBirdofLouie’saccusations.Louiestoodhisground,tookhisbeatingswithrebelionboilinginhim,andwaitedtobeshippedto“punishmentcamp.”AndlikealtheotherPOWs,hewatchedthesky,prayingthat
thepromiseofthatfirstB-29wouldbefulfiled.
——
IntheearlyafternoononFriday,November24,theTokyosirensbegantohowl.Fromtheskycameanimmenseshiveringsound.ThePOWslookedup.
There,sohighthattheyappearedtobegleamingslits
inthesky,wereacresandacresofB-29s,onehundredandelevenofthem,flyingtowardanaircraftfactoryontherimofthecity.Caughtinwhatwouldlaterbecaledthejetstream,theplaneswerestreakingalongatspeedsapproaching445
milesperhour,almost100milesperhourfasterthantheywerebuilttofly.TheAmericanshadarrived.
“Itwasacold,clear,sunnyday,”wrotePOWJohanArthurJohansen,whowasataslavesiteatthetime.“Theplaneswereshininglikesilverinthesunshineagainsttheblueskyoverhead…Itwasabeautifulsightwhichlift[ed]ourspiritrightuptothesky.”Menbeganyeling,“Dropthebombs!”and
“Happylandings!”and“Welcomeback!”Theguards
staredup,soawedbytheplanesthattheydidn’tseemtohearthemenshouting.
AB-29overJapan.AssociatedPress
AtOmori,thecampaccountant,YuichiHatto,was
standingwithagroupofPOWs.Astheywatched,aloneJapanesefighterracedtowardtheplanes,thenabruptly,startlingly,flewstraightintoabomber,thesmalerplaneshatteringandrainingdownonTokyoBay.Thebomberbeganfaling,whitesmoketwirlingfromit.Asingleparachutepuffedfromitsside,andoneofthePOWscried,“Onesafe!Safe!”TheEnglishword
caughtinHatto’sear;hehadhearditusedonlyinbasebalgames.Thebomberhitthewater,kilingalaboard.Thelonesurvivor,underhisparachute,waftedoverTokyoasgentlyasadandelionseed.Asthemansankintothecity,Hattohadasickfeeling,thinkingofwhatwouldhappentothatairmanwhenhereachedtheground.Theotherbombersflewon.Afewminuteslater,therewas
distantbooming.
——
Asthefalstretchedon,B-29scrossedoverOmorinearlyeveryday,sometimesaloneplane,sometimesvastcontinentsofaircraft.Onsunnydays,themenstoodoutandwatchedthem;oncloudydays,theyonlyheardthem,agrowlabovethegray.InTokyo,thesirenssangso
incessantlythatthePOWsbegansleepingthroughthem.
Eighty-onebomberswentoveronNovember27.OnthedrizzlynightofNovember29–30,theprisonerswereawakenedbytwoincendiaryraidsonTokyo’sindustrialareas.Explosionswereheardfaraway,andthePOWscouldseelicksoffireonthemainland,thelastgaspsofthe2,773structuresthat
burnedthatnight.CiviliansbeganstreamingoverthebridgeandcampingoutsideOmori’swalsinhopesofescapingthebombs.
Onedaythatfal,Louiestoodoutside,watchingJapanesefightersturninglupinecirclesaroundacrowdofB-29s.Thebattlewassohighthatonlythegiant,shiningbomberswereconsistentlyvisible;thefighters,tinyincontrast,
flickeredinandoutofviewasthesunlightcaughtthem.Everylittlewhile,therewasasharp,briefburstoflightalongsidethebombers.ToLouie,itlookedlikefirecrackers.Itwasthefighters,gunnedbytheB-29s,blowingup.
Thebombersflewon,imperious.TheBirdwatchedthescenewithastrickenface.“Hikokidame,”hesaid.
“Hikokidame.”Japan’splanes,hewaslamenting,werenogood.
EveryB-29thatbeatapathoverTokyowoundtheBirdtighter.HehoundedthePOWswithendlessinspections,prohibitedsmoking,singing,andcardplaying,andoutlawedreligiousservices.Heslappedoneofficeracrossthefacerepeatedlyforfiveminutes,
madehimstandatattention,coatless,forfourhoursinthecold,thenorderedhimtocleanthebenjosfortwohoursadayfortwoweeks.Hebeatakitchenworkerwithaspoonthesizeofanoar.
Hepawedthroughthemen’sbelongings,confiscatingpersonalpapersandphotographsoflovedones,deemingmuchofit“suspicious”anddestroying
it.
Hewasseizedwithparanoia.“Youwinwar,andyoumakealJapaneselikeblackslaves!”heshoutedataPOW.HehauledMartindaletohisoffice,accusedhimofplottingtoburndownabarracks,andbeathimsoenergeticaly,withfistsandakendostick,thatheoverturnedalofthefurniture.
B-29Superfortresses.AssociatedPress
InDecember,theBirdleftcampforseveraldays,andOmoriwasbrieflypeaceful.ButonthenightbeforetheBirdwasslatedtoreturn,thePOWswerejarredfromtheirsleeptohearhimchargingthroughcampinadrivingrainstorm,yelingthatitwasafiredril.Whenthedesignatedfirefighters
assembledunderthefreezingdownpour,theBirdpunchedseveralofthemintheface,ranthroughbarracksshoutingandpunchingothermen,thenorderedeverymanincamptolineupoutside.WhenLouieandtheothersdidastold,theBirddrewhissword,swungitaround,andscreamedordersandinvectives.
Fortwohours,theBirdforcedthementopumpwater
onimaginaryfires,beatoutphantomblazeswithbrooms,andruninandoutofbuildings“rescuing”
foodanddocuments.
AsDecemberprogressed,theBird’smaniadeepened.HeroundeduptheofficersandhoundedthemacrossthebridgeandintoTokyo,onthepretenseofretrievingfirewoodfrombombed-out
houses.Troughsofwaterforfirefightinghadbeensetalongthestreets,andasthemenmarched,theBirdleaptuponone,drewhissword,andscreamed“Keirei!”Themensalutedhim,andtheBird,lostinafantasy,stoodonhisroostinanabsurdlyexaggeratedtroop-reviewingposethatremindedTomWadeofMussolini.Civiliansgatheredandbegancheering.AfterthePOWshadpassed,
theBirdjumpeddown,ranahead,andhoppedontoanothertrough,shouting,strikinghispose,anddemandingsalutes.Overandoverherepeatedthefarce,drivingthemenonformiles.
Whenthebombswerefaling,theBirdwouldsnap,runningthroughcampwithhisswordintheair,wailingatthemen,foamflyingfromhismouth,lipspeeledbackinawicked
rictus,eyeliddrooping,facepurple.Duringatleasttwobombings,hepreventedthePOWsfromseekingcoverinthetrenches.Inoneincident,heranthePOWsoutside,stoodthematattention,andorderedtheguardstoaimtheirriflesatthem.Withbombsbooming,theBirdracedupanddownthelineofterrifiedPOWs,swinginghisswordovertheirheads.
EveryescalationinthebombingbroughtaparalelescalationintheBird’sattacksonLouie.HespedaroundcampinsearchoftheAmerican,fumingandfurious.Louiehid,buttheBirdalwaysfoundhim.Threeorfourtimesaweek,theBirdlaunchedhimselfatLouieinwhatFrankTinkerwouldcalhis
“deathlunge,”comingathim
withfistsflying,goingforhisfaceandhead.Louiewouldemergedazedandbleeding.HewasmoreandmoreconvincedthatWatanabewouldn’tstopuntilhewasdead.
Louiebegantocomeapart.Atnight,theBirdstalkedhisdreams,screeching,seething,hisbeltbuckleflyingatLouie’sskul.Inthedreams,thesmotheredrageinLouie
wouldoverwhelmhim,andhe’dfindhimselfontopofhismonster,hishandsonthecorporal’sneck,stranglingthelifefromhim.
——
AsLouiesufferedthroughDecember,somethreehundredmilesaway,hisformerpilotwaswastingawayinafilthy,unheatedbarracksintheZentsujiPOW
camp.PhilhadbeentransferredtoZentsujithepreviousAugust,joiningone-leggedFredGarrett,who’dbeentransferredfromOfuna.
ThoughOfunainterrogatorshadspokenofZentsujiasa“plush”reward,thecampwasnosuchplace.Theprisoners’dietwassopoorthatthemenwanderedthecompound,ravenous,pulingupweedsandeatingthem.Theironly
drinkingwatercamefromareservoirfedbyrunofffromricepaddiesfertilizedwithhumanexcrement,andtoavoiddyingofthirst,thePOWshadtodrinkit,leaving90percentofthemafflictedwithdysentery.Inonebarracksroom,menlostanaverageoffifty-fourpoundsovereighteenmonths.Anofficerestimatedthattwentymenfaintedeachday.Almosteveryonehadberiberi,and
somemenwentblindfrommalnutrition.OnthelastdayofNovember,theyburiedanAmericanwhohadstarvedtodeath.
TherewasoneblessingatZentsuji.Philwaspermittedtosendbriefmessageshomeonpostcards.Hewroteoneafteranother.Theyweremailed,butgotsnarledinthepostalsystem.ThefalwanedandanotherChristmas
approached,andPhil’sfamilyreceivednoneofthem.
AyearandahalfhadpassedsincePhilhaddisappeared.Hisfamilyremainedinlimbo,havingheardnothingabouthimsincehisplanehadgonedown.InNovember,theyhadlearnedaboutLouie’sbroadcast.Thenewshadbeentantalizing,butfrustrating.Louiehadmentionedotherservicemenwhowerewith
him,butthenameshadbeenobscuredbystatic,andthetranscripthadn’tconveyedthemwithcertainty.HadLouiementionedAlen?
OnaFridaynightinDecember1944,thetelephoneranginKelseyPhilips’shome.Onthelinewasamajorfromtheadjutantgeneral’sofficeattheWarDepartment.ProbablythroughtheRedCross,the
departmenthadreceivednewsfromZentsuji.Alenwasalive.
Kelseywasjubilant.Sheaskedthemajortocableherhusbandandherson’sfiancée,andinWashington,Cecygotthenewsshehadawaitedforsolong.Thefortune-telerhadsaidthatAlenwouldbefoundbeforeChristmas.ItwasDecember8.Overcomewithelation,
Cecycaledherbrothertoshoutthenews,quitherjob,dashedthroughherapartmentthrowingclothesandpicturesofAlenintoasuitcase,andhoppedaplanebacktoIndianatowaitforherfiancétocomehome.
FourdaysbeforeChristmas,acardfromAlen,writteninOctober,finalyreachedhome.“DearFolk:Hopeyoualarewelandamlooking
forwardtobeinghomewithyou.IhopewecangorabbithuntingbeforetheseasonclosesDad.GivemylovetoCecyMarthaandDick.Happybirthdaydad.”Kelseyporedoverthepreciousslipofpaper,comfortedbythefamiliarlinesofherson’shandwriting.ChaplainPhilips,nowstationedinFrance,gotthenewsonChristmasEve.“WordsrealycannotdescribethewayIfeel,”he
wrotetohisdaughter.“Iaminanaltogethernewworldnow.Icanthinkofnothingmorewonderful.Itisarealtouchofalthatheavenmeans.”
InaletterofficialyconfirmingthatAlenwasaPOW,thePhilipseswereaskednottospeakpubliclyaboutthefactthatAlenhadbeendiscoveredalive.
Kelseywouldhenceforthheedthisrequest,buttheletterhadreachedhertoolate;bythemorningaftertheWarDepartment’scal,thenewswasalreadyalovertown,andstoriesaboutAlen’ssurvivalwereinthelocalpapers.TheZamperinis,whohadreceivedasimilarletterstatingthattheWarDepartmentnowbelievedthatLouie’sbroadcasthadbeenreal,werealsoaskednotto
speakofitpublicly.TheWarDepartmentprobablydidn’twantitknownthattheyhaderroneouslydeclaredtwoairmendead,especialyastheJapanesewereexploitingthisfact.
Kelseywasalowedtosendonecabletoherson,andshefiledtheotherdayswritingletterstohim.OnDecember14,shewrotetoLouiseZamperini.
AsrelievedasKelseywasforAlen,therewasheavinessinherheart.OfalofthemenonGreenHornet,onlyLouieandAlenhadbeenfound.HughCuppernel’smotherwassodemoralizedthatshecouldnolongerbeartowritetotheothermothers.SadieGlassman,motherofthebelygunner,FrankGlassman,hadwrittentoLouise,askingifshehadheardanythingaboutFrank.“Eventhoughwehave
heardnothing,”shewrote,“thefactthatyoumightknowsomethingmakesusfeelasthoughtheremightbealittlehope.”
“Itisdifficulttorejoiceoutwardly(thoughIdoinmyheart)whenIthinkoftheothermotherswhomIhavelearnedtolove,andrealizehowkeenlytheyfeelthelossthatistheirs,”KelseywrotetoLouise.“Howmyheart
goesouttothemandIshalwritethemeveryone.”
——
AsChristmasneared,Louiefaltered.Starvationwasconsuminghim.Theoccasionalgiftsfromthethieveshelped,butnotenough.Whatwasmostmaddeningwasthatamplefoodwassonear.Twicethatfal,RedCrossrelief
packageshadbeendeliveredforthePOWs,butinsteadofdistributingthem,campofficialshadhauledthemintostorageandbeguntakingwhattheywantedfromthem.*Theymadenoefforttohidethestealing.“Wecouldseethemthrowingawayunmistakablewrappers,carryingbowlsofbulkcocoaandsugarbetweenhutsandeventryingtowashclotheswithcakesofAmerican
cheese,”wroteTomWade.TheBirdwastheworstoffender,smokingLuckyStrikecigarettesandopenlykeepingRedCrossfoodinhisroom.
Fromonedeliveryof240RedCrossboxes,theBirdstoleforty-eight,morethanfivehundredpoundsofgoods.
TowardtheendofDecember,theBirdorderedalofthemen
tothecompound,wheretheyfoundatruckbrimmingwithapplesandoranges.InalofhistimeasaPOW,Louiehadseenonlyonepieceoffruit,thetangerinethatSasakihadgivenhim.Themenweretoldthattheycouldtaketwopieceseach.
Asthefamishedmenswarmedontothepile,Japanesephotographerscircled,snappingphotos.
Then,justasthemenwerereadytodevourthefruit,theordercametoputitalback.Theentirethinghadbeenstagedforpropaganda.
OnChristmasEve,someRedCrosspackageswerefinalyhandedout.Louiewrotetriumphantlyofitinhisdiary.Hisbox,weighingsomeelevenpounds,containedcornedbeef,cheese,pâté,salmon,butter,jam,
chocolate,milk,prunes,andfourpacksofChesterfields.Aleveninglong,themenofOmoritradedgoods,smoked,andgorgedthemselves.
Thatnight,therewasanothertreat,anditcameaboutastheresultofaseriesofcuriousevents.AmongthePOWswasachronicalyunwashed,ingenious,andpossiblyinsanekleptomaniacnamedMansfield.Shortlybefore
Christmas,Mansfieldbrokeintothestorehouse—slippingpastsevenguards—andmadeoffwithseveralRedCrosspackages,whichheburiedunderhisbarracks.Discoveringhiscache,guardslockedhiminacel.
Mansfieldbrokeout,stolesixteenmoreparcels,andsnuckthembackintohiscel.Hehidthecontentsofthepackagesinasecret
compartmenthe’dfashionedhimself,markingthedoorwithamessageforotherPOWs:Food,helpyourself,lifthere.Caughtagain,hewastiedtoatreeinthesnowwithoutfoodorwater,wearingonlypajamas,andbeaten.Byoneaccount,hewaslefttherefortendays.Lateonenight,whenLouiewaswalkingbackfromthebenjo,hesawthecampinterpreter,YukichiKano,
kneelingbesideMansfield,drapingablanketoverhim.Thenextmorning,theblanketwasgone,retrievedbeforetheBirdcouldseeit.Eventualy,Mansfieldwasuntiedandtakentoacivilianprison,whereheflourished.
Theonegoodconsequenceofthiseventwasthatinthestorehouse,MansfieldhaddiscoveredaRedCrosstheatricaltrunk.Hetoldother
POWsaboutit,andthisgavethementheideaofboostingmoralebystagingaChristmasplay.TheysecuredtheBird’sapprovalbystrokinghisego,naminghim
“masterofceremonies”andgivinghimathroneatthefrontofthe“theater”—thebathhouse—outfittedwithplanksperchedonwashtubstoserveasastage.Themendecidedtoputonamusical
productionofCinderella,written,withcreativeliberties,byaBritishPOW.FrankTinkerputhisoperaticgiftstoworkasPrinceLeanderofPantoland.TheFairyGodmotherwasplayedbyamountainouscockneyBritdressedinatutuandtights.CharactersincludedLadyDiaRiereandLadyGonnaRiere.Louiethoughtitwasthefunniestthinghe’deverseen.PrivateKano
translatedfortheguards,whosatintheback,laughingandclapping.TheBirdgloriedinthelimelight,andforthatnight,heletLouieandtheothersbe.
AtZentsuji,ChristmascametoPhilandFredGarrett.SomePOWsscroungedupmusicalinstrumentsandassembledinthecamp.Beforesevenhundredstarvingmen,theyplayed
rousingmusicasthemensangalong.TheyendedwiththenationalanthemsofEngland,Holand,andtheUnitedStates.TheZentsujiPOWsstoodtogetheratattentioninsilence,thinkingofhome.
——
AfterChristmas,theBirdabruptlystoppedattackingthePOWs,evenLouie.Hepaced
aboutcamp,brooding.Themenwatchedhimandwonderedwhatwasgoingon.
Severaltimesthatyear,adignitarynamedPrinceYoshitomoTokugawahadcometocamp.Aprominentandinfluentialman,reportedlyadescendantofthefirstshogun,TokugawawastouringcampsfortheJapaneseRedCross.AtOmori,hemetwithPOW
LewisBush,whotoldhimabouttheBird’scruelty.
TheBirdwassuspicious.AfterTokugawafirstvisited,theBirdforbadeBushfromspeakingtohimagain.Whentheprincereturned,BushdefiedtheBird,whobeathimsavagelyassoonastheprinceleft.Tokugawakeptcoming,andBushkeptmeetingwithhim.TheBirdsluggedandkickedBush,butBush
refusedtobecowed.Deeplytroubledbywhatheheard,TokugawawenttothewarofficeandtheRedCrossandpushedtohavesomethingdoneaboutWatanabe.HetoldBushthathewasencounteringresistance.Then,justbeforetheNewYear,theprinceatlastsucceeded.TheBirdwasorderedtoleaveOmori.
Tokugawa’svictorywasahol
owone.OfficialsmadenoefforttotaketheBirdoutofcontactwithPOWs.Theysimplyorderedhistransfertoadistant,isolatedcamp,wherehe’dhaveexactlythesameswayoverprisoners,withoutthepryingeyesoftheprinceandtheRedCross.EnsuringthatnocensureofWatanabewasimplied,ColonelSakabapromotedhimtosergeant.
TheBirdthrewhimselfagood-byepartyandorderedsomeofthePOWofficerstocome.Theofficersdashedaroundcamptogatherstoolsamplesfromthegreenestdysenterypatients,mixedupaferociousgravy,andslathereditoverastackofricecakes.Whentheyarrivedattheparty,theypresentedthecakestotheBirdasatokenoftheiraffection.Whilethemenlavishedthe
Birdwithlamentationsonhowthey’dmisshim,theBirdateheartily.Heseemedheartbrokentobeleaving.
Laterthatday,LouielookedoutofthebarracksandsawtheBirdstandingbythegateinagroupofpeople,shakinghands.AlofthePOWswereinastateofhighanimation.Louieaskedwhatwashappening,andsomeonetoldhimthattheBirdwasleaving
forgood.Louiefeltalmostoutofhisheadwithjoy.
Ifthericecakesperformedasengineered,theydidn’tdosoquickly.TheBirdcrossedthebridgeontothemainland,lookingperfectlywel.AtOmori,thereignofterrorwasover.
*Philhadnosuchpotentialusefulnessbutwasprobablysparedbecausehisexecution
wouldhavemadeLouielesslikelytocooperate.
*Afterthewar,theheadoftheTokyoareacampswouldadmitthathehadorderedthedistributionofRedCrossparcelstoJapanesepersonnel.
Twenty-seven
FallingDown
ATOMORI,LIFEBECAMEIMMEASURABLY
BETTER.PRIVATEKanoquietlytookoverthecamp,workingwithWatanabe’sreplacement,SergeantOguri,ahumane,fair-mindedman.TheBird’sruleswereabolished.SomeonegotintotheBird’sofficeandfoundapileofmailsenttothePOWsbytheirfamilies.Someofthelettershadbeeninhisofficeforninemonths.Thelettersweredelivered,andthePOWswerefinalyalowedto
writehome.“Trustyou’realingoodhealthandinthehighestofspirits,notthekindthatcomesinbottles,”Louiewroteinonelettertohisfamily.“TelPete,”hewroteinanother,“thatwhenI’m50,I’lhavemorehaironmyheadthanhehadat20.”Theletters,likesomanyothers,languishedintheglacialmailsystem,andwouldn’tmakeittoAmericauntillongafterthewar’send.
Twoweeksinto1945,agroupofmen,tatteredandbent,trudgedoverthebamboobridgeandintoOmori.Louieknewtheirfaces:ThesewereOfunamen.CommanderFitzgeraldwaswiththem.TheOmoriprisonerstoldhimthathewastheluckiestmaninJapan.AvicioustyrantcaledtheBirdhadjustleft.
AmongthenewPOWs,Louie
spottedBilHarris,andhisheartfel.Harriswasawreck.WhenLouiegreetedhim,hisoldfriendlookedathimvaguely.
Hewashazyanddistant,hismindstrugglingforpurchaseonhisthoughts.
ThebeatingtheQuackhaddeliveredtoHarrisinSeptember1944hadn’tbeenthelast.OnNovember6,
apparentlyafterHarriswascaughtspeaking,theQuackhadpouncedonhimagain,joiningseveralguardsinclubbinghimintounconsciousness.Twomonthslater,Harrishadbeenbeatenoncemore,forstealingnailstorepairhistornshoes,whichhewastryingtonursethroughafrigidwinter.HehadaskedtheJapanesetogivehimsome,buttheyhadrefused.
TheOmoriPOWdoctorexaminedHarrisgravely.HetoldLouiethathethoughtthemarinewasdying.
Thatsameday,OguriopenedthestorehouseandhadtheRedCrossboxeshandedout.GivinghisboxtoHarriswas,Louiewouldsay,thehardestandeasiestthingheeverdid.Harrisralied.
Sincehisrefusaltobecomea
propagandaprisoner,Louiehadbeenwaitingtobeshippedtopunishmentcamp.WhiletheBirdhadbadgeredhim,hehadawaitedhisfatewithequanimity.NowthattheBirdwasgone,andHarriswasherewithLouie’sotherfriends,Louiewantedtostay.Hemeteverydaywithdread,awaitinghistransfer.
——
TheB-29skeptcoming.Sirenssoundedseveraltimesaday.Rumorseddiedaroundcamp:Manilahadbeencaptured,Germanyhadfalen,theAmericanswereabouttochargetheJapanesebeaches.Louie,likealotofPOWs,wasworried.Frightenedbythebombing,theguardswereincreasinglyjumpyandangry.Evenguardswhohadoncebeenamiablewerenowhostile,
lashingoutwithoutreason.AstheassaultsonJapanintensifiedandtheprobabilityofinvasionrose,theJapaneseseemedtoviewthePOWsasthreatening.
AmongtheAmericanforces,ahorrifyingpieceofnewshadjustsurfaced.OnehundredandfiftyAmericanPOWshadlongbeenheldonPalawanIsland,inthePhilippines,wherethey’d
beenusedasslavestoconstructanairfield.InDecember,afterAmericanplanesbombedthefield,thePOWswereorderedtodigshelters.Theyweretoldtobuildtheentrancesonlyonemanwide.
OnDecember14,anAmericanconvoywasspottednearPalawan.ThecommanderoftheJapanese2ndAirDivisionwas
apparentlysurethattheAmericansintendedtoinvade.Itwasthescenarioforwhichthekil-alorderhadbeenwritten.Thatnight,thecommandersentaradiomessagetoPalawan:“Annihilatethe150prisoners.”
AB-29overtheOmoriPOWcamp.RaymondHalloran
OnDecember15onPalawan,
theguardssuddenlybeganscreamingthattherewereenemyplanescoming.ThePOWscrawledintothesheltersandsatthere,hearingnoplanes.Thenliquidbegantorainontothem.Itwasgasoline.Theguardstossedintorches,thenhandgrenades.Theshelters,andthemeninside,eruptedinflames.
Astheguardscheered,thePOWsfoughttoescape,some
clawingtheirownfingertipsoff.Nearlyalofthosewhobrokeoutwerebayoneted,machine-gunned,orbeatentodeath.Onlyelevenmenescaped.Theyswamacrossanearbybayandwerediscoveredbyinmatesatapenalcolony.TheinmatesdeliveredthemtoFilipinoguerrilas,whobroughtthemtoAmericanforces.
Thatnight,theJapanese
threwapartytocelebratethemassacre.TheiranticipationofanAmericanlandingturnedouttobemistaken.
——
SleetwasfalingoverOmoriasFebruary16dawned.Atseven-fifteen,LouieandtheotherPOWshadjustfinishedabreakfastofbarleyandsoupwhenthesirenspipedup.CommanderFitzgerald
lookedathisfriends.HeknewthatthiswouldprobablynotbeB-29s,whichwouldhavehadtoflyalnighttoreachJapansoearly.Itwasprobablycarrieraircraft:Hisnavymustbenear.Afewsecondslater,theroomwasshaking.Themenboltedforthedoors.
Louieranoutintoacrashing,tumblingworld.Theentireskywasswarmingwith
hundredsoffighters,AmericanandJapanese,risingandfaling,streamingbuletsatoneanother.OverTokyo,linesofdive-bombersbelieddownlikewavesslappingabeach,slammingbombsintotheaircraftworksandairport.Astheyrose,quilsoffirecameupunderthem.LouiewasstandingdirectlyunderneaththelargestairbattleyetfoughtoverJapan.
TheguardsfixedtheirbayonetsandorderedthePOWsbackinside.Louieandtheothersfiledintothebarracks,waitedfortheguardstorushofftocensuresomeoneelse,thenstoleout.Theyranbehindabarracks,climbedthecampfence,andhungthere,restingtheirelbowsonthetop.Theviewwaselectrifying.Planesweresweepingovereverycornerofthesky,andalaround,
fightersweredroppingintothewater.
OnedogfightrivetedLouie’sattention.AnAmericanHelcathookedupwithaJapanesefighterandbeganchasingit.TheJapanesefighterturnedtowardthecityanddovelowoverthebay,theHelcatrightbehindit.Thetwoplanesstreakedpastthecamp,theJapanesefighterracingflatout,theHelcat’s
gunsfiring.SeveralhundredPOWswatchedfromthecampfence,theireyespressedtoknotholesortheirheadspokingoverthetop,heartsleaping,earsroaring.ThefightersweresoclosethatLouiecouldseebothpilots’faces.TheJapanesefightercrossedoverthecoast,andtheHelcatbrokeaway.
Altold,fifteenhundredAmericanplanesandseveral
hundredJapaneseplanesflewoverthePOWsthatday.Thatnight,thecitywasbathedinredfires.Thefolowingday,backtheplanescame.BytheendofFebruary17,morethanfivehundredJapaneseplanes,bothonthegroundandintheair,hadbeenlost,andJapan’saircraftworkshadbeenbadlyhit.TheAmericanshadlosteightyplanes.
Sevendayslater,thehammerfel.Atseveninthemorning,duringaheavysnowstorm,sixteenhundredcarrier-basedplanesflewpastOmoriandbombedTokyo.ThencameB-29s,229ofthem,carryingincendiarybombs.Encounteringalmostnoresistance,theyspedfortheindustrialdistrictandlettheirbombsfal.ThePOWscouldseefiredancingovertheskyline.
——
OnthelastdayofFebruary,Louieandtheotherofficerswerecaledintothecompound.Fifteennameswerecaled,amongthemZamperini,Wade,Tinker,Mead,andFitzgerald.Theyweretoldthattheywerebeingtransferredtoacampcaled4B,alsoknownasNaoetsu.Louiegreetedthenewswithbrightspirits.
Whereverhewasgoing,hewouldbejoinedbyalmostalofhisfriends.
OntheeveningofMarch1,thechosenmengatheredtheirbelongingsanddonnedovercoatsthathadbeendistributedthedaybefore.Louiesaidgood-byetoHarris.Hewouldneverseehimagain.
TheNaoetsu-boundmen
climbedaboardatruck,whichborethemintoTokyo.Watchingtheairbattleoverthecityhadbeenexhilarating,butwhenthemensawtheconsequences,theywereshocked.Wholeneighborhoodshadbeenreducedtocharredruins,rowafterrowofhomesnownothingbutblackbones.Intherubble,Louienoticedsomethingshining.Standingintheremainsofmany
houseswerelargeindustrialmachines.WhatLouiewasseeingwasasmalfragmentofagiantcottageindustry,warproductionfarmedouttoinnumerableprivatehomes,schools,andsmal“shadowfactories.”
LouieandtheothertransferringPOWsweredriventotherailwaystationandputonatrain.Theyrodealnight,movingwest,intoa
snowylandscape.
Astheyrodeon,thesnowbecamedeeperanddeeper.
AtaboutnineA.M.onMarch2,thetraindrewuptoNaoetsu,aseasidevilageonthewestcoastofJapan.Ledtothefrontofthestation,thePOWsstaredinamazement;thesnowroseupsomefourteenfeetoverhead.Climbingupastairwaycut
intothedrifts,theyfoundthemselvesinablindinglywhiteworld,standingatopasnowmountainthatburiedtheentirevilage.“Itwasasifagiantfrostedcakeweresittinginthetown,”Wadewrote.Thesnowwassodeepthatresidentshaddugverticaltunnelstogetinandoutoftheirhomes.Thecontrasttofire-blackenedTokyowasjarring.
Pulingtheirbaggagealongonsleighs,thePOWsbeganthemile-and-a-quarterwalktocamp.Itwaswindyandbitterlycold.Fitzgerald,whohadabadlyinfectedfoot,hadthemostdifficulty.Hiscrutchespokeddeepinthesnowandwouldn’tholdhisweight.
TheprisonerscrossedabridgeandsawtheSeaofJapan.Justshortofit,
corneredagainsttheAraandHokurarivers,wastheNaoetsuPOWcamp,almostentirelyobscuredbysnow.Louieandtheotherstrudgedintothecompoundandstoppedbeforeashack,wheretheyweretoldtostandatattention.Theywaitedforsometime,thewindfriskingtheirclothes.
Atlast,adoorthumpedopen.Amanrushedoutand
snappedtoahalt,screaming“Keirei!”
ItwastheBird.
Louie’slegsfolded,thesnowrearedupathim,anddownhewent.
Twenty-eight
Enslaved
LOUIEWOULD
REMEMBERTHEMOMENTWHENHESAWTHEBirdasthedarkestofhislife.FortheBird,itwassomethingelse.Hebeamedlikeachildonhisbirthday.HeseemedcertainthatthePOWswereoverjoyedtoseehim.
FitzgeraldforkedforwardonhiscrutchesandassumedthedutiesofseniorPOW.TheBirdannouncedthatjustasat
Omori,hewasincommand,andthatthemenmustobey.HesaidthathewouldmakethiscampjustasOmorihadbeenunderhistenure.
Ringingwithshock,Louiepickedhimselfupandhikedthroughthesnowtothebarracks,atwo-storybuildingontheedgeofasmalcliffthatdroppedstraightdowntothefrozenHokuraRiver.Thethreehundredresidents,
mostlyAustralians,wereshrunkendowntovirtualstickfigures.Mostwerewearingthetropical-weightkhakisinwhichthey’dbeencaptured,andwhich,thankstoyearsofuninterruptedwear,weresoraggedthatonecivilianlikenedthemtoseaweed.Thewind,scuddingoffthesea,whistledthroughcracksinthewals,andthereweresomanyholesintheroofthatitsnowedindoors.
Thewholebuildingwasvisiblyinfestedwithfleasandlice,andratstrottedthroughtherooms.Thebedswereplanksnailedintothewals;themattresseswereloosericestraw.Everywhere,therewerelargegapsinthefloor;thePOWshadpuledupthefloorboardsandburnedtheminanefforttosurvivetemperaturesthatregularlyplungedfarbelowzero.
Stackedagainstonewalweredozensofsmalboxes,someofwhichhadbrokenopenandspiledgrayashontothefloor.ThesewerethecrematedremainsofsixtyAustralianPOWs—oneineveryfiveprisoners—whohaddiedinthiscampin1943and1944,succumbingtopneumonia,beriberi,malnutrition,colitis,oracombinationofthese.Relentlessphysicalabusehad
precipitatedmostofthedeaths.InaPOWcampnetworkthatwouldresonateacrosshistoryasasupremeexampleofcruelty,NaoetsuhadwonaspecialplaceasoneoftheblackestholesintheJapaneseEmpire.OfthemanyhelsthatLouiehadknowninthiswar,thisplacewouldbetheworst.
Louielayonhisplankandtriedtoreadyhimselffor
whatNaoetsuwouldbring.Ashefelasleepthatnight,halfwayaroundtheglobetheworld’sbestrunnersweregatheringforatrackmeetatMadisonSquareGarden.ThepromotershadrenamedthemarqueeeventintributetoLouie,whowasstilbelieveddeadbyvirtualyeveryoneoutsideofhisfamily.WhentheZamperinisheardofit,theywereupset:TheracewastobecaledtheLouisS.
ZamperiniMemorialMile.Outofrespectforthefamily,thenamewaschangedtotheLouisS.ZamperiniInvitational,butthatdidlittletoliftthespiritsofthoseinvolved.MartyGlickman,who’dbeenonthe1936OlympicteamwithLouie,watchedtheracewithtearsstreamingdownhisface.
POWsatNaoetsu.AustralianWarMemorial,negative
number6033201
TheracewaswonbyJimRafferty,America’sbestmiler.Histimewas4:16.4,foursecondsslowerthanthetimeLouiehadclockedonthesandofOahujustbeforeclimbingaboardGreenHornet.
——
ThefirstweeksLouiespent
inNaoetsuwerealmostlethalycold.Eachnightofshiveringinhisbedofstrawendedabruptlybeforedawn,whenhewasshoutedawakeandforcedoutsidefortenkoindeepsnow,howlingwind,anddarkness.Byday,hehuddledwithTinker,Wade,andhisotherfriendsinpatchesofsunlight,tryinginvaintokeepwarm.Hewassoonnursingacough,fever,andflulikesymptoms,andthe
Naoetsuslopdidnothingtohelphisbodyrecover.Therations,whichwerehalvedforofficers,rarelyvariedfrommiletorbarleyandboiledseaweed,plusafewslicesofvegetable.Thedrinkingwater,whichthePOWshadtohaulinonsleds,wasyelowandreeked.SeeingtheguardssmokingAmericancigarettes,thePOWsknewthattheRedCrosswassendingrelief
packages,buttheprisonersgotnothing.
Watanabewasthesamefiendthathe’dbeenatOmori,promptingtheAussiestonicknamehim“Whatabastard.”HeheldafarlowerrankthanNaoetsu’scommander,anelfinmansportinganabbreviatedmustacheasanapparenthomagetoHitler,butthecommanderdeferredtothe
Bird,justastheofficersatOmorihaddone.Andhere,theBirdhadrecruitedahenchman,aneggplant-shapedmannamedHiroakiKono,whotrailedWatanabearoundcamp,assaultingmenwiththeintensity,wroteWade,of“aroaringHitleriananimal.”
Louie’stransfertoNaoetsu,intothegripoftheBird,hadbeennocoincidence.
Watanabehadhandpickedhimandtheotherstocometothiscamp,whichwasshortonofficers.AccordingtoWade,eachchosenmanhadaskilorhistorythatwouldmakehimuseful.AlMead,whohadhelpedsaveLouiefromstarvationatOfuna,hadheadedOmori’scookhouse;Fitzgeraldhadbeenarankingofficer;Wadehadbeenabarrackscommander;andsoon.Theonlymanwithno
suchhistorywasLouie.WadebelievedthattheBirdhadchosenLouiesimplybecausehewantedtotormenthim.
Wadewasright.FromalmostthemomentthatLouiewalkedintocamp,theBirdwasonhim,slappinghim,punchinghim,andberatinghim.OtherPOWswereshockedathowthesergeantpursuedLouie,attackinghim,rememberedonePOW,“just
fordril.”Louietookhisbeatingswithasmuchdefianceasever,provokingtheBirdtoevermoreviolentattacks.Onceagaininhistormenter’sclutches,Louiedescendedbackintoastateofprofoundstress.
Andyet,byvirtueofhisrank,Louiewasfortunate.Naoetsuwasafactoryvilagethatgeneratedproductscriticaltothewareffort,andalofits
youngworkershadgonetowar.ThePOWswereheretotaketheirplace.Eachday,theenlistedPOWswadedthroughthesnowtolaborinasteelmil,achemicalfactory,theport’scoalandsaltbarges,orasiteatwhichtheybrokerocksformineralextraction.Theworkwasextraordinarilyarduousandoftendangerous,andshiftswentondayandnight,someforeighteenhours.Inthe
hikesbackfromthisslavelabor,menweresorubber-leggedthattheytumbledintosnowcrevassesandhadtobedraggedout.
Eachmorningandnight,Louiesawtheenlistedmenramblinginfromtheirslaveshifts,somecompletelyobscuredbycoalsoot,somesoexhaustedthattheyhadtobecarriedintothebarracks.TheJapaneseliteralyworked
mentodeathatNaoetsu.Louiehadmuchtobear,butatleasthedidn’thavethis.
——
Winterfaded.Therivericegavewaytoflowingwater,andhousesemergedwhereonlysnowhadbeen.Whenthedriftsinthecompoundmelted,apigmiraculouslyappeared.Alwinter,he’dbeenlivingbelowthePOWs
inasnowcavern,sustainedbybitsoffooddroppedtohimbyanAustralian.Louielookedathiminwonder.Theanimal’sskinhadgonetranslucent.
Withthegroundthawed,theBirdannouncedthathewassendingtheofficerstoworkasfarmlaborers.ThoughthisviolatedtheGenevaConvention’sprohibitiononforcingofficerstolabor,
FitzgeraldnowknewwhatlifeincampwiththeBirdwaslike.WorkonthefarmwouldkeeptheofficersoutoftheBird’spathforhourseveryday,andcouldn’tbeanythinglikethebackbreakinglabordonebytheenlistedmen.Fitzgeraldraisednoprotest.
Eachmorning,Louieandtherestofthefarmingpartyassembledbeforethe
barracks,attendedbyacivilianguardnamedOgawa.Theyloadedacartwithbenjowaste—tobeusedasfertilizer,aswascustomaryinJapan—thenyokedthemselvestothecartlikeoxenandpuledittoandfromthefarm.Astheypickedtheirwayalongtheroad,sometimosdartingofftotrytostealavegetablefromafieldwhileOgawa’sbackwasturned,Japanesefarmers
cameouttostareatthem,probablythefirstWesternersthey’deverseen.Louielookedbackatthewan,stoopedoldmenandwomen.Thehardshipsofthiswarwereevidentontheirblank,wearyfacesandfromtheirbodies,winnowedforwantoffood.Afewchildrenscamperedabout,raisingtheirarmsinimitationofsurrenderandmockingtheprisoners.Therewerenoyoungadults.
Thewalk,sixmileseachway,wasatiringslog,butthework,plantingandtendingpotatoes,wasrelativelyeasy.Ogawawasaplacidman,andthoughhecarriedaclub,heneverusedit.Theplothadacleanwel,areliefafterthestinkingcampwater,andOgawaletthemendrinkaltheywished.Andbecausetheywerenowworkingoutsidethecamp,theofficersweregrantedfulrations.
ThoughthoserationsweredwindlingasJapan’sfortunesfel,afulbowlofseaweedwasbetterthanhalfabowlofseaweed.
April13wasabrightday,thelandbathedinsunshine,theskywideandclear.Louieandtheotherofficerswerescatteredoverthepotatoplot,working,whenthefieldsuddenlywentstilandthementurnedtheirfacestothe
sky.Atthesamemoment,aloverNaoetsu,laborattheoutdoorworksiteshaltedasthePOWsandguardsgazedup.Highoverhead,somethingwaswinkinginthesunlight,slenderribbonsofwhiteunfurlingbehindit.ItwasaB-29.
ItwasthefirstSuperfortresstocrossoverNaoetsu.TheOmoriofficershadseenhundredsofB-29sover
Tokyo,butfortheAustralians,who’dbeenhiddeninthisvilagesince1942,thiswastheirfirstglimpseofthebomber.
Folowedbyinnumerableeyes,somehopefulandsomehorrified,theB-29madeaslowarcfromonehorizontotheother,folowingthecoastline.Nogunsshotatit;nofighterschasedit.Itdroppednobombs,passing
peacefulyoverhead,butitsappearancewasatelingsignofhowfaroverJapantheAmericanswerenowventuring,andhowlittleresistancetheJapanesecouldoffer.AsalofNaoetsuwatched,theplaneslidoutofview,anditscontrailsdissolvedbehindit.
ThePOWswereelated;theJapanesewereunnerved.Attheworksites,theprisoners
hidtheirexcitementbehindneutralfacestoavoidprovokingtheguards,whowereunusualytenseandhostile.Onthewalkbacktocampthatevening,theprisonersabsorbedafewswipeswithaclub,buttheirmoodremainedmerry.Whentheyreachedthegates,theBirdwaswaitingforthem.
Roosevelt,hesaid,wasdead.
Themendeflated.TheBirdsentthemintothebarracks.
Afewdayslater,OgawamadealittlejoketotheBird,teasinghimabouthowhisPOWofficerswerelazy.Ogawameantnoharm,buttheremarksenttheBirdintoafury.Heshoutedforthefarmworkerstolineupbeforehim,thenbeganberatingthemfortheirindolence.Hestormedand
frothed,seemingcompletelyderanged.
Finaly,hescreamedhispunishment:Fromnowon,alofficerswouldperformhardlabor,loadingcoalonbarges.Iftheyrefused,hewouldexecuteeveryoneofthem.OnelookattheBirdtoldFitzgeraldthatthiswasanorderhecouldnotfight.
Earlythenextmorning,asthe
officersweremarchedofftolabor,theBirdstoodby,watchingthemgo.Hewassmiling.
——
Itwasashortwalkintoslavery.Theofficersweretakentotheriverbankandcrowdedontoabarge,whichwasheapedwithcoaldestinedforthesteelmil.
Sixmenweregivenshovels;Louieandtherestweregivenlargebasketsandtoldtostrapthemtotheirbacks.Then,ontheguards’orders,theshovelersbeganheavingcoalintoeachman’sbasket.Asacubicfootofloosecoalcanweighasmuchassixtypounds,thebearersweresoonstaggering.Oncethebasketswereful,thebearerswereorderedtolugtheloadsoffthebargeanduptheshoreto
arailroadcar,wheretheywobbledupanarrow,steepramp,dumpedthecoalintothecar,andreturnedtohavetheirbasketsrefiled.
Aldaythemenshoveledandhauled.Theguardskeptthebasketmenmovingatarapidclip.Bythetimetheguardsfinalyletthemstop,themenwereutterlyexhausted;byWade’sestimate,overthecourseoftheday,eachbasket
bearerhadcarriedweloverfourtonsofcoal.
Sobeganadailyroutine.Eachtimethemenfinishedclearingonebarge,theywerepushedaboardanother,andthehaulingwenton,punishingtheirbodiesandnumbingtheirminds.Somewherealongtheway,asheandtheothersbentundertheirburdensandploddedalong,TomWadebegan
recitingpoetryandspeeches.LouieandtheotherslavesshoveledandwalkedintimewithShakespeare’ssoliloquies,withChurchil’svowtofightinthefieldsandinthestreetsandinthehils,withLincoln’slastfulmeasureofdevotion.
Thebargeswereeventualyempty,buttheofficers’lifeinslaveryhadonlyjustbegun.InamassofPOWs,Louie
washerdedontoanotherofthebarges,whichwaspuledbyatugboatintotheSeaofJapan.Aboutthree-quartersofamileout,thebargedrewalongsideananchoredcoalshipandstopped,theseaheavingunderit,watersprayingoverthedeck.Standingbeforetheprisoners,aguardgesturedtoanetslungoverthesideoftheship.Jumpfromthebargeontothenet,hesaid,then
climbupontotheship’sdeck.
ThePOWswereappaled.Onthetossingsea,thetwovesselswerepitchingupanddown,crashingtogetherandrolingapart,andthenetwasarapidlymovingtarget.Ifthemenmistimedtheirjumps,they’dbecaughtbetweenthecraftsastheycolidedorthrownintothewaterastheygappedapart.
Themenbalked,buttheguardsforcedthemforward,andthePOWsbeganjumping.Louie,asscaredaseveryoneelse,sprangacrossandclimbedclear.
Hewashustledintotheship’shold.Beforehimstoodagiantdomeofcoaland,besideit,alargehangingnet.Ashewasgivenashovel,theguardssuddenlyteemedaroundhim,screamingathim
togettowork.Louiejammedhisshovelintothecoalandbeganpilingitintothenet.
Hourafterhour,Louiestoopedoverhisshovelinachurningcloudofblackdust.Theguardsturnedcirclesaroundhimandtheothers,shoutingandcrackingthemwithclubsandkendosticks.TheypushedthePOWsatsuchafrenziedpacethatthelaborersneverhadamoment
tostraightentheirbacks.Clubbedandbadgered,Louieshoveledsofranticalythatthemenalongsidehimwhisperedtohimtoslowdown.Atlast,intheevening,theworkwashalted.ThePOWsweretakenbacktoshoreanddroppedthere,socakedincoalthattheywerevirtualyindistinguishable.
Everymorning,themenweresentbacktotakeuptheir
shovelsagain.Everynight,theydraggedbackintocamp,alonglineofblackenedghoststrudgingintothebarracksandfalingontotheirbunks,wearytotheirbones,spittingblacksaliva.Therewasjustonebathtubincamp,anditswaterwasalmostneverchanged.Theoneotherplacetobathewasavatatthesteelmil,buttheguardsmarchedthePOWsthereforbathsonlyonceeveryten
days.Unwilingtobravethecamptub,thecoal-labormenlivedinapatinaofsoot,waitingtogotothemil.Eventualy,Wadefeltsobefouledthathehadsomeoneshavethecoal-clottedhairfromhishead.“Itwasanactofexpiation,”hewrote.
Dayafterday,Louieshoveled.Occasionaly,hewasswitchedfromcoaltoindustrialsalt;theworkwas
justastaxing,andthesaltliquefiedinhissweatandrandownhisback,burningfissuresinhisskin.Fitzgeraldlaboredalongsidehismenandtangledwiththeforementoprotectthem.Once,duringanonstopfourteen-hourshift,heorderedthePOWstostopandtoldtheforemanthathewouldn’tlethismenworkuntiltheywerefed.Aftermuchargument,theoverseersbroughtthemenasingle,
hugebalofrice,thensentthembacktowork.
Tragedywasinevitable,andLouiewastherewhenithappened.Hewasstandingonthebarge,awaitinghisturntojumptotheship,whenthemanaheadofhimmistimedhisleap,thuddingintothesideoftheshipjustasitcolidedwiththebarge.Crushedbetweenthevessels,themancrumpledontothe
barge.Theguardshardlypaused,pushingLouietomakehisjump.WhiletherestofthePOWstrampedpasthim,theinjuredmanwasleftwherehelay.Louieneverlearnedifhesurvived.
——
TheslavelaboratNaoetsuwasthekindofworkthatswalowedmen’ssouls,buttheprisonersfoundwaysto
scorelittlevictories,soessentialtotheirphysicalandemotionalsurvival.Mostoftheworksitesofferednothingtosabotage,butstealingwasepidemic.Onthebarges,menwouldwaituntiltheoperatorsteppedaway,thensprintintothegaleyandstuffalthefoodtheycouldfindintotheirclothes.Thelunchboxesofthecivilianguardskeptvanishing;anoverseer’spackofcigarettes,setdownwhile
heturnedaway,wouldbegonewhenheturnedback.ThePOWswouldpinchanythingtheycould,oftenitemstheyhadnoneedfor,riskingabeatingorworseforsomethingasuselessasapencilbox.Theboxitselfwasnothing;thetheftofitwaseverything.
BecausethePOWdietwasseverelydeficientinsodium,leavingmanymencrippled
bymusclecrampsandotherailments,themendevelopedasystemforstealingandprocessingsalt.Astheyworked,themenonthesaltbargeswouldsecretehandfulsofsaltintheirpockets.Initsrawform,thesaltwasinedible,sothebargemenwouldcarryituptocampandslipittothePOWsassignedtothesteelmil.Thesemenwouldhidethesaltintheirclothingandcarryittothe
mil,waituntiltheguardwasn’tlooking,thendroplumpsofitintocanteensfiledwithwater.Atday’send,they’dhangthecanteensonthesidesofacoal-firevat.Bymorning,thewaterwouldbeboiledaway,leavingonlyediblesaltresidue,atreasurebeyondprice.
Whileinthebenjooneday,Louielookedthroughaknotholeandnoticedthata
grainsackwasrestingagainstit,inastorageroomontheothersideofthewal.RememberingthethievingtechniquesoftheScotsatOmori,heleftthebenjo,searchedthecamp,andfoundapileofdiscardedbambooreeds,whichwereholow.Hetookoneand,whentheguardsweren’twatching,sharpenedtheend.Thatnight,heputonhiscamp-issuedpajamas,whichwere
fittedwithstringsaroundtheankles.Hepocketedhisbambooreed,puledhisanklestringsastightashecould,andheadedtothebenjo.Onceinside,hejammedoneendofthereedthroughtheknotholehardenoughtopiercethegrainsack,thenputtheotherendintohispajamafly.Thegrain—rice
—pouredthroughthereedandintohispants.Whenhe
hadaboutfivepoundsineachleg,Louiepuledthereedout.
Louiewalkedoutofthebenjo,movingasnaturalyasamancouldwithtenpoundsofriceinhispajamas.Hestroledpastthebarracksguardsandclimbedtheladdertothesecondfloor,whereCommanderFitzgeraldawaitedhim,ablanketspreadbeforehim.Louiesteppedontotheblanket,untiedhis
pantlegs,andletthericespilout,thenhurriedbacktohisbunk.Fitzgeraldquicklyfoldeduptheblanket,thenhidthericeinsocksandsecretcompartmentshehadmadeunderthewalpanels.Aftermemorizingtheguards’routines,LouieandFitzgeraldwouldwaitforatimewhentheguardsleftthebuilding,thendigouttherice,rushittothebuildingstove,boilitinwater,andscoopitintotheir
mouthsasrapidlyastheycould,sharingitwithafewothers.Theynevergotmorethanaboutatablespoonofriceperman,buttheaccomplishmentofoutwittingtheirslaveholderswasnourishmentenough.
InNaoetsu’slittlePOWinsurgency,perhapsthemostinsidiousfeatwaspuledoffbyLouie’sfriendKenMarvin,amarinewho’dbeen
capturedatWakeAtol.Athisworksite,Marvinwassupervisedbyaone-eyedcivilianguardcaledBadEye.WhenBadEyeaskedMarvintoteachhimEnglish,Marvinsawhischance.Withsecretdelight,hebeganteachingBadEyecatastrophicalybadEnglish.Fromthatdayforward,whenasked,“Howareyou?
,”BadEyewouldsmilingly
reply,“Whatthefuckdoyoucare?”
——
DisasterstruckLouieonedaythatspring,ontheriverbank.He’dbeentransferredbacktohaulingandwashunchedunderabasket,luggingaheavyloadofsaltfromabargetoarailroadcar.Hecarriedhisbasketuptheriverbank,thenbeganthe
perilouswalkuptherailcarramp.Ashemadehiswayup,aguardsteppedontothetopoftherampandstarteddown.Astheypassed,theguardthrewouthiselbow,andLouie,top-heavyunderthebasket,felovertheside.Hemanagedtogethislegsunderhimbeforehehittheground,somefourfeetdown.Oneleghitbeforetheother.Louiefeltatearingsensation,thenscorchingpaininhis
ankleandknee.
Louiecouldn’tbearanyweightontheleg.TwoPOWssupportedhimwhilehehoppedbacktocamp.Hewasremovedfrombargeduty,butthiswashardlycomforting.NotonlywouldhenowbetheonlyofficertrappedincampwiththeBirdalday,buthisrationswouldbecutinhalf.
Louielayinthebarracks,ravenous.Hisdysenterywasincreasinglysevere,andhisfeversweregrowingworse,sometimesspikingto104degrees.Togethisrationsrestored,hehadtofindworkthathecoulddoononeleg.Spottinganabandonedsewingmachineinashed,hevolunteeredtotailortheguards’clothesinexchangeforfulrations.Thiskepthimgoingforawhile,butthere
wassoonnoonelefttotailorfor,andhisrationswerehalvedagain.
SuchwashisdesperationthathewenttotheBirdandbeggedforwork.
TheBirdsavoredhisplea.Fromnowon,hesaid,Louiewouldberesponsibleforthepiginthecompound.Thejobwouldearnhimfulrations,buttherewasacatch:Louie
wasforbiddentousetoolstocleanthepig’ssty.He’dhavetousehishands.
Alhislife,Louiehadbeenfastidiousaboutcleanliness,somuchsothatincolegehehadkeptListerineinhiscar’sglovecompartmentsohecouldrinsehismouthafterkissinggirls.Nowhewascondemnedtocrawlthroughthefilthofapig’ssty,pickingupfeceswithhisbarehands
andcramminghandfulsoftheanimal’sfeedintohismouthtosavehimselffromstarvingtodeath.OfaloftheviolentandvileabusesthattheBirdhadinflicteduponLouie,nonehadhorrifiedanddemoralizedhimasdidthis.Ifanythingisgoingtoshatterme,Louiethought,thisisit.Sickenedandstarving,hiswilafrayingwire,Louiehadonlythefainthopeofthewar’send,andrescue,tokeep
himgoing.
Twenty-nine
TwoHundredandTwentyPunches
ATELEVEN-THIRTYONTHEMORNINGOFMAY5,1945,THEsoundoffourmassiveenginesbrokethesilenceoverNaoetsu.AB-29wasturningcirclesoverthevilage.Sirenssounded,butin
thesteelmil,theforemanignoredthem,andthePOWscontinuedworkingthefurnaces.Thentherewasasudden,enormouscrash,anditbegansnowingveryhardinsidethemil.
Itwasn’tsnow,butatremendousquantityofdustfalingfromtherafters.Somethinghadshakenthemilviolently.Theforemanannouncedthatthesoundhad
onlybeenatransformerblowingup,andkeptthemenworking.
Amomentlater,aworkerraninandsaidsomethingurgentlytotheforeman.TheJapanesedroppedeverythingandsprintedout,abandoningthePOWsastheyranfortheair-raidsheltersonthebeach.GatheringthatonlyaB-29couldmaketheforemanrunlikethat,thepanickedPOWs
crowdedtogetherinasmalroom,prayingthattheywouldn’tgethit.
Theydidn’t.TheB-29’sbombsmissedtheplant,blowinggapingholesinafieldnearby.Ittookanhourforeveryone,captiveandfree,tocalmdown.
TheguardsdidtheirbesttoimpressthePOWswiththeincompetenceofAmerican
airmen,takingthemonacratertourtoshowhowbadlythebomberhadmissed,buttheywerespooked.Therewasmuchmoretothisraidthanacoupleofholesinafarmer’sfield,andeveryoneknewit.ForthePOWs,keptinignoranceofthePacificwar’sprogression,thisraid,andthegrowingnumberofB-29sightingsoverthevilage,raisedadazzlingpossibility.IftheAmericans
wereturningtheireffortstowardalonesteelmilinaplaceasobscureasNaoetsu,hadtheB-29salreadydestroyedthebigstrategiccities?
Theanswercametendayslater.FourhundrednewPOWstrampedthroughthegatesandhaltedinthecompound.TheBirdleaptontoaperchoverthemanddeliveredhisstandard
harangue:
“Youmustbesober!Youmustbesincere!Youmustworkforearnest!Youmustobey!Ihavespoken.”
“WhothehelisErnest?”mutteredaPOW.
WhentheBirdwasfinished,thefourhundrednewmenwedgedintothebarrackswiththethreehundredoldones,
andthebenjosrannethover.Thenewmensaidthey’dcomefromslavecampsinthehugecitiesofKobe,amatrixofwarproduction,andOsaka,Japan’sbiggestport.Weeksbefore,B-29shadsweptoverthosecitiesingleaming,three-hundred-planeswarms,showeringtheminfire.LargeswathsofKobeandOsakahadbeenburnedtotheground.OfnousetoJapaninrazedcities,
thePOWshadbeenshippedtoNaoetsutobereenslavedfortheempire.Thenewmenhadoneotherpieceofnews:Germanyhadfalen.ThewholeweightoftheAlieswasnowthrownagainstJapan.
——
Thatmonth,theBird’spresenceatNaoetsubecamesporadic.Ontopofhisduty
atNaoetsu,he’dbeennameddisciplinaryofficerforMitsushima,acampinthemountains.Hearrivedtherewithhistrademarkflourish,burstingthroughadoorandshouting,“Nanda!”atagroupofstartledPOWofficers,demandingtoknowwhattheyweredoing.Immediately,hesettobeatingtheofficersdayandnight.ThePOWstherecaledhim“theKnob.”
TheBirdwassoviciousatMitsushimathatthePOWofficerssoonconcludedthattheyhadtokilhimtosavethemselves.Conspiratorsformed“murdersquads”setondrowningtheBirdorhurlinghimfromacliff.WhenevertheBirdwasincamp,theystalkedhim,butheseemedtobeontothem,movingaboutwitharmedguards.Meanwhile,twoPOWphysicians,Richard
WhitfieldandAlfredWeinstein,hatchedaplantopoisontheBirdwithmassivedosesofatropineandmorphine.AgaintheBirdeludedthem:Thedayafterthedoctorsformedtheirplan,theBirdhadthepharmacymedicationslockedup.
Whitfielddevisedanewplan.Preparingabottleofsalinesolutionandglucosetoserveasaculturemedium,he
mixedinstoolsamplesfromtwopatientsinfectedwithamoebicandbacilarydysentery,tossedinthreeflies,thenstoredthebottlenexttohisskinforseveraldaystoincubatethepathogens.HeandWeinsteindeliveredittothePOWcook,whopoureditontotheBird’sriceforthebetterpartofaweek.Totheiramazement,theBirddidn’tgetsick,sothedoctorsmixedupanewdose,
usingthestoolsofsixilPOWs.Thistime,theyhitthejackpot.
Intwodays,theBirdwasviolentlyil,completelyincapacitatedwithrocketingdiarrheaanda105-degreefever.Weinsteinfoundhiminhisroom,cryingand“whimperinglikeachild.”TheBirdorderedWeinsteintocurehim.Weinsteingavehimwhathesaidweresulfa
pils.Suspicious,theBirdmadeWeinsteintakesomeofthepilshimself.Weinsteintookthem,knowingthatalthatwasinthemwasaspirinandbakingsoda.TheBirdlostfifteenpoundsinoneweek.Weinsteinurgedhimtoeathisrice.
WiththeBirdoutoftheway,themenandeventheguardswere,wroteWeinstein,“almosthystericalychildish”
intheirdelight.ButtheBirdseemedunmurderable.Aftertendays,hisfeverbroke.HereturnedtoNaoetsutotakeouthisrageontheofficersandLouie.
——
ByJune,Louie’slegwashealedenoughtobearhisweight,andhewassentbacktoshovelcoalandsalt.Hewasgrowingeversicker,and
hisdysenterynevereased.Whenheappealedforrestwhileburningupwithfever,theBirdrefusedhim.Histemperaturewasonly103,hesaid;yougotowork.Louiewent.
Onedaythatmonth,Louie,Tinker,andWadewereshovelingonabargewhentheforemandiscoveredthatfishhadbeenstolenfromthegaley.Theforeman
announcedthatifthethievesdidn’tturnthemselvesin,he’dreportthethefttotheBird.Duringalunchbreak,theinnocentmenpersuadedtheculpritstoconfess.Whenthemenwalkedintocampthatnight,theforemantoldtheBirdanyway,ashesuspectedthatmoremenhadbeeninonthetheft.
TheBirdcaledfortheworkpartytolineupbeforehim
andorderedthethievestostandbeforethegroup.Hethenwalkeddowntheline,pulingoutWade,Tinker,Louie,andtwootherofficersandmakingthemstandwiththethieves.Heannouncedthattheseofficerswereresponsibleforthebehaviorofthethieves.Hispunishment:Eachenlistedmanwouldpuncheachofficerandthiefintheface,ashardaspossible.
Thechosenmenlookedatthelineofenlistedmeninterror:thereweresomeonehundredofthem.Anymanwhorefusedtocarryouttheorder,theBirdsaid,wouldmeetthesamefateastheofficersandthieves.Hetoldtheguardstoclubanymenwhodidn’tstrikethechosenmenwithmaximumforce.
Theenlistedmenhadnochoice.Atfirst,theytriedto
hitsoftly,buttheBirdstudiedeachblow.Whenamandidn’tpunchhardenough,theBirdwouldbeginshriekingandclubbinghim,joinedbytheguards.ThentheerrantmanwouldbeforcedtohitthevictimrepeatedlyuntiltheBirdwassatisfied.Louiebeganwhisperingtoeachmantogetitoverwith,andhithard.SomeoftheBritishmenwhispered,“Sorry,sir,”beforepunchingWade.
Forthefirstfewpunches,Louiestayedonhisfeet.Buthislegssoonbegantowaver,andhecolapsed.Hepuledhimselfupright,butfelagainwiththenextpunch,andthenthenext.Eventualy,heblackedout.Whenhecameto,theBirdforcedthementoresumepunchinghim,screaming,“Next!Next!
Next!”InLouie’swhirlingmind,thevoicebeganto
soundlikethetrampingoffeet.
Thesunsank.Thebeatingwentonforsometwohours,theBirdwatchingwithfierceanderoticpleasure.Wheneveryenlistedmanhaddonehispunching,theBirdorderedtheguardstoclubeachonetwiceintheheadwithakendostick.
Thevictimshadtobecarried
tothebarracks.Louie’sfacewassoswolenthatforseveraldayshecouldbarelyopenhismouth.ByWade’sestimate,eachmanhadbeenpunchedinthefacesome220times.
——
June1945becameJuly.Everyday,asingleB-29crossedoverNaoetsu,sohighthatonlythecontrailsgaveit
away.Themencaledit“theLoneRanger.”
Everynight,bomberspassedoverinstrength,forestsofplanesbrushingoverthevilage.TothePOWs,theywereabeautifulsight,“allitup,”wrotePOW
JoeByrne,“asiftheyweregoingtoapicnic.”Throughouteachdayandnight,theair-raidsirenskept
kickingin.Sometimes,atnight,themencouldhearsoftboominginthedarkness.
Louiewassickanddemoralized.Helayonhisplank,daydreamingabouttheOlympics,holdingthembeforehimselfasashiningpromise,afutureforwhichtoendureanunbearablepresent.Heprayedceaselesslyforrescue.HisnightmaresofhisbattleswiththeBirdwerehel
ish,unbearable.Hishopewasdimming.Inhisbarracksoneday,amandraggedinfromslavework,lookingspent.Helaydown,askedtobeawakenedfordinner,andwentstil.Atchowtime,Louiekickedhisfoot.Themandidn’tmove.Hewasdead.Hewasyoung,likeeveryoneelse,andhadn’tevenlookedsick.
Thefoodsituationwas
increasinglydire.Inthespring,withtheimportoftheKobeandOsakaPOWs,thecamppopulationhadmorethandoubled,buttherationshadnot.Nowtherationsweresmalerstil,usualyconsistingofnothingbutseaweed.Whenafamishedprisonertriedtogetfoodfromcivilians,theBirdbrokehisjaw.SeveralPOWofficersappealedtotheauthoritiesformeat;to
withholdit,theysaid,violatedinternationallaw.Afterthisappeal,twoguardsleftcampandreturnedwithadog,reportedlytheonlyoneleftinNaoetsu.Thenextmorning,abelrang,andLouiewalkedintothecompound.There,impaledonapostfacingthePOWs,wasthedog’sskinnedhead.Afewminuteslater,themenwereservedbreakfast.Inthebowlsweretheremainsofthe
dog.
Assummerstretchedonandtherationsdwindled,LouieandtheotherPOWsbeganlookingtowardwinterwithdread.Theyweretoldthatboththeirrationsandthebarracksheatingfuelweregoingtobecutmorecomewinter,andmightbehaltedaltogether.Manyofthemenwerealreadysothinandsickthattheywere,wroteone,
“hangingonfromdaytoday.”FewPOWs,inNaoetsuoranywhereelse,thoughtthey’dlivetoseeanotherspring.AtOmori,someonemadeupaslogan:“Friscodivein’45orstiffassticksin’46.”
Therewasaworrymorepressingyet.EveninisolatedNaoetsu,itwasobvioustothePOWsthattheJapaneseempirewasstaggering.
WatchingB-29scrossingoverwithimpunity,theyknewthatJapan’sairdefenseshadbeengutted,andthattheAmericanswereveryclose.Theciviliansthattheysawwereinshockingcondition:Thelimbsoftheadultsweregrotesquelyswolenfromberiberi;thechildrenwereemaciated.ThePOWsweresodisturbedbytheobviousfamineamongtheciviliansthattheystopped
stealingattheworksites.ItwascleartothemthatJapanhadlongagolostthiswar.
ButJapanwasalongwayfromgivingin.Ifamassivelydestructiveairwarwouldnotwinsurrender,invasionseemedtheonlypossibility.POWsaloverthecountrywerenoticingworrisomesigns.Theysawwomenholdingsharpenedsticks,practicinglungesatstacksof
ricestraw,andsmalchildrenbeinglinedupinfrontofschools,handedwoodenmockguns,anddriled.Japan,whosepeopledeemedsurrendershameful,appearedtobepreparingtofighttothelastman,woman,orchild.
Invasionseemedinevitableandimminent,bothtothePOWsandtotheJapanese.Havingbeenwarnedofthekil-alorder,thePOWswere
terrified.AtBorneo’sBatuLintangPOWcamp,whichheldtwothousandPOWsandciviliancaptives,Aliedfighterscircledthecampeveryday.AcivilianwarnedPOWG.W.Pringlethat“theJapanesehaveordersnoprisonersaretoberecapturedbyAliedforces.Almustbekiled.”VilagerstoldofhavingseenhundredsofbodiesofPOWsinthejungle.“Thisthenisaforerunnerofa
fatewhichmustbeours,”wrotePringleinhisdiary.AnotoriouslysadisticcampofficialbeganspeakingofhisempathyforthePOWs,andhowanewcampwasbeingpreparedwheretherewasamplefood,medicalcare,andnomoreforcedlabor.ThePOWsknewitwasalie,surelydesignedtolurethemintoobeyinganordertomarchthatwould,asPringlewrote,“affordtheJapsa
wonderfulopportunitytocarryouttheJapaneseGovernmentorderto‘Kilthemal.’”
Pringlewasright.Inthecampofficesatwrittenorders,drawnupbythecommanderandapprovedbycentralmilitaryauthorities,foralcaptivestobe
“liquidated”onSeptember15.Womenandchildren
wouldbepoisoned;civilianmenwouldbeshot;thesickanddisabledwouldbebayoneted.ThefivehundredPOWswouldbemarchedtwenty-onemilesintothejungle,shot,andburned.
AtOmori,Japanesekitchenworkers,aswelassomesoldiers,toldthePOWsthatplansfortheirdestructionhadbeenset.ThePOWswouldbeturnedloose,ontheexcuse
thattheguardswereneededtodefendJapan,andwhenthemensteppedontothebridge,theguardswouldmowthemdownwithmachineguns.ThePOWofficersmettodiscussit,butcouldn’tcomeupwithanywaytopreventitordefendthemselves.
AtcampsacrossJapan,thingslookedjustasominous.Machinegunsandbarrelsof
accelerantwerebroughtin.Metaldogtagswereconfiscated,inanapparentefforttocomplywiththestipulationthatthoseexecutingPOWs“not…leaveanytraces.”Prisonerswereorderedtodigtunnelsandcaverns,andatanumberofcamps,friendlyguardswarnedPOWsthatmines,ditches,andtunnelsweregoingtobeusedasdeathchambers.
Thatsummer,atPhilandFredGarrett’scamp,Zentsuji,officialssuddenlyannouncedthattheywereseparatingtheAmericansfromtheotherPOWs.
TheofficialssaidthattheAmericanswerebeingmovedtoapleasantnewcamp,fortheirsafety.ThemenwereloadedontoatrainandtakenacrossJapan,throughsadriversofrefugees.Peeking
pastthedrawnwindowblinds,theysawrazedcities.Theairsmeledofburnedbodies.
Afterdark,theyreachedaremotearea.Themenweretoldtobeginwalkingupanearlyimpassabletrail,windingupthesideofamountain.Inacrashingrainstorm,theyhikedforhours,throughforest,overboulders,andthrough
ravines,climbingsohighthatthesurroundingmountainswerecappedinsnowinsummer.Garrett,hisstumpstilun-healed,laboredonhiscrutches,andtheJapanesewouldn’talowanyonetohelphim.Menbeganfaintingfromexhaustion,buttheJapanesedrovethegroupon,alowingnoreststops.Drenchedtotheskin,thePOWslimpedupthepathforelevenmiles,leavingatrail
ofdiscardedpossessionsastheytriedtolightentheirloads.
Attwointhemorning,highonthemountain,Phil,Garrett,andtheotherPOWsreachedacolectionofwoodenshacksinarockyclearing.Tooexhaustedtostandinformation,theycolapsed.Theyweretoldthatthiswastheirnewcamp,Rokuroshi.Nooneexplained
whythePOWshadbeentakensofarfromanywhereandanyone,toaplacethatappeareduninhabitable.ThePOWphysician,HubertVanPeenen,lookedabouthim,consideredtheirsituation,andcametoaconclusion:Thisistheplaceofourextermination.
AtNaoetsuthatsummer,campofficialsbeganspeakingoftheirconcernthat
thePOWscouldbeinjuredinairraids.Forthisreason,theofficialssaid,theprisonersweresoongoingtobetakenintothemountains,wherethey’dbesafe.Awayfromtheirofficers,theguardstoldadifferentstory,telingthePOWsthatthearmyhadissuedorderstokilthemalinAugust.Thismighthavebeendismissedasalie,butthatJuly,acivilianworkerknownforhissympathyforPOWs
warnedaprisonerthatanexecutiondatehadbeenset.Thedatehegavewasthesameasonethathadreportedlybeenmentionedtoprisonersinatleasttwoothercamps.
AloftheNaoetsuPOWs,theciviliansaid,wouldbekiledonAugust22.
Thirty
TheBoilingCity
NOONEINNAOETSUWASSLEEPING.B-29SCROSSEDOVEReverynight,andtheair-raidsirenswailedforhoursonend,competingwiththeroaroftheplanes.
Thesoundofthem,andthe
sightofendlessflocksofplanessoaringunopposedoverJapan,senttheBirdeverdeeperintomadness.
Duringtheraids,thePOWswereorderedtostayinthebarrackswiththelightsout.Oncetheplaneshadpassed,theBirdwouldboundin,orderingtheAmericansoutside.Heandhishenchman,Kono,wouldpacebackandforth,shoutingand
swingingclubs,kendosticks,orrifles.Onsomenights,theBirdwouldshovethemenintotwolines,facingoneanother,andorderthemtoslapeachother’sfaces.SometimesheandKonowouldmakethemstandwiththeirarmsovertheirheadsfortwotothreehoursatatime,orforcethemintotheOfunacrouch,poundingthemwhentheyfaltered.Duringonebeating,Louiewasclubbed
onhispreviouslyinjuredankle,leavingitsopainfulthathecouldbarelywalk.Andonatleastoneofthesenights,theBirdbeatLouietounconsciousness.
——
Louie’sjobaspigcustodianwasover.Bargeloadinghadalsobeencanceled;AliedplaneshadsunksomanyJapaneseshipsthatnone
cameorwentfromNaoetsuanymore.Louiewasbackonhalfrations.Limping,sick,andhungry,hebeggedtheBirdforworksohecouldgetfulrationsagain.TheBirdbroughthimapaper-thingraygoatthatappearedtobeonthebrinkofdeath.
“Goatdie,youdie,”theBirdsaid.
Louiehadnothingtosecure
thegoatwith,andnopentoputhimin.HisfriendKenMarvinstolearopefromhisworksiteandbroughtittohim.Louietiedthegoattoapoleandbegannursinghim,givinghimwaterandgrain.Atnighthetiedhiminsideagrainshack.Thegoatonlygotsicker.
Onemorning,theBirdorderedLouietocomebeforehim.Hesaidthatthegoathad
gottenloose,brokenintoagrainbin,andgorgedhimself.Theanimalwasdeathlyil,anditwasLouie’sfault.Louieknewthathisknothadbeensecure.Ifthegoathadgottenloose,someonehaduntiedhim.Thegoatdied.
Terrifiedofretribution,LouietriedtohidefromtheBird,buthisdysenterywasbecomingveryserious.Riskingbeingseenbythe
Bird,hewenttothecampdoctortopleadformedication.TheBirdranhimdown,demandingtoknowifhehadreceivedpermissiontoapproachthedoctor.Louiesaidno.
TheBirdmarchedLouieawayfromthedoctor’sshack,passingTinkerandWade,who’dbeenorderedtoworkoutside.Outinthecompound,theBirdhalted.
Lyingonthegroundbeforethemwasathick,heavywoodenbeam,somesixfeetlong.Pickitup,theBirdsaid.Withsomeeffort,Louiehoisteditup,andtheBirdorderedhimtoliftithighandholditdirectlyoverhishead.Louieheavedthebeamup.TheBirdcaledaguardover.Iftheprisonerlowershisarms,theBirdtoldhim,hithimwithyourgun.TheBirdwalkedtoanearbyshack,
climbedontheroof,andsettledintowatch.
Louiestoodinthesun,holdingupthebeam.TheBirdstretchedovertherooflikeacontentedcat,calingtotheJapanesewhowalkedby,pointingtoLouieandlaughing.LouielockedhiseyesontheBird’sface,radiatinghatred.
Severalminutespassed.
Louiestood,eyesontheBird.Thebeamfeltheavierandheavier,thepainmoreintense.TheBirdwatchedLouie,amusedbyhissuffering,mockinghim.WadeandTinkerwentonwiththeirwork,stealinganxiousglancesatthesceneacrossthecompound.WadehadlookedatthecampclockwhenLouiehadfirstliftedthebeam.Hebecamemoreandmoreconsciousofhow
muchtimewaspassing.
Fivemoreminutespassed,thenten.Louie’sarmsbegantowaverandgonumb.Hisbodyshook.Thebeamtipped.TheguardjabbedLouiewithhisgun,andLouiestraightenedup.Lessandlessbloodwasreachinghishead,andhebegantofeelconfused,histhoughtsgauzy,thecampswimmingaroundhim.Hefelthis
consciousnessslipping,hismindlosingadhesion,untilalheknewwasasinglethought:Hecannotbreakme.Acrossthecompound,theBirdhadstoppedlaughing.
Timetickedon,andstilLouieremainedinthesameposition,consciousandyetnot,thebeamoverhishead,hiseyesontheBird’sface,enduringlongpastwhenhisstrengthshouldhavegiven
out.“Somethingwentoninsideofme,”hesaidlater.“Idon’tknowwhatitwas.”
Therewasaflurryofmotionaheadofhim,theBirdleapingdownfromtheroofandchargingtowardhim,enraged.Watanabe’sfistrammedintoLouie’sstomach,andLouiefoldedoverinagony.Thebeamdropped,strikingLouie’shead.Hefloppedtothe
ground.
Whenhewoke,hedidn’tknowwherehewasorwhathadhappened.HesawWadeandsomeotherPOWs,alongwithafewguards,crouchedaroundhim.TheBirdwasgone.Louiehadnomemoryofthelastseveralminutes,andhadnoideahowlonghe’dstoodthere.ButWadehadlookedattheclockwhenLouiehadfalen.
Louiehadheldthebeamaloftforthirty-sevenminutes.
——
OnthenightofAugust1,sirenssoundedandthevilageshook.Inthebarracks,thePOWslookedoutandsawwaveafterwaveofSuperfortresses.IntheskiesoverJapanthatnight,Americawasstagingbyfarthebiggestairraid,by
tonnage,ofWorldWarI:836B-29s,bearingmorethan6,100tonsofbombs,incendiaries,andmines.ThePOWsworkingthefactorynightshiftsranforthebeachshelters,buttheplanesbypassedNaoetsu.InNagaoka,fortymilesaway,civilianslookedupandthoughtitwasraining.Therainwasnapalm.
Withthebomberssweeping
overhead,theBirdstormedintothebarracksandshoutedforalAmericanstogetout.Asthemenlinedupinthecompound,theBirdandKonopickeduptheirkendosticks,walkedbehindthem,andbegansmashingthemovertheirheads.Menstartedfaling.WhenLouiewentdown,theBirdcrouchedoverhim,clubbinghim.Woozy,LouielaythereastheBirdandthesirensscreamed.
Atdawnthesirenswentsilent.ThePOWsonthebeachcameoutoftheshelters.Inthecompound,theBirdandKonowentstil.Louiestumbledtohisfeetandlookedtothenortheast.Theedgeoftheworldwasglowing;Nagaokawasburningdown.
Thatsamenight,B-29sshoweredleafletsoverthirty-fiveJapanesecities,warning
civiliansofcomingbombingsandurgingthemtoevacuate.TheJapanesegovernmentorderedcivilianstoturntheleafletsintoauthorities,forbadethemfromsharingthewarningswithothers,andarrestedanyonewithleafletsintheirpossession.AmongthecitieslistedontheleafletswereHiroshimaandNagasaki.
——
ThatnightwasaturningpointforLouie.Thenextmorning,hisdysenterywassuddenlyextremelysevere.Hewasdangerouslydehydratedandbeginningtohavetroubleeating.Eachdayhewasthinner,weaker.
Everydayandnight,theB-29srakedovertheskyandtheBirdrampagedthroughcamp.HeattackedKenMarvin,knockedhim
unconscious,rousedhimwithabucketofwatertohisface,toldhimtotakecareofhishealth,thenknockedhimoutagain.WhileLouiehidupstairsonhisbunk,sickwithfever,hesawtheBirdandKonobeattwosickPOWsuntiltheyacquiescedtotheBird’sordertolickexcrementfromtheirboots.Onanotherday,LouielookedacrossthecompoundtoseetheBirdandKonostanding
beforealineofPOWs,holdingaconfiscatedbookonboxingandtakingturnspunchingtheprisoners.
LouiewaswalkinginthecompoundwhentheBirdcolaredhimanddraggedhimtotheoverflowingbenjopit.Afterpulingoverseveralmen,theBirdforcedLouieandtheothersdownontheirstomachs,ontopofthewastepits,andorderedthemtodo
push-ups.Louiewasjustbarelyabletoholdhisbodyclearofthepit.Otherswerenotsofortunate.Whentheexhaustedmenfailedtopushthemselvesalthewayup,theBirdpressedthebuttofhisrifletotheirheadsandgroundtheirfacesintothewaste.
ThencamethedaythatLouiehadbeendreading.Hewasstandingoutside,filingatubofwater,whentheBird
barkedathimtocomeover.WhenLouiearrived,theBirdlookedwrathfulyathimandgesturedtowardthewater.
“TomorrowI’mgoingtodrownyou.”
Louiespentadaygrippedwithfear,lookingfortheBird,thinkingaboutthetubofwater.WhentheBirdfoundhim,hewasterrified.
“Ihavechangedmymind,”theBirdsaid.ThenhelungedatLouieandbeganpunchinghimintheface,alternatingrightandleftfistsinaviolentecstasy.
Asabruptlyashehadstarted,hestopped.Suddenlyserene,heletgoofLouie.
“Iwildrownyoutomorrow,”hesaid.
TheBirdstroledaway.HisfaceworethesamesoftlanguorthatLouiehadseenonthefaceoftheQuackafterhebeatHarrisatOfuna.Itwasanexpressionofsexualrapture.
——
Louiecouldtakenomore.Hejoinedaboutadozenofficersinasecretmeeting.Bythetimetheyparted,theyhada
plantokiltheBird.
Theplanwassimple.ThemenwouldleapontotheBirdandpulhimtothetopfloorofthebarracks,overlookingthedroptotheHokuraRiver.There,theywouldlashhimtoalargerockandshovehimoutthewindow.Whenhestruckthewaterbelow,therockwouldcarryhimunder.Hewouldneverdrawanotherbreath.
Theofficersdivviedupthetasksinvolvedinthekiling.AgroupofmenwouldfigureouthowtooverpowertheBird,whowasquitefitandwouldbedifficulttosubdue.SeveralofthebiggestPOWswouldfindaheavybutportablerockand,outofviewoftheguards,hoistituptheladdersandrolittothewindow.Louiewastaskedwithstealingenoughstrongropetolashtherocktothe
Bird.
Louiecouldn’tfindaropelongenoughtotieamantoaboulder.Hebeganstealingshorterlengthsofrope,secretingthemaway,thentyingthemtogetherwithhisstrongestBoyScoutknots.Meanwhile,therockcrewfoundalargeboulder,bigenoughtodrowntheBirdandseveralothermen.
Somehow,theygotitintothecompound,intothebarracks,anduptheladderwithoutdiscovery.Theypositioneditbythewindow.WhenLouiehadfinalystolenenoughrope,hetieditintoonelongline.Itwasloopedaroundtherock,adanglingendlyingreadytobewoundaroundtheBird’sbody.Louiethenpreparedforthesecondphaseoftheplan.Hehadvolunteeredtobeoneofthe
mentocapturetheBird,draghimup,andthrowhimtohisdeath.
Astheconspiratorsplanned,theBirdenteredthebarracks.Iftherockwastheninplace,heeitherdidn’tseeitordidn’trecognizewhatitwastherefor.
Hedugthroughthemen’spossessions.UnderthetatamimatofanEnglishofficer,he
foundapieceofpaperonwhichwerelistedthecrimesofeachoftheJapaneseofficials.WhentheBirdlookedup,hesawthemansneeringathim.
TheBirdwasspooked.HebelievedthathesawthePOWsglaringmurderouslyathim.Theyhadneverlookedathiminthiswaybefore.HeknewthatJapanwaslosingthewar,andthatwhenthe
endcame,theAmericanswouldtryhim.ThesePOWswouldaccusehimofcrimes,andtheAmericanswouldsurelysentencehimtodeath.Noone,heknew,woulddefendhim,andthatfactlefthimangryandpanicked.Hewasgoingtohavetogotoextrememeasurestosavehimself.
NexttoawindownearwhichtheBirdpassedeachday,the
rockandropesatready.Fromthebarrackswindow,itwasalongplungetothewater.
——
AtaquartertothreeonthemorningofAugust6,1945,aB-29skippedoffRunwayAbleonTinianIsland.AttheyokewasPaulTibbets,aveteranbomberpilot.Theplaneheadednorth,towardJapan.Themissionwasso
secretthatTibbetscarriedcyanidecapsulesforalofthecrewmen,tobeusediftheycrashedandwerecaptured.
Astheday’sfirstlightwalkedoverthePacific,theplanerosetowarditsbombingaltitude,morethanthirtythousandfeet.Twocrewmenclimbedintothebombbay.Theresatatwelve-foot-long,nine-thousand-poundbombcaledLittleBoy.Themen
droppedtotheirhandsandkneesandcrawledaroundthebomb,pulingouttestplugsandreplacingthemwithfiringplugs.LittleBoywasarmed.
CrossingtheInlandSea,Tibbetssawacityahead.Ascoutplaneflyingoveritradioedbackincode:Theweatherwasclear.Theywouldn’thavetobypassthiscityandpursuethealternate
targets.Tibbetsspokeovertheinterphone:
“It’sHiroshima.”
Theplanepassedthecoastlineandcrossedoverthecity.Tibbetsturnedtheplanewest,thenorderedhiscrewtodonshadedgoggles.Below,hesawaT-shapedbridge,thetarget.TibbetssurrenderedcontroloftheplanetotheNordenbombsight,andthe
bombardierlineduponthebridge.
At8:15.17,thebombslippedfromtheplane.Tibbetsturnedtheplaneashardashecouldandputitintoadivetogainspeed.Itwouldtakeforty-threesecondsforthebombtoreachitsdetonationaltitude,alittlelessthantwothousandfeet.Nooneknewforsureif,inthatbrieftime,thebombercouldgetfar
enoughawaytosurvivewhatwascoming.
Oneofthecrewmencountedsecondsinhishead.Whenhehitforty-three,nothinghappened.Hedidn’tknowthathehadbeencountingtooquickly.Foraninstant,hethoughtthemissionhadfailed.
Exactlyasthethoughtcrossedhismind,thesky
overthecityrippedopeninafirestormofcolorandsoundandfelingwind.Awhitelight,tentimestheintensityofthesun,envelopedtheplaneastheflashandsoundandjoltofitskiddedoutinaldirections.Thetailgunner,lookingoutthebackoftheplanethroughhisgoggles,thoughtthatthelighthadblindedhim.Tibbets’steethbegantingling,andhismouthfiledwithatasteoflead.He
wouldlaterbetoldthatitwasthemetalinhisfilingsresonatingwiththeradioactivityofthebomb.Helookedaheadandsawtheentireskyswirlinginpinkandblue.Nexttohim,thecopilotscribbledtwowordsinhisdiary:MYGOD!
Behindhim,thetailgunner’svisionclearedandhesawaneerieshimmeringwarpintheairoverthecity,ripping
towardthematonethousandfeetpersecond.“Hereitcomes!”hesaid.Theshockwaveslammedintotheplane,pitchingthemenintotheairandbackdownagain.Inconfusion,someoneyeled,“Flak!”Thenasecondwave,aconsequenceoftheforceoftheexplosionhittingthegroundandthenricochetingupward,smackedthem,andtheplaneheavedagain.
AtPOWCamp10-D,onthefarsideofthemountainsbyHiroshima,prisonerFerronCumminsfeltaconcussionroldownfromthehils,andtheairwarmedstrangely.Helookedup.Afantasticalyhuge,roilingcloud,glowingbluishgray,swaggeredoverthecity.Itwasmorethanthreemilestal.Belowit,Hiroshimawasboiling.
Thirty-one
TheNakedStampede
THENAOETSUPOWS
KNEWTHATSOMETHINGBIGHADhappened.Theguardspacedaroundwithstrickenfaces.Civilianswalkedpastthecamp,eyesdazed,handsinfists.AguardsaidsomethingtoLouiethatstuckinhishead:Hiroshimahadbeenhitbycholera.Thecitywasshutdown,hesaid,andnoonecouldcomeorgo.
Atoneoftheworksites,aciviliantoldadifferentstory:
OneAmericanbomb,hesaid,haddestroyedanentirecity.ThePOWsthoughtthathemusthavemeantoneraidwithmanybombs,butthemankeptrepeatingthatitwasonebomb.Heusedawordthatsoundedlike“atomic.”Thewordwasunfamiliar,andnooneknewhowonebombcouldwipeoutacity.TomWadegotholdofanewspaper.Somethingthepapercaledan“electronic
bomb”
hadbeendropped,andmanypeoplehaddied.ThePOWsdidn’tknowwhattomakeofit.
AtOmori,theshakencampcommandergatheredthePOWs.“Oneplanecameover,”hesaid,“andawholecitydisappeared.”Heaskedifanyoneknewwhatweaponcoulddosuchathing.Noone
hadananswer.
OnAugust9,Nagasaki,likeHiroshima,disappeared.
——
Uneasydayspassed.EverythinginNaoetsuremainedthesame,anddayandnight,thePOWswerestilsenttolaborinJapan’swarproductionfactories.Clearly,somethingcatastrophichad
happened,butJapanhadnotgivenin.
Nagasaki,August9,1945.NagasakiAtomicBombMuseum/epa/Corbis
ForthePOWs,timehadalbutrunout.Itwasnowapproachingmid-August,andthekil-alpolicyloomed.EvenifJapansurrendered,manyPOWsbelievedthattheguardswouldkilthem
anyway,eitheroutofvengeanceortopreventthemfromtestifyingtowhathadbeendonetothem.Indeed,anOmoriinterrogatorhadtoldCommanderFitzgeraldthattheJapanesehadplanstokilthePOWsintheeventthattheylostthewar.
Withofficialstalkingabouttakingthemtoanewcampinthehils,thePOWsbelievedthattheJapaneseplannedto
dumptheirbodiesinamountainforest,wherenoonewouldeverfindthem.Theydiscusseddefendingthemselves,buttheyhadnoanswerstotwenty-fiveguardswithrifles.Escape,too,wasimpossible;thecampwascorneredagainsttheseaandtworivers,andwithnowaytogetboatsforsevenhundredprisoners,theonlyrouteoutwastowardthevilage,wherethesickly,weakmenwould
becaughteasily.Theywerefishinabarrel.
Louielingeredinhisbunk,fading,praying.Inhisnightmares,heandtheBirdfoughtdeathmatches,theBirdtryingtobeathimtodeath,Louietryingtostranglethelifefromthesergeant.He’dbeenstayingasfarashecouldfromtheBird,whohadbeenwhippingaboutcamplikeaseveredpowerline,but
thesergeantalwayshuntedhimdown.
Then,abruptly,theviolencestopped.TheBirdhadleftcamp.TheguardssaidthathehadgonetothemountainstoreadythepromisednewcampforthePOWofficers.TheAugust22kil-aldeathdatewasoneweekaway.
——
OnAugust15,Louiewokegravelyil.Hewasnowhavingsometwentybloodybowelmovementsaday.Afterthemonth’sweigh-in,hedidn’trecordhisweightinhisdiary,buthedidnotethathe’dlostsixkilos,morethanthirteenpounds,fromaframealreadywastedfromstarvation.Whenhegrippedhisleg,hisfingerssankin,andtheimprintsremainedforlongafter.He’dseentoo
manymendietobeignorantofwhatthismeant:beriberi.
Inlatemorning,afterthenightworkcrewshaddraggedinandthedaycrewshadheadedoff,Louiecreptoutofthebarracks.WiththeBirdaway,itwassafertowalkintheopen.Crossingthecompound,LouiesawOgawa,hisoverseeratthepotatofield.Ogawahadalwaysbeenaninnocuous
man,oneofthefewJapanesewhomLouiehadneverhadreasontofear.ButwhenhesawLouie,OgawayankedouthisclubandstruckLouieintheface.Louiereeledinastonishment,hischeekbleeding.
Afewminuteslater,atnoon,thecompoundwassuddenly,eerilysilent.TheJapanesewerealgone.Atthesamemoment,inthefactorymess
hals,thePOWslookedupfromtheirbowlsandrealizedthattheywerealone.Theguardshadleft.
Incamp,Tinkerwalkedthroughthecompound.Passingtheguardroom,heglancedinside.Thereweretheguards,crowdedaroundaradioinraptattention,listeningtoasmal,haltingJapanesevoice.Somethingofgreatimportancewasbeing
said.
Atthefactories,athalfpastone,theguardsreappearedandtoldthePOWstogetbacktotheirstations.AsKenMarvinreturnedtohisstation,hefoundhisoverseerssittingdown.OneoftheJapanesetoldhimthattherewasnowork.Lookingaround,MarvinspottedBadEye,theone-eyedcivilianguardhe’dbeenteaching
incorrectEnglish,andaskedhimwhytherewasnowork.BadEyerepliedthattherewasnoelectricity.Marvinlookedup;alofthelightbulbswereburning.HeturnedquizzicalytoBadEyeandtoldhimthatthelightswereon.BadEyesaidsomethinginJapanese,andMarvinwasn’tsureheunderstood.MarvinfoundafriendfluentinJapanese,puledhimintotheroom,and
askedBadEyetorepeatwhathe’dsaid.
“Thewarisover.”
Marvinbegansobbing.Heandhisfriendstoodtogether,bawlinglikechildren.
Theworkersweremarchedbacktocamp.MarvinandhisfriendhurriedamongthePOWs,sharingwhatBadEyehadsaid,butnotoneoftheir
listenersbelievedit.Everyonehadheardthisrumorbefore,andeachtime,ithadturnedouttobefalse.Incamp,therewasnosignthatanythinghadchanged.Thecampofficialsexplainedthattheworkhadbeensuspendedonlybecausetherehadbeenapoweroutage.Afewmencelebratedthepeacerumor,butLouieandmanyotherswereanticipatingsomethingverydifferent.
SomeonehadheardthatNaoetsuwasslatedtobebombedthatnight.
ThePOWscouldn’tsleep.Marvinlayonhisbunk,telinghimselfthatiftheyweresenttoworkinthemorning,BadEye’sstorymusthavebeenfalse.Iftheyweren’t,maybethewarwasover.Louiehunkereddown,miserablyil,waitingforthebombers.
NoB-29sflewoverNaoetsuthatnight.Inthemorning,theworkcrewsweretoldthattherewasnoworkandweredismissed.
Upstairs,Louiebeganvomiting.Ashebobbedinafogofnausea,someonecametohisbunkandhandedhimfiveletters.TheywerefromPete,Sylvia,andhisparents,alwrittenmanymonthsearlier.Louietoreopenthe
envelopes,andoutcamephotographsofhisfamily.ItwasthefirstthatLouiehadseenorheardoftheminnearlytwoandahalfyears.Heclutchedhislettersandhungon.
ThePOWswereinastateofconfusion;theguardswouldtelthemnothing.Adaypassedwithnonews.Whennightfel,themenlookedoverthecountrysideandsaw
somethingthey’dneverseenbefore.Thevilagewasiluminatedinthedarkness;theblackoutshadesaloverNaoetsuhadbeentakendown.Asatest,someofthePOWsremovedtheshadesonthebarrackswindows.Theguardsorderedthemtoputtheshadesbackup.Ifthewarhadended,theguardsweregoingtoconsiderablelengthstohidethisfactfromthePOWs.Thekil-aldatewas
fivedaysaway.
Thenextday,Louiewassickerstil.Heexaminedhisfeeblebodyandscrawledsadwordsinhisdiary:“Looklikeskeleton.feelweak.”
TheBirdreappeared,apparentlybackfrompreparingwhateverlayinstoreforthePOWsinthemountains.Helookeddifferent,ashadeofa
mustachedarkeninghislip.Louiesawhimstepintohisofficeandclosethedoor.
——
OnAugust17,atRokuroshiPOWcamponthefrigidsummitofaJapanesemountain,atelephonerang.
Phil,FredGarrett,andmorethan350otherRokuroshiPOWswereshivering
throughsummerinsidethebarracks,tryingtosurviveonanearlyal-liquiddiet.Inthisextremelyremote,deathlyquietcamp,thelonetelephonehardlyeverrang,andthePOWsnoticedit.Afewminuteslater,theJapanesecommanderhurriedoutofcampanddownthemountain.
Forsometime,theRokuroshiprisonershadbeenracked
withtension.Alsummer,theskyhadbeenscratchedwithvaportrails.OnenightinJuly,themenhadlookedfromthebarrackstoseethewholesouthernhorizonlitupinred,generatinglightsobrightthatthemencouldreadbyit.OnAugust8,theguardshadbegunnailingthebarracksdoorsshut.Then,onAugust15,theguardshadsuddenlybecomemuchmorebrutal,andthePOWs’
workload,breakingrocksonahilside,hadbeenintensified.
Afterthecommanderleft,somethingtroublinghappened.TheguardsbeganbringingthePOWsoutofthebarracksanddividingthemintosmalgroups.Oncetheyhadthemenassembled,theyherdedthemoutofcampanddeepintothemountainforest,headingnowhere.After
pushingthemenonwardthroughthetreesforsometime,theguardsledthemenbacktocampandintothebarracks.Later,thewalkswererepeated.Noexplanationwasgiven.Theguardsseemedtobeinuringthementothisstrangeroutineinpreparationforsomethingterrible.
——
OnAugust20,awhiteskystretchedoutoverNaoetsu,heavyandthreatening.Therewasashoutinthecompound:AlPOWsweretoassembleoutside.
Somesevenhundredmentrampedoutofthebarracksandformedlinesbeforethebuilding.Thelittlecampcommander,glovesonhishandsandaswordonhiship,steppedatoptheair-raid
spotter’splatform,andKonoclimbedupbesidehim.Thecommanderspoke,andKonotranslated.
“Thewarhascometoapointofcessation.”
TherewasnoreactionfromthePOWs.Somebelievedit,butkeptsilentforfearofreprisal.Others,suspectingatrick,didnot.Thecommanderwenton,
becomingstrangelysolicitous.SpeakingasifthePOWswereoldfriends,hevoicedhishopethattheprisonerswouldhelpJapanfightthe“RedMenace”—theSovietUnion,whichhadjustseizedJapan’sKurilIslands.
Withthecommander’sspeechfinishedandthePOWswaitinginsuspicioussilence,KonoinvitedthePOWstobatheintheHokura
River.This,too,wasodd;themenhadonlyrarelybeenalowedtogointheriver.ThePOWsbrokefromtheirlinesandbeganhikingdowntothewater,droppingclothesastheywalked.Louiedraggedalongafterthem,peeledoffhisclothes,andwadedin.
Alovertheriver,themenscattered,scrubbingtheirskin,unsurewhatwashappening.Thentheyheard
it.
Itwasthegrowlofanaircraftengine,huge,low,andclose.Theswimmerslookedup,andatfirstsawnothingbuttheovercastsky.Then,thereitwas,burstingfromtheclouds:atorpedobomber.
Asthemenwatched,thebomberdove,leveledoff,andskimmedoverthewater,itsenginescreaming.ThePOWs
lookedupatit.Thebomberwasheadedstraighttowardthem.
Intheinstantbeforetheplaneshotoverhead,themeninthewatercouldjustmakeoutthecockpitand,inside,thepilot,standing.Thenthebomberwasrightoverthem.Oneachsideofthefuselageandontheundersideofeachwing,therewasabroadwhitestarinabluecircle.Theplane
wasnotJapanese.ItwasAmerican.
Theplane’sredcodelightwasblinkingrapidly.AradiomaninthewaternearLouiereadthesignalsandsuddenlycriedout:
“Oh!Thewarisover!”
Inseconds,massesofnakedmenwerestampedingoutoftheriverandupthehil.As
theplaneturnedloopsabove,thepilotwaving,thePOWsswarmedintothecompound,outoftheirmindswithreliefandrapture.Theirfearoftheguards,ofthemassacretheyhadsolongawaited,wasgone,dispersedbytheroarandmuscleofthebomber.Theprisonersjumpedupanddown,shouted,andsobbed.Somescrambledontothecamproofs,wavingtheirarmsandsingingouttheirjoy
tothepilotabove.Otherspiledagainstthecampfenceandsentitcrashingover.Someonefoundmatches,andsoon,theentirelengthoffencewasburning.TheJapaneseshrankbackandwithdrew.
Inthemidstoftherunning,celebratingmen,Louiestoodonwaveringlegs,emaciated,sick,anddrippingwet.Inhistiredmind,twowordswere
repeatingthemselves,overandover.
I’mfree!I’mfree!I’mfree!
——
Downontheriverbank,abatteredAustralianPOWnamedMattCliftsatatthewater’sedge.Hiseyeswereonthetorpedobomber,whichwasswoopingoverhead,alternatelycrossingoverthe
river,thenthecamp.AsCliftwatched,somethingflittedoutofthecockpit,trailingalongyelowribbon.Itcarriedthroughtheairwestward,directlytowardtheriver.Cliftstoodup,leanedoverthewater,andreachedoutsofarthathewasonthevergeoffalingin.Theobject,alittlewoodenpacket,droppedrightintohishands.Regaininghisbalancewiththetreasureinhisgrasp,Clifthada
delightfulthought:Chocolate!
Hisheartfiledwithgratitudeforthe“damngoodbloke”ofapilotabove.
Cliftspentsometimetryingtotwistthepacketopen,andatsomepointrealized,tohiscrushingdisappointment,thatitwasn’tchocolate.Whenhefinalygotitopen,hefoundahandwrittenmessageinside:
OURTBFS*HAVEN’TBEENABLETOGETTHROUGHTHISSTUFFTODAY.WILLLEADTHEMBACKTOMORROWWITHFOODANDSTUFFLT.A.R.HAWKINS,VF-31,FPOBOX948,LUFKIN,TEXAS.*
Beforeheflewoff,Hawkinsdroppedtwogifts:acandybarwithabitetakenoutofitandatwenty-countpacketof
cigaretteswithonemissing.
Fitzgeraldhadthecandybarslicedintosevenhundredslivers,andeachmanlickedafinger,dabbeditonhisbitofchocolate,andputitinhismouth.
Louie’sportionwasthesizeofanant.ThenFitzgeraldhadthemenformnineteencircles,eachofwhichreceivedonecigarette.Each
mangotonedelectablepuff.
AnotherAmericanplanethrummedover,andamanfeloutofit.Downanddownhefel,andhisparachutedidn’topen.Everyonegasped.Thentheyrealizedthatitwasn’taman;itwasapairofpants,stuffedfulofsomething,thewaistandlegholestiedshut.
Theofficersretrievedthepants,andLouiestoodamong
themasthewaistwasopened.Inside,sittingatopapileofgoods,wasanAmericanmagazine.Onthecoverwasaphotographofanimpossiblyvoluminousbombcloud.Themenfelsilent,piecingtogethertherumorsofonegiantbombvaporizingHiroshimaandtheabruptendtothewar.
Belowthemagazinewerecartonsofcigarettesand
candybars,andverysoon,thecompoundwaslitteredwithwrappersandnaked,skinny,smokingmen.Inapocket,Fitzgeraldfoundaletterbelongingtothepants’owner.Themanhadbeenbusy:HehadawifeinCaliforniaandagirlfriendinPerth.
——
Therockstilsatatthefootof
thebarrackswindow,Louie’sropetiedaroundit.Buttheconspiratorsweretoolate;theBirdwasnowheretobefound.
Sometimethatday,orperhapsthedaybefore,hehadtakenoffhisuniform,pickedupasackofrice,slippedintotheNaoetsucountryside,andvanished.
*Torpedobombers.
*TheTBFpilot,RayHawkins,wasalegend.InWorldWarI,heshotdownfourteenJapaneseplanes,makinghimanacenearlythreetimesover,andwasawardedthreeNavyCrosses.HewentontoflyintheKoreanWar,thenbecameaBlueAngelsflightleader.Hewasthefirstmantoejectfromajetatsupersonicspeed.Hesurvived.
Thirty-two
CascadesofPinkPeaches
ONAUGUST22,PHILANDFREDGARRETTSATINTHERokuroshiPOWcamp,wonderingwhatwashappening.Isolatedontheirchilymountain,thePOWshadbeentoldnothingofthemomentouseventsofrecentdays.Altheyknewwasthatthecampcommanderhad
beengoneforfivedays,andinhisabsence,theguardshadbeenleadingthePOWsonominouswalksthroughtheforest.
Thatafternoon,theJapanesecommandersloggedbackupthemountain,lookingwilted.HewalkedintothebarracksandapproachedtherankingAmerican,LieutenantColonelMarionUnruh.
“Theemperorhasbroughtpeacetotheworld,”hesaid.
ThecommandersurrenderedhisswordtoUnruh,whogatheredhismenandtoldthemthatthewarwasover.ThePOWsimmediatelygatheredforathanksgivingservice.Theyweretoldthattheymustnotseekrevenge;theywereofficersandgentlemen,andtheyweretobehavethatway.
ThePOWspromptlythrewapartytoendalparties.Theydemolishedthecampfenceandbuiltagiganticpileofwood,describedbyonePOWasfiftyfeettal.TheyaskedtheJapaneseinterpreterifhecouldgetthemsake,andabarrelfulofitsoonarrived.Themenjackedthelidoffthebarrel,imbibingbegan,thepileofwoodwassetonfire,anAlabamantransformedahugecanintoadrum,and
inebriatedmenbegandancing.AcongalineofcrazydrunkPOWswrappedaroundcampandthroughthebarracks,andonepartierdidastriptease,flingingoffhisclothestorevealanemphaticalyunattractivebody.Therevelry,whichwentonalnight,wassoriotousthatonemanmarveledatthefactthatalthePOWswerestilalivewhenthesuncameup.
POWscelebratethewar’send.NavalHistoryandHeritageCommand
Thefolowingday,thehungoverPOWswalkeddownthemountaintothenearestvilages.Theyfoundmostlyghosttowns.Thecivilianshadseenthebonfire,abandonedtheirhomes,andfled.ThePOWshikedbackupandwaitedforhelptocome.
——
AtNaoetsu,mostoftheguardsstayedincamp,theirhaughtinessreplacedbygushingobsequiousness.Therewasalmostnofoodandnotobacco.
FitzgeraldwenttotheJapanesecommanderthreetimesadaytodemandmorefood,andwasrejectedeachtime.POWsleftcampin
searchofsomethingtoeat.Someonecamebackwithacow.Someoneelseherdedinpigs.Itwasn’tenough.FitzgeraldwroteadispatchtotheSwissconsulinTokyo,telingoftheterribleconditionsincampandaskingforimmediatehelp,buttheJapanesecommanderrefusedtosendit.Livid,FitzgeraldthreatenedtoinformtheAmericanforcesaboutthecommander’sbehavior,but
thecommanderstilrefused.
AtaboutteninthemorningonAugust26,sixdaysafterthewar’sendwasannouncedinNaoetsu,Fitzgeraldwasjuststeppingoutofthecommander’sofficewhenacrowdofAmericanfighterplanes,sentfromthecarrierLexington,shotoverheadandbegancircling.ThePOWschargedoutside,yeling.
Theyhastilyclearedanarea,fetchedsomewhitelime,andpaintedtwogiantwordsontheground:FOODSMOKES.Messagesdroppedfromthecockpits.
TheplaneshadbeenhaulingemergencysuppliestoPOWcampsbuthadexhaustedtheirloads.Thepilotspromisedthatfoodwouldsooncome.
UnabletofeedthePOWs,thepilotsdidthenextbestthing,puttingonathirty-minuteairshowwhiletheprisonersshoutedtheirapproval.Fitzgeraldstoodamonghismen,movedbytheirjoyfulupturnedfaces.“Wonderful?”wroteJ.O.Younginhisdiary.“Tostandcheering,crying,wavingyourhatandactinglikeadamnfoolingeneral.Noonewhohasnotspentalbut16daysofthis
warasaNipprisonercanrealyknowwhatitmeanstosee‘OldSammy’buzzingaroundoverthecamp.”
ThefightershadapersuasiveeffectontheJapanesecommander.HecaledforFitzgerald,complainedthatFitzgeraldhadnotbehaved“likea
gentleman,”andaccusedhimofbluffingwhenhehadthreatenedtoteltheAmericanforcesabouthim.
“ImeanteverywordIsaid,”Fitzgeraldreplied.
Ninetyminuteslater,Japanesetrucksdroveintocamp,andoutcamerations,biscuits,andcannedfruit.
Thatafternoon,moreplanesfromtheLexingtonflewover,andseabagsbeganthumpingdownalovercamp.ThePOWsranfortheirlives.Oneman,leapingfromafenceto
avoidgettingclobbered,brokehisankle.Onebagmissedthecampaltogether,splashingdownintheriver.ThePOWsventuredout,toreintothebags,andsplituptheloot.Eachmanreceivedhalfatinoftangerines,onepackofhardtack,twocigarettes,andabitofcandy.Someonewadedintotherivertograbtheerrantbag,andinitfoundmagazinesandanewspaper.Concernedthatthefood
droppedwasn’tnearlyadequate,Fitzgeraldtoldsomeonetowrite700PWSHEREontheground.
Asthemenate,theypassedaroundthemagazinesandpeeledthroughthesoakedpages.Thefighting,theylearned,hadendedonAugust15;thesmalvoicethatWadehadheardontheradiointheguardroomthatdayhadbeenthatofEmperorHirohito,
announcingthecessationofhostilities.Thismeantthatforfivedays—seveninthecaseofRokuroshi—theJapanesehaddeceivedthePOWstohidethefactthatthewarwasover.Givenalthesignsthatamassacrehadbeenimminent,itseemslikelythatthecommandershadbeenawaitinginstructiononwhetherornottocarryitout,andhadwantedtokeepthemendocileincasetheanswer
wasaffirmative.
Threedaysafterthefightersflewover,theAmericanssentinthebigboys:sixB-29s,thewordsFoodforPOWsscrawleddownthewingofoneofthem.Thebombbaydoorspartedandpaletspouredout,swingingunderred,white,andblueparachutes.Thefirstloadhitthecompound.Othersfeloverthericepaddies,pursued
byhundredsofgleefullivingskeletons.Onecanisterboreamessagewritteninchalk:BOMBEDHEREINMAY45—SORRYIMISSED.BILLYTHEKID.RHODEISLANDNEWYORK.Boxesfelaloverthelandscape.Somecivilianspuledthemintotheirhomesandhidthem.Others,thoughingreathardshipthemselves,draggedthemintocamp.
Thecargobangeddownandboxesbrokeopen.Cascadesofpinkpeachesspiledoverthecountryside.Avegetablecrateexploded,andtheskyrainedpeas.AboxdraggeddownthepowerlinesinNaoetsu.Anotherharpoonedtheguardhouse.LouieandTinkerjustmissedbeingtotaledbyagiantdrumfulofshoesthattheyneversawcoming.Itshotthroughthebenjoroof,landingonan
unfortunateAustralian,whoselegwasbroken,andaYankfromIdaho,whoseskulwasfractured,fortunatelynotfataly.TheIdahoanhadbeenfastingaldayinhopesthatcarepackageswouldbeginfalingandhecouldgorgehimselfonAmericanfoodinsteadofseaweed.Topreventfurtherdisaster,someoneranontotheroadandwroteDROPHERE.
Anorgyofeatingandsmokingcommenced.Mencrammedtheirstomachsful,thenhadsecondsandthirds.Louieopenedacanofcondensedsplitpeasoupandshoveleditintohismouth,toohungrytoaddwater.J.O.Youngandtwofriendsdranktwogallonsofcocoa.Thefoodkeptfaling.SomuchofitshowereddownthatFitzgeraldaskedamantogooutontheroadandmakesure
thatwhoeverhadwritten700PWSHEREhadn’taccidentalyaddedazero.
Atnightfal,theeatingstopped.Menupendedbyswolenstomachsdriftedofftosleepwithnoairraids,notenkos,noBird.Louielayamongthem,swaddledinanAmericanparachutethathehaddraggedinfromthericepaddy.
“’Tisabout6p.m.,andI’mlyinghereinblissfulmiseryjustasalPOWshavesataroundanddreamedaboutthroughoutthisinternment,inshortsofulofchowthatit’shardtoevenbreath[sic],”J.O.Youngwroteinhisdiary.“Asfouryearsprisoners…thereisnosuchthingasbeingsatisfiedaftereating.
Youeitherdon’thaveenough,oraswearealnow
sodarnfulyou’reinmisery.”
“There’sjustonethinglefttosayaswebunkdownforthenight,”hecontinued,“an[sic]thatit’swonderfultobeAmericansandfreemen,andit’samight[sic]hardjobevennowtorealizewe’refreemen.”
——
OnthemorningofSeptember
2,aB-29knownasGhostShiptracedthelongthreadofbeachmarkingthecoastofwesternJapan.Theplanehadearneditsmonikerwhenanairtrafficcontroler,unabletoseefive-foot,seven-inchpilotByronKinneyinthecockpit,hadexclaimed,“There’snobodyinthatplane!Itmustbeaghostship!”InabriefingonGuamtheafternoonbefore,Kinneyhadbeentoldthathe’dbecarryingsupplies
toaremotePOWcampcaledNaoetsu.
LouiewasinthecompoundalonewhenGhostShipdippedundertheclouds,skimmedthericepaddy,droppeditsfirstload,andbeganalongcircleforaseconddrop.Hearingthebomber,sleepymenshuffledoutofthebarracksandbeganrunningintothedropzone.Louiesawtheplanecoming
backandbegantryingtoalertthemen.Ashedescended,KinneysawPOWsscatteredoverthepaddy,looking“dirty,raggedandhaggard,”andalonemantryingtopulthemback.Heabortedthedropandcircledagain.Bythetimehereturned,Louiehadclearedthepaddy.Theseconddroproledout.
Kinneyturnedtheplaneagain,descendedverylow
overcamp,anddippedhiswings.LouiestoodunderhiminacrowdofPOWs,wavinghisshirt.
KinneywassolowthatheandLouiesaweachother’ssmilingfaces.“Wecouldalmostheartheircheersaswepassedoverthelasttime,”Kinneywrote.
“Theylookedsohappy.Ittouchedmyheart.Ifelt
perhapswewerethehandofProvidencereachingouttothosemen.IwasverythankfulIhadgone.”
B-29pilotByronKinneyshotthisphotographonhisfinalpassoverNaoetsuonSeptember2,1945.TheNaoetsuPOWcampisstraightahead,onthefarsideofthebridge.ThelargebarracksfromwhichLouieandotherofficersplannedto
throwtheBirdtohisdeathisfaintlyvisible,attheconfluenceofthetworivers.ByronKinney
AsGhostShipsailedoff,oneofKinney’screwmenpipedtheradioovertheinterphone.OncameGeneralDouglasMacArthur’svoice,broadcastingfromthedeckoftheUSSMissouriinTokyoBay.StandingwithMacArthurwasBilHarris.
He’dbeenrescuedfromOmoriandbroughttotheshiptooccupyaplaceofhonor.AlongsidetheAmericansstoodJapaneseofficials,theretosignsurrenderdocuments.
Initsrampageovertheeast,Japanhadbroughtatrocityanddeathonascalethatstaggerstheimagination.Inthemidstofitweretheprisonersofwar.
Japanheldsome132,000POWsfromAmerica,Britain,Canada,NewZealand,Holand,andAustralia.Ofthose,nearly36,000died,morethanoneineveryfour.*Americansfaredparticularlybadly;ofthe34,648AmericansheldbyJapan,12,935—morethan37percent—died.*Bycomparison,only1
percentofAmericansheldby
theNazisandItaliansdied.JapanmurderedthousandsofPOWsondeathmarches,andworkedthousandsofotherstodeathinslavery,includingsome16,000POWswhodiedalongsideasmanyas100,000AsianlaborersforcedtobuildtheBurma-SiamRailway.
ThousandsofotherPOWswerebeaten,burned,stabbed,orclubbedtodeath,shot,beheaded,kiledduring
medicalexperiments,oreatenaliveinritualactsofcannibalism.Andasaresultofbeingfedgrosslyinadequateandbefouledfoodandwater,thousandsmorediedofstarvationandeasilypreventablediseases.Ofthe2,500POWsatBorneo’sSandakancamp,only6,alescapees,madeittoSeptember1945alive.Leftoutofthenumbingstatisticsareuntoldnumbersofmen
whowerecapturedandkiledonthespotordraggedtoplaceslikeKwajalein,tobemurderedwithouttheworldeverlearningtheirfate.
Inaccordancewiththekil-alorder,theJapanesemassacredal5,000KoreancaptivesonTinian,alofthePOWsonBalale,Wake,andTarawa,andalbut11POWsatPalawan.Theywereevidentlyabouttomurderal
theotherPOWsandcivilianinterneesintheircustodywhentheatomicbombbroughttheirempirecrashingdown.
OnthemorningofSeptember2,1945,Japansigneditsformalsurrender.TheSecondWorldWarwasover.
——
ForLouie,theseweredaysof
bliss.Thoughhewasstilsick,wasted,andweak,heglowedwitheuphoriasuchashehadneverexperienced.Hisrageagainsthiscaptorswasgone.Likealthemenaroundhim,hefeltflushwithloveforeveryoneandeverything.
OnlythethoughtoftheBirdgavehimpause.Afewdaysearlier,Louiewouldhaveboundandkiledhimwithoutremorse.Nowthevengeful
urgenolongerhadsurefooting.TheBirdwasgone,hisabilitytoreachLouie—physicaly,atleast—extinguished.Atthatmoment,alLouiefeltwasrapture.
ForgivenesscoursedthroughalofthemenatNaoetsu.POWsdoledoutsuppliestociviliansandstoodincirclesofchildren,handingoutchocolate.
LouieandotherPOWsbroughtfoodandclothingtotheguardsandaskedthemtotakeithometotheirfamilies.EvenKonowasspared.Orderedtostayincamp,heholedupinhisofficeforelevendays,soafraidofretributionthatheneveroncecameout.WhenaPOWopenedthedoor,Konogaspedandrantoacorner.Afewdaysbefore,hemighthavemetwithreprisal,but
today,therewasnosuchspirit.ThePOWslefthimalone.*
Therewasonlyoneactofvengeanceinthecamp.Whenaparticularlyhatedguardappearedinthegaley,aPOWgrabbedhimbythecolarandtheseatofthepantsandthrewhimoutthedoorwithsuchforcethathesailedovertheriversidedrop-offandintotheHokuraRiver.
ThePOWsneversawhimagain.
Thepaletsdidn’tstopfaling.AfterafewdaysofB-29visits,food,medicine,andclothingwerepilingupeverywhere.Theofficersdistributedthefoodassoonasitlanded,andeverymanwasentombedingoodies.Eventualysomeoneclimbedontheroofsandwrote:NOMORE—THANKS.ANY-
NEWS?
Gorgingbroughtconsequences.Digestivesystemsthathadspentyearsscrapingbyontwoorthreecupsofseaweedperdaywereoverwhelmed.
Naoetsubecameafestivalofrapid-firediarrhea.Thebenjolineswoundeverywhere,andmenunabletowaitbegandroppingtheirpantsand
fertilizingJapanwhereverthespiritmovedthem.Thentheywentrightbacktohappyfeasting.
AloverJapan,B-29scontinuedpouringfooddownonPOWs.Morethanonethousandplanessaturatedthelandscapewithnearlyforty-fivehundredtonsofSpamandfruitcocktail,soup,chocolate,medicine,clothing,andcountlessothertreasures.
AtOmori,BobMartindalehadtakenoverthehatefullittleofficewheretheBirdhadsatbeforehispicturewindow,huntingmen.Hewastherewhenanenormousboxsailedoutofthesun,hitthegroundjustoutsidethewindow,andexploded,obliteratingtheBird’sofficeinacataclysmofAmericancocoapowder.Martindalestumbledout,cakedheadtotoeincocoa,butotherwise
uninjured.
——
Everyoneincampwaseagertogethome,butradiomessagessentoutbytheoccupyingforcesstatedthatPOWsshouldremainincampsforthetimebeing.FitzgeraldwastoldthatanevacuationteamwouldcometoNaoetsuonSeptember4tooverseethePOWs’transport
toYokohama,andthenhome.SothePOWssettledintowait,eating,smoking,resting,eating,celebrating,swimming,andeatingmore.Louieatevoraciously,gotstronger,andexpandedexponentialy,hisfaceandbodybloatingfromwaterretention.
Louiedidhisbesttocleanhimselfup,startingwithhismuslinshirt,whichhe’dworn
everydaysincethemorninghehadclimbedintoGreenHornet.Abelovedbrothertohim,itwastorn,faded,andstainedwithcoaldust,andLouie’shandwrittennamewasnownearlyinvisibleonitsbreastpocket.Louieboileditinapottokiltheliceandfleas,thenscrubbedittogetthecoalout.
POWsfannedoutoverthecountryside.Mencarriedair-
droppeditemsintotown,wheretheymetcautiouslyfriendlyciviliansandtradedtheirgoodsforshaves,haircuts,andsouvenirs.Theyknockedondoors,offeringtotradeair-droppedfoodandtobaccoforfresherfare.Insidethehouses,theysawlargeindustrialmachines,justasLouiehadseenintheruinsofTokyo.TinkerfoundaVictrolaincamp,thenwenttotownandboughtagiftfor
Louie,arecordingofGustaveCharpentier’sImpressionsd’Italie.ThePOWsbrokeintothestorehouseandfoundsomefifteenhundredRedCrossboxes.
Severalmendiscoveredabrothelandcamebacktocampwithsinners’grins.KenMarvinandafriendborrowedkids’bikesandpedaledtheroads,discoveringwhatabeautifulplacethey’dbeenin
althistime.Cominguponapublicbathfulofcivilians,Marvinjumpedrightinwiththem,scrubbinghimselfcleanforthefirsttimesincehislastshoweronWakeAtolinDecember1941.“MyGod!”heremembered.“Justlikeasmorgasbord!”
September4arrived.Theevacuationteamnevershowedup.Morethantwoweekshadpassedsincethe
TBFhadflownovertheriverandblinkedoutthemessagethatthewarwasover,andCommanderFitzgerald,likealofthemenincamp,wassickofwaiting.HeaskedMarvinandanothermantodonMPbadgesandwalkwithhimtothetrainstation.Whentheygotthere,FitzgeraldaskedaJapanesestationofficialtoarrangeforaten-carriagetraintobetherethenextday.Theofficial
refused,andwasplentyobnoxiousaboutit.
CommanderJohnFitzgeraldhadbeeninJapanesecustodysinceApril1943.Fortwoandahalfyears,he’dbeenforcedtogrovelbeforesadistsandimbecilesashetriedtoprotecthismen.He’dbeenstarved,beaten,andenslaved,giventhewatercure,hadhisfingernailstornout.Hewasdonenegotiating.Hehauled
backandpunchedthestationofficial,tothedelightofKenMarvin.Thenextmorning,thetrainwasthere,rightontime.
EarlyonthemorningofSeptember5,Louiepackeduphisdiary,therecordfromTinker,andhislettersfromhome,andsteppeddownthebarracksladderforthelasttime.Inthecompound,thePOWswerecongregatingin
joyfulanticipation.Everyonecarriedwhatfewpossessionstheyhad,andtheBritishCommonwealthsoldiersheldthewhiteboxesbearingtheremainsofthesixtyAussieswhohaddiedincamp.Determinedtoleavethisindecentplacewithdignity,themenassembledbehindflagsoftheirnations.Then,together,theypassedthroughthecampgateandmarcheduptheroad,towardwivesand
sweetheartsandchildrenandMomandDadandhome.
Ashewalkedoverthebridge,Louieglancedback.Someoftheguardsandcampofficialsstoodinthecompound,watchingthemgo.AfewofthesickestPOWsremainedbehind,awaitingtransportthenextday.Fitzgeraldstayedwiththem,unwilingtoleaveuntilthelastofhismenwasliberated.*
Louieraisedhisarmandwavedthewargood-bye.Hecrossedoverthebridge,andthecamppassedoutofview.
AsthetrainpushedoffforYokohama,thePOWs’lastsightofNaoetsuwasabrokenlineofJapanese,thefewcivilianguardsandcampstafferswhohadbeenkindtothem,standingalongthesideofthetrack.Theirhandswereraisedinsalute.
*Japanalsoheldmorethan215,000POWsfromothercountriesanduntoldthousandsofforcedlaborers.Theirdeathratesareunknown.
*TherehasbeensomeconfusionconcerningAmericanPOWstatistics.Thefiguresabove,compiledbyCharlesStenger,PhD,inacomprehensivestudyofPOWstatisticsfortheVeterans
Administration,appeartobedefinitive.
*Konoputoncivilianclothes,fledcamp,wrotehismothertosayhewaskilinghimself,thentookafalsenameandmovedtoNiigata.Ayearlater,hewasrecognizedonawantedposterandarrested.ConvictedofabusingPOWs,hewassentencedtolifeathardlabor.
*WhenFitzgeraldgothome,hewouldbehonoredwiththeNavyCrossandtheSilverStarforhisheroismincombatandinthePOWcamp.
Thirty-three
Mother’sDay
THENAOETSUPOWSHADCONTROLOFTHETRAIN.ATEVERYtownon
theline,thetrainsquealedtoastopandthemenpiledoff,thenpiledbackon,ladenwithliberatedsakeandwhateverelsetheycouldsteal.Thejourneywenton,sakecoursedthroughskinnybodies,andthemengrewrowdier.Alieutenantstoodupand,withsolemnofficiousness,warnedthementobehavethemselves.Hedidn’twantanyonefalingoffthetrain,hesaid.
Ataboutthreeintheafternoon,thetrainstoppedandbeganbackingup.Justasthelieutenanthadfeared,amanhadgoneoverboard.Asthetrainroledbackward,theerrantPOWcameintoview.Itwasthelieutenanthimself,atleastthreesheetstothewind.Hewaslucky.Alafternoon,drunkenPOWsstaggeredoffthetrain,butthetraindidn’tstopforthem.Theyhadtofindtheirown
way.
FromthetopofJapantothebottom,trainspackedwithPOWssnakedtowardYokohama.MenpressedtheirfacestothewindowstocatchtheirfirstglimpseofwhatalofthoseB-29shaddone.Once-grandcitieswerenowflat,blackstains,theironlyrecognizablefeatureagridworkofburnedroads,passingnothing,leading
nowhere.
Atthefirstsightofthedestructionoftheirenemy,thePOWscheered.Butafterthefirstcitytherewasanother,thenanother,cityaftercityrazed,thesurvivorsdriftingaboutlikespecters,pickingthroughtherubble.Thecheeringdiedaway.OnLouie’strain,thesilencecameastheypassedthroughTokyo.AweekafterLouie
hadleftOmori,sixteensquaremilesofTokyo,andtensofthousandsofsouls,hadbeenimmolatedbyB-29s.
AfewofthetrainsslippedpastHiroshima.VirtualyeveryPOWbelievedthatthedestructionofthiscityhadsavedthemfromexecution.JohnFalconer,asurvivoroftheBataanDeathMarch,lookedoutasHiroshimaneared.“Firsttherewere
trees,”hetoldhistorianDonaldKnox.“Thentheleavesweremissing.Asyougotcloser,branchesweremissing.Closerstil,thetrunksweregoneandthen,asyougotinthemiddle,therewasnothing.Nothing!Itwasbeautiful.Irealizedthiswaswhathadendedthewar.Itmeantwedidn’thavetogohungryanylonger,orgowithoutmedicaltreatment.Iwassoinsensitivetoanyone
else’shumanneedsandsuffering.Iknowit’snotrighttosayitwasbeautiful,becauseitrealywasn’t.ButIbelievedtheendprobablyjustifiedthemeans.”
——
Atseventhatevening,theNaoetsutrainenteredbombed-outYokohamaandstoppedatthestation.
“Welcomeback,boys.”
“BeforemeinimmaculatekhakiuniformandcapstoodanAmericangirlwithamagazine-coversmile,faultlessmakeupandperoxideblondehair,”
wroteTomWade.“Afterthreeandahalfyearsinprisoncamp,IhadbeenliberatedbythegreatAmericanblonde!”
ThePOWsweresoonblissfulyenvelopedinRedCrossnurses,someofwhomcriedatthesightofthem.Perhapsthewomenweren’talbeautiful,buttoKenMarvin,theylookedlikegoddesses.
Someonespottedamesshal,andachargeensued.Inthemidstofitstoodajournalist,RobertTrumbul.Hecaledout,askingifanyonehadastorytotel.Ashehurried
past,FrankTinkertoldhimtotalktoLouieZamperini,gesturingtowardhisfriend.
“Zamperini’sdead,”saidTrumbul,whothoughtthatthemaninquestiondidn’tevenlooklikethefamousrunner.HeaskedLouieifhecouldprovehisidentity.Louiepuledouthiswalet.TheJapanesehadcleanedoutthemainfolds,butinahiddenpockethe’dtucked
eightdolars,thecartoonthathadgottenhimandPhilbeatenup,andaUSCfootbaladmissionpassinscribedwithhisname.
Trumbulwasastonished.HetookLouieasideandbeganaskingquestions,andLouierecountedhisentiresaga.Heomittedonedetail:ForthesakeofMacandhisfamily,hesaidnothingofhowthechocolatehadbeenlost.Phil
woulddothesame,sayingthatthechocolatehadgoneoverboard.WhenLouiefinished,Trumbulaskedhimtosummarizewhathehadendured.Louiestoodsilently.
“IfIknewIhadtogothroughthoseexperiencesagain,”hefinalysaid,“I’dkilmyself.”
Thenextmorning,LouiewastakentoanairfieldtobeflowntoOkinawa,where
manyPOWswerebeingcolectedbeforebeingsenthome.SeeingatablestackedwithKrations,hebegancrammingtheboxesunderhisshirt,brushingoffanattendantwhotriedtoassurehimthathedidn’thavetohoardthem,asnoonewasgoingtostarvehimanymore.Lookingextremelypregnant,Louieboardedhisplane.
Somewhereinthebustle,
he’dbeenseparatedfromhisfriends.Therehadbeennogood-byes.Byseventhatmorning,hewasairborne—leavingJapan,hehoped,forever.
AtOkinawa,astaffsergeantnamedFrankRosynekstoodbytheairfield,watchingtransportplanescomein.HewaswithLouie’soldoutfit,the11thBombGroup,whichwasnowstationedon
Okinawa,andhehadcometotheairfieldtowelcomethePOWs.“Theywereapatheticlookingbunch:mostlyskinandbones,cladinragswithmakeshiftfootwear,andnervous,”hewrote.Hewalkedamongthem,listeningtotheirstories,marvelingathowtheysavoredthemesshalgrub,watchingthemtearupoverphotographsofwivesandsteadygirlswho,theyhoped,hadn’tgiventhemup
fordead.*
Rosynek’sCOaskedhimtocometothedebriefingofaPOWfromthe11th.WhenRosynekarrived,hesawthreeofficerssittingbeforeadrawn,unshavenPOWinsun-bleachedclothes.TheofficerswerestaringatthePOWasifinshock.ThecoloneltoldRosynekthatthemanwasLouisZamperini,andthathehaddisappeared
sometwoandahalfyearsearlier.Everyoneinthebombgrouphadthoughthewasdead.Rosynekwasincredulous.Ithadbeenhisjobtowritenext-of-kinlettersforlostmen,andhehadprobablywrittentoZamperini’smother,buthenolongerremembered.Therehadbeensomanysuchletters.Notoneofthosemenhadturnedupalive,untilnow.
Itwasprobablysometimelaterthatdaywhenthedeadmanwalkedintothe11thBombGroup’squarters.JackKrey,whohadpackedupLouie’sbelongingsonOahu,capturedthereactiontonewsofLouie’sreappearance:“Wel,I’lbedamned.”
Itwasn’tthereunionthatLouiehadanticipated.Mostofthesemenwerestrangerstohim.Manyofhisfriends,
helearned,weredead.Twohundredandtwenty-fivemenfromthe11thhadgonemissingandwerepresumeddead,includingtwenty-sixfromLouie’s42ndsquadron.Manymorehadbeenkiledinaction.OfthesixteenrowdyyoungofficerswhohadsharedthepornographicpalaceonOahu,onlyfour—Louie,Phil,JesseStay,andJoeDeasy
—werestilalive.LouieandPhilhadvanishedinthePacific.Deasyhadgonehomewithtuberculosis.OnlyStayhadcompletedhisforty-missiontourofduty.He’dseenfiveplanesonhiswinggodown,witheverymankiled,andyetsomehow,thesumtotalofdamagetohisbomberswasonebulethole.
He’dgonehomeinMarch.
SomeonebroughtLouietheAugust15issueoftheMinneapolisStar-Journal.Nearthebackwasanarticleentitled“LestWeForget,”discussingathleteswhohaddiedinthewar.Morethanfourhundredamateur,professional,andcolegiateathleteshadbeenkiled,includingnineteenprofootbalplayers,fiveAmericanLeaguebasebalplayers,elevenprogolfers,and1920
OlympicchampionsprinterCharliePaddock,whomLouiehadknown.
Thereonthepagewiththem,Louiesawhisownpictureandthewords“greatmiler…kiledinactionintheSouthPacific.”
TheOkinawamesshalwaskeptopenaroundtheclockforthePOWs,whocouldn’tstopeating.Louieheaded
straightforit,butwasstoppedatthedoor.BecausetheJapanesehadneverregisteredhimwiththeRedCross,hisnamewasn’tontheroster.Asfarasthemesswasconcerned,Louie
wasn’taPOW.Heencounteredthesame
problemwhentryingtogetanewuniformtoreplacethepantsandshirtthathehadworneverydaysinceMay27,1943.Untilthesnafuwasstraightenedout,hehadtosubsistoncandybarsfromRedCrossnurses.
SoonafterLouie’sarrival,hewassenttoahospitaltobeexamined.LikemostPOWs,ingorgingdayandnight,hehadgainedweightextremely
rapidly;henowweighed143pounds,justseventeenpoundsunderhisweightatthetimeofthecrash.Butthankstodramaticwaterretention,itwasadoughy,moon-faced,musclelessweight.Hestilhadvolatiledysenteryandwasasweakasabladeofgrass.Hewasonlytwenty-eight,buthisbody,withinandwithout,wasetchedwiththetraumaoftwenty-sevenmonthsof
abuseanddeprivation.Thephysicians,whoknewwhatLouiehadoncebeen,sathimdowntohaveasolemntalk.AfterLouieleftthedoctors,areporteraskedhimabouthisrunningcareer.
LouieinOkinawa.OnhisrighthandistheUSCclassringthatcaughtinthewreckageofhisplaneasitsank.CourtesyofLouisZamperini
“It’sfinished,”hesaid,hisvoicesharp.“I’lneverrunagain.”
——
TheZamperiniswereonedge.SinceLouie’scrash,hisonlymessagetomakeittoAmericahadbeenhisradiobroadcasttenmonthsearlier.ThelettersthathehadwrittenaftertheBirdhadleftOmorihadnotarrived.Otherthan
theWarDepartment’sDecemberconfirmationthatLouiewasaPOW,nofurtherwordfromorabouthimhadcome.ThepaperswerefulofstoriesaboutthemurderofPOWs,andfamiliescouldn’tresteasy.TheZamperiniscontactedtheWarDepartment,butthedepartmenthadnothingtotel.SylviakeptwritingtoLouie,telinghimofaltheywoulddowhenhecamehome.
“Darling,wewiltakethebestofcareforyou,”shewrote.“Youshalbe‘KingToots,’—anythingyourheartdesires—(yes,evenredheadsandal).”Butshe,liketherestofthefamily,wasscared.Pete,livinginhisofficer’squartersinSanDiego,keptcalinghometoseeifnewshadcome.Theanswerwasalwaysno.
OnthemorningofSeptember
9,Petewasstartledawakebyahandonhisshoulder,shakinghimvigorously.Heopenedhiseyestoseeoneofhisfriendsbendingoverhimwithahugesmile.Trumbul’sstoryhadappearedintheLosAngelesTimes.Theheadlinesaidital:ZAMPERINICOMESBACKFROM
DEAD.
Inamoment,Petewasonhis
feet,throwingonhisclothes.Heboltedforatelephoneanddialedhisparents’number.Sylviapickedup.Peteaskedifshehadheardthenews.
“Didyouhearthenews?”sherepeatedbacktohim.“DidI!Wow!”Peteaskedtospeaktohismother,butshewastooovercometotalk.
LouiseandVirginiarushedtochurchtogivethanks,then
racedhometopreparethehouse.AsshestoodinLouie’sroom,dustinghisrunningtrophies,Louiseblinkedawaytears,singingout,“He’sonthewayhome.He’sonthewayhome.”
“Fromnowon,”shesaid,“September9isgoingtobeMother’sDaytome,becausethat’sthedayIlearnedforsuremyboywascominghometostay.”
“Whatdoyouthink,Pop?”someoneaskedLouie’sfather.
“ThoseJapscouldn’tbreakhim,”Anthonysaid.“Myboy’sprettytough,youknow.”
——
LiberationwasalongtimecomingforPhilandFredatRokuroshi.AftertheAugust
22announcementofthewar’send,thePOWssatthere,waitingforsomeonetocomegetthem.Theygotholdofaradio,andonittheyheardchatterfrommenliberatingothercamps,butnoonecameforthem.Theybegantowonderifanyoneknewtheywerethere.Itwasn’tuntilSeptember2thatB-29sfinalyflewoverRokuroshi,theirpaletshittingthericepaddieswith
suchforcethatthemenhadtodigthemout.ThePOWsatethemselvessily.Onemandownedtwentypoundsoffoodinasingleday,butsomehowdidn’tgetsick.
Thatafternoon,anAmericannavymandugthroughhisbelongingsandpuledouthismostsecretandpreciouspossession.ItwasanAmericanflagwitharemarkableprovenance.In
1941,justbeforeSingaporehadfalentotheJapanese,anAmericanmissionarywomanhadgivenittoaBritishPOW.
ThePOWhadbeenloadedaboardaship,whichhadsunk.Twodayslater,anotherBritishPOWhadrescuedtheflagfromwhereitlayunderwaterandslippedittotheAmericannavyman,whohadcarrieditthroughthe
entirewar,somehowhidingitfromtheJapanese,untilthisday.ThePOWspuleddowntheJapaneseflagandrantheStarsandStripesupthepoleoverRokuroshi.Themenstoodbeforeit,handsupinsalutes,tearsrunningdowntheirfaces.
OnSeptember9,Phil,Fred,andtheotherPOWswerefinalytruckedoffthemountain.Arrivingin
Yokohama,theyweregreetedwithpancakes,abandplaying“California,HereICome,”andageneralwhobrokedownwhenhesawthem.Themenwereescortedaboardashipforhotshowersandmorefood.OnSeptember11,theshipsetoffforhome.
WhennewsoftheTrumbulstoryreachedIndiana,KelseyPhilips’stelephonebeganringing,andfriendsand
reportersflockedontoherfrontporch.
RememberingtheWarDepartment’srequestthatshenotspeakpubliclyofherson’ssurvival,Kelseykeptasmilingsilence,awaitingofficialnotificationthatAlenhadbeenreleasedfromthePOWcamp.Itwasn’tuntilSeptember16thattheWarDepartmenttelegramannouncingAlen’sliberation
reachedher.Itwasfolowedbyaphonecalfromhersister,whodeliveredamessagefromAlenthathadpassedfrompersontopersonfromRokuroshitoYokohamatoSanFranciscotoNewJerseytoIndiana:Hewasfree.Alen’sfriendswentdowntownandboughtnewspapers,spreadthemoutonsomeone’slivingroomfloor,andspentthemorningreadingandcrying.
Asshecelebrated,KelseythoughtofwhatAlenhadwritteninalettertoher.“Iwouldgiveanythingtobehomewithalofyou,”thelettersaid,“butI’mlookingforwardtotheday—wheneveritcomes.”
“Thatday,”Kelseyrejoiced,“hascome.”
——
OnOkinawa,Louiewas
havingagrandtime,eating,drinking,andmakingmerry.Whenhewasgivenorderstoflyout,hebeggedadoctortoarrangeforhimtostayalittlelonger,onthegroundsthathedidn’twanthismothertoseehimsothin.ThedoctornotonlyagreedtohaveLouie“hospitalized,”hethrewhimawelcome-back-to-lifebash,completewithafive-galonbarrelof“bourbon”—alcoholmixedwithCokesyrup,distil
edwater,andwhateverelsewashandy.
Morethanaweekpassed,bombersleftwithloadsofPOWs,andstilLouiestayedonOkinawa.Thenursesthrewhimanotherparty,theersatzbourbonwentdowneasy,andtherewasamoonlitjeepridewithaprettygirl.Alongtheway,Louiediscoveredthatadelightfulupsidetobeingbelieveddead
wasthathecouldscaretheheloutofpeople.LearningthataformertrackrecruiterfromUSCwasontheisland,heaskedafriendtoteltherecruiterthathehadacolegerunningprospectwhocouldspinamileinjustoverfourminutes.Therecruitereagerlyaskedtomeettherunner.WhenLouieappeared,therecruiterfeloverbackwardinhischair.
OnSeptember17,atyphoonhitOkinawa.Louiewasinatentwhennaturecaled,sendinghimintothestormtofighthiswaytoanouthouse.Hewasontheseatwithhispantsdownwhenawindgustshottheouthouseoveranembankment,carryingLouieinit.Dumpedinthemudunderadownpour,Louiestoodup,hitcheduphispants,gotbroadsidedbyanothergust,andfelover.He
crawledthroughthemud,“lizardinghisway,”asheputit,upthehil.Hehadtobangonthehospitaldoorforawhilebeforesomeoneheardhim.
Thenextmorningdawnedtofindplanesflippedover,shipssunk,tentscolapsed.Louie,coveredineverythingthatasomersaultinsideanouthousewilslatheronaman,wasfinalywilingtoleave
Okinawa.Hegotanenlistedmantopourwateroverhisheadwhilehesoapedoff,thenwenttotheairfield.
Whenhesawtheplanethathewastoridein,hefeltaswelofnausea.ItwasaB-24.
Thefirstlegofthejourney,tothePhilippinecityofLaoag,wentwithoutincident.Onthesecondflight,toManila,theplanewassooverloadedwith
POWsthatitnearlycrashedjustaftertakeoff,dippingsolowthatseawatersprayedthePOWs’legsthroughgapsinthebombbayfloor.*ButthebombermadeittoManila,whereLouiegotpassageoutonatransportplane.Hesatinthecockpit,telingthepilothisstory,fromthecrashtoKwajaleintoJapan.
AsLouiespoke,thepilotdroppedtheplanedownover
anislandandlanded.ThepilotaskedLouieifhe’deverseenthisplacebefore.Louielookedaroundatacharredwasteland,recognizingnothing.
“ThisisKwajalein,”saidthepilot.
Thiscouldn’tbeKwajalein,Louiethought.Incaptivity,glimpsingtheislandthroughgapsinhisblindfold,orwhen
beinghustledtointerrogationandmedicalexperimentation,he’dseenavastswathofintensegreen.Now,hecouldn’tfindasingletree.Thefightforthisplacehadrippedthejungleofftheisland.Louiewouldlongwonderifkind-heartedKawamurahaddiedhere.
Someonetoldhimthattherewas,infact,onetreestilstanding.Theyborroweda
jeepanddroveovertoseeit.StaringatKwajalein’slasttree,withfoodinhisbely,noblindfoldoverhiseyes,noonetheretobeathim,Louiefeltasifhewereinthesweetestofdreams.
OnhewenttoHawaii.SeeingtheconditionofthePOWs,Americanauthoritieshaddecidedtohospitalizevirtualyalofthem.LouiewascheckedintoaHonolulu
hospital,wherehefoundhimselfroomingwithFredGarrett.ItwasthefirsttimethatLouiehadsleptonamattress,withsheets,sincethefirstdaysafterhiscapture.Hewasgivenanewuniformandcaptain’sbars,havingbeenpromotedduringhisimprisonment,asmostarmyPOWswere.Tryingonhisnewclothes,hepuledoffhisbelovedmuslinshirt,setitaside,andforgotaboutit.He
wentdowntown,thenrememberedtheshirtandreturnedtoretrieveit.Ithadbeenthrownaway.Hewasheartbroken.
LouieandFredhitthetown.Seeminglyeveryonetheymetwantedtotakethemsomewhere,feedthem,buythemdrinks.Onabeach,theymadeaspectacleofthemselveswhenFred,feelingemasculatedbythe
pityoverhismissingleg,flungawayhiscrutches,hoppedovertoLouie,andtackledhim.
Thewrestlingmatchdrewacrowdofoffendedonlookers,whothoughtthatanable-bodiedsoldierwasbeatingupahelplessamputee.SwingingaroundHawaii,gettingdrunk,knockingheadswithFred,Louieneverlefthimselfamomenttothinkofthewar.
“IjustthoughtIwasemptyandnowI’mbeingfiled,”
hesaidlater,“andIjustwantedtokeepbeingfiled.”
——
ThatOctober,TomWadewalkedoffatransportshipinVictoria,Canada.WithamultitudeofformerPOWs,hebeganatranscontinentalrailjourneythatbecamea
nonstopparty,includingeightimpromptuweddings.“Imusthavekissedathousandgirlscrossingthecontinent,”WadewrotetoLouie,“andwhenIwalkedthroughthetrainwithlipstickalovermyfaceafterthefirststation,Iwasthemostpopularofficeronthetrain.”InNewYork,hewastakenaboardtheQueenElizabethtosailforEngland.Hesnuckdownthegangway,neckedwithaRedCrossgirl,
andstolebackaboardtotingaboxofHersheybars.WhenhereachedEngland,hediscoveredthatthelocalwomenpreferredYankandCanadiansoldierstoBrits.“Idecidedtodosomethingaboutit,”hewrote.“Isewedacoupleofextrapatchesandoddmentsontomyuniform,nobodywasanywiser,andstormedthem.Ididalright.”
OnOctober16,RusselAlen
Philips,wearinghisdressuniformandcaptain’sbars,steppedoffatraininIndiana.He’dbeengoneforfouryears.Hismother,hissister,andathrongoffriendswerethere.Atelegramhadcomefromhisfather,whowassoontoreturnfromEurope:THANKTHELORDGREATDAY
HASARRIVED.WELCOMEHOMEMY
SON.There,too,wasthewomanwhoseimagehadsustainedhim.Cecywasinhisarmsatlast.
AtKelsey’shouseinPrinceton,theysatAlendownonthefrontsteps,andhegrinnedwhiletheysnappedhispicture.Whentheygottheprintback,someonewroteonewordonit:Home!
Fourweekslater,inaweddingceremonyofficiatedbyReverendPhilipsatCecy’sparents’house,theherofinalygotthegirl.Alenhadnocar,soheborrowedonefromafriend.Then,ashehadpromisedinalettersolongago,heranawaywithCecytoaplacewherenoonewouldfindthem.
RusselAlenPhilipsarrivesathismother’shouse.Onthe
backofthisphoto,someonewrote,“Home!”CourtesyofKarenLoomis
——
PetewassoanxioustoseeLouiethathecouldhardlybearit.Thefightinghadendedinmid-August,itwasnowOctober,andstilLouiewashospital-hoppingfarfromhome.ThenPetelearnedthatLouiewasfinalystateside,transferredfromHawaiitoSanFrancisco’sLettermanGeneralHospital.Assoonashegotthenews,PetewentAWOL.HebummedaridetoSan
Franciscoonanavyplane,hitchedhiswaytoLetterman,andwalkedin.Atthefrontdesk,hecaledLouie’sroom.Aminutelater,Louieboundedintothelobby.
Eachfeltstartledbythesightoftheother.PetehadexpectedLouietobeemaciatedandwassurprisedtofindhimlookingalmostportly.Louiewasdisturbedtoseehowtheyearsofworry
haddepletedhisbrother.Petewasgaunt,andhe’dgonelargelybald.Thebrothersfeltogether,eyesshining.
PeteandLouiespentseveraldaystogetherinSanFranciscowhiledoctorsfinalycuredLouieofhisdysentery.AfterreadingtheTrumbularticle,PetehadworriedthatLouiemightbeseverelytraumatized,butasthetwolaughedandkidded
eachother,hisfearsfaded.Louiewasasupbeatandgarrulousasever.Once,whenagroupofreportersshuffledintointerviewLouie,theycrowdedaroundPete,assumingthatofthetwomen,thishaggardonehadtobethePOW.
OnadrizzlingOctoberday,thearmysentabanged-upB-25toSanFranciscotobringLouiehome.Pete,stil
AWOL,wentaboardwithhisbrother.Theplaneliftedoffandroseoverthecloudsintoashiningbluemorning.Scaredtodeathofflying,Petetriedtodistracthimselffromtheplane’srattlesandgroansbystaringoutoveracarpetofbrightclouds,theupsideoftherainstorm.Hefeltasifhecouldstepfromtheplaneandwalkonthem.
OverLongBeach,theysank
backintotherainandlanded.There,burstingfromarmycars,weretheirmotherandfather,andSylviaandVirginia.Themomenttheplanestopped,Louiejumpeddown,rantohissobbingmother,andfoldedhimselfaroundher.
“Caramammamia,”hewhispered.Itwasalongtimebeforetheyletgo.
Louie’shomecoming,LongBeachAirport.Foreground,lefttoright:Virginia,Sylvia,Louise,andLouie.CourtesyofLouisZamperini
*OnePOW’sworstnightmarecametrue.Uponliberation,hewastoldbyareporterthathiswife,believinghimdead,hadjustmarriedhisuncle.
Whenshelearnedthather
firsthusbandwasalive,thewomanimmediatelyhadhernewmarriageannuledandgottheAssociatedPresstodeliveramessagetoherlosthusband:“Iloveonlyyou,Gene.Pleaseforgiveme.”
*Louiewasluckierthanheknew.Anothertransportcrashedontakeoff,inpartbecauseseveralDutchPOWshadoverloadedtheplanebypackingaboardalargecache
ofGIshoesthattheyintendedtoselbackhome.Everyoneontheplanedied.AnotherPOWtransportwaslostovertheocean.
Thirty-four
TheShimmeringGirl
ONANOCTOBERAFTERNOON,LOUIESTEPPEDOUTOFANarmycarandstoodonthelawnat2028GramercyAvenue,lookingathisparents’houseforthefirsttimeinmorethanthreeyears.
“This,thislittlehome,”hesaid,“wasworthalofit.”
Ashisparentsandsiblingsfiledintothehouse,Louiepaused,overcomebyastrangeuneasiness.Hehadtopushhimselftowalkupthesteps.
Thehousewasdoneuptoptobottomforhishomecoming.Thesurfaceofthediningroomtablewasatrafficjam
ofheapingdishes.Threeyears’worthofChristmasandbirthdaypresentssatreadyforopening.TherewasacakewithWelcomeHomeLouieinscribedintheicing.InthegaragesatLouie’sbeigePlymouthconvertible,justashehadleftit.
ThefamilyringedaroundLouie,babbling,eagertolookathimandtouchhim.AnthonyandLouisesmiled,
buttherewasacasttotheireyes,atensionthathadneverbeentherebefore.WhatLouiedidn’tseewastherashonhismother’shands.AssoonasLouisehadlearnedthathersonwascominghome,therashhadvanished.Nothing,notevenascar,remained.ShewouldnevertelLouieaboutit.
Afterdessert,thefamilysatandtalked.Theyspoke
easily,astheyalwayshad.Nooneaskedaboutprisoncamp.Louievolunteeredalittleaboutit,andtoeveryone’srelief,itseemedtocarrylittleemotionforhim.Itseemedthathewasgoingtobejustfine.
SylviahadasurpriseforLouie.LynnMoody,thewomanwhohadtranscribedLouie’sbroadcast,hadarrangedforarecordingofit
tobesenttotheZamperinis.Thefamilytreasuredtherecord,whichhadgiventhemproofthathewasalive.Knowingnothingofthecircumstancesinwhichthebroadcasthadbeenmade,SylviawaseagertoshareitwithLouie.Ashesatnearby,relaxedandcheerful,shedroppedtherecordontheturntable.Thebroadcastbegantoplay.
Louiewassuddenlyscreaming.Sylviaturnedandfoundhimshakingviolently,shouting,“Takeitoff!Takeitoff!Ican’tstandit!”AsSylviajumpedup,Louiesworeatthevoice,yelingsomethingaboutpropagandaprisoners.Sylviasnatcheduptherecord,andLouieyeledathertobreakit.Shesmasheditandthrewitaway.
Louiefelsilent,shivering.
Hisfamilystaredathiminhorror.
Louiewalkedupstairsandlaydownonhisoldbed.Whenhefinalydriftedoff,theBirdfolowedhimintohisdreams.
——
Thesamemanwasonmanyothermindsthatfal.OnshipsdockedatYokohama,intentsinManila,andinstateside
hospitals,formerPOWsweretelingtheirstories.Investigators,gatheringaffidavitsonwarcriminals,satbyasmentoldofabusesandatrocitiesthatpushedtheboundsofbelievability.Asthestorieswerecorroboratedagainandagain,itbecameclearthattheseeventshadbeencommonplaceincampsthroughoutJapan’sempire.Ininterviewafterinterview,formerPOWsmentionedthe
samename:MutsuhiroWatanabe.WhenWadewrotethatnameonhisstatement,hisinterviewerexclaimed,
“NotthesameWatanabe!We’vegotenoughtohanghimsixtimesalready.”
“Sitbackandtakeiteasy,”Wadereplied.“There’slotsmoretocome.”
OnSeptember11,General
MacArthur,nowthesupremecommanderofAliedpowersinoccupiedJapan,orderedthearrestoffortywar-crimessuspects.Whilethousandsofmenwouldbesoughtlater,thispreliminarylistwascomposedofthoseaccusedoftheworstcrimes,includinglist-topperHidekiTojo,mastermindofPearlHarborandthemanonwhoseordersPOWshadbeenenslavedandstarved,andMasahuru
Homma,whowasresponsiblefortheBataanDeathMarch.*OnthelistwiththemwasMutsuhiroWatanabe.
——
TheBirdhadleftNaoetsuinapanic,andwithoutaplan.AccordingtoWatanabefamilyaccounts,hefledtothevilageofKusakabe,wherehismotherandotherrelativeswereliving.Abouta
weekandahalfafterMutsuhiro’sarrival,hisauntfoundhimoutdrinkingandtoldhimthatshe’djustheardaradiobroadcastnaminghimasawar-crimessuspect.Mutsuhirodecidedtomakearunforit.Heapparentlytoldhismotherthathewasleavingtovisitafriend’stomb,thentookhislittlesisterasideandtoldherthathehadtoescape,butaskedhernottotelhismother.As
Mutsuhirowaspreparingtogo,hislittlesistergavehimadeckofplayingcards,tobeusedforfortune-teling.
Wearinghisuniformwiththeinsigniatornoff,Mutsuhiropackedatrunkwithfoodandclothingandluggedittoacar.Hedrovetotherailstationandwalkedontothefirsttrainhesaw,withoutcheckingitsdestination.Hehopeditwouldtakehimto
someplacedistantandobscure,butthetrainreacheditsterminusonlytwotownsdowntheline,atthemetropolisofKofu.Hegotoff,wanderedthestation,thenlaydownandslept.
Inthemorning,hemeanderedaroundKofu.Somewhereinthecity,hepassedaradioandheardhisnamelistedamongthosewantedforwarcrimes.
Tolearnthathewasbeingsoughtwasnosurprise,buthewasshockedtohearhisnamelistedalongsidethatofTojo.IfhiscasewasconsideredcomparabletothatofTojo,hethought,arrestwouldmeanexecution.
Atalcosts,hevowed,hewouldn’tlethimselffalintothehandsoftheAmericans.Heresolvedtodisappearforever.
——
AsMutsuhirofled,thehuntforhimbegan.Thoughtheywerenowoperatingundertheordersoftheirformerenemies,theJapanesepoliceworkedswiftlyandenergeticalytoroundupwar-crimessuspects.TheWatanabecasewasnoexception.AfterfindingnothingatMutsuhiro’slastknownaddress,police
appearedathismother’sdoorinKusakabe.ShizukaWatanabetoldthemthathersonhadbeenthere,buthadleft.Theyhadmissedhimbythreedays.
ShizukasuggestedthathemightseekrefugewithhissisterMichiko,wholivedinTokyo.She’dsoonbevisitingMichiko,shesaid,andifshefoundMutsuhirothere,she’durgehimtoturnhimselfin.
Thepoliceseizedonthelead.ShizukagavethemanaddressforMichiko,andtheyconvergedonit.NotonlywastherenoMichikothere,therewasnohouse.Everyhomeintheneighborhoodhadburnedlongago,inthefirebombing.
Shizukawasnowthefocusofsuspicion.OnherregularvisitstoTokyo,shealwaysstayedwithMichiko,andgiventhatshewasscheduled
todosothatveryweek,shesurelyknewthatherdaughter’shomehadburneddown.Shizuka’smisdirectionofthedetectivesmayhavebeenanhonestmistake
—Michikohadmovedtoahomedownthesameroad,sotheonlychangeintheaddresswasthedoornumber—butthepolicebegantosuspectthatsheknewwherehersonwas.OnSeptember24,the
policearrestedher.Ifsheknewanything,sheletnothingslip.Shewasreleased.
Thepolicewerealongwayfromgivingup.TwodetectivesbegantailingShizukaandoftencameintoherhometoquestionher.Hermonetarytransactionsweretracked,andherlandlordwasregularlyquestioned.Mutsuhiro’sotherrelatives
wereinvestigated,questioned,andsometimessearched.Policeinterceptedalofthefamily’sincomingandoutgoingmail.Theyevenhadastrangerdeliverafakeletter,apparentlymakingitappeartobefromMutsuhiro,inhopesofgettingthefamilytobetrayhiswhereabouts.
Wideningthehunt,thepoliceinvestigatedMutsuhiro’sformerarmyroommates.The
homeofhisOmoricommanderwassearchedandputundersurveilance.Mutsuhiro’sphotographwasdistributedthroughoutpoliceranksintheTokyometropolitanareaandfourprefectures.EverypolicestationinNaganoPrefecture,whereaWatanabefamilyminewaslocated,conductedspecialsearches.DetectiveswentthroughMutsuhiro’sacademicrecordsand
searchedforhisteachersandclassmates,goingbacktohischildhood.TheyevengotholdofaloveletterfromagirlwhohadaskedMutsuhiroifhe’dmarryher.
Theyfoundonlytwoleads.AformersoldiertoldthemthatMutsuhirohadspokenofhisintentiontofleetoFukuokaPrefecturetobeafarmer.ThesoldierthoughtthatMutsuhirowouldhidewitha
friendnamedYo.PolicefoundYo,questionedandinvestigatedhim,andquestionedpeopleinhisneighborhood.Itwasadeadlead.Meanwhile,adetectiveatMitsushimafoundamanwho’dseenMutsuhiroinAugust.ThemansaidthatMutsuhirohadleft,claimingtobeheadedforTokyo,atthewar’send.ButMutsuhirohadgonetoKusakabe;therewasnoevidencethathe’dgoneto
Tokyo.Hemayhaveseededhisacquaintanceswithfalseinformationtomisdirecthispursuers.
Therewasoneotherpossibleclue.ThemanatMitsushimamentionedsomethinghehadoverheardMutsuhirosay:Hewouldratherkilhimselfthanbecaptured.Itseemednoidlethreat;thatfal,duringaroundupofsuspectedwarcriminals,therewasawave
ofsuicidesamongthosesought.PerhapstheBirdwasalreadydead.
WhileinvestigatorscombedJapanforMutsuhiro,prosecutorswereinundatedwithsome250POWaffidavitsconcerninghisactionsincamps.Thesewouldbedistiledintoan84-countindictment.Evenwitheachcountstatedwithmaximumbrevity,insingle
spacing,theindictmentstretchedovereightfeetofpaper.ItwouldreflectonlyatinyfractionofthecrimesthatPOWssaidWatanabehadcommitted;Louie’saccusationsofmyriadattackswouldmakeuponlyonecount.InvestigatorsbelievedthattheyhadfarmoreevidencethantheyneededtohaveWatanabeconvictedandputtodeath.Butnothingcouldgoforward.TheBird
wasstilatlarge.
——
Ashistormenterdisappearedintodarkness,Louiewaspuledintoblindinglight.WithhisOdysseansagafeaturedinnewspapers,magazines,andradioshows,hewasanationalsensation.Twothousandpeoplewrotehimletters.Pressphotographerstailedhim.Hisattemptsto
sleepwereinvariablyinterruptedbyaringingphone.Strangersteemedaroundhim,pushingfornewsonwhathe’ddonext.Everyonewantedhimtotelhisstory.TheWarDepartmentbookedhimonaspeakingtour,andhewasinundatedwithspeakinginvitationsthatusualycamewithanaward,makingthemimpossibletodecline.Inhisfirstweekshome,staying
withhisparents,hegaveninety-fivespeechesandmadecountlessradioappearances.Whenhewenttodinnerclubs,themanagersbeggedhimtoregaletheguests.ForLouie,aloftheattentionwasdrenching,agreatnoise,overpowering.
WhenPaytonJordanfirstsawLouieagain,hewasreassuredbyhisoldfriend’sfamiliarimpishgrinandthespringy
cadenceofhisspeech.ButwhenLouiespokeofthewar,Jordansensedsomethingrustlingjustbehindhiseyes,aclamoringemotionpentupinasmalspace.Hespokenotwithangeroranguishbutwithbewilderment.Sometimeshe’dpauseanddriftoff,atroubledexpressiononhisface.“Itwaslikehegothitrealhard,”Jordanrecaled,
“andhewastryingtoshakeitoff.”
LouiewasstrugglingmorethanJordanoranyoneelseknew.Hewasbeginningtosufferboutsofsuffocatinganxiety.Eachtimehewasaskedtostandbeforeacrowdandshapewordsaroundhisprivatehorror,hisgutwouldwring.Everynight,inhisdreams,anapparitionwouldforminhisheadandburn
there.ItwasthefaceoftheBird,screaming,“Next!Next!Next!”
Veryearlyonemorning,Louietiptoedfromhisroomwithouttelinganyonewherehewasgoing,slidintohisPlymouth,puthisfootonthegas,anddidn’tstopuntilhewashighinthemountains.Hespentthedaywalkingamongthetrees,thinkingofhisdeadfriendsandhisown
survival,drawingfromthewildernessthepeacethatithadgivenhimsincehisboyhoodsummerontheCahuilareservation.Themomenthenosedthecarbackinthedriveway,thewhirlingbeganagain.
Shortlyafterreturninghome,LouiefoundhimselfsittingintheaudienceatagalaheldbytheLosAngelesTimes,whichwasgivinghiman
award.
Louieforkedthroughhisdinner,waitingforhisnametobeannounced,apprehensiveoverhavingtorelivehisordealbeforealthesepeople.Drinksweresetbeforehim,andhesippedthemandfelthisnervesunwinding.Bythetimeherosetospeak,hewasinahaze,andherambledonformuchtoolong.
Whenhegotbacktohisseat,hefeltrelieved.Thealcoholhadbroughthimapleasantnumbness.
Onedaynotlongafter,ashesatatbreakfastandfrettedovertheprospectofanotherspeech,hebrokeoutabottleofCanadianClubwhiskeyandpouredashotintohiscoffee.Thatgavehimawarmfeeling,sohehadanothershot.Itcouldn’thurttohavea
third.Thewhiskeyfloatedhimthroughthatspeech,too,andsobeganaroutine.Aflaskbecamehisconstantcompanion,makingfurtiveappearancesinparkinglotsandcorridorsoutsidespeakinghals.WhentheharshpushofmemoryranthroughLouie,reachingforhisflaskbecameaseasyasslappingaswatteronafly.
——
OneafternooninthemiddleofMarch1946,LouiewasatabarattheDeauvileClubinMiamiBeach,chattingupastewardess.Hehadjustcompletedthelatestofmanysurrealliberationexperiences,travelingtoNewYorktofirethestartinggunforMadisonSquareGarden’sZamperiniInvitationalMile,theraceconceivedtohonorhimwhenalmosteveryonethoughthewasdead.Aftertherace,he’d
cometoMiamiBeachforthetwoweeksofR&R
awardedtoreturningservicemen.AUSCclassmate,HarryRead,hadaccompaniedhim.
Acrosstheroom,adooropened.Louieglancedup.Flittingintotheclubwasanarrestinglybeautifulyoungwoman,herhairatumbleofblondness,herbodyasquick
andgracileasadeer’s.Thosewhoknewherspokeofashimmerabouther,anincandescence.Louiedrankinonelonglookand,helatertoldSylvia,hadtheastoundingthoughtthathehadtomarrythisgirl.
Thenextday,LouieandHarryreturnedtotheclub,vaultedthefencesurroundingitsprivatebeach,andspreadtheirtowelsnearapairof
sunbathingwomen.Whenoneofthewomenturned,Louiesawthatitwasthebeautyfromthebar.Hewashesitanttospeaktoher,afraidthathe’dcomeoffasawolf,butHarrychargedrightin,regalingthewomenwithLouie’shistory.WhenHarrymentionedthe1938NCAAChampionships,whenrivalrunnershadspikedLouie’slegs,theprettywomanstoppedhim.Shesaidthat
whenshewastwelve,hermotherhadtakenhertoatheatertoseeErrolFlynninRobinHood,andthereshe’dwatchedanewsreelshowingtheNCAAmilewinnerandhisbandagedlegs.Thesighthadstuckinhermind.
HernamewasCynthiaApplewhite,andshewasafewweekspasthertwentiethbirthday.Louiespokewithherforawhile,andthetwo
discoveredthattheyhadgeographyincommon;asachild,shehadlivednearTorrance.Sheseemedtolikehim,andhethoughtherbrightandlivelyandsobeautiful.
Whentheyparted,Louiegrumbledsomethingabouthowsheprobablywouldn’twanttoseehimagain.“Maybe,”shesaidplayfuly,“Iwanttoseeyouagain.”
Louiewasn’tthefirstguytobefeledbyCynthia.Denseforestsofmenhadgonedownatthesightofher.Shewasdatingtwoguysatonce,bothnamedMac,andeachMacwastryingtooutlasttheother.SincetheMacshadCynthiabookedforeveryevening,Louieaskedherforadaytimedate,togofishing.Showingupinbluejeansroleduptotheknee,shetookupafishingpole,smiledgaily
forphotographs,andbravedseasicknesswithcheer.
WhenLouieaskedifhecouldtakeheroutagain,shesaidyes.
CynthiaApplewhite,onthedayafterLouiemether.CourtesyofLouisZamperini
Theyseemedanunlikelypair.Cynthiawaswealthyandpedigreed;she’dbeeneducatedinprivateschools,thenanelitefinishingacademy.Butforalofherpolishing,shewasnotabuttoned-upgirl.Afriendwouldrememberheras“different”—passionateand
impulsive.Atthirteen,whenherfamilylivedinNewYorkState,shedevelopedsuchafeverforLaurenceOlivierthat,unbeknownsttoherparents,shehoppedatraintoManhattantoseehiminWutheringHeights.Atsixteen,shewasdrinkinggin.Shedressedinbohemianclothes,pennednovels,painted,andyearnedtoroamforgottencornersoftheworld.Shewashabitualy
defiantandfearless,andwhenshefeltcontroled,assheoftendid,shecouldbeirresistiblywilful.Mostly,shewasboredsilybythevanilasortofboyswhotrailedheraround,andbythestodgysetinMiamiBeach.
AlongcameLouie.Herewassomeoneexotic,someonewhoansweredheryearningforadventure,understoodherfiercelyindependent
personality,andwasfromnowherenearMiamiBeach.Shewasimpressedwiththisolderman,introducinghimwithhisfulname,asifhewereadignitary.Ononeoftheirfirstdates,heracedherthroughhishotel,snatchinguptoiletpaperrolsandstreamingthemdownthesideofthebuilding,earningthehotelmanager’swrathandCynthia’sexhilaration.ShegaveuptheMacs,andshe
andLouiesweptaroundMiami.
AttheendofMarch,justbeforehewastoleaveforhisspeakingtour,LouieledCynthiaontoabeachandconfessedthathewasinlovewithher.
Cynthiarepliedthatshethoughtshelovedhimbutwasn’tsure.Louiewasundiscouraged.Beforetheir
walkwasdone,hehadtalkedherintomarryinghim.Theyhadknowneachotherforlessthantwoweeks.
AfterLouieleft,Cynthiabrokethenewstoherparents.TheApplewhiteswerealarmedthattheirdaughterwasflingingherselfintomarriagewithatwenty-nine-year-oldsoldierwhomshe’dknownforjustdays.Cynthiacouldn’tbeswayed,soMrs.
ApplewhiterefusedtogivehermoneytoflytoCaliforniatogetmarried.Cynthiavowedtogetthemoneysomehow,eitherbyborrowingitor,indefianceofhermother,gettingajob.
LouiewrotetoCynthiaalmosteveryday,andeverymorningatten-thirty,hesatwaitingforthemailmantobringhimapinkenvelopefromCynthia.
Thoughtheletterswereadoringonbothsides,theyrevealhowlittlethetwoknewabouteachother.CynthiahadnoideathatLouiewaslosinghisemotionalequilibrium.FromHarry,sheknewalittleabouthistimeasaPOW,butLouiehadsaidalmostnothing.Inhisletters,theclosesthecametoaddressingitwastojokethathehopedthatshe’dgoeasyonriceandbarleyin
hercooking.Ononeoftheirdates,Louiehadgottenverydrunk,buthehadapologizedandcurbedhimselffromthenon.Louie’sdrinkingmayhavestruckCynthiaasharmless,butitwasinfactagrowingproblem.Incriticalways,shewasengagedtoastranger.
Louieseemedtobeawarethatinmarryingher,hewasaskingmoreofherthanshe
knew,andhefrequentlywarnedherofhowmuchshewastakingon.Stil,hewantedaweddingassoonaspossible.“WehavegottosetadateearlyinJune,”hewroteinmid-April,“orI’ljustgoplaincrazy.”Soonafter,hewrotethattheyhadtomarryinMay.Shetoldhimthatshe’dhelphimforgethispast,andhegraspedherpromiseasalifeline.“Ifyouloveme
enough,”
hewroteback,“I’lhavetoforgetit.Howmuchcanyoulove?”
——
AsCynthiaworkedonherparents,Louiewentintoweddingoverdrive.Hetrackeddownreceptionsites,invitations,acaterer,andajeweler.HefoundtheChurch
ofOurSavior,whichCynthiahadattendedasachild.HeboughtausedChevyconvertibleandoverhauledittoimpressCynthia.Tryingtomakeanewmanofhimself,hequitdrinkingandsmoking.Hetookterminalleavefromtheairforce,meaningthatheformalyendedactivedutybutwouldstilwearhisuniformanddrawpayuntilhisaccumulatedleaveranoutinAugust,atwhichpoint
he’dbecomeacaptainintheAirForceReserve.Hebeganalow-payingjobattheWarnerBrothersstudios,teachingactorshowtoridehorses.
Whathedidn’thavewasaproperplacetolive.BecauseLosAngeleswasteemingwithrepatriatedsoldiers,inexpensivehousingwasalbutimpossibletofind,soLouiewasstillivingwithhis
parents.Cynthiawroteofhowbadlyshewantedahomeofherown,butLouie,insomedistress,wrotebacktoexplainthathedidn’thavethemoney.ThebesthecoulddowastomoveintothehousethatHarryReadsharedwithhismotherandpromiseCynthiathathe’ddowhateverhecouldtoearnenoughmoneyforahome.HeboughtanairmattressforCynthia;he’dsleeponthe
floor.AfterPOW
camp,hesaid,hedidn’tmindsleepingonfloors.
TheApplewhites’oppositiontothemarriage,thepressuretomakeagoodlifeforCynthia,andhisblackmemoriesleftLouietautwithstress.Hehadlittleappetite.Hewasemergingfromyearsinwhichtheonlyconstantswereviolenceandloss,and
hislettersshowhowmuchhefearedsomethingterriblebefalingCynthia.Heclungtothethoughtofherasif,atanymoment,shemightbetornfromhishands.
Hewasespecialyworriedaboutherparents’viewsofhim.Hefeltcertainthattheyobjectedtohimpersonaly,findinghisItalianethnicityandmiddle-classoriginsrepelent.Hewroteearnestletters
toherfather,tryingtowinhimover.WhenhekeptseeingthesamecarparkedbytheReads’house,hebecameconvincedthatitwasadetectivehiredbyCynthia’sfather.AccordingtoCynthia’sbrother,Ric,hisparentshadnoobjectiontoLouie,onlytoahastymarriage.Asforthespying,Ricsaid,suchanactwouldbeunlikehiseasygoingfather,andwouldhavemade
nosense,asMr.ApplewhitelikedLouie.Rightorwrong,Louie’ssuspicionsilustratedhowsensitivehewastotheideathathewasunworthyofCynthia.Perhapsitwasn’ttheApplewhiteshewastryingtoconvince.
SixmonthsafterreturningfromJapan,Louiebegantofeelafamiliarpul.IthadjustbeenannouncedthatthesummerOlympicGames,
whichhadn’tbeenheldsince1936,weresettoreturn.They’dbeheldinLondoninJuly1948.Louie’sbadlegfeltpassablysound,andhefinalyfelthealthy.Hebegantestinghimselfwithlonghikes,borrowingadogforcompany.Thelegfeltsturdy,thebodystrong.Julyof’48wasmorethantwoyearsaway.Louiebegantraining.
——
InMay,Cynthiaandherparentsmadeadeal.CynthiacouldvisitLouie,ontheconditionthattheynotmarryuntilthefal,inaceremonyattheApplewhitemansion.Cynthiathrewherclothesintoasuitcaseandwenttotheairport.Assheleft,herbrotherRicfeltapangofworry.Hewasafraidthathisyoungsister,dashingofftobewithamanshehardlyknew,mightbemakingan
enormousmistake.
AtBurbankAirportonMay17,aplanestoppedonthetarmac,thestairwayunfolded,andLouieboundedupthestepstoembraceCynthia,thensquiredherhometomeethisfamily.TheZamperinisfelforher,justasLouiehad.
Drivingawayafterthevisit,LouiesensedthatCynthia
wasdrawingbackward.Maybeduringthevisittherehadbeenawordoralookthathintedatalshedidn’tknow,ormaybeimpulsivedecisionsmadeinthefogoflovesicknesswerebecomingreal.Whateveritwas,Louiethoughthewaslosingher.Helosthistemperandabruptlysaidthatmaybetheyshouldcalofftheengagement.Cynthiapanicked,andtheyargued,overwrought.When
theycalmeddown,theymadeadecision.
OnSaturday,May25,thesamedaythatthepapersquotedLouieassayinghe’dmarryCynthiaatthesummer’send,LouieandCynthiadrovetotheChurchofOurSavior,wheretheZamperiniswerewaiting.Heworehisdressuniform;sheworeasimpleoff-whitesuit.OneofLouie’scolege
buddieswalkedCynthiadowntheaisle,andLouieandCynthiasaidtheirvows.Therehadbeennotimetobakeaweddingcake,soPete’sbirthdaycake,madebySylviathedaybefore,diddoubleduty.
SuspectingthatLouie’sfriendswouldpulweddingnightpranks,thenewlywedsstoleofftoanobscurehotel,andCynthiacaledhome.Her
announcementpromptedanexplosion.Cynthiahungonthephonealevening,crying,whilehermother,who’dgonetogreatefforttoplanafalwedding,bawledherout.Louiesatby,listeningashisbridewasexcoriatedformarryinghim,tryinginvaintogethertohangup.Eventualyhepickedupabottleofchampagne,poppeditopen,drankitdry,andwenttosleepbyhimself.
*Tojowasfoundinhishomethatday,sittinginachair,bloodgushingfromaself-inflictedbuletwoundinhischest.Whispering“Banzai!”andsayinghe’dratherdiethanfacetrial,TojowasgivenapintofAmericanbloodplasma,thentakentoahospital.Whenherecovered,hewashousedatOmori,sleepinginBobMartindale’sbunk.Hecomplainedaboutliceandbedbugs.Hewas
tried,sentencedtodeath,and,in1948,hanged.Heand1,068otherconvictedwarcriminalswerelaterhonoredinTokyo’sYasukuniShrine,memorializingJapanesewhodiedintheserviceoftheemperor.
Thirty-five
ComingUndone
FROMACROSSTHE
ROOM,THEYLOOKEDLIKETHREEordinarymen.Itwasaneveninginthelatterhalfof1946,andLouiesatatatableintheFlorentineGardens,adinnerclubinHolywood,withCynthianestlednearhim.PhilandCecyhadcomefromIndianaforavisit,andFredGarretthadmotoredacrosstowntojointhemfordinner.PhilandLouieweregrinningateachother.Thelasttimethey’dbeentogether
wasMarchof’44,whenPhilwasbeingshippedoutofOfunaandneithermanknewifhe’dlivetoseetheotheragain.
Themensmiledandtalked.Fred,whowassoontobecomeanairtrafficcontroler,hadanewprostheticleg.Inafestivemood,hebumpedouttothedancefloortoshowtheroomthathecouldstilcutarug.PhilandCecywere
abouttomovetoNewMexico,wherePhilwouldopenaplasticsbusiness.
LouieandCynthiawereglowingfromtheirhoneymoon,spentsharingasleepingbaginLouie’sbelovedmountains,whereCynthia,foralherfinishingschools,hadprovengameforgettingdirty.Louiewasrunningagain,fulofbigplans,asgarrulousandbreezy
ashe’dbeenbeforethewar.Asthemenleanedtogetherforphotographs,althattheyhadbeenthroughseemedforgotten.
Sometimeamidthelaughingandconversation,awaitersetaplateinfrontofFred.Onit,besidetheentrée,wasaservingofwhiterice.Thatwasalittook.Fredwassuddenlyraving,furious,hysterical,beratingthewaiter
andshoutingwithsuchforcethathisfaceturnedpurple.Louietriedtocalmhim,butFredwasbeyondconsolation.Hehadcomecompletelyundone.
ThewaiterhurriedthericeawayandFredpuledhimselftogether,butthespelwasbroken.Forthesemen,nothingwasevergoingtobethesame.
——
AttheendofWorldWarI,thousandsofformerprisonersoftheJapanese,knownasPacificPOWs,begantheirpostwarlives.Physicaly,almosteveryoneofthemwasravaged.TheaveragearmyorarmyairforcesPacificPOWhadlostsixty-onepoundsincaptivity,aremarkablestatisticgiventhatroughlythree-quartersofthemenhad
weighedjust159poundsorlessuponenlistment.Tuberculosis,malaria,dysentery,malnutrition,anemia,eyeailments,andfesteringwoundswerewidespread.Atonechainofhospitals,doctorsfoundahistoryofwetberiberiin77percentofPOWsanddryberiberiinhalf.AmongCanadianPOWs,84percenthadneurologicdamage.Respiratorydiseases,from
infectionsandexposuretounbreathableairinfactoriesandmines,wererampant.Menhadbeencrippledanddisfiguredbyunsetbrokenbones,andtheirteethhadbeenruinedbybeatingsandyearsofchewinggritintheirfood.Othershadgoneblindfrommalnutrition.Scoresofmenweresoilthattheyhadtobecarriedfromcamps,anditwascommonformentoremainhospitalizedformany
monthsafterrepatriation.Somecouldn’tbesaved.
Thephysicalinjurieswerelasting,debilitating,andsometimesdeadly.A1954studyfoundthatinthefirsttwopostwaryears,formerPacificPOWsdiedatalmostfourtimestheexpectedrateformenoftheirage,andcontinuedtodieatunusualyhighratesformanyyears.Thehealthrepercussions
oftenlastedfordecades;afolow-upstudyfoundthattwenty-twoyearsafterthewar,formerPacificPOWshadhospitalizationratesbetweentwoandeighttimeshigherthanformerEuropeanPOWsforahostofdiseases.
Asbadaswerethephysicalconsequencesofcaptivity,theemotionalinjuriesweremuchmoreinsidious,widespread,andenduring.Inthefirstsix
postwaryears,oneofthemostcommondiagnosesgiventohospitalizedformerPacificPOWswaspsychoneurosis.Nearlyfortyyearsafterthewar,morethan85percentofformerPacificPOWsinonestudysufferedfrompost-traumaticstressdisorder(PTSD),characterizedinpartbyflashbacks,anxiety,andnightmares.Andina1987study,eightintenformer
PacificPOWshad“psychiatricimpairment,”sixintenhadanxietydisorders,morethanoneinfourhadPTSD,andnearlyoneinfivewasdepressed.Forsome,therewasonlyonewayout:a1970studyreportedthatformerPacificPOWscommittedsuicide30percentmoreoftenthancontrols.
Alofthisilness,physicalandemotional,tookashocking
tol.Veteranswereawardedcompensationbasedontheirlevelofdisability,rangingfrom10
percentto100percent.AsofJanuary1953,one-thirdofformerPacificPOWswerecategorizedas50to100percentdisabled,nearlyeightyearsafterthewar’send.
——
Thesestatisticstranslatedintotormented,andsometimesruined,lives.Flashbacks,inwhichmenreexperiencedtheirtraumasandwereunabletodistinguishtheilusionfromreality,werecommon.Intensenightmareswerealmostubiquitous.Menwalkedintheirsleep,actingoutprisoncampordeals,andwokescreaming,sobbing,orlashingout.Somesleptontheirfloorsbecausethey
couldn’tsleeponmattresses,duckedinterrorwhenairlinersflewover,orhoardedfood.OnemanhadarecurrenthalucinationofseeinghisdeadPOWfriendswalkingpast.Anotherwasunabletorememberthewar.
MiltonMcMulencouldn’tstopusingJapaneseterms,ahabitthathadbeenpoundedintohim.Dr.AlfredWeinstein,whohadinfected
theBirdwithdysenteryatMitsushima,wasdoggedbyurgestoscavengeingarbagecans.*Hugenumbersofmenescapedbydrinking.InonestudyofformerPacificPOWs,morethanaquarterhadbeendiagnosedwithalcoholism.
Raymond“Hap”HaloranwasanavigatorwhoparachutedintoTokyoafterhisB-29wasshotdown.
Onceontheground,Haloranwasbeatenbyamobofcivilians,thencapturedbyJapaneseauthorities,whotorturedhim,lockedhiminapigcage,andheldhiminaburninghorsestalduringthefirebombings.TheystrippedhimnakedandputhimondisplayatTokyo’sUenoZoo,tieduprightinanemptytigercagesocivilianscouldgawkathisfilthy,sore-encrustedbody.Hewasstarvedso
severelythathelostonehundredpounds.
Afterliberationandeightmonthsinahospital,HaloranwenthometoCincinnati.“Iwasnotthesame19-year-oldRaymondwhosemotherkissedhimgoodbyethatfalmorningin1942,”hewrote.Hewasintenselynervousandwaryofanythingapproachinghimfrombehind.Hecouldn’tsleepwithhisarmscovered,
fearingthathe’dneedtofightoffattackers.Hehadhorrificnightmares,andwouldwakerunninginhisyard,shoutingforhelp.Heavoidedhotelsbecausehisscreamingupsetotherguests.Morethansixtyyearsafterthewar,hewasstilplaguedby“poorinventorycontrol,”keepingeightpilowsandsixclocksinhisbedroom,buyingfarmoreclothesandsuppliesthanhe’deverneed,and
stockpilingbulkpackagesoffood.AndyetHaloranwasfortunate.Ofthefivesurvivorsofhiscrew,twodrankthemselvestodeath.*
SomeformerPOWsbecamealmostferalwithrage.Formanymen,seeinganAsianpersonoroverhearingasnippetofJapaneseleftthemshaking,weeping,enraged,orlostinflashbacks.OneformerPOW,normalygentleand
quiet,spatateveryAsianpersonhesaw.AtLettermanGeneralHospitaljustafterthewar,fourformerPOWstriedtoattackastafferwhowasofJapaneseancestry,notknowingthathewasanAmericanveteran.
TroubledformerPOWsfoundnowheretoturn.McMulencameoutofJapanrackedbynightmaresandsonervousthathewasbarelyableto
speakcogently.Whenhetoldhisstorytohisfamily,hisfatheraccusedhimoflyingandforbadehimtospeakofthewar.Shatteredanddeeplydepressed,McMulencouldn’teat,andhisweightplungedbackdowntoninetypounds.Hewenttoaveterans’hospital,butthedoctorssimplygavehimB12shots.
Asherecountedhis
experiencestoamilitaryofficial,theofficialpickedupaphoneandbegantalkingwithsomeoneelse.Aftertwoyears,McMulengothisfeetunderhimagain,buthewouldneverrealyrecover.SixtyyearsafterVJDay,hisdreamsstilcarriedhimbacktothecamps.Recountinghiswar
experienceswassopainfulthatitwouldleavehimoff-kilterforweeks.
ThePacificPOWswhowenthomein1945weretorn-downmen.Theyhadanintimateunderstandingofman’svastcapacitytoexperiencesuffering,aswelashisequalyvastcapacity,andhungrywilingness,toinflictit.Theycarriedunspeakablememoriesoftortureandhumiliation,andanacutesenseofvulnerabilitythatattendedtheknowledgeofhowreadily
theycouldbedisarmedanddehumanized.Manyfeltlonelyandisolated,havingenduredabusesthatordinarypeoplecouldn’tunderstand.Theirdignityhadbeenobliterated,replacedwithapervasivesenseofshameandworthlessness.Andtheyhadthecausticknowledgethatnoonehadcomebetweenthemandtragedy.Cominghomewasanexperienceofprofound,perilousaloneness.
Forthesemen,thecentralstruggleofpostwarlifewastorestoretheirdignityandfindawaytoseetheworldassomethingotherthanmenacingblackness.Therewasnoonerightwaytopeace;everymanhadtofindhisownpath,accordingtohisownhistory.Somesucceeded.Forothers,thewarwouldneverrealyend.Someretreatedintobroodingisolationorlostthemselvesin
escapes.Andforsomemen,yearsofswalowedrage,terror,andhumiliationconcentratedintowhatHolocaustsurvivorJeanAmérywouldcal“aseething,purifyingthirstforrevenge.”
——
ThehoneymooninthemountainshadbeenCynthia’sidea.Louielovedherforbeingsosporting,and
forchoosingsomethingsodeartohisheart.“Youmustlookaboutyouandrememberwhatthetrees+hils,streams+lakeslooklike,”hewrotetoherbeforetheirwedding.“…Iwilseeyouamongthemforlife.”DriftingoffbesideCynthiaeachnight,LouiestilsawtheBirdlurkinginhisdreams,butthesergeanthungbackasifcowed,orperhapsjustwaiting.ItwastheclosestthingtopeacethatLouiehad
knownsinceGreenHornethadhitthewater.
ThedrivebacktoLosAngelescarriedthemfromthegreatwideopentotheconfinesofHarryRead’smother’shouse.Cynthiawasuncomfortablelivingthere,andLouiewantedtogiveherthehomeshedreamedof.Heneededtofindacareer,butwasunpreparedtodoso.HavingleftUSCafewcredits
short,hehadnocolegedegree,acriticalassetinajobmarketgluttedwithveteransandformerwarproductionworkers.Likemanyeliteathletes,hehadfocusedonhissportthroughouthisschoolyearsandhadneverseriouslycontemplatedlifeafterrunning.Nownearlythirty,hehadnoideawhattodoforaliving.
CynthiaZamperinionher
honeymoon.CourtesyofLouisZamperini
Hemadenoefforttofindarealcareeroranine-to-five,salariedjob.Hiscelebritydrewpeopleintohisorbit,manyofthemhawkingventuresinwhichhecouldinvesthislifeinsurancepayoff,whichhe’dbeenalowedtokeep.Hewenttomilitary-surplussales,boughtQuonsethuts,andresold
themtomoviestudios.Hedidthesamewithiceboxes,theninvestedinatelephonetechnology.Heturnedrespectableprofits,buteachinvestmentquicklyranitscourse.Hedid,however,earnasteadyenoughincometorentanapartmentforhimselfandCynthia.Itwasonlyatinyplaceinalow-rentquarterofHolywood,butCynthiadidherbesttomakeithomey.
Attheendofhisfirstdayinthenewapartment,Louieslidintobed,closedhiseyes,andfelintoadream.Asalways,theBirdwasthere,buthewasnolongerhesitant.ThesergeanttoweredoverLouie,thebeltflickingfromhishand,lashingLouie’sface.Everynight,hereturned,andLouiewashelplessonceagain,unabletofleehimordrivehimaway.
Louiethrewhimselfintotraining.Hislonghikesbecameruns.Hisstrengthwascomingback,andhisdodgyleggavehimnopain.Hetookitslowly,thinkingalwaysofLondonin’48.Hewasaimingforthe1,500meters,andassuredhimselfthatifhecouldn’tmakeit,he’dreturntothe5,000,oreventhesteeplechase.Butwithoutextendinghimself,hebeganclockingmilesin4:18,
justtwosecondsslowerthanthewinningtimeoftheZamperiniInvitationalthathe’dseeninMarch.Hewascomingalthewayback.
Butrunningwasn’tthesame.Oncehehadfeltliberatedbyit;nowitfeltforced.Runningwasjoyless,butLouiehadnootheranswertohisinternalturmoil.Hedoubledhisworkouts,andhisbodyanswered.
Oneday,withCynthiastandingby,holdingastopwatch,Louiesetofftoseehowfasthecouldturntwomiles.Earlyon,hefeltapulseofpaindartacrosshisleftankle,justwhereithadbeeninjuredatNaoetsu.Heknewbetterthantokeeppushing,butpushingwasalheknewnow.Ashecompletedthefirstmile,barbsofpainwerecracklingthroughhisankle.Onhe
went,runningforLondon.
Lateinhislastlap,therewasanabruptslicingsensationinhisankle.Hehalf-hoppedtothelineandcolapsed.Histimewasthefastesttwo-milerunonthePacificcoastin1946,butitdidn’tmatter.Hewasunabletowalkforaweek,andwouldlimpforweeksmore.Adoctorconfirmedthathehaddisastrouslyexacerbatedhis
warinjury.Itwasalover.
——
Louiewaswrecked.Thequestthathadsavedhimasakidwaslosttohim.Thelastbarricadewithinhimfel.Byday,hecouldn’tstopthinkingabouttheBird.Bynight,thesergeantlashedhim,hungryandferal.Asthebeltwhippedhim,Louiewouldfighthiswaytohisattacker’sthroat
andclosehishandsaroundit.Nomatterhowhardhesqueezed,thoseeyesstildancedathim.Louieregularlywokescreamingandsoakedinsweat.Hewasafraidtosleep.
Hestartedsmokingagain.Thereseemednoreasonnottodrink,soeachevening,heswiggedwineashecooked,leavingCynthiasittingthroughdinnerwithatipsy
husband.Invitationstoclubskeptcoming,andnowitseemedharmlesstoacceptthefreedrinksthatwerealwaysoffered.Atfirsthedrankjustbeer;thenhedippedintohardliquor.Ifhegotdrunkenough,hecoulddrownthewarforatime.Hesoonbegandrinkingsomuchthathepassedout,buthewelcomedit;passingoutsavedhimfromhavingtogotobedandwaitforhis
monster.Unabletotalkhimintogivingitup,Cynthiastoppedgoingoutwithhim.Heleftheraloneeachnightwhilehewentouttolosethewar.
Rage,wild,random,andimpossibletoquel,begantoconsumehim.Onceheharassedamanforwalkingtooslowlyonacrosswalkinfrontofhiscar,andthemanspatathim.Louiegunnedthe
cartothecurb,jumpedout,and,asCynthiascreamedforhimtostop,punchedthemanuntilhefeltotheground.Onanotherday,whenamanatabaraccidentalyletadoorswingintohim,LouiechesteduptohimandprovokedanembarrassinglittlescufflethatendedwithLouiegrindingtheman’sfaceinthedirt.
Hismindbegantoderail.
Whilesittingatabar,heheardasudden,loudsound,perhapsacarbackfiring.Beforeheknewit,hewasonthefloor,cringing,asthebarfelsilentandthepatronsstared.Onanothernight,hewasdrinking,hisminddrifting,whensomeonenearbyyeledsomethingwhilejokingwithfriends.InLouie’smind,itwas“Keirei!”Hefoundhimselfjumpingup,backstraight,
headup,heartpounding,awaitingtheflyingbeltbuckle.Inamomenttheilusionclearedandhesawthat,again,everyoneinthebarwaslookingathim.Hefeltfoolishandhumiliated.
OnedayLouiewasovercomebyastrange,inexplicablefeeling,andsuddenlythewarwasalaroundandinhim,notamemorybuttheactualexperience—theglaringand
gratingandstenchandhowlandterrorofit.Inamomenthewasjerkedbackoutagain,confusedandfrightened.Itwashisfirstflashback.Afterthat,ifhecaughtaglimpseofbloodorsawatussleinabar,everythingwouldreassembleitselfasprisoncamp,andthemood,thelight,thesounds,hisownbody,wouldalbeastheywere,inescapable.Inrandommoments,hefeltliceandfleaswrigglingoverhis
skinwhentherewasnothingthere.Itonlymadehimdrinkharder.
CynthiaurgedLouietogethelp,sohewent,reluctantly,toseeacounselorataveterans’hospital.Hespokeofthewarandthenightmares,andcamehomefeelingasturbulentaswhenhe’dleft.Aftertwoorthreesessions,hequit.
Onedayheopenedanewspaperandsawastorythatrivetedhisattention.AformerPacificPOWhadwalkedintoastoreandseenoneofhiswartimecaptors.ThePOWhadcaledthepolice,who’darrestedthealegedwarcriminal.AsLouiereadthestory,alofthefurywithinhimconverged.HesawhimselffindingtheBird,overpoweringhim,hisfistsbloodyingtheface,andthen
hishandslockingabouttheBird’sneck.Inhisfantasy,hekiledtheBirdslowly,savoringthesufferinghecaused,makinghistormentorfeelalofthepainandterrorandhelplessnessthathe’dfelt.Hisveinsbeatwithanelectricurgency.
LouiehadnoideawhathadbecomeoftheBird,buthefeltsurethatifhecouldgetbacktoJapan,hecouldhunt
himdown.ThiswouldbehisemphaticreplytotheBird’sunremittingefforttoextinguishhishumanity:Iamstillaman.Hecouldconceiveofnootherwaytosavehimself.
LouiehadfoundaquesttoreplacehislostOlympics.HewasgoingtokiltheBird.
*Returninghometothepostwarhousingshortage,
Weinsteintookouta$600,000loan,builtanapartmentcomplexinAtlanta,andofferedthe140
familyunitstoveteransatrentsaveraginglessthan$50permonth.“Priorities:1)Ex-POWs;2)PurpleHeartVets;3)OverseasVets;4)Vets;5)Civilians,”readhisad.“…WepreferEx-GI’s,andMarinesandenlistedpersonneloftheNavy.Ex-
AirCorpsmenmayapplyiftheyquittelingushowtheywonthewar.”HisrulebanningKKKmembersdrewthreateningphonecals.“Igavethemmyofficeandmyhomeaddress,”Weinsteinsaid,“andtoldthemIstilhadthe.45Iusedtoshootcarabau[waterbuffalo]with.”
*AsHaloranparachutedoverTokyo,theZerothathadshothimdownspedtoward
him,andHaloranwascertainthathewasgoingtobestrafed,assomanyfalingairmenwere.Butinsteadoffiring,thepilotsalutedhim.Afterthewar,Haloranandthatpilot,IsamuKashiide,becamedearfriends.
Thirty-six
TheBodyontheMountain
ITWASTHEFIRST
WINTERAFTERTHEWAR.ANAGEDPOLICEofficertrudgedthroughavilagehighinthemountainsofJapan’sNaganoPrefecture,knockingondoors,askingquestions,andmovingon.TheMinistryofHomeAffairs,frustratedatthefailuretotrackdownMutsuhiroWatanabe,wasrenewingitseffort,sendingoutphotographsofandreportsonthefugitiveto
everypolicechiefinJapan.Chiefswereunderorderstoreporttwiceamonthontheirprogress.
Policeofficersconductedsearchesandinterrogationsnearlyeveryday.Inoneprefecturealone,9,100officerswereinvolvedinthesearchforhim.TheofficerinNaganowaspartofthiseffort.
Itwasaroundnoonwhenhereachedthelargesthouseinthevilage,hometoafarmerandhisfamily.Someoneansweredthedoor,andthefamily,thinkingthathewasacensustaker,invitedhimin.Inside,thepolicemanfoundanold,portlyfarmer,thefarmer’swife,andtheirlive-inlaborer.Asthelaborerpreparedaplateofpicklesandacupoftea,atraditionalofferingtovisitors,theofficer
puledoutaphotographofWatanabe,dressedinhissergeant’suniform.Didtheyrecognizetheman?Noneofthemdid.
Theofficerleft,movingontoaneighbor.Hehadnoideathatthefugitivehewasseekinghadjustbeenstandingrightinfrontofhim,holdingaplateofpickles.
——
TheBirdhadcometoNaganoPrefecturethepreviousSeptember,afterhavingfledhisbrother’shome,thenKofu.ReachingthehotspringsresortcommunityofManzaSpa,he’dcheckedintoaninn.Hechoseanalias,SaburoOhta,acommonnameunlikelytoattractnoticeordwelinanyone’smemory.Hehadamustache,whichhe’dbegungrowinginthelastdaysofthewar.He
toldpeoplethathewasarefugeefromTokyowhoserelativeswerealdead,astorythat,inpostwarJapan,wasascommonaswhiterice.Hevowedtolivebytwoimperatives:silenceandpatience.
Manzawasagoodchoice,traffickedbycrowdsinwhichWatanabecouldlosehimself.Buthesoonbegantothinkthathe’dbebetterhiddenin
theprefecture’sremotemountainregions.Hemettheoldfarmerandofferedhimselfasalaborerinexchangeforroomandboard.Thefarmertookhimtohishomeintheruralvilage,andWatanabesettledinasafarmhand.
Eachnight,lyingonastrawmatonthefarmer’sfloor,Watanabecouldn’tsleep.AloverJapan,war-crimes
suspectshadbeencaptured,andwerenowimprisoned,awaitingtrials.He’dknownsomeofthesemen.They’dbetried,sentenced,someexecuted.Hewasfree.Onthepagesonwhichhepouredouthisemotionsabouthisplight,Watanabewroteoffeelingguiltywhenhethoughtofthosesoldiers.HealsomuledoverhisbehaviortowardthePOWs,describinghimselfas“powerful”and“strictwhen
requesting[POWs]toobeytherules.”“AmIguilty?”hewrote.Hedidn’tanswerhisquestion,buthealsoexpressednoremorse.Evenashewroteofhisgratitudeforthehumanityofthefarmerwhohadtakenhimin,hecouldn’tseetheparalelwithhimselfandthehelplessmenwhohadfalenintohishands.
Theradiointhefarmer’s
housewasoftenon,andeachday,Watanabelistenedtoreportsonfugitivewar-crimessuspects.Hescannedthefacesofhishostsasthestoriesaired,worriedthatthey’dsuspecthim.Thenewspapers,too,werefulofarticlesonthesefugitives,describedas“enemiesofhumanbeings.”ThepronouncementswoundedWatanabe’sfeelings.Itseemedtohimoutrageous
thattheAlies,who“wouldnotforgive,”wouldoverseetrialsofJapanese.Godalone,hefelt,wasqualifiedtojudgehim.“Iwantedtocryout,”hewrote,“‘That’snotfair!’”
Thetensionoflivingincognitoworeonhim.Hewasespecialywaryofthefarmer’swife,whosegazeseemedtoconveysuspicion.Sleepcamesoreluctantlythathehadtoworkhimselfto
exhaustiontobringiton.Hebroodedonthequestionofwhetherornotheshouldsurrender.
Onenight,astheevening’sfirediedinthehearth,Watanabecametothefarmerandtoldhimwhohewas.Thefarmerlistened,hiseyesfixedonthefire,histongueclickingagainsthisfalseteeth.
“Peoplesaytocontrolyourmouth,oritbringsevil,”thefarmersaid.“Youshouldbecarefulofyourspeech.”
Hesaidnothingelseandturnedaway.
——
AstheBirdhid,othermenwhohadabusedPOWswerearrested,takentoSugamoPrison,inTokyo,andtried
forwarcrimes.Roughly5,400JapaneseweretriedbytheUnitedStatesandothernations;some4,400wereconvicted,including984givendeathsentencesand475givenlifeinprison.*Morethan30Ofunapersonnelwereconvictedandsentencedtoatotalofroughly350yearsinprison.Thethievingcook,Tatsumi“Curley”Hata,wassentencedtotwentyyears.Masajiro
“Shithead”Hirayabashi,who’dbeatencountlessprisonersandkiledGagatheduck,wasgivenfouryears.CommanderKakuzoIida,“theMummy,”wassentencedtodeathforcontributingtothedeathsoffivecaptives.AlsoconvictedwasSueharuKitamura—“theQuack”—whohadmutilatedhispatients,bludgeonedHarris,andcontributedtothedeathsoffourcaptives,including
onewhowascarriedfromOfunaatthewar’send,hoursfromdeath,cryingout“Quack”overandoveragain.Kitamurawassentencedtohang.
KanameSakaba,theOmoricommander,wasgivenalifesentence.OfthemenfromNaoetsu,sixcivilianguardsweretried,convicted,andhanged.
SevenJapanesesoldierswerealsoconvicted:twowerehanged,fourgivenlifeimprisonmentwithhardlabor,andonegiventwentyyears.
ThepolicefoundJimmieSasakiworkingasaliaisonbetweentheJapanesenavyandtheoccupyingforces.Everafabulist,hetoldinvestigatorsthatOfunainterrogatorswere“always
kindtoprisoners,”thathe’dneverseenaprisonerabused,andthatprisonersrarelycomplained.Inquestioning,thetruthabouthispositionatOfunafinalyemerged.Hehadnotbeenthechiefinterrogator,bearingarankequaltoadmiral,thathehadclaimedtobe;he’dbeenonlyalow-rankinginterpreter.Thismanofever-shiftingalegiancestriedtoshiftthemagain,speakingofhisdebtto
AmericaandaskingifsomeonecouldgethimajobwiththeU.S.Army.Insteadofajob,hereceivedanindictment,chargedwithorderingtheabuseofseveralcaptives,includingonewho’dbeenstarvedandtorturedtodeath.Thoughthetrialtestimonyseemedtoraiseenormousdoubtastohisguilt,Sasakiwasconvictedandultimatelysentencedtosixyearsofhardlabor.
AndsothestrangeandtwistingwarjourneyofLouie’sonetimefriendendedinSugamoPrison,wherehewasamodelprisoner,tendingavegetablegardenandagroveoftrees.WhoJimmieSasakirealywas—whetherartfulspyandwilinginstrumentinJapan’smachineofviolenceorsomethingmoreinnocent—remainsamystery.
——
OfthepostwarstoriesofthemenwhoranthecampsinwhichLouiehadlived,thesaddestwasthatofYukichiKano,theOmoriprivatewho’driskedeverythingtoprotectthePOWsandhadprobablysavedseveralprisoners’lives.Justafterthewar’sendwasannounced,Kanocameuponagroupofdrunkenguardsstumbling
towardthebarracks,swordsdrawn,determinedtohacksomecapturedB-29mentodeath.Kanoandanothermanplantedthemselvesintheguards’pathand,afterabriefscuffle,stoppedthem.Kanowasahero,butwhentheAmericanscametoliberatethecamp,twoofthemtriedtoriptheinsigniaoffhisuniform.BobMartindalesteppedinandgavetheAmericansafuriousdressing-
down.FearingthatKanomightbemistakenlyaccusedofwarcrimes,MartindaleandseveralotherPOWofficerswrotealetterofcommendationforhimbeforetheywenthome.
Itdidnogood.Kanowasarrestedandjailedasasuspectedwarcriminal.Whyhewasfingeredremainsunclear.HewasmentionedinmanyPOW
affidavitsand,ineveryone,waslaudedforhiskindness.Perhapstheexplanationwasthathislastnamewassimilartothoseoftwoviciousmen,TetsutaroKato,anOmoriofficialsaidtohavekickedaPOWnearlytodeath,andHiroakiKono,theBird’sacolyteatNaoetsu.Monthspassed,andKanolanguishedinprison,frightenedandhumiliated.Hewasneitherchargednorquestioned.He
wroteaplaintiveletteraskingauthoritiestoinvestigatehimsohisnamecouldbecleared.“Crossmyheart,”hewrote,“Ihavenotdoneanythingwrong.”
Inthewinterof1946,Kanowasfinalycleared,andMacArthurorderedhisrelease.KanomovedtoYokohamaandworkedforanimport-exportbusiness.HemissedhisPOWfriends,but
foryears,hedidn’ttrytocontactthem.“IthoughtIshouldrefrainfromwritingthem,”hewrotetoMartindalein1955,“asmylettermightmakethemtoreminduptheharddaysinOmori,which,Iamsure,theywouldliketoforget.”Sometimelater,hediedofcancer.
——
Inthemountainvilagewhere
hewasknownasSaburoOhta,Watanabewaitedoutabitterwinter.Thevisitfromthepolicemanshookhim.Afterthepolicemanleft,thefarmer’swifeeyedWatanabewithwhatseemedtoberecognition.Whennightfel,Watanabelayawake,mulingcaptureandexecution.
Whensummercame,Watanabewasaskedtoattendthefarmer’ssonashetoured
thecountry,selingleatherstraps.ThetourwouldtakethemthroughmajorcitieswhereWatanabewassurelybeingsought,buthewaslivingonthegoodgracesofthefarmerandhadtoaccept.Watanabedonnedglassestoobscurehisfeaturesandheadedoff,filedwithtrepidation.
TheywenttothebusyportcitiesofAkitaandNiigata.
NoonegaveWatanabeasecondlook.Ashisfearofbeingdiscoveredeased,hebeganenjoyinghimself.Theconversationinthecitieswasdominatedbythewar,andeveryonehadanopinionabouttheconductofJapanesesoldiers,especialythoseaccusedofwarcrimes.Peopletalkedofhowthehuntforsuspectedwarcriminalswasbeingconducted.Watanabelistenedintently.
Beingoutinsocietymadehimlongtoseehisfamily.HethoughtofhowhismotherwouldnowbeinTokyo,onherregularsummervisittohissisterMichiko’shome.Theyearningwasoverpowering.Watanabetookoutthefortune-telingcardsthathislittlesisterhadgivenhimanddealthimselfahand.
Thecardstoldhimthatifhewenttohisfamily,he’dbe
safe.Onaswelteringdayattheheightofthesummerof1946,heboardedatrainforTokyo.
Histimingcouldn’thavebeenworse.Thewinter’spushtofindWatanabehadyieldednoclues,andthepolicewereagaindoublingtheirefforts.AnewlydiscoveredphotographofWatanabehadbeencopiedanddistributed,alongwitha
reportthatdescribedhimasaman“knowntohaveperversions”whomightbefound“whereverthereareloosewomen.”SinceJapanesecitizenswererequiredtoregisterchangesofaddress,policewereorderedtoporeoverregistriesinsearchofmentravelingalone.Theywereinstructedtomonitortransactionsatrationboardsandprowlpostoffices,trainandbusstations,
taxistands,ferrylandings,mines,blackmarketoutlets,divehotelsandlodginghouses,andanybusinessesthatmightattractamanfluentinFrench.ProbablyinspiredbythecluethatWatanabemighthavecommittedsuicide,policemovedtoinvestigatealunnaturalandunusualdeathssinceNovember1945,especialythoseinwhichthedeceasedpersonwasunidentified.Asa
homesickWatanabejourneyedoutofhidingandintoTokyo,hewaswalkingintothemanhunt.
ShizukaWatanabewassittinginMichiko’shousewithtwoofherotherchildrenwhenthefrontdoorswungopenandinwalkedMutsuhiro.TheroomfelsilentasthestartledfamilymemberslookedatMutsuhiroandthenatoneanother.Mutsuhiro,emotionaly
overwhelmedanddizzyfromthemiddayheat,wavered,afraidhewouldfaint.Michikocameinandsawherbrother.Thefamilybrokeintocelebration.
Fortwohours,Mutsuhirosatwithhisfamily,sippingdrinksandlisteningtothemtelofbeingarrested,questioned,folowed,andsearched.Hesaidnothingofwherehe’dbeen,believing
thathisfamilywouldfarebetteriftheydidn’tknow.Astimepassed,thefamilymembersgrewanxious,afraidthatthedetectiveswouldcatchthem.They’dbeentherejusttwodayspreviously.Attwoo’clock,ShizukawarnedMutsuhirothatitwasthetimeofdaywhenthedetectivesusualycametosearch.Mutsuhiroreassuredthemthattheplayingcardshadtoldhim
thatalwouldbewel.
Therewasshufflingoutside.Thedetectiveshadarrived.TheWatanabessprangup.SomeonetossedMutsuhiro’sbelongingsintoacloset.Someoneelsesnatchedupthecupsanddumpedtheminthesink.Mutsuhiroracedintoatearoomandshutthedoor.Behindhim,heheardfootfalsasagroupofdetectivesenteredtheroomthathehad
justleft.Heheardthemquestioninghismotherandsister,telingthemthatiftheycaughtMutsuhiro,he’dbetreatedwel.
Thedetectiveswerejustfeetaway,ontheothersideofthedoor.Hisheartracing,Mutsuhirotriedtodecidewhethertorunortoconcealhimselfhere.
Theroomwastiny,scattered
withpilows,buttherewasacloset.Eversoslowly,heinchedopenthecloset’sslidingdoorandsqueezedinside.Hedecidednottoclosethedoor,fearingthatitwouldmakenoise.Hestoodthere,ahandclaspedoverhismouthtosmotherthesoundofhisbreathing.
Thedooropened.Adetectivelookedin.“Youhaveplentyofroom,”hesaidtothe
family.Therewasapauseashelookedabout.Ifthedetectiveturnedhiseyestowardthecloset,he’dseeMutsuhiro.“Itistidy,”thedetectivesaid.Thedoorclosed.Thedetectivesleft.
Mutsuhirohadwishedtostayovernight,buttheclosecalchangedhismind.Hetoldhismotherthathe’dtrytoseeheragainintwoyears.Thenheleft,walkingback,hewrote,
“intothelonesomeworld.”
——
Watanabereturnedtothevilage.Thefarmer’sson,unabletomakeagoofhisleatherstrapsales,openedacoffeeshopinthevilage.Watanabebecamehiswaiter.
ThefarmerapproachedWatanabewithaproposition.Arrangedmarriagewasstil
commoninJapan,andthefarmerhadfoundamatchforhim.
Watanabewastempted;hewaslonelyandunhappy,andlikedtheideaofmarrying.Butmarriagewhileinhispredicamentseemedimpossible.Hesaidno.
Theyoungwomaneventualycametohim.Whenthefarmer’ssonfelil,shepaid
himavisit,andWatanabe,curious,wentintothesickroomtoseeher.
Heraisedthesubjectofthenovelthatthefarmer’ssonwasreading,thinkingthat,hewrote,“ifshelikedbooks,shemustunderstandthemindandhardshipofhumanlife.”Inhisnotesaboutthemeeting,hedidn’tsayifshepossessedthatunderstanding,buthedidseemtolikeher
andthoughtshewouldbe“agoodhouse-keeper.”Partofhimseemedtowanttofalforher,andhebelievedthatlove“couldsavemydailylife.”
Thewomanwastakenwiththeattractivewaiter,andbeganlingeringinthecoffeeshoptobenearhim.Hekepthisidentitysecretfromher.Shebegantelingherparentsabouthiminhopesofwinningtheirblessingfora
wedding.Afterbroodingonher,Watanabedecidedthathehadtoendtherelationship.Alhetoldherwasthathehad“aburdenwhichwouldmakeherunhappy.”
Withthat,hebrokewiththetenuousexistencethathehadcreatedinthevilage.Hequithisjobandleft.HewanderedontoastretchoftheNaganograsslandalongtheChikumaRiverandtookajobasa
cowherd.Hisinabilitytocontrolthewilfulanimalsexasperatedhim.Hewasdespondent.Atsunset,heliftedhiseyestothemajesticAsamavolcano,watchingaribbonofsmokeunspoolingfromherupperreaches,thecattlegrazingbelow.
——
InJapan’sOkuchichibuMountainsstandstheholy
peakofMitsumine,itssidesfleecedinforest,itssummitornamentedwithanancientshrine.Inthefalof1946,twobodieswerefoundamidtheholowsandspinesofthemountain,apistollyingwiththem.Onewasaman,theotherawoman.Nooneknewwhotheywere.
ThepolicewenttoShizukaWatanabeandaskedherandherfamilytoaccompany
themtothemountain.TheWatanabesweredrivenuptoMitsumineand,withthehelpofguides,takentothebodies.Shizukalookeddownatthelifelessformoftheyoungman.
Japanesenewspapersranthesensationalstory:MutsuhiroWatanabe,oneofJapan’smostwantedmen,wasdead.Heandawoman,probablyalover,hadkiledthemselves.
*Somedeathsentenceswerelatercommuted;920menwereeventualyexecuted.
Thirty-seven
TwistedRopes
LOUIEKNEWNOTHINGOFTHEDEATHOFTHEBIRD.WHENthebodieswerefoundonMountMitsumine,hewasinHolywood,falingtopieces.Hewasdrinkingheavily,slippinginandoutofflashbacks,screamingand
clawingthroughnightmares,lashingoutinfuryatrandommoments.MurderingtheBirdhadbecomehissecret,feveredobsession,andhehadgivenhislifeovertoit.Inagymnearhisapartment,hespenthoursslamminghishatredintoapunchingbag,preparinghisbodyfortheconfrontationthathebelievedwouldsavehim.Hewalkedaroundeverydaywithmurderinhishead.
Throughout1947and1948,LouiejumpedheadlongintoschemeafterschemetoraisethemoneytogetbacktoJapan.WhenCynthia’sbrotherRicvisited,hefoundLouieencircledbyfawnersandhangers-on,altryingtoexploithim.OneofthemtalkedLouieintoinvesting$7,000inaplantopurchaseandreselearthmovingequipmentinthePhilippines,promisingtodoublehis
money.Louiesignedthecheck,andthatwasthelasthesawofeithertheinvestororhismoney.HeformedaTahitianpassenger-boatcompanyinpartnership,butcreditorstooktheboat.AdealtofoundamovieproductioncompanyinEgyptmetasimilarend.HeevenconsideredworkingasamercenarybombardierinanattemptedcoupinasmalCaribbeancountry,andwas
stilthinkingitoverwhenthecoupwascaledoff.HeandapartnermadeaverbalagreementwithMexicanofficials,givingthemsoleauthoritytoissuefishinglicensestoAmericans.Ashispartnerdrovedowntoinkthedeal,atruckhithimhead-on,andthedealdiedwithhim.EachtimeLouiegotsomemoneytogether,itwaslostinanotherfailedventure,andhisreturntoJapanhadtobe
putoffstillonger.
Drinkinggrantedhimaspaceoftimeinwhichtoletitalgo.Slowly,inexorably,he’dgonefromdrinkingbecausehewantedittodrinkingbecauseheneededit.Inthedaytime,hekeptsober,butintheevenings,astheprospectofsleepandnightmaresloomed,hewasovercomebytheneed.Hisaddictionwassoonsoconsumingthatwhen
heandCynthiawenttoFloridatovisitherfamily,heinsistedonbringinghomesomuchliquorthathehadtotakeouthisChevy’sbackseattofititalin.
Hehadbecomesomeonehedidn’trecognize.OnenightatabaronSunsetBoulevard,heparkedhimselfonastool,drankalevening,andwoundupstinkingdrunk.Amanpassedbehindhim,ushering
hisdatepast.Louieswungaround,reachedout,andgropedthewoman’sbottom.ThenextthingLouieknew,hewasonhisfeet,outside,beinghalf-carriedbyafriend.Hisjawwasthumpingwithpain,andhisfriendwaschewinghimout.Heslowlycametounderstandthatthewoman’sboyfriendhadknockedhimunconscious.
Onanothernight,heleft
CynthiaathomeandwenttoarestaurantinHolywoodwithtwofriendsfromhisrunningdays.Sometimeintheearlyevening,afterdrinkingwhathewouldrememberasonlyasinglebeer,hefeltoddlylightandexcusedhimselftostepoutside.Thentimebrokeintodisconnectedsegments.Hewasinhiscar,driving,withnoideawherehewasorhowhe’dgottenthere.Hewove
throughthestreets,disoriented,andcameintoahilyneighborhoodofmansionsandbroadlawns.Hisheadspunroundandround.Hestoppedthecarandroledout.Therewasatreeinfrontofhim,andherelievedhimselfagainstit.
Whenheturnedbackforhiscar,hecouldn’tfindit.Hestumbledalonginasoupydarknessandmentalfog,
searchinginvainforsomethingfamiliar.Hewalkedalnightlong,scared,lost,andvainlygraspingatlucidity.
Assunriselituphissurroundings,herealizedthathewasstandinginfrontofhisapartmentbuilding.Openingthedoor,hesawCynthia,franticwithworry.Hetoppledintobed.Whenhewokeupanddressed,hehad
nomemoryofthenightbefore,andcouldn’tunderstandwhytheheelsofhisnewshoeswereworndown.Hewentoutsideandlookedaround,buthecouldn’tfindhiscar,sohecaledthepoliceandreporteditstolen.Twodayslater,thepolicecaledtotelhimthatthey’dfoundthecarinawealthyneighborhoodintheHolywoodHils.Hewentuptowheretheyhadfoundit,
andmemoriesofhisnightcamebacktohim,carryingtheetherealqualityofanightmare.
CynthiaZamperini.FrankTinker
CynthiapleadedwithLouietostopdrinking.Itdidnogood.
——
ThefurtherLouiefel,thelesshecouldhideit.RicApplewhitenoticedthathewasmanicalygermophobic,washinghishandsoverandoveragain,andeachtime,scouringthefaucetandhandlesonthesink.SomeofLouie’sfriendsspoketohimabouthisdrinking,buttheirwordshadnoimpact.WhenPaytonJordansawLouie,herecognizedthathewasintrouble,butcouldn’tgethim
totalkaboutit.Pete,too,wasworriedaboutLouie,butknewonlyofhisfinancialwoes.HehadnoideathatLouiehadslidintoalcoholism,orthathehadhatchedawildschemetokilaman.
Cynthiawasdistraughtoverwhatherhusbandhadbecome.Inpublic,hisbehaviorwasfrighteningandembarrassing.Inprivate,he
wasoftenpricklyandharshwithher.Shedidherbesttosoothehim,tonoavail.Once,whileLouiewasout,shepaintedtheirdrearykitchenwithelaborateilustrationsof
vinesandanimals,hopingtosurprisehim.Hedidn’tnotice.
Woundedandworried,Cynthiacouldn’tbringLouieback.Herpainbecameanger,andsheandLouiehadbitterfights.Sheslappedhimandthrewdishesathim;hegrabbedhersoforcefulythatheleftherbruised.Oncehecamehometofindthatshehadrunthrougharoom,
hurlingeverythingbreakableontothefloor.WhileCynthiacookeddinnerduringapartyonafriend’sdockedyacht,Louiewassosnidetoher,rightinfrontoftheirfriends,thatshewalkedofftheboat.Hechasedherdownandgrabbedherbytheneck.Sheslappedhisface,andhelethergo.Shefledtohisparents’house,andhewenthomealone.
Cynthiaeventualycameback,andthetwostruggledontogether.Hismoneygone,Louiehadtotapafriendfora$1,000loan,stakinghisChevyconvertibleascolateral.Themoneyranout,anotherinvestmentfoundered,theloancamedue,andLouiehadtoturnoverhiskeys.
WhenLouiewasasmalchild,hehadtrippedandfal
enonaflightofstairswhilehurryingtoschool.Hehadgottenup,onlytostumbleandfalasecondtime,thenathird.HehadrisenconvincedthatGodhimselfwastrippinghim.Nowthesamethoughtdweltinhim.God,hebelieved,wastoyingwithhim.
Whenheheardpreachingontheradio,heangrilyturneditoff.HeforbadeCynthiafrom
goingtochurch.
Inthespringof1948,CynthiatoldLouiethatshewaspregnant.Louiewasexcited,buttheprospectofmoreresponsibilityfiledhimwithguiltanddespair.InLondonthatsummer,Sweden’sHenryErikssonwontheOlympicgoldmedalinthe1,500meters.InHolywood,Louiedrankeverharder.
NoonecouldreachLouie,becausehehadneverrealycomehome.Inprisoncamp,he’dbeenbeatenintodehumanizedobediencetoaworldorderinwhichtheBirdwasabsolutesovereign,anditwasunderthisworldorderthathestillived.TheBirdhadtakenhisdignityandlefthimfeelinghumiliated,ashamed,andpowerless,andLouiebelievedthatonlytheBirdcouldrestorehim,by
sufferinganddyinginthegripofhishands.Aoncesingularlyhopefulmannowbelievedthathisonlyhopelayinmurder.
Theparadoxofvengefulnessisthatitmakesmendependentuponthosewhohaveharmedthem,believingthattheirreleasefrompainwilcomeonlywhentheymaketheirtormentorssuffer.InseekingtheBird’sdeathto
freehimself,Louiehadchainedhimself,onceagain,tohistyrant.Duringthewar,theBirdhadbeenunwilingtoletgoofLouie;afterthewar,LouiewasunabletoletgooftheBird.
——
Onenightinlate1948,LouielayinbedwithCynthiabesidehim.Hedescendedintoadream,andtheBird
roseupoverhim.Thebeltunfurled,andLouiefeltthebucklecrackingintohishead,painlikelightningoverhistemple.Aroundandaroundthebeltwhirled,lashingLouie’sskul.LouieraisedhishandstotheBird’sthroat,hishandsclenchingaroundit.NowLouiewasontopoftheBird,andthetwothrashed.
Louie,afterthewar.FrankTinker
Therewasascream,perhapsLouie’s,perhapstheBird’s.Louiefoughton,tryingtocrushthelifeoutoftheBird.Theneverythingbegantoalter.Louie,onhiskneeswiththeBirdunderhim,lookeddown.TheBird’sshapeshifted.
LouiewasstraddlingCynthia’schest,hishandslockedaroundherneck.Throughherclosingthroat,
shewasscreaming.Louiewasstranglinghispregnantwife.
HeletgoandleaptoffCynthia.Sherecoiled,gasping,cryingout.Hesatinthedarkbesideher,horrified,hisnightclothesheavywithsweat.Thesheetsweretwistedintoropesaroundhim.
——
LittleCynthiaZamperini,nicknamedCissy,wasborntwoweeksafterChristmas.Louiewassoenrapturedthathewouldn’tletanyoneelseholdher,anddidalthediaperinghimself.Butshecouldn’tcleavehimfromalcoholismorhismurderousobsession.Inthesleeplessstressofcaringforanewborn,LouieandCynthiafoughtconstantlyandfuriously.WhenCynthia’s
mothercametohelp,sheweptatthesightoftheapartment.Louiedrankwithoutrestraint.
OnedayCynthiacamehometofindLouiegrippingasqualingCissyinhishands,shakingher.Withashriek,shepuledthebabyaway.Appaledathimself,Louiewentonbenderafterbender.Cynthiahadhadenough.Shecaledherfather,andhesent
herthemoneytogobacktoMiamiBeach.Shedecidedtofilefordivorce.
Cynthiapackedherthings,tookthebaby,andwalkedout.Louiewasalone.Alhehadleftwashisalcoholandhisresentment,theemotionthat,JeanAmérywouldwrite,“nailseveryoneofusontothecrossofhisruinedpast.”
——
Ontheothersideoftheworld,earlyoneeveninginthefadingdaysof1948,ShizukaWatanabesatonthelowerfloorofatwo-storyrestaurantinTokyo’sShinjukudistrict.Outside,thestreetwaslivelywithshoppersanddiners.Shizukafacedthedoor,watchingthebluroffacesdriftingpast.
Itwastherethatshesawhim.Justoutsidethedoor,gazinginatheramidthepassersby,washerdeadson.
Thirty-eight
ABeckoningWhistle
FORSHIZUKAWATANABE,THEMOMENTWHENSHESAWHERsonmusthaveansweredadesperatehope.
Twoyearsearlier,she’dbeendrivenupamountaintoseeadeadmanwholookedjustlikeMutsuhiro.Everyone,evenherrelatives,hadbelieveditwashe,andthenewspapershadannouncedMutsuhiro’ssuicide.ButShizukahadfeltatraceofdoubt.Perhapsshe’dregisteredthesamesensationthatLouiseZamperinihadfeltwhenLouiewasmissing,amaternalmurmurthattold
herthathersonwasstilalive.Sheapparentlysaidnothingofherdoubtsinpublic,butinsecret,sheclungtoapromisethatMutsuhirohadmadewhenhehadlastseenher,inTokyointhesummerof’46:OnOctober1,1948,atsevenP.M.,he’dtrytomeetheratarestaurantintheShinjukudistrictofTokyo.
Whileshewaitedforthatday,othersbegantoquestion
whetherMutsuhirowasrealydead.Someonelookeduptheserialnumberonhisarmysidearmandfoundthatitwasdifferentfromthatofthegunfoundbesidethebody.Mutsuhirocouldeasilyhaveusedanotherweapon,butanexaminationofthebodyhadalsofoundsomefeaturesthatseemeddifferentfromthoseofthefugitive.Thedetectivescouldn’truleoutWatanabeasthedeadman,butthey
couldn’tconfirmdefinitivelythatitwashe.Thesearchforhimresumed,andthepolicedescendedagainontheWatanabes.
Tailedalmosteverywhereshewent,hermailsearched,herfriendsandfamilyinterrogated,Shizukaenduredintensescrutinyfortwoyears.WhenOctober1,1948,came,shewenttotherestaurant,apparentlyeludingher
pursuers.Therewasherson,alivingghost.
Thesightofhimbroughtasmuchfearasjoy.Sheknewthatinappearinginpublic,standinginfulviewofcrowdsofpeoplewhohadsurelyalheardofthemanhuntforhim,hewastakingahugerisk.Shespoketohimforonlyafewminutes,standingveryclosetohim,tryingtorestrainthe
excitementinhervoice.Mutsuhiro,hisfacegrave,questionedheraboutthepolice’stactics.Hetoldhernothingaboutwherehewaslivingorwhathewasdoing.
Concernedthattheywouldattractattention,motherandsondecidedtopart.Mutsuhirosaidthathe’dseeheragainintwoyears,thenslippedoutthedoor.
Thepolicedidn’tknowofthemeeting,andcontinuedtostalkShizukaandherchildren.Everyonewhovisitedthemwastailedandinvestigated.EachtimeShizukaranerrands,detectivestrailedbehindher.Aftershelefteachbusiness,theywentintoquestionthosewhohaddealtwithher.Shizukawasfrequentlyinterrogated,butsheansweredquestionsabouther
son’swhereaboutsbyreferringtothesuicidesonMountMitsumine.
Morethanayearpassed.Shizukaheardnothingfromherson,andthedetectivesfoundnothing.Everywheretherewererumorsabouthisfate.Inone,hehadfledacrosstheChinaSeaanddisappearedinManchuria.OnehadhimshotbyAmericanGIs;anotherhad
himbeingstruckandkiledbyatrainafteranAmericansoldiertiedhimtothetrack.Butthemostpersistentstoriesendedinhissuicide,bygunshot,byhara-kiriinfrontoftheemperor’spalace,byaleapintoavolcano.Fornearlyeveryonewhohadknownhim,therewasonlyoneplausibleconclusiontodrawfromthefailureofthemassivesearch.
WhetherShizukabelievedtheserumorsisunknown.Butinhislastmeetingwithher,Mutsuhirohadgivenheroneverytroublingclue:Iwilmeetyouintwoyears,hehadsaid,ifIamalive.
——
InthesecondweekofSeptember1949,anangularyoungmanclimbeddownfromatranscontinentaltrain
andsteppedintoLosAngeles.Hisremarkablytalblondhairflutteredonthesummitofaremarkablytalhead,whichinturntoppedaremarkablytalbody.Hehadadirectgaze,asternjawline,andasouthernswayinhisvoice,theproductofachildhoodspentonaNorthCarolinadairyfarm.HisnamewasBilyGraham.
Atthirty-one,Grahamwastheyoungestcolege
presidentinAmerica,manningthehelmatNorthwesternSchools,asmalChristianBibleschool,liberalartscolege,andseminaryinMinneapolis.HewasalsothevicepresidentofYouthforChristInternational,anevangelicalorganization.He’dbeencrisscrossingtheworldforyears,plugginghisfaith.Theresultshadbeenmixed.Hislastcampaign,inthePennsylvaniacoaltownof
Altoona,hadmetwithheckling,meagerattendance,andaholering,derangedchoirmemberwhohadhadtobethrownoutofhisservices,onlytoreturnrepeatedly,likeaflytospiledjely.SomuchcoaldusthadbilowedthroughthetownthatGrahamhadleftitwithhiseyesburningandbloodshot.
ThatSeptember,inavacantparkinglotonthecornerof
WashingtonBoulevardandHilStreetinLosAngeles,Grahamandhissmalteamthrewupa480-foot-longcircustent,setoutsixty-fivehundredfoldingchairs,poureddownacresofsawdust,hammeredtogetherastagethesizeofafairlyspaciousbackyard,andstoodanenormousreplicaofanopenBibleinfrontofit.Theyheldapressconferencetoannounceathree-week
campaigntobringLosAngelenostoChrist.Notasinglenewspaperstoryfolowed.
Atfirst,Grahampreachedtoahalf-emptytent.Buthisblunt,emphaticsermonsgotpeopletalking.ByOctober16,thedayonwhichhehadintendedtoclosethecampaign,attendancewashighandgrowing.Grahamandhisteamdecidedtokeep
itgoing.ThennewspapermagnateWiliamRandolphHearstreportedlyissuedatwo-wordordertohiseditors:“PuffGraham.”Overnight,Grahamhadadoringpresscoverageandtenthousandpeoplepackingintohistenteverynight.Organizersexpandedthetentandpiledinseveralthousandmorechairs,butitwasstilsoovercrowdedthathundredsofpeoplehadtostandinthestreet,straining
tohearGrahamoverthetraffic.Filmmoguls,seeingleading-manmaterial,offeredGrahamamoviecontract.
Grahamburstoutlaughingandtoldthemhewouldn’tdoitforamilionbucksamonth.Inacitythatwasn’tbashfulaboutsinning,Grahamhadkickedoffareligiousrevival.
Louieknewnothingof
Graham.Fouryearsafterreturningfromthewar,hewasstilintheHolywoodapartment,lostinalcoholandplanstomurdertheBird.CynthiahadreturnedfromFlorida,butwasstayingonlyuntilshecouldarrangeadivorce.Thetwolivedoningrimcoexistence,eachoneoutofanswers.
OnedaythatOctober,CynthiaandLouiewere
walkingdownahalwayintheirbuildingwhenanewtenantandhisgirlfriendcameoutofanapartment.
Thetwocouplesbeganchatting,anditwasatfirstapleasantconversation.ThenthemanmentionedthatanevangelistnamedBilyGrahamwaspreachingdowntown.Louieturnedabruptlyandwalkedaway.
Cynthiastayedinthehal,listeningtotheneighbor.Whenshereturnedtotheapartment,shetoldLouiethatshewantedhimtotakehertohearGrahamspeak.Louierefused.
Cynthiawentalone.Shecamehomealight.ShefoundLouieandtoldhimthatshewasn’tgoingtodivorcehim.ThenewsfiledLouiewithrelief,butwhenCynthiasaid
thatshe’dexperiencedareligiousawakening,hewasappaled.
LouieandCynthiawenttoadinneratSylviaandHarvey’shouse.Inthekitchenafterthemeal,CynthiaspokeofherexperienceinGraham’stent,andsaidthatshewantedLouietogolistentohim.Louiesouredandsaidheabsolutelywouldn’tgo.Theargumentcontinuedthrough
theeveningandintothenextday.Cynthiarecruitedthenewneighbor,andtogethertheybadgeredLouie.Forseveraldays,Louiekeptrefusing,andbegantryingtododgehiswifeandtheneighbor,untilGrahamlefttown.ThenGraham’srunwasextended,andCynthialeavenedherentreatieswithalie.Louiewasfascinatedwithscience,soshetoldhimthatGraham’ssermonsdiscussed
scienceatlength.Itwasjustenoughincentivetotipthebalance.Louiegavein.
——
BilyGrahamwaswearingout.Formanyhoursaday,sevendaysaweek,hepreachedtovastthrongs,andeachsermonwasaworkout,deliveredinaboomingvoice,punctuatedwithbroadgesturesofthehands,arms,
andbody.Hegotupasearlyasfive,andhestayedinthetentlateintothenight,counselingtroubledsouls.
Graham’sweightwasdropping,anddarksemicirclesshadowedhiseyes.Attimeshefeltthatifhestoppedmoving,hislegswouldbuckle,sohetooktopacinghispulpittokeephimselffromkeelingover.Once,someonebroughta
babytohim,andheaskedwhosechildshewas.He’dbeenawayfromhomeforsolongthathedidn’trecognizehisowndaughter.Helongedtoendthecampaign,butthesuccessofitmadehimsurethatProvidencehadotherwishes.
WhenLouieandCynthiaenteredthetent,Louierefusedtogofartherforwardthanthebackrows.Hesat
down,sulen.Hewouldwaitoutthissermon,gohome,andbedonewithit.
Thetentwashushed.Fromsomeplaceoutsidecameahigh,beckoningsound.Louiehadknownthatsoundsincehisboyhood,whenhe’dlainawakebesidePete,yearningtoescape.Itwasthewhistleofatrain.
——
WhenGrahamappeared,Louiewassurprised.He’dexpectedthesortoffrothy,holy-rolingcharlatanthathe’dseenpreachingnearTorrancewhenhewasaboy.Whathesawinsteadwasabrisk,neatlygroomedmantwoyearsyoungerthanhimself.Thoughhewasnursingasorethroatandaskedthathisamplifierbeturneduptosavehisvoice,Grahamshowednoothersign
ofhisfatigue.HeaskedhislistenerstoopentheirBiblestotheeighthchapterofJohn.
JesuswentuntothemountofOlives.Andearlyinthemorninghecameagainintothetemple,andalthepeoplecameuntohim;andhesatdown,andtaughtthem.AndthescribesandPhariseesbroughtuntohimawomantakeninadultery;andwhentheyhadsetherinthemidst,
Theysayuntohim,Master,thiswomanwastakeninadultery,intheveryact.NowMosesinthelawcommandedus,thatsuchshouldbestoned:butwhatsayestthou?Thistheysaid,temptinghim,thattheymighthavetoaccusehim.ButJesusstoopeddown,andwithhisfingerwroteontheground,asthoughheheardthemnot.Sowhentheycontinuedaskinghim,helifteduphimself,and
saiduntothem,Hethatiswithoutsinamongyou,lethimfirstcastastoneather.Andagainhestoopeddown,andwroteontheground.Andtheywhichheardit,beingconvictedbytheirownconscience,wentoutonebyone,beginningattheeldest,evenuntothelast:andJesuswasleftalone,andthewomanstandinginthemidst.WhenJesushadlifteduphimself,andsawnoonebut
thewoman,hesaiduntoher,Woman,wherearethosethineaccusers?hathnomancondemnedthee?Shesaid,Noman,Lord.
AndJesussaiduntoher,NeitherdoIcondemnthee:go,andsinnomore.*
Louiewassuddenlywideawake.DescribingJesusrisingfromhiskneesafteranightofprayer,Graham
askedhislistenershowlongithadbeensincethey’dprayedinearnest.ThenhefocusedonJesusbendingdown,hisfingertracingwordsinthesandatthePharisees’feet,sendingthemenscatteringinfear.
“WhatdidtheyseeJesuswrite?”Grahamasked.Insidehimself,Louiefeltsomethingtwisting.
“Darknessdoesn’thidetheeyesofGod,”Grahamsaid.“Godtakesdownyourlifefromthetimeyouwereborntothetimeyoudie.AndwhenyoustandbeforeGodonthegreatjudgmentday,you’regoingtosay,‘LordIwasn’tsuchabadfelow,’andtheyaregoingtopuldownthescreenandtheyaregoingtoshootthemovingpictureofyourlifefromthecradletothegrave,andyou
aregoingtoheareverythoughtthatwasgoingthroughyourmindeveryminuteoftheday,everysecondoftheminute,andyou’regoingtohearthewordsthatyousaid.Andyourownwords,andyourownthoughts,andyourowndeeds,aregoingtocondemnyouasyoustandbeforeGodonthatday.AndGodisgoingtosay,‘Departfromme.’”*
Louiefeltindignantrageflaringinhim,astruckmatch.Iamagoodman,hethought.Iamagoodman.
Evenashehadthisthought,hefeltthelieinit.Heknewwhathehadbecome.Somewhereunderhisanger,therewasalurking,namelessuneasiness,theshudderofsharksraspingtheirbacksalongthebottomoftheraft.Therewasathoughthemust
notthink,amemoryhemustnotsee.Withtheurgencyofaboltinganimal,hewantedtorun.
Grahamlookedoutoverhisaudience.“Heretonight,there’sadrowningman,adrowningwoman,adrowningman,adrowningboy,adrowninggirlthatisoutlostintheseaoflife.”Hetoldofhelandsalvation,mensavedandmenlost,alwayscoming
backtothestoopedfiguredrawinglettersinthesand.
Louiegrewmoreandmoreangryandmoreandmorespooked.
“Everyheadbowedandeveryeyeclosed,”saidGraham,offeringatraditionalinvitationtorepentance,adeclarationoffaith,andabsolution.LouiegrabbedCynthia’sarm,stoodup,and
buledhiswayfromthetent.
Somewhereinthecity,asirenbeganalowwail.Thesound,risingandfalingslowly,carriedthroughthetent,pickedupbythemicrophonethatwasrecordingthesermon.
Thatnight,Louielayhelplessasthebeltwhippedhishead.ThebodythathunchedoverhimwasthatoftheBird.The
facewasthatofthedevil.
——
LouierosefromhisnightmarestofindCynthiathere.AlmorningSunday,shetriedtocoaxhimintoseeingGrahamagain.Louie,angryandthreatened,refused.Forseveralhours,CynthiaandLouieargued.Exhaustedbyherpersistence,Louiefinalyagreedtogo,withone
caveat:WhenGrahamsaid,
“Everyheadbowed,everyeyeclosed,”theywereleaving.
Underthetentthatnight,Grahamspokeofhowtheworldwasinanageofwar,anagedefinedbypersecutionandsuffering.Why,Grahamasked,isGodsilentwhilegoodmensuffer?Hebeganhisanswerbyaskinghis
audiencetoconsidertheeveningsky.“Ifyoulookintotheheavenstonight,onthisbeautifulCalifornianight,IseethestarsandcanseethefootprintsofGod,”hesaid.“…Ithinktomyself,myfather,myheavenlyfather,hungthemtherewithaflamingfingertipandholdsthemtherewiththepowerofhisomnipotenthand,andherunsthewholeuniverse,andhe’snottoobusyrunningthe
wholeuniversetocountthehairsonmyheadandseeasparrowwhenitfals,becauseGodisinterestedinme…Godspokeincreation.”*
Louiewaswindingtight.HerememberedthedaywhenheandPhil,slowlydyingontheraft,hadslidintothedoldrums.Above,theskyhadbeenaswirloflight;below,thestiledoceanhadmirroredthesky,itsclaritybroken
onlybyaleapingfish.Awedtosilence,forgettinghisthirstandhishunger,forgettingthathewasdying,Louiehadknownonlygratitude.Thatday,hehadbelievedthatwhatlayaroundthemwastheworkofinfinitelybroad,benevolenthands,agiftofcompassion.Intheyearssince,thatthoughthadbeenlost.
Grahamwenton.Hespokeof
Godreachingintotheworldthroughmiraclesandtheintangibleblessingsthatgivementhestrengthtoout-lasttheirsorrows.“Godworksmiraclesoneafteranother,”hesaid.“…Godsays,‘Ifyousuffer,I’lgiveyouthegracetogoforward.’”
LouiefoundhimselfthinkingofthemomentatwhichhehadwokeninthesinkinghulofGreenHornet,thewires
thathadtrappedhimamomentearliernow,inexplicably,gone.AndherememberedtheJapanesebomberswoopingovertherafts,riddlingthemwithbulets,andyetnotasinglebulethadstruckhim,Phil,orMac.Hehadfalenintounbearablycruelworlds,andyethehadbornethem.Whenheturnedthesememoriesinhismind,theonlyexplanationhecouldfindwasoneinwhichthe
impossiblewaspossible.
WhatGodasksofmen,saidGraham,isfaith.Hisinvisibilityisthetruesttestofthatfaith.Toknowwhoseeshim,Godmakeshimselfunseen.
Louieshonewithsweat.Hefeltaccused,cornered,pressedbyafranticurgetoflee.AsGrahamaskedforheadstobowandeyesto
close,Louiestoodabruptlyandrushedforthestreet,towingCynthiabehindhim.“Nobodyleaving,”saidGraham.“YoucanleavewhileI’mpreachingbutnotnow.
Everybodyisstilandquiet.Everyheadbowed,everyeyeclosed.”Heaskedthefaithfultocomeforward.
Louiepushedpastthe
congregantsinhisrow,chargingfortheexit.Hismindwastumbling.Hefeltenraged,violent,ontheedgeofexplosion.Hewantedtohitsomeone.
Ashereachedtheaisle,hestopped.Cynthia,therowsofbowedheads,thesawdustunderfoot,thetentaroundhim,aldisappeared.Amemorylongbeatenback,thememoryfromwhichhehad
runtheeveningbefore,wasuponhim.
Louiewasontheraft.TherewasgentlePhilcrumpledupbeforehim,Mac’sbreathingskeleton,endlessoceanstretchingawayineverydirection,thesunlyingoverthem,thecunningbodiesofthesharks,waiting,circling.Hewasabodyonaraft,dyingofthirst.Hefeltwordswhisperfromhisswolenlips.
Itwasapromisethrownatheaven,apromisehehadnotkept,apromisehehadalowedhimselftoforgetuntiljustthisinstant:Ifyouwillsaveme,Iwillserveyouforever.Andthen,standingunderacircustentonaclearnightindowntownLosAngeles,Louiefeltrainfaling.
Itwasthelastflashbackhewouldeverhave.Louieletgo
ofCynthiaandturnedtowardGraham.Hefeltsupremelyalive.Hebeganwalking.
“Thisisit,”saidGraham.“Godhasspokentoyou.Youcomeon.”
——
CynthiakepthereyesonLouiealthewayhome.Whentheyenteredtheapartment,Louiewentstraighttohis
cacheofliquor.Itwasthetimeofnightwhentheneedusualytookholdofhim,butforthefirsttimeinyears,Louiehadnodesiretodrink.Hecarriedthebottlestothekitchensink,openedthem,andpouredtheircontentsintothedrain.Thenhehurriedthroughtheapartment,gatheringpacksofcigarettes,asecretstashofgirliemagazines,everythingthatwaspartofhisruinedyears.
Heheaveditaldownthetrashchute.
Inthemorning,hewokefeelingcleansed.Forthefirsttimeinfiveyears,theBirdhadn’tcomeintohisdreams.TheBirdwouldnevercomeagain.
LouiedugouttheBiblethathadbeenissuedtohimbytheaircorpsandmailedhometohismotherwhenhewas
believeddead.HewalkedtoBarnsdalPark,whereheandCynthiahadgoneinbetterdays,andwhereCynthiahadgone,alone,whenhe’dbeenonhisbenders.Hefoundaspotunderatree,satdown,andbeganreading.
Restingintheshadeandthestilness,Louiefeltprofoundpeace.Whenhethoughtofhishistory,whatresonatedwithhimnowwasnotalthat
hehadsufferedbutthedivinelovethathebelievedhadintervenedtosavehim.Hewasnottheworthless,broken,forsakenmanthattheBirdhadstriventomakeofhim.Inasingle,silentmoment,hisrage,hisfear,hishumiliationandhelplessness,hadfalenaway.Thatmorning,hebelieved,hewasanewcreation.
Softly,hewept.
*FromtheKingJamesversion.
*Excerptstakenfrom“TheOnlySermonJesusEverWrote,”sermonbyBilyGraham,©1949BilyGrahamEvangelisticAssociation.Usedwithpermission.Alrightsreserved.Author’stranscriptionfromaudiorecording.
*Excerptstakenfrom“WhyGodAlowsChristianstoSufferandWhyGodAlowsCommunismtoFlourish,”sermonbyBilyGraham,©1949BilyGrahamEvangelisticAssociation.Usedwithpermission.Alrightsreserved.Author’stranscriptionfromaudiorecording.
Thirty-nine
Daybreak
a
long,
level
road
towardOa
complex
of
unadorned
buildings.
As
he
approached
the
archway
that
marked
theentrancetothecomplex,hiswholebodytingled.OnthearchwerepaintedthewordsSUGAMOPRISON,andbeyonditwaitedLouie’sPOWcampguards.Atlonglast,LouiehadreturnedtoJapan.
IntheyearthathadpassedsincehehadwalkedintoBilyGraham’stent,Louiehad
workedtokeepapromise.HehadbegunanewlifeasaChristianspeaker,telinghisstoryaloverAmerica.Theworkbroughthimmodesthonorariaandofferings,enoughtoalowhimtopayhisbilsandbuya$150usedDeSoto,finalyreplacingthecarthathe’dlostasloancolateral.Hehadscrapedtogetherjustenoughmoneyforadownpaymentonahouse,butwasstilsopoor
thatCissy’scribwasthehouse’sonlyfurniture.Louiedidthecookingonasingle-coilhotplate,andheandCynthiasleptinsleepingbagsnexttothecrib.Theywerebarelygettingby,buttheirconnectiontoeachotherhadbeenrenewedanddeepened.Theywereblissfultogether.
Inthefirstyearsafterthewar,ajourneybacktoJapanhadbeenLouie’sobsession,the
pathtomurderingthemanwhohadruinedhim.Butthoughtsofmurdernolongerhadahomeinhim.Hehadcomeherenottoavengehimselfbuttoansweraquestion.
Louie(right)atSugamo.CourtesyofLouisZamperini
Louiehadbeentoldthatalofthemenwhohadtormentedhimhadbeenarrested,
convicted,andimprisonedhereinSugamo.Hecouldspeakaboutandthinkofhiscaptors,eventheBird,withoutbitterness,butaquestiontappedatthebackofhismind.Ifheshouldeverseethemagain,wouldthepeacethathehadfoundproveresilient?Withtrepidation,hehadresolvedtogotoSugamotostandbeforethesemen.
Ontheeveningbefore,Louie
hadwrittentoCynthiatotelherwhathewasabouttodo.Hehadaskedhertoprayforhim.
——
Theformerguards,850ofthem,satcross-leggedonthefloorofalarge,barecommonroom.Standingatthefrontoftheroom,Louielookedoutoverthefaces.
Atfirstherecognizednoneofthem.Then,farintherear,hesawafaceheknew,thenanotherandanother:Curley,theWeasel,Kono,JimmieSasaki.
AndtherewastheQuack,whowaspetitioningtohavehisdeathpenaltycommuted.AsLouielookedatthislastman,hethoughtofBilHarris.
Therewasonefacemissing:
Louiecouldn’tfindtheBird.WhenheaskedhisescortwhereWatanabewas,hewastoldthathewasn’tinSugamo.Overfiveyears,thousandsofpolicemenhadscouredJapaninsearchofhim,buttheyhadneverfoundhim.
AsLouiehadbeenpackingtocometoJapan,thelong-awaiteddayhadarrivedinthelifeofShizukaWatanabe:
October1,1950,thedayhersonhadpromisedtocometoher,ifhewasstilalive.HehadtoldhertogototheShinjukudistrictinTokyo,wherehewouldmeetheratthesamerestaurantwheretheyhadlastseeneachother,twoyearsbefore.At10:05thatmorning,policesawShizukaclimbaboardatrainboundfortheShinjukudistrict.Attherestaurant,Mutsuhiroapparentlynever
showedup.
ShizukawenttoKofuandcheckedintoahotel,stayingalone,takingnovisitors.Forfourdays,shewanderedthecity.ThensheleftKofuabruptly,withoutpayingherhotelbil.Thepolicewentintoquestionthehotelmatron.AskedifShizukahadspokenofherson,thematronsaidyes.
“Mutsuhiro,”Shizukahadsaid,“hasalreadydied.”
Inthecornerofasittingroominherhouse,ShizukawouldkeepasmalshrinetoMutsuhiro,atraditionamongbereavedJapanesefamilies.Eachmorning,shewouldleaveanofferinginmemoryofherson.
——
InSugamo,LouieaskedhisescortwhathadhappenedtotheBird.Hewastoldthatitwasbelievedthattheformersergeant,hunted,exiledandindespair,hadstabbedhimselftodeath.
ThewordswashedoverLouie.Inprisoncamp,Watanabehadforcedhimtoliveinincomprehensibledegradationandviolence.Bereftofhisdignity,Louie
hadcomehometoalifelostindarkness,andhaddashedhimselfagainstthememoryoftheBird.ButonanOctobernightinLosAngeles,Louiehadfound,inPaytonJordan’sword,“daybreak.”Thatnight,thesenseofshameandpowerlessnessthathaddrivenhisneedtohatetheBirdhadvanished.TheBirdwasnolongerhismonster.Hewasonlyaman.
InSugamoPrison,ashewastoldofWatanabe’sfate,alLouiesawwasalostperson,alifenowbeyondredemption.Hefeltsomethingthathehadneverfeltforhiscaptorbefore.Withashiverofamazement,herealizedthatitwascompassion.
Atthatmoment,somethingshiftedsweetlyinsidehim.Itwasforgiveness,beautiful
andeffortlessandcomplete.ForLouieZamperini,thewarwasover.
——
BeforeLouieleftSugamo,thecolonelwhowasattendinghimaskedLouie’sformerguardstocomeforward.Inthebackoftheroom,theprisonersstoodupandshuffledintotheaisle.Theymovedhesitantly,
lookingupatLouiewithsmalfaces.
Louiewasseizedbychildlike,giddyexuberance.Beforeherealizedwhathewasdoing,hewasboundingdowntheaisle.Inbewilderment,themenwhohadabusedhimwatchedhimcometothem,hishandsextended,aradiantsmileonhisface.
EPILOGUEONAJUNEDAYIN1954,JUSTOFFAWINDINGROADINCalifornia’sSanGabrielMountains,amessofboystumbledoutofatruckandstoodblinkinginthesunshine.Theywerequick-fisted,hard-facedboys,mostofthemintimatelyfamiliarwithjuvenilehalandjail.
Louiestoodwiththem,watchingthemgetthefeelofearthwithoutpavement,spacewithoutwals.Hefeltasifhewerewatchinghisownyouthagain.
SoopenedthegreatprojectofLouie’slife,thenonprofitVictoryBoysCamp.Beginningwithonlyanideaandverylittlemoney,Louiehadfoundacampsitewherethebargain-basementrent
compensatedforthegeneraldilapidation,thentalkedanumberofbusinessesintodonatingmaterials.He’dspenttwoyearsmanningbackhoes,upendingboulders,anddiggingaswimmingpool.Whenhewasdone,hehadabeautifulcamp.
Victorybecameatonicforlostboys.Louietookinanyone,includingoneboysoungovernablethatLouiehad
tobedeputizedbyasherifftogaincustodyofhim.Hetooktheboysfishing,swimming,horsebackriding,camping,and,inwinter,skiing.Heledthemonmountainhikes,lettingthemtalkouttheirtroubles,andrappeleddowncliffsbesidethem.Heshowedthemvocationalfilms,livingforthedayswhenaboywouldseeacareerdepictedandwhisper,“That’swhatIwanttodo!”Eachevening,
Louiesatwiththeboysbeforeacampfire,telingthemabouthisyouth,thewar,andtheroadthathadledhimtopeace.HewenteasyonChristianity,butlaiditbeforethemasanoption.Somewereconvinced,somenot,buteitherway,boyswhoarrivedatVictoryasruffiansoftenleftitrenewedandreformed.
Louiedemonstratesrappel
ingtohiscampers.CourtesyofLouisZamperini
Whenhewasn’twithhiscampers,Louiewashappilywalkingtheworld,telinghisstorytoraptaudiencesineverythingfromgradeschoolclassroomstostadiums.Improbably,hewasparticularlyfondofspeakingoncruiseships,sortingthroughinvitationstofindaplumvoyage,kickingbackon
thefirst-classdeckwithacooldrinkinhand,andrevelingintheocean.Concernedthatacceptingfathonorariawoulddiscourageschoolsandsmalgroupsfromaskinghimtospeak,hedeclinedanythingovermodestfees.HemadejustenoughmoneytokeepCissyandherlittlebrother,Luke,indiapers,thenbluejeans,thencolege.Ontheside,heworkedintheFirst
PresbyterianChurchofHolywood,supervisingtheseniorcenter.
Overtheyears,hereceivedanabsurdnumberofawardsandhonors.LomitaFlightStrip,whichhadbeenrenamedZamperiniFieldwhileLouiewaslanguishinginNaoetsu,wasrededicatedtohimnotoncemore,buttwice.AplazaatUSCwasnamedafterhim,aswasthe
stadiumatTorranceHigh.In1980,someonenamedagreatbigbargeofaracehorseafterhim,thoughasarunner,ZamperiniwasnoZamperini.ThehouseonGramercybecameahistoriclandmark.LouiewaschosentocarrytheOlympictorchbeforefivedifferentGames.Somanygroupswouldclamortogivehimawardsthathe’dfinditdifficulttofiteveryonein.
Hisbodygavenoquartertoageorpunishment.Intime,evenhisinjuredleghealed.WhenLouiewasinhissixties,hewasstilclimbingCahuengaPeakeveryweekandrunningamileinundersixminutes.Inhisseventies,hediscoveredskateboarding.Ateighty-five,hereturnedtoKwajaleinonaproject,ultimatelyunsuccessful,tolocatethebodiesoftheninemarineswhosenameshad
beenetchedinthewalofhiscel.“WhenIgetold,”hesaidashetossedafootbalontheKwajaleinbeach,“I’lletyouknow.”Whenhewasninety,hisneighborslookeduptoseehimbalancinghighinatreeinhisyard,chainsawinhand.“WhenGodwantsme,he’ltakeme,”hetoldanincredulousPete.“Whythehelareyoutryingtohelphim?”Petereplied.Welintohistenthdecadeoflife,
betweentheoccasionalbrokenbone,hecouldstilbeseenperchedonskis,merrilycannonbalingdownmountains.
Louieonthetorchrunforthe1984SummerOlympics.CourtesyofLouisZamperini
Louie,skateboardingateighty-one.CourtesyofLouis
Zamperini
Heremainedinfectiously,incorrigiblycheerful.Heoncetoldafriendthatthelasttimehecouldrememberbeingangrywassomefortyyearsbefore.Hisconvictionthateverythinghappenedforareason,andwouldcometogood,gavehimalaughingequanimityeveninhardtimes.Inlate2008,whenhewasabouttoturnninety-two,
hewasmovingaslabofconcreteonadolydownaflightofstairswhenthedolywheelsbroke,sendingLouieandtheconcretecrashingdownthesteps.Hewoundupinthehospitalwithaminorhipfractureandashatteredthumb.Ashisdaughtercamedownthehospitalcorridortowardhisroom,sheheardshoutsof“HeyLouie!”fromthecrowdoffriendsthatherfatherhadmadeamongthe
hospitalstaff.“Ineverknewanyone,”
Peteoncesaid,“whodidn’tloveLouie.”Assoonashewasoutofthehospital,Louiewentonathree-milehike.
——
Withthewarover,PhilbecameAlenagain.AfterabriefstintrunningaplasticsbusinessinAlbuquerque,he
andCecymovedtohisboyhoodhometown,LaPorte,Indiana,wheretheyeventualytookjobsatajuniorhigh,Alenteachingscience,CecyteachingEnglish.Theyweresoonparentstoagirlandaboy.
Alenhardlyevermentionedthewar.Hisfriendskepttheirquestionstothemselves,fearfuloftreadinguponapainfulplace.Otherthanthe
scarsonhisforeheadfromtheGreenHornetcrash,onlyhishabitsspokeofwhathe’dbeenthrough.Afterhavinglivedforweeksonrawalbatrossandtern,heneveragainatepoultry.Hehadacuriousaffinityforeatingfooddirectlyoutofcans,cold.Andtheonetimekinghotdogofhissquadronwouldn’tgonearanairplane.AsthejetageovertookAmerica,hestayedinhiscar.
Onlymanyyearslater,whenhisdaughterlostherhusbandinanautoaccident,didhebravetheairtogotoher.
HeneverreturnedtoJapan,andheseemed,outwardly,freeofresentment.Theclosestthingtoitwastheflickerofirritationthatpeoplethoughttheysawinhimwhenhewas,almostinvariably,treatedasatrivialfootnoteinwhatwascelebratedas
Louie’sstory.Ifhewasrubbedwrongbyit,heboreitgraciously.In1954,whentheTVprogramThisIsYourLifefetedLouieandpresentedhimwithagoldwatch,amoviecamera,aMercurystationwagon,andathousanddolars,AlentraveledtoCaliforniatojoinLouie’sfamilyandfriendsonstage,wearinganeatbowtieandlookingatthefloorashespoke.
Whenthegroupposedtogether,Alenslippedtotheback.
AlenPhilipswithhischildren,ChrisandKaren,bedtime,1952.CourtesyofKarenLoomis
AsAlengrewold,hesettledintoretiredlifewithCecy.Hewalkedquiteafewbacknines,changedhisrootinginterestsfromtheSoxtotheCubs,andspentwholedaysjustsittinginsilence.“Dadmusthaveswungathousandmilesonthatfrontporchswing,”saidhisdaughter,KarenLoomis.“Whathewasthinking,Idon’tknow.”
Inthe1990s,diabetesandheartdiseaseconvergedonhim.In1998,afewmonthsbeforehedied,hewasmovedtoanursinghome.Whenthestafflearnedhiswarstory,theyscheduledaneventtohonorhim.Itwasprobablythefirsttimethatwhathe’ddoneduringthewarwaspubliclyrecognizednotsimplyinreferencetoLouie,butforitsownsake.Fortheonlytimeinhislife,Alen
becameanopenbook.Aspeoplegatheredtolistentohisstory,spelbound,Karensawalovelylightcometoherfather’sface.Therewas,shesaid,“alittlegrinunderneath.”
——
ThemenwhohadbefriendedLouieincaptivityfoundtheirwaybackintocivilianlife.Someflourished;some
struggledfortherestoftheirlives.Therewasoneterribleloss.
BilHarrisendedthewaringrandstyle,pluckedfromOmoritostandontheMissouriasJapansurrendered.Hissingularintelectualacuity,lostinthebeatingsfromtheQuack,returnedtohim.Hewenthome,felirretrievablyinlovewithanavycaptain’s
daughter,marriedher,andbecameadotingfathertotwolittlegirls.Afterleaningtowardretirement,heoptedtostaywiththemarines,risingtolieutenantcolonel.HeandLouiesentlettersbackandforth,layingplanstoseeeachotheronedaysoon.
InSeptember1950,Harriswasdrivingdownahighwaywhenthepolicepuledhimover.Hewasbeingcaledto
commandabattalioninKoreaandhadtoleavethenextday.Beforeheleft,hetoldhiswifethatifhisluckwentbad,hewouldn’talowhimselftobecapturedagain.
BeforedawnonDecember7,1950,HarrisstoodonafrozenKoreanmountainwithhiswearybattalion,whichhadseensuchhorrendousfightingthatithadlostthree-quartersofitsmen.That
morning,itwasservingastherearguardforaconvoy.Astheconvoycrossedanopenareainthedark,avast,entrenchedChineseforceambusheditfrompoint-blankrange.WhatHarrisdidnextbecameMarineCorpslegend.Hegatheredhismenand,undermurderousfire,ledthemstraightattheChinese.TheytookheavycasualtiesbutheldtheChineseofflongenoughfortheconvoyto
escape.
BilHarriswithhisdaughterKateyin1950.Hedisappearedafewmonthslater.CourtesyofKatherineH.MearesWhendawncame,noonecouldfindHarris.Thelasttimeanyonehadseenhim,he’dbeenheadinguparoad,carryingtworifles.Hismensearchedforhoursbutfoundnotraceofhim.Theyconcludedthathe’dagain
beencaptured.
Forhisactionsthatnight,HarriswontheNavyCross,anawardsecondonlytotheCongressionalMedalofHonor.GeneralCliftonCapeskeptthemedalinhisdeskinhopesthatHarriswouldcomehometoreceiveit.Hewouldnot.Thirty-two-year-oldWiliamHarriswasneverseenagain.WhenAmerica’sKoreanWarPOWswere
released,noneofthemreportedhavingseenhim.Hewassimplygone.
Manyyearslater,Harris’sfamilyreceivedaboxofbones,apparentlyreturnedbyNorthKorea.TheremainsinsideweresaidtomatchthoseofHarris,butthereportsweresoincompletethatthefamilywasneversureifitwasrealyBilwhomtheyburiedinachurchcemetery
inKentucky.Whatactualyhappenedonthatmorningin1950remainsunknown.
——
Afterthewar,PetemarriedaKansasCitybeautynamedDoris,hadthreekids,anddevotedhislifetotheworkhe’dbeenborntodo.HecoachedfootbalatTorranceHigh,winningtheleaguechampionship,thenmovedon
toBanningHigh,inWilmington,tocoachtrackandfootbal.InthirtyyearsofBanningtrack,hehadonlyonelosingseason.CoachZamperiniwassobelovedthatuponhisretirementin1977,hewasfetedbyeighthundredpeopleontheQueenMary.
“I’mretired;mywifeisjusttired,”Peteusedtosay,andhelovedthemottosomuch
thathehaditprintedonhisbusinesscards.Butintruth,retirementneverrealytook.Atninety,Petehadthelittlestkidsinhisneighborhoodintraining,fashioningdumbbelsoutofoldcans,justashisdadhaddoneforLouie.He’dleadthekidsontohissidewalkandcheerthemonthroughsprints,handingoutadimeforeachracerun,aquarterforapersonalbest.
PetewasmoretroubledbyLouie’swarexperiencethanLouiewas.In1992,heservedasescortforagroupofstudentsonanoceanfishingtrip.
Thoughthevesselwasaspankingnew,ninety-footship,theprospectofbeingatseaterrifiedPete.Heshowedupwitharidiculouslycomprehensiveassortmentofsafetyitems,includinga
heavy-dutyplasticbagtouseasaflotationdevice,afloatableflashlight,asix-footlanyard,awhistle,andapocketknife,whichheimaginedflailingatanysharkswhotriedtoeathim.Hespentthetripstaringambivalentlyatthewater.
Attheendofhislife,PeteremainedasdedicatedtoLouieashe’dbeeninboyhood.Heassembleda
scrapbookthickwithclippingsandphotographsofLouie’slife,andwouldhappilygiveuphisafternoonstotalkabouthisbrother,oncespendingnearlythreehoursonthephonewithareporterwhilesittinginabathtowel.Atninety,hestilrememberedthefinaltimesofLouie’sraces,tothefifthofasecond,three-quartersofacenturyafterLouiehadrunthem.LikePaytonJordan,
whowentontocoachthe1968U.S.Olympictrackandfieldteam,PeteneverstoppedbelievingthatLouiecouldhaverunafour-minutemilelongbeforeRogerBannisterbecamethefirstmantodoit,in1954.Manydecadesafterthewar,PetewasstilhauntedbywhatLouiehadendured.WhendescribingLouie’swartimeordealtoanaudiencegatheredtohonorhisbrother,Petefalteredandbrokedown.
Itwassometimebeforehecouldgoon.
OnaMaydayin2008,acarpuledtoastopbeforePete’shouseinSanClemente,andLouiesteppedout.Hehadcometosaygood-byetohisbrother;Petehadmelanoma,andithadspreadtohisbrain.TheiryoungersisterVirginiahaddiedafewweeksbefore;SylviaandPaytonJordanwouldfolowmonthslater.
Cynthia,asgorgeousandheadstrongasever,hadsuccumbedtocancerin2001,driftingoffasLouiepressedhisfacetohers,whispering,“Iloveyou.”Louie,declareddeadmorethansixtyyearsearlier,wouldoutlivethemal.
Petewasonhisbed,eyesclosed.Louiesatbesidehim.Softly,hebegantotalkofhislifewithPete,tracingthe
pathstheyhadtakensincepneumoniahadbroughtthemtoCaliforniain1919.Thetwoancientmenlingeredtogetherastheyhadasboys,lyingsidebysideontheirbed,waitingfortheGrafZeppelin.
Louiespokeofwhataferalboyhehadoncebeen,andalthatPetehaddonetorescuehim.Hetoldofthecascadeofgoodthingsthathadfolowed
Pete’sactsofdevotion,andthebountifullivesthatheandPetehadfoundinguidingchildren.Alofthosekids,Louiesaid,“arepartofyou,Pete.”
Pete’seyesopenedand,withsuddenclarity,restedonthefaceofhislittlebrotherforthelasttime.Hecouldn’tspeak,buthewasbeaming.
——
Inthefalof1996,inanofficeintheFirstPresbyterianChurchofHolywood,atelephonerang.Louie,thenanudgeshortofeighty,pickedupthereceiver.
ThevoiceonthetelephonebelongedtoDragganMihailovich,aproducerforCBStelevision.The1998WinterOlympicshadbeenawardedtoNagano,andLouiehadacceptedan
invitationtorunthetorchpastNaoetsu.MihailovichwasfilmingaprofileofLouie,tobeairedduringtheOlympics,andhadgonetoJapantoprepare.Whilechattingwithamanoverabowlofnoodles,hehadmadeastartlingdiscovery.
MihailovichaskedLouieifhewassittingdown.Louiesaidyes.Mihailovichtoldhimtograbholdofhischair.
“TheBirdisalive.”
Louienearlyhitthefloor.
——
Thedeadmanhadwalkedoutofthedarknesslateonenightin1952.He’dbeengonefornearlysevenyears.WatanabesteppedoffatraininKobe,walkedthroughthecity,andstoppedbeforeahousewithagardenbisectedbyastone
path.Beforehisdisappearance,hismotherhadspentpartofeachyearlivinginthishouse,butWatanabehadbeengoneforsolongthathedidn’tknowifshecamehereanymore.Hestrodeabout,searchingforaclue.Underthegatelight,hesawhername.
Inalthetimeinwhichhe’dbeenthoughtdead,Watanabehadbeenhidinginthe
countryside.He’dspenttheprevioussummerpedalingthroughvilagesonabicyclefittedwithacooler,selingicecream,envyingthechildrenwhoplayedaroundhim.Whensummerhadended,he’dgonebacktofarmwork,tendingricepaddies.Then,onedayinMarch1952,ashereadanewspaper,hiseyeshadpausedoverastory.Thearrestorderforsuspectedwar
criminalshadbeenlifted.Thereonthepagewashisname.
Theliftingoftheapprehensionorderwastheresultofanunlikelyturninhistory.Immediatelyafterthewar,therewasaworldwideoutcryforpunishmentoftheJapanesewhohadabusedPOWs,andthewar-crimestrialsbegan.Butnewpoliticalrealitiessoonemerged.As
AmericanoccupiersworkedtohelpJapantransitiontodemocracyandindependence,theColdWarwasbeginning.WithcommunismwickingacrosstheFarEast,America’sleadersbegantoseeafuturealiancewithJapanascriticaltonationalsecurity.Thestickingpointwasthewar-crimesissue;thetrialswereintenselyunpopularinJapan,spurringamovementseekingthe
releaseofalconvictedwarcriminals.WiththepursuitofjusticeforPOWssuddenlyinconflictwithAmerica’ssecuritygoals,somethinghadtogive.
OnDecember24,1948,astheoccupationbegantowinddown,GeneralMacArthurdeclareda“Christmasamnesty”forthelastseventeenmenawaitingtrialforClassAwarcrimes,the
designationforthosewhohadguidedthewar.Thedefendantswerereleased,andsomewouldgoontogreatsuccess;onetimedefendantNobusukeKishi,saidtoberesponsibleforforciblyconscribinghundredsofthousandsofChineseandKoreansaslaborers,wouldbecomeprimeministerin1957.ThoughAmericanofficialsjustifiedthereleasebysayingthatitwasunlikely
thatthedefendantswouldhavebeenconvicted,theexplanationwasquestionable;morethantwodozenClassAdefendantshadbeentried,andalhadbeenconvicted.EveninJapan,itwascommonlybelievedthatmanyofthereleasedmenwereguilty.
Tenmonthslater,thetrialsofClassBandCdefendants—thoseaccusedoforderingor
carryingoutabuseoratrocities—wereended.AnarmyofficernamedOsamuSatanowasthelastmantriedbytheUnitedStates.Hispunishmentfitthereconciliatorymood;convictedofbeheadinganairman,hewassentencedtojustfiveyears.Inearly1950,MacArthurruledthatwarcriminals’sentenceswouldbereducedforgoodbehavior,andthoseservinglife
sentenceswouldbeeligibleforparoleafterfifteenyears.Then,in1951,theAliesandJapansignedtheTreatyofPeace,whichwouldendtheoccupation.ThetreatywaivedtherightofformerPOWsandtheirfamiliestoseekreparationsfromJapanandJapanesecompaniesthathadprofitedfromtheirenslavement.*Finaly,inMarch1952,justbeforethetreatytookeffectandthe
occupationended,theorderforapprehensionoffugitivewarcriminalswaslifted.ThoughWatanabewasonthefugitivelist,hardlyanyonebelievedthathewasstilalive.
Whenhesawthestory,Watanabewaswary.Afraidthatthepolicehadplantedthestoryasatrap,hedidn’tgohome.Hespentmuchofthespringworkingasafishmonger,althewhile
wonderingifhewasfree.Finaly,hedecidedtosneakbacktohismother.
Watanaberangthebel,butnooneanswered.Herangagain,longer,andheardfootfalsonthegardenstones.Thegateswungopen,andtherewasthefaceofhisyoungestbrother,whomhehadn’tseensincethelatterwasaboy.Hisbrotherthrewhisarmsaroundhim,thenpul
edhimintothehouse,singingout,“Mu-cchan’sback!”
MutsuhiroWatanabe’sflightwasover.Inhisabsence,manyofhisfelowcampguardsandofficialshadbeenconvictedofwarcrimes.Somehadbeenexecuted.Theotherswouldn’tbeinprisonforlong.InkeepingwiththeAmericanefforttoreconcilewithJapan,alofthem,includingthoseservinglife
sentences,wouldsoonbeparoled.ItappearsthatevenSueharuKitamura,“theQuack,”wassetfree,inspiteofhisdeathsentence.By1958,everywarcriminalwhohadnotbeenexecutedwouldbefree,andonDecember30ofthatyear,alwouldbegrantedamnesty.Sugamowouldbetorndown,andtheepicordealsofPOWsinJapanwouldfadefromtheworld’smemory.
Watanabewouldlateradmitthatinthebeginningofhislifeinexile,hehadponderedthequestionofwhetherornothehadcommittedanycrime.Intheend,helaidtheblamenotonhimselfbuton“sinful,absurd,insanewar.”Hesawhimselfasavictim.Ifhehadtugsofconscienceoverwhathe’ddone,heshruggedthemawaybyassuringhimselfthattheliftingofthefugitive-apprehensionorderwasa
personalexoneration.
“Iwasjustinagreatjoyofcompletereleaseandliberation,”hewrotein1956,“thatIwasnotguilty.”
——
Watanabemarriedandhadtwochildren.HeopenedaninsuranceagencyinTokyo,anditreportedlybecamehighlyprofitable.Helivedin
aluxuryapartmentworthareported$1.5milionandkeptavacationhomeonAustralia’sGoldCoast.
Almosteveryonewhoknewofhiscrimesbelievedhewasdead.Byhisownaccount,WatanabevisitedAmericaseveraltimes,butheapparentlydidn’tencounteranyformerPOWs.Then,intheearly1980s,anAmericanmilitaryofficervisitingJapan
heardsomethingabouttheBirdbeingalive.In1991,BobMartindalewastoldthataJapaneseveteranhadspottedamanhethoughtwasWatanabeatasportsevent.AmongtheotherPOWs,few,ifany,heardofthis.Louieremainedinignorance,convincedthattheBirdhadkiledhimselfdecadesearlier.
Inthesummerof1995,thefiftiethanniversaryofhis
flightfromNaoetsu,Watanabewasseventy-sevenyearsold.Hishairhadgrayed;hishaughtybearinghadbent.Heseemedtobeclosetoconcludinghislifewithoutpubliclyconfrontinghispast.Butthatyear,hewasatlastreadytoadmitthathehadabusedmen.Perhapshetrulyfeltguilty.Perhaps,asheapproachedhisdeath,hehadatroublingsensethathe’dberememberedasa
fiendandwishedtodispelthatnotion.Orperhapshewasmotivatedbythesamevanitythathadconsumedhiminwartime,andhopedtousehisvilehistory,andhisvictims,todrawattentiontohimself,maybeevenwinadmirationforhiscontrition.Thatsummer,whenLondonDailyMailreporterPeterHadfieldcamecaling,Watanabelethimin.
Sittinginhisapartment,hispawlikehandclutchingacrystalwineglass,hefinalyspokeaboutthePOWs.
“Iunderstandtheirbitterness,andtheymaywonderwhyIwassosevere,”hesaid.“ButnowmyfeelingisIwanttoapologize.Adeep,deepapology…Iwassevere.Verysevere.”
Hemadeafistandwavedit
pasthischin.“Iftheformerprisonerswant,Iwouldoffertoletthemcomehereandhitme,tobeatme.”
Heclaimedthathe’dusedonlyhishandstopunishPOWs,anassertionthatwouldhaveriledthemenwho’dbeenkicked,clubbedwithhiskendostickandbasebalbat,andwhippedinthefacewithhisbelt.Hesaidthathe’donlybeentryingto
teachthePOWsmilitarydiscipline,andassertedthathe’dbeenactingunderorders.“IfIhadbeenbettereducatedduringthewar,IthinkIwouldhavebeenkinder,morefriendly,”hesaid.“ButIwastaughtthatthePOWshadsurrendered,andthiswasashamefulthingforthemtohavedone.IknewnothingabouttheGenevaConvention.Iaskedmycommandingofficeraboutit,
andhesaid,‘ThisisnotGeneva,thisisJapan.’
“Thereweretwopeopleinsideme,”hecontinued.“Onethatfolowedmilitaryorders,andtheotherthatwasmorehuman.AttimesIfeltIhadagoodheart,butJapanatthattimehadabadheart.InnormaltimesIneverwouldhavedonesuchthings.
“Warisacrimeagainst
humanity,”heconcluded.“I’mgladourprimeministerapologizedforthewar,butIcan’tunderstandwhythegovernmentasawholedoesn’tapologize.Wehaveabadcabinet.”
Aftertheinterview,aDailyMailreportertrackeddownTomWadeandtoldhimthatWatanabehadaskedforforgiveness.“Iaccepthisapologyandwishhim
contentmentinhisdecliningyears,”Wadesaid.“It’snogoodhangingontothehatredaftersolong.”
Askedifhe’dliketoacceptWatanabe’soffertoletthePOWsbeathim,Wadesaidno,thenreconsidered.
“Imightjusthaveonegoodblow,”hesaid.
TheDailyMailarticle
apparentlyranonlyinEngland.Itwasn’tuntilalmostayearlaterthatLouielearnedthatWatanabestillived.Hisfirstreactionwastosaythathewantedtoseehim.
——
Inthedecadesafterthewar,theabandonedNaoetsucampsitedecayed,andthevilageresidentsdidn’tspeakofwhathadtranspiredthere.
Overtime,thememorywaslargelylost.Butin1978,aformerPOWwrotealettertoteachersatNaoetsuHighSchool,beginningadialoguethatintroducedmanylocalstothetragedythathadtakenplaceintheirvilage.Tenyearslater,formerPOWFrankHolejourneyedbacktothevilage,whichhadjoinedanothervilagetoformJoetsuCity.Heplantedthreeeucalyptusseedlingsoutside
cityhalandgavecityleadersaplaqueinmemoryofthesixtyAustralianswhohaddiedinthecamp.
AstheylearnedthePOWs’stories,Joetsuresidentsrespondedwithsympathy.ResidentsformedagroupdedicatedtobuildingapeaceparktohonorthedeadPOWsandbringreconciliation.AmongthefoundingmemberswasShoichi
Ishizuka,aveteranwho’dbeenheldasaPOWbytheAmericansandtreatedsokindlythathereferredtotheexperienceas“luckyprisonlife.”WhenhelearnedwhathisAliedcounterpartshadenduredinhisownvilage,hewashorrified.Acouncilwasformed,fund-raisingbegan,andexhibitswereerectedintown.Iftheplansucceeded,Joetsuwouldbecome,amongtheninety-onecitiesinJapan
inwhichPOWcampsoncestood,thefirsttocreateamemorialtothePOWswhohadsufferedanddiedthere.
Though85percentofJoetsuresidentsdonatedtotheparkfund,theplangeneratedheatedcontroversy.Someresidentsfoughttheplanvehemently,calingindeaththreatsandvowingtoteardownthememorialandburnsupporters’homes.In
keepingwiththegoalofreconciliation,thememorialcouncilsoughttheparticipationofrelativesoftheguardswho’dbeenconvictedandhanged,butthefamiliesbalked,fearingostracism.Tohonorthegriefoffamiliesonbothsidesofthewar,thecouncilproposedcreatingasinglecenotaphforboththePOWsandthehangedguards,butthisdeeplyoffendedtheformer
POWs.Atonepoint,theplanwasnearlygivenup.
Eventualy,thespiritofreconciliationprevailed.InOctober1995,onthesiteoftheformerNaoetsucamp,thepeaceparkwasdedicated.Thefocalpointwasapairofstatuesofangels,flyingaboveacenotaphinwhichrestedHole’splaque.Inaseparatecenotaphafewyardsawaywasaplaquein
memoryoftheeighthangedguards.Attheguards’families’request,nonameswereinscribedonit,onlyasimplephrase:Eightstarsinthepeacefulsky.
——
Inearly1997,CBSTV’sDragganMihailovicharrivedinTokyotosearchforWatanabe,armedwithanaddressandaphonenumber.
CBS’sJapanesebureauchiefcaledthenumberandreachedWatanabe’swife,whosaidthatherhusbandcouldn’tspeaktothem—hewasgravelyilandbedridden.
MihailovichhadthebureauchiefcalagaintoconveyhiswishesforWatanabe’srecovery.Hiswishesdidthetrick:Mrs.Watanabesaidthatherhusbandhadleftthecountryonbusinessandshe
didn’tknowwhenhe’dreturn.
Seeingthathewasbeingdodged,MihailovichstakedoutWatanabe’sapartmentbuildingandoffice.Hewaitedforhours;Watanabedidn’tappear.
JustasMihailovichwaslosinghope,hiscelphonerang.Watanabehadreturnedthebureauchief’scal.Told
thattheproducershadamessagefromLouisZamperini,WatanabehadagreedtomeetthemataTokyohotel.
——
Mihailovichrentedaroomatthehotelandsetupacameracrewinside.DoubtingthatWatanabewouldagreetoasit-downinterview,heriggedhiscameramanwithatiny
camerainsideabasebalcap.Attheappointedhour,inwalkedtheBird.
Theysatdowninthelobby,andWatanabeorderedabeer.MihailovichexplainedthattheywereprofilingLouisZamperini.Watanabeknewthenameimmediately.“Sixhundredprisoner,”hesaid.“Zamperininumberone.”
BobSimon,CBS’son-air
correspondentforthestory,thoughtthatthiswouldprobablybehisonlychancetoquestionWatanabe,sothereinthelobby,hebegangrilinghimabouthistreatmentofLouie.Watanabewasstartled.HesaidsomethingaboutZamperinibeingagoodman,andhowhe
—Watanabe—hatedwar.Hesaidthathiscentralconcern
hadbeenprotectingthePOWs,becauseiftheyhadescaped,civilianswouldhavekiledthem.
Askedwhyhe’dbeenonthelistofmostwantedwarcriminals,hepuffedwithapparentpride.“I’mnumberseven,”hesaid.“Tojonumberone.”Exile,hesaid,hadbeenverypainfulforhim.
TheyaskedWatanabeifhe’dcomeupstairsforanon-camerainterview.WatanabeaskediftheinterviewwouldairinJapan,andMihailovichsaidno.
ToMihailovich’ssurprise,Watanabeagreed.
Upstairs,withcamerasroling,theyhandedWatanabeaphotographofayouthfulLouie,standingonatrack,
smiling.Simondugin.
“Zamperiniandtheotherprisonersrememberyou,inparticular,beingthemostbrutalofaltheguards.Howdoyouexplainthat?”
Watanabe’srighteyelidbegandrooping.Mihailovichfeltuneasy.
“Iwasn’tgivenmilitaryorders,”Watanabesaid,
contradictingtheassertionhe’dmadeinthe1995interview.“Becauseofmypersonalfeelings,ItreatedtheprisonersstrictlyasenemiesofJapan.Zamperiniwaswelknowntome.IfhesayshewasbeatenbyWatanabe,thensuchathingprobablyoccurredatthecamp,ifyouconsidermypersonalfeelingsatthetime.”
Hetossedhisheadhigh,
juttedouthischin,anddirectedahardgazeatSimon.HesaidthatthePOWshadcomplainedof“triflethings”andhadusedepithetstorefertotheJapanese.Thesethings,hesaid,hadmadehimangry.Withhundredsofprisoners,hesaid,he’dbeenundergreatpressure.
“BeatingandkickinginCaucasiansocietyare
consideredcruel.Cruelbehavior,”hesaid,speakingveryslowly.“However,thereweresomeoccasionsintheprisoncampinwhichbeatingandkickingwereunavoidable.”
Whentheinterviewwasover,Watanabelookedshakenandangry.ToldthatZamperiniwascomingtoJapanandwantedtomeethimtoofferhisforgiveness,Watanabe
repliedthathewouldseehimandapologize,ontheunderstandingthatitwasonlyapersonalapology,notoneofferedonbehalfoftheJapanesemilitary.
Astheypackedup,Mihailovichhadalastrequest.Wouldheagreetobefilmedwalkingdownthestreet?This,itseemed,waswhatWatanabehadcomefor.Hedonnedhiscap,steppedto
thesidewalk,turned,andwalkedtowardthecamera.Hemovedjustashehadinparadesbeforehiscaptives,headhigh,chestthrustout,eyesimperious.
——
Onedayninemonthslater,ashepreparedtoreturntoJapantocarrytheOlympictorch,Louiesatathisdeskforhours,thinking.Thenhe
clickedonhiscomputerandbegantowrite.
——
ToMatsuhiro[sic]Watanabe,
Asaresultofmyprisonerofwarexperienceunderyourunwarrantedandunreasonablepunishment,mypost-warlifebecameanightmare.Itwasnotsomuchduetothepainand
sufferingasitwasthetensionofstressandhumiliationthatcausedmetohatewithavengeance.
Underyourdiscipline,myrights,notonlyasaprisonerofwarbutalsoasahumanbeing,werestrippedfromme.Itwasastruggletomaintainenoughdignityandhopetoliveuntilthewar’send.
Thepost-warnightmares
causedmylifetocrumble,butthankstoaconfrontationwithGodthroughtheevangelistBilyGraham,IcommittedmylifetoChrist.LovereplacedthehateIhadforyou.Christsaid,“Forgiveyourenemiesandprayforthem.”
Asyouprobablyknow,IreturnedtoJapanin1952[sic]andwasgraciouslyalowedtoaddressalthe
JapanesewarcriminalsatSugamoPrison…Iaskedthenaboutyou,andwastoldthatyouprobablyhadcommittedHaraKiri,whichIwassadtohear.Atthatmoment,liketheothers,IalsoforgaveyouandnowwouldhopethatyouwouldalsobecomeaChristian.
LouisZamperini
Hefoldedtheletterand
carrieditwithhimtoJapan.
Themeetingwasnottobe.CBScontactedWatanabeandtoldhimthatZamperiniwantedtocomeseehim.Watanabepracticalyspathisreply:Theanswerwasno.
WhenLouiearrivedinJoetsu,hestilhadhisletter.Someonetookitfromhim,promisingtogetittoWatanabe.IfWatanabereceivedit,he
neverreplied.
WatanabediedinApril2003.
——
OnthemorningofJanuary22,1998,snowsiftedgentlyoverthevilageonceknownasNaoetsu.LouisZamperini,fourdaysshortofhiseighty-firstbirthday,stoodinaswirlofwhitebesidearoadflankedinbrightdrifts.Hisbodywas
wornandweathered,hisskinscratchedwithlinesmappingthemilesofhislife.Hisoldriotofblackhairwasnowatranslucentscrimofwhite,buthisblueeyesstilthrewsparks.Ontheringfingerofhisrighthand,ascarwasstilvisible,thelastmarkthatGreenHornethadleftintheworld.
Atlast,itwastime.Louieextendedhishand,andinit
wasplacedtheOlympictorch.Hislegscouldnolongerreachandpushastheyoncehad,buttheywerestilsurebeneathhim.Heraisedthetorch,bowed,andbeganrunning.
Alhecouldsee,ineverydirection,weresmilingJapanesefaces.Therewerechildrenpeekingoutofhoodedcoats,menwhohadonceworkedbesidethePOW
slavesinthesteelmil,civilianssnappingphotographs,clapping,waving,cheeringLouieon,and120Japanesesoldiers,formedintotwocolumns,partingtolethimpass.Louieranthroughtheplacewherecageshadonceheldhim,whereablack-eyedmanhadcrawledinsidehim.Butthecageswerelonggone,andsowastheBird.Therewasnotraceofthemhereamongthe
voices,thefalingsnow,andtheoldandjoyfulman,running.
*America’sWarCrimesActsof1948and1952awardedeachformerPOW$1foreachdayofimprisonmentifhecouldprovethathewasn’tgiventheamountandqualityoffoodmandatedbytheGenevaConvention,and$1.50perdayifhecouldprovethat
he’dbeensubjectedtoinhumanetreatmentand/orhardlabor.Thismadeforamaximumbenefitof$2.50perday.UndertheTreatyofPeace,$12.6milioninJapaneseassetsweredistributedtoPOWs,butbecauseAmerica’sPOWshadalreadyreceivedmeagerWarCrimesActspayments,firstclaimontheassetswasgiventoothernations.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS“I’lbeaneasiersubjectthanSeabiscuit,”Louieoncetoldme,“becauseIcantalk.”
WhenIfinishedwritingmyfirstbook,Seabiscuit:AnAmericanLegend,IfeltcertainthatIwouldneveragainfindasubjectthatfascinatedmeasdidthe
Depression-eraracehorseandtheteamofmenwhocampaignedhim.WhenIhadmyfirstconversationwiththeinfectiouslyeffervescentandapparentlyimmortalLouieZamperini,Ichangedmymind.
Thatconversationbeganmyseven-yearjourneythroughLouie’sunlikelylife.IfoundhisstoryinthememoriesofOlympians,formerPOWs
andairmen,Japaneseveterans,andthefamilyandfriendswhoonceformedthehomefront;indiaries,letters,essays,andtelegrams,manywrittenbymenandwomenwhodiedlongago;inmilitarydocumentsandhazyphotographs;inunpublishedmemoirsburiedindeskdrawers;indeepstacksofaffidavitsandwar-crimestrialrecords;inforgottenpapersinarchivesasfar-flungasOslo
andCanberra.Bytheendofmyjourney,Louie’slifewasasfamiliartomeasmyown.“WhenIwanttoknowwhathappenedtomeinJapan,”Louieoncetoldhisfriends,“IcalLaura.”
Inopeninghisworldtome,Louiecouldnothavebeenmoregracious.Hesatthroughsomeseventy-fiveinterviews,answeringthousandsofquestionswithneither
impatiencenorcomplaint.Hewasrefreshinglyhonest,quicktoconfesshisfailuresandcorrectafewembelishedstoriesthatjournalistshavewrittenabouthim.Andhismemorywasastounding;nearlyeverytimeIcross-checkedhisaccountsofeventsagainstnewspaperstories,officialrecords,andothersources,hisrecolectionsprovedaccuratetothesmalestdetail,evenwhenthe
eventstookplacesomeeighty-fiveyearsago.
Asuperlativepackrat,Louiehassavedseeminglyeveryartifactofhislife,fromtheDONOTDISTURBsignthatheswipedfromJesseOwensinBerlintothepapernumberthatheworeasheshatteredtheinterscholasticmilerecordin1934.Oneofhisscrapbooks,whichcoversonly1917to1938,weighs
sixty-threepounds.Thishevolunteeredtosendme,surrenderingittomylatefriendDebieGinsburg,whosomehowmanhandleditdowntoamailingservice.Alongwithit,hesentseveralotherscrapbooks(fortunatelysmaler),hundredsofphotographsandletters,hisdiaries,anditemsaspreciousasthestainednewspaperclippingthatwasinhiswaletontheraft.Alofthesethings
weretreasuretrovestome,telinghisstorywithimmediacyandrevealingdetail.IamimmenselygratefultoLouiefortrustingmewithitemssodeartohim,andforwelcomingmeintohishistory.
PeteZamperini,SylviaZamperiniFlammer,andPaytonJordandidn’tlivetoseethisbook’scompletion,buttheyplayedanenormous
roleinitscreation,sharingalifetimeofmemoriesandmemorabilia.Thereweremanyjoysformeinwritingthisbook;mylongtalkswithPete,Sylvia,andPaytonrankedhighamongthem.IalsothankHarveyFlammer,CynthiaZamperiniGarris,RicApplewhite,andthelateMargeJordanfortelingmetheirstoriesaboutLouieandCynthia.
KarenLoomis,thedaughterofRusselAlenPhilipsandhiswife,Cecy,walkedmethroughherfamily’shistoryandsentherfather’swartimeloveletterstohermother,scrapbooks,photographs,clippings,andhergrandmother’smemoir.ThankstoKaren,Iwasabletopeerintothelifeofthequiet,modestpilotknownasPhilanduncoverthebraveandenduringman
underneath.SomedayI’lmakeitdowntoGeorgiaforlong-promisedmuffinswithKaren.MythanksalsogotoBilHarris’sdaughterKateyMeares,whosentfamilyphotographsandtoldmeofthefathershelostfartoosoon,rememberinghimstandingonhisheadinhiskitchentosummongigglesfromhisgirls.IalsothankMonroeandPhoebeBormann,TerryHoffman,
andBilPerryfortelingmeaboutPhilandCecy.
Forthemenwhoenduredprisoncamp,speakingofthewarisoftenasearingexperience,andIamdeeplygratefultothemanyformerPOWswhosharedtheirmemories,sometimesintears.IshalneverforgetthegenerosityofBobMartindale,TomWade,andFrankTinker,whospentmany
hoursbringingPOWcampandtheBirdtolifeforme.MiltonMcMulendescribedOmori,thePOWinsurgency,andthedayheknockedoveratrain.JohanArthurJohansentoldofOmoriandsharedhisextensivewritingsonPOWcamp.ThelateKenMarvinspokeofthelastpancakesheateonWakebeforetheJapanesecame,NaoetsuundertheBird,andteachingaguardhilariously
offensiveEnglish.GlennMcConnelspokeofOfuna,Gagatheduck,andthebeatingofBilHarris.ThelateJohnCooktoldmeofslaveryatNaoetsuandsharedhisunpublishedmemoir.IalsosendthankstoformerPOWsFiskeHanley,BobHolingsworth,Raleigh“Dusty”Rhodes,JoeBrown,V.H.Spencer,RobertCassidy,LeonardBirchal,JoeAlexander,MinosMiler,
BurnO’Neil,CharlesAudet,RobertHeer,andPaulCascio,andPOWfamilymembersJ.WattHinson,LindaWest,KathleenBirchal,RuthDecker,JoyceForth,MarianTougas,JanRichardson,JenniferPurcel,KarenHeer,andAngieGiardina.
StanleyPilsburyspentmanyafternoonsonthephonewithme,relivinghisdaysaboard
hisbelovedSuperMan,theChristmasraidoverWake,andthemomentwhenheshotdownaZerooverNauru.FrankRosynek,abornraconteur,senthisunpublishedmemoir,“NotEverybodyWoreWings,”andwrotetomeaboutthebombingofFunafutiandLouie’smiraculousreturnfromthedeadonOkinawa.LesterHermanScearceandthelatepilotsJohnJoseph
DeasyandJesseStaytoldofWake,Nauru,Funafuti,andthesearchforthelostcrewofGreenHornet.MartinCohntoldofsquadronlifeonHawaii;JohnKreytoldofLouie’sdisappearanceandreappearance.ByronKinneydescribedthedayheflewhisB-29overLouieatNaoetsuandlistenedtotheJapanesesurrenderasheflewbacktoGuam.JohnWelerdescribedthefearfulycomplexjobofa
B-24navigator.
IamdeeplyindebtedtoseveralJapanesepeoplewhospokecandidlyofadarkhourintheirnation’shistory.YuichiHatto,theOmoricampaccountantandafriendtoPOWs,wasanindispensablesourceontheBird,Omori,andlifeasaJapanesesoldier,answeringmyquestionsinwriting,inhissecondlanguage,when
wewereunabletospeakonthetelephone.YoshiKondotoldmeaboutthefoundingoftheJoetsuPeacePark,andShibuiGenziwrotetomeaboutJapaneselifeinNaoetsu.ToruFukubayashiandTaekoSasamoto,historianswiththePOWResearchNetworkJapan,answeredmyquestionsandpointedmetowardsources.
ThedelightfulVirginia
“Toots”BowersoxWeitzel,Louie’schildhoodfriend,mademecassettetapesofthemostpopularsongsatTorranceHighinthe1930s,narratingthemwithstoriesfromherdaysasaschoolcheerleader.Toots,whopassedawayjustbeforethisbookwenttopress,toldoftacklingLouieonhissixteenthbirthday,cheeringhimonasherantheTorrancetrackwithPete,andplaying
footbalwithhiminfrontofKelow’sHamburgStandinLongBeach.ShewastheonlyninetysomethingpersonIknewwhowasobsessedwithAmericanIdol.OlympiansVelmaDunnPloesselandIrisCummingsCritchelvividlydescribedtheirexperiencesaboardtheUSSManhattanandattheBerlinGames.DragganMihailovichtoldmeofhisremarkableencounterwith
theBird.GeorgieBrightKunkelwrotetomeaboutherbrother,thegreatNormanBright.
——
AsItracedLouie’spaththroughhistory,manypeoplewentoutoftheirwaytohelpmefindinformationandmakesenseofit.WiththeassistanceofformerUSAAFbombardierRobertGrenz,
WiliamDarronoftheArmyAirForcesHistoricalAssociationbroughtaNordenbombsighttomyhouse,setitupinmydiningroom,putarolingscreenofArizonabeneathit,andtaughtmehowto“bomb”Phoenix.AsIworkedonmybook,Bilwasalwayshappytoanswermyquestions.GaryWeaverofDisabledAmericanVeteransclimbedaloveraB-24tofilmtheinteriorforme;
thankstoGarySiniseforputtingmeincontactwithMr.Weaver.CharlieTilghman,whofliesarestoredB-24fortheCommemorativeAirForce,taughtmeaboutflyingtheLiberator.
WhenIwastooiltogettotheNationalArchives,PeggyAnnBrownandMolyBrosewentthereforme,wadingintovoluminousPOWand
war-crimesrecordsandcomingbackwithsomeofmymostcriticalmaterial.JohnBrodkintypedupmycitationstosavemefrommyvertigoandclimbedonmydiningroomtabletophotographimagesoutofLouie’sscrapbook.NinaB.SmithtranslatedPOWdocumentsfromNorwegian,andNorikoSanefujitranslatedmyletterstoandfromJapanesesources.Julie
Wheelocktranscribedmanyofmyinterviews,strainingtohearelderlyvoicestapedonmynearly-as-elderlyrecorder.GailMorganoftheTorranceHighSchoolAlumniAssociationdugthroughtheschoolarchivesinsearchofphotographsofLouie.
IalsowanttosendthankstoDragganMihailovich,ChristopherSvendsen,and
SeanMcManusofCBS,whokindlygotmepermissiontoviewunairedvideotapefromCBS’s1998featureonLouie.RogerMansel’sCenterforResearch,AliedPOWsUndertheJapanese(http://www.mansel.com/pow-index.html)wasacomprehensivesourceofinformationonPOWcamps;thanksalsotohistorianWesInjerd,whoworkswithMansel’ssite.Jon
Hendershott,associateeditoratTrackandFieldNews,helpedmedecipherconfusing1930smilerecords.PaulLombardo,authorofTheOneSureCure:Eugenics,theSupremeCourtandBuckv.Bell,andTonyPlatt,authorofBloodlines:RecoveringHitler’sNurembergLaws,taughtmeabouteugenics.RickZitarosaoftheNavalLakehurstHistoricalSocietyansweredquestionsaboutthe
GrafZeppelin.JanetFisheroftheNortheastRegionalClimateCenter,JanetWaloftheNationalClimaticDataCenter,andKeithHeidorn,PhD,oftheWeatherDoctor(http://www.islandnet.com/~see/weather/doctor.htm),answeredweather-relatedquestions.FredGil,MD,helpedmeunderstandPhil’sheadinjury.CharlesStenger,PhD,clearedupmyconfusiononPOWstatistics.
WorkingwithYvonneKinkaidandColonelJ.A.Saaverda(Ret.)oftheReferenceTeam,AnalysisandReferenceDivision,AirForceHistoricalResearchandAnalysis,BolingAirForceBase,thewonderfulyhelpfulColonelFrankTrippi(Ret.)unearthedheapsofAAFdocumentsforme.IamalsogratefultoLieutenantColonelRobertClark,USAF(Ret.),attheAirForceHistorical
StudiesOffice,BolingAirForceBase;WilMahoney,EricVanSlander,andDaveGiordanooftheNationalArchives;CathyCoxandBarrySpinkoftheAirForceHistoricalResearchAgency,MaxwelAirForceBase;andCarolLeadenham,assistantarchivistforreferenceattheHooverInstitutionArchives.IalsothankmydearfriendColonelMichaelC.
Howard,USMC(Ret.),whoworkedwithCaptainWiliamRudich,USN(Ret.),LieutenantColonelToddHolmquist,USMC,MajorHeatherCotoia,USMC,Boatswain’sMateChiefFrankWeber,USN(Ret.),andJimHeath,PhD,professoremeritus,PortlandStateUniversity,tofindinformationonEverettAlmond,thenavigatorwhowaskiledbyasharkwhile
tryingtosavehimselfandhispilot.
ThanksalsotoPeteGolkin,OfficeofCommunications,NationalAirandSpaceMuseum;MidgeFischer,EAAWarbirdsofAmerica;PatrickRanfranz,GregBabinski,andJimWalshofthe307thBombGroupAssociation;LieutenantCommanderKenSnyderoftheNationalNavalAviation
Museum;RichKolbandMikeMeyeroftheVeteransofForeignWars;HelenFuruoftheNorwegianMaritimeMuseum;SiriLawsonofWarSailors.com;PhilGudenschwager,11thBombGrouphistorian;JustinMack,Webdeveloper,11thBombGroup;BilBarrette,Sugamohistorian;WayneWeberoftheBilyGrahamCenterarchivesatWheatonColege;MelanyEthridgeofLarry
RossCommunications;TessMilerandHeatherVanKoughnettoftheBilyGrahamEvangelisticAssociation;ShirleyIto,librarian,LA84Foundation;VictoriaPalmer,GeorgetownPublicLibrary;EdithMiler,PaloAltoHighSchool;WayneWilson,vicepresident,AmateurAthleticFoundationofLosAngeles;LaurenWalserofUSCTrojanFamilymagazine;
CherylMorris,AlumniRecords,Princeton;ParkerBostwickoftheTorranceNewsTorch;andEricSpottsofTorranceHighSchool.
OtherswhoassistedmeincludemydearfriendAlanPocinki,whohashelpedmeinmorewaysthanIcancount;LindaGoetzHolmes,authorofUnjustEnrichment;HamptonSides,authorofGhostSoldiers;Morton
Janklow;DaveTooley;KarenandRussScholar;WiliamBaker,professoremeritus,UniversityofMaine;JohnPowersofNorthChinaMarines.com;KenCrothers;ChristineHoffman;BudRoss;JohnChapman;RobinRowland;EdHotaling;MortonCathro;ChrisMcCarron;BobCurran;MikeBrown;RichardGlover;JimTeegardenofpbyrescue.com;TomGwynne
ofWingslip;CherylCerbone,editor,Ex-POWBulletin;ClydieMorgan,ExAmericanPrisonersofWar;MikeStoneofaccident-report.com;Dr.StanleyHoffman;KathyHal;JimDeasy;CaptainBobRasmussen,USN(Ret.);ThorleifAndreassen;JanetMcIlwain;GaryStaffo;LynnGamma;PatrickHoffman;andGeneVenske.
——
ThereareseveralpeopletowhomIowespecialthanks.MybrotherJohnHilenbrand,alongtimeprivatepilot,reviewedtheaircraftandflyingsectionsofmybookwithanextraordinarilycarefuleyeandhelpedmeunderstandthearcanedetailsofaeronautics.Mysister,SusanAvalon,readandrereadthemanuscript,offeredinvariablybriliantsuggestions,andtalkedme
throughtheplacesthathadmestumped.SusanandJohn,Iamsoluckytobeyourlittlesister.IalsothankEQUUS
magazineeditorLauriePrinzandmyoldKenyonfriendChrisToft,whoreadmymanuscriptandgavemeinsightfulsuggestions.
TheauthorofthebeautifulywrittenFinishFortyandHome:TheUntoldStoryof
B-24sinthePacific,PhilScearce,knowstheworldoftheAAF’sPacificairmenbetterthananyotherhistorian.AsIwrotethisbook,Philwassingularlygenerous,sharinghisvoluminousresearch,directingmetosources,andhelpingmesortthroughmanyaquandary.Iamforeverinhisdebt.
IhavegreatgratitudeforB-
29navigatorandformerPOWRaymond“Hap”Haloran.AsIwrotethisbook,Hapbecamemyalmostdailyemailcorrespondent,offeringmeresearchhelp,sharinghisphotographs,telingofhisexperiences,sendinggiftstocheermysister’schildrenaftertheirfather’sdeath,andsimplybeingmyfriend.Veryfewhumanbeingshaveseenhumanity’sdarksideasHaphas,andyetheisever
buoyant,everforgiving.Hap’sresilientheartismyinspiration.
Fromthebeginningofthisproject,IworkedwithtwotranslatorsinJapan.Theydidsomuchmoreformethanmeretranslation,teachingmeabouttheirculture,helpingmetounderstandthewarfromtheJapaneseperspective,andofferingtheirthoughtsonmymanuscript.
BecausethewarremainsahighlycontroversialissueinJapan,theyhaveaskedmenottoidentifythem,butIwilneverforgetwhattheyhavedoneformeandforthisbook.
IfIhadafirstborn,I’doweittomyeditor,JenniferHershey.Jenniferwasinfinitelykindandinfinitelypatient,offeringinspiredsuggestionsonmy
manuscript,makingcountlessaccommodationsformypoorhealth,andusheringmefromfirstdrafttolast.Ialsothankmyspectacularlytalentedagent,TinaBennett,whoguidesmethroughauthordomwithasureandsupportivehand,andmyformereditor,JonKarp,whosawthepromiseinthisstoryfromthebeginning.ThanksalsotoTina’sassistant,SvetlanaKatz,andJennifer’sassistant
CourtneyMoran.
InthemanymomentsinwhichIwasunsureifIcouldbringthisbooktoahappycompletion,myhusband,Borden,wastheretocheermeon.Hespentlonghoursatourkitchentable,poringovermymanuscriptandmakingitstronger,and,whenilnessshrankmyworldtotheupperfloorofourhouse,filedthatlittleworldwithjoy.Thank
you,Borden,foryourboundlessaffection,foryourwisdom,foryourfaithinme,andforalwaysbringingmesandwiches.
Finaly,IwishtorememberthemilionsofAliedservicemenandprisonersofwarwholivedthestoryoftheSecondWorldWar.Manyofthesemennevercamehome;manyothersreturnedbearingemotionalandphysicalscars
thatwouldstaywiththemfortherestoftheirlives.Icomeawayfromthisbookwiththedeepestappreciationforwhatthesemenendured,andwhattheysacrificed,forthegoodofhumanity.Itistothemthatthisbookisdedicated.
——
LauraHilenbrand
May2010
NOTES
AlletterstoorfromLouisZamperini,ortoorfromhisfamilymembers,aswelasdiaries,arefromthepapersofLouisZamperini,exceptwherenotedotherwise.
AllettersbetweenPhilipsfamilymembers,aswelasKelseyPhilips’sunpublishedmemoir“ALifeStory,”arefromthepapersofKaren
Loomis.
Alinterviewswereconductedbytheauthor,exceptwherenotedotherwise.Assomeseventy-fiveinterviewswereconductedwithLouisZamperini,citationsoftheseinterviewsarenotdated.
ABBREVIATIONS
AAFLAAmateurAthleticFoundationofLosAngeles
AFHRAAirForceHistoricalResearchAgency
BGEA
BilyGrahamEvangelisticAssociation
HIA
HooverInstitutionArchives
NACP
NationalArchivesatColegePark,Maryland
NHC
NavalHistoricalCenter
NPN
Nopublicationnamed
NYT
NewYorkTimes
RAOOHRecordsofAliedOperationalandOccupationHeadquarters
RG
RecordGroup
SCAP
SupremeCommanderofAliedPowers
Preface1Raft:“42ndBombardmentSquadron:AddendumtoSquadronHistory,”September11,1945,AFHRA,MaxwelAFB,Ala.;LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;RobertTrumbul,“Zamperini,OlympicMiler,IsSafeAfterEpicOrdeal,”NYT,September9,1945.
2Four-minutemile:CharliePaddock,“Sportorials,”April1938newspaperarticlefromZamperiniscrapbook,NPN;GeorgeDavis,“ForSakeofSport,”LosAngelesEveningHeraldandExpress,undated1938articlefromZamperiniscrapbook;GeorgeDavis,“CunninghamPredictsZamperiniNextMileChamp,”undatedarticlefromZamperiniscrapbook,NPN;PaulScheffels,“4Minute
MileRunIsCloser,”Modesto(Calif.)Bee,February14,1940.
PARTIChapter1:TheOne-BoyInsurgency
1GrafZeppelin:DouglasBotting,Dr.Eckener’sDreamMachine:TheGreatZeppelinandtheDawnofAirTravel(NewYork:HenryHolt,2001),pp.146–88;“ZeppelinShattersRecord,”SaltLake
Tribune,August11,1929;“ZeppelinatL.A.,”ModestoNews-Herald,August26,1929;“ZeptoSailTonightforN.Y.,”SanMateoTimes,August26,1929;“GrafZeppelinBidsAdieuandSoarsHomeward,”ChillicotheConstitution-Tribune,August8,1929;LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;PeterZamperini,telephoneinterview,March2,2006;RickZitarosa,Navy
LakehurstHistoricalSociety,emailinterview,April25,2006;LyleC.Wilson,“EckenerFolowsLindberghTrailonHomewardTrip,”DailyNorthwestern(Oshkosh,Wisc.),August8,1929;W.W.Chaplin,“GrafZeppelinonLongTrailaroundWorld,”JeffersonCityPost-Tribune,August8,1929;“BigGermanZepStartsWorldTour,”Moberly(Mo.)Monitor-Index,August
8,1929;“Zep’sOceanHopStartsinMidweek,”SaltLakeTribune,August20,1929;KarlH.VonWiegand,“GrafZeppelinRidesTyphoonTrailtoPort,”SaltLakeTribune,August20,1929;MilesH.Vaughn,“GrafZeppelinScoresGreatHitwithOrient,”BillingsGazette,August28,1929;“IntheSpotlightofToday’sNews,”Waterloo(Iowa)EveningCourier,August26,
1929;“ZeppelinWilContinueFlightTonight,”Waterloo(Iowa)EveningCourier,August26,1929;“MikadoofJapantoReceive‘Graf’VoyagersatTea,”Waterloo(Iowa)EveningCourier,August20,1929;“StarsPlayingHideandSeekwithZeppelin,”SaltLakeTribune,August25,1929.
2Hitler’sspeech:DavidWelch,Hitler:Profileofa
Dictator(London:Routledge,1998),p.80.
3“likeahugeshark”:Botting,p.180.
4Lookedlikemonsters:Ibid.,p.181.
5“fearfulybeautiful”:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
6Familyhistory:Peter
Zamperini,telephoneinterviews,October19,22,2004.
7Boyhoodstories:ArtRosenbaum,“ZamperiniCheatedDeathNineTimes,”SanFranciscoChronicleSportingGreen,March3,1940;MaxwelStiles,“FireThreatenedCareerofZamperiniasChild,”LosAngelesExaminer,undated,1938;PeterZamperini,
telephoneinterview,October22,2004;LouisZamperini,telephoneinterviews;SylviaFlammer,telephoneinterviews,October25,27,2004;LouisZamperini,interviewbyGeorgeHodak,Holywood,Calif.,June1988,AAFLA.
8“Petenevergotcaught”:SylviaFlammer,telephoneinterview,October25,2004.
9Italiansweredisliked:PeterZamperini,telephoneinterview,October15,2004.
10“Youcouldbeathim”:SylviaFlammer,telephoneinterview,October25,2004.
11“Louiecan’tstandit”:PeterZamperini,telephoneinterview,October17,2004.
12Louie’sparents:PeterZamperini,telephone
interview,October15,2004;LouisZamperini,telephoneinterviews;SylviaFlammer,telephoneinterviews,October25,27,2004.
13“Youonlyasked”:PeterZamperini,telephoneinterview,October22,2004.
14“Itwasamatter”:SylviaFlammer,telephoneinterview,October25,2004.
15Louie’stroublemaking:PeterZamperini,telephoneinterviews,October15,17,19,22,2004;LouisZamperini,telephoneinterviews;SylviaFlammer,telephoneinterviews,October25,27,2004,andMarch2,2006.
16Improvisingmeals:PeterZamperini,telephoneinterview,October22,2004.
17Unemploymentnear25percent:UnitedStatesCensusBureau,U.S.DepartmentofCommerce,http://www.census.gov/rochi/www/fun1.html#1900
(accessedSeptember7,2009).
18Eugenics:PaulLombardo,“EugenicSterilizationLaws,”DolanDNALearningCenter,ColdSpringHarborLaboratory,
http://www.eugenicsarchive.org(accessedApril13,2006);PaulLombardo,emailinterview,April13,2006;EdwinBlack,“EugenicsandtheNazis
—theCaliforniaconnection,”SanFranciscoChronicle,November9,2003;AnthonyPlatt,professoremeritus,CaliforniaStateUniversity,emailinterview,April13,2006;AnthonyPlatt,“The
FrighteningAgendaoftheAmericanEugenicsMovement”(remarksmadebeforeCaliforniaSenateJudiciaryCommittee,June24,2003).
19Infectingpatientswithtuberculosis:EdwinBlack,“EugenicsandtheNazis—theCaliforniaConnection,”SanFranciscoChronicle,November9,2003.
20Torranceboythreatenedwithsterilization:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
21Hewas“bighearted”:PeterZamperini,telephoneinterview,October17,2004.
22Listeningtotrain:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
Chapter2:RunLikeMad
1PetegetsLouie’ssportsbanlifted:PeterZamperini,telephoneinterview,October17,2004;LouisZamperini,telephoneinterviews.
2Pete’sathleticcareer:“TrackStarsGraduate,”undated1934newspaperarticlefromZamperiniscrapbook,NPN;“PeteZamperiniSetsRecord,”
undated1934newspaper
articlefromZamperiniscrapbook,NPN;“PeteZamperiniGoestoUSC,”undated1934newspaperarticlefromZamperiniscrapbook,NPN.
3Firstrace:PeterZamperini,telephoneinterview,October17,2004;LouisZamperini,telephoneinterviews;LouisZamperini,interviewbyGeorgeHodak,Holywood,Calif.,June1988,AAFLA.
4PetehitsLouiewithstick:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterviews;MaxwelStiles,“SwitchHelpedTroyStarLearntoRun,”undated1937
newspaperarticlefromZamperinipapers,NPN.
5Runningaway,Cahuila:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterviews.
6Training:LouisZamperini,
telephoneinterviews;PeterZamperini,telephoneinterview,October17,2004;LouisZamperini,interviewbyGeorgeHodak,Holywood,Calif.,June1988,AAFLA;VirginiaBowersoxWeitzel,telephoneinterview,February19,2005.
7
Cunningham:
Mark
D.
Hersey,
“Cunningham
Cals
It
a
Career,”
KU
Connection,April
8,
2002,
http://www.kuconnection.org/april2002/people_Glenn.asp(accessedJune7,2006);PaulJ.Kiel,AmericanMiler:TheLifeandTimesofGlenn
Cunningham(Halcottsvile,N.Y.:BreakawayBooks,2006),pp.21–149.
8Falof1932training:PeterZamperini,telephoneinterview,October19,2004;LouisZamperini,telephoneinterviews.
9Louie’sstride:PeterZamperini,telephoneinterview,October17,2004.
10“Smoooooth”:VirginiaBowersoxWeitzel,telephoneinterview,February19,2005.
11Weeniebakes:VirginiaBowersoxWeitzel,telephoneinterview,February19,2005.
12Louie’stimeimprovement:“Louie‘IronMan’Zamperini,”undated1934newspaperarticlefrompapersofPeterZamperini,NPN.
13“Boy!”:“SportWinks,”March10,1933,NPN,fromZamperiniscrapbook.
14Two-milerace:“CrackMilerofTorranceTakesDistanceEvent,”October28,1933,nonewspapernamed,fromZamperiniscrapbook.
15UCLArace:“IronManZamperiniWins,”TorranceHerald,December16,1933;PeterZamperini,telephone
interview,October15,2004;LouisZamperini,telephoneinterviews.
Chapter3:TheTorranceTornado
1“sadlydisheartened”:Undated1934articlefromZamperiniscrapbook,NPN.
2“theboywhodoesn’tknow”:Ibid.
3SouthernCaliforniaTrackandFieldChampionship:“ZamperiniRunsMilein4m213/5,”LosAngelesTimes,May24,1934;PeterZamperini,telephoneinterview,October15,2004;LouisZamperini,telephoneinterviews.
4Interscholasticrecords:JonHendershott,associateeditor,TrackandFieldNews,emailinterview,May6,2009;
“ZamperiniRunsMilein4m21
3/5,”LosAngelesTimes,May24,1934;“Mercersburg’sGreatTrio,”FortWayneDailyNews,June3,1916;BertDahlgren,“Reedley’sBobSeamanIsPushedtoNationalMileRecordof4:21,”FresnoBee-Republican,May30,1953;“DobbsSeeksWorldMileRecord,”OaklandTribune,
May3,1929.
5“TorranceTempest”:“LouisZamperiniofTorrance,”LosAngelesTimes,December31,1934.
6Heraldinsureslegs:PeterZamperini,telephoneinterview,July10,2006;LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
7Topmilerspeakinmid-
twenties:CharliePaddock,“Spikes,”undated1938articlefromZamperiniscrapbook,NPN.
8Cunninghamworldrecord,fastesthighschoolmile,fastestcareermile:“HistoryoftheRecordfortheMileRun,”InfoPlease,www.infoplease.com(accessedJuly9,2004);Kiel,pp.99–126,266–67.
9ComptonOpenpreparation:PeterZamperini,telephoneinterview,October15,2004;LouisZamperini,telephoneinterviews;LouisZamperini,interviewbyGeorgeHodak,Holywood,Calif.,June1988,AAFLA.
10“Ifyoustay”:PeterZamperini,telephoneinterview,October15,2004.
11“fifteen-minutetorture
chamber”:LouisZamperini,lettertoLouiseZamperini,July14,1936.
12ComptonOpen:UndatedarticlesfromZamperiniscrapbook,nopublicationsnamed;PeterZamperini,telephoneinterview,October19,2004;LouisZamperini,telephoneinterviews;LouisZamperini,interviewbyGeorgeHodak,Holywood,Calif.,June1988,AAFLA.
13Finalqualifyingrace:“BrightofSanFranciscoClub,”undatedarticlefromZamperiniscrapbook,NPN.
14Send-offtoOlympictrials:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterviews.
15Heat:JanetFisher,NortheastRegionalClimateCenter,CornelUniversity,emailinterview,July7,2006;KeithHeidorn,PhD,“How
HotCanItGet?TheGreatHeatWaveof1936,”TheWeatherDoctor,http://www.islandnet.com/weather/almanac/arc2006/alm06jul.htm(accessedMay1,2006);JanetWal,NationalClimaticDataCenter,emailinterview,July7,2006;LouisZamperini,telephoneinterviews;“CoolerWeatherintheEastIsDelayedAgain,”DailyMessenger(Canandaigua,N.Y.),July13,1936;WiliamF.McIrath,“HeatWave
DeathsPass3,000Mark,”Dunkirk(N.Y.)EveningObserver,July15,1936;Dr.JamesLuVale,interviewbyGeorgeHodak,PaloAlto,Calif.,June1988,AAFLA;MalcolmW.Metcalf,interviewedbyGeorgeA.Hodak,Claremont,Calif.,February1988,AAFLA;ArchieF.Wiliams,interviewedbyGeorgeA.Hodak,SantaRosa,Calif.,June1988,AAFLA;Kenneth
Griffin,interviewbyGeorgeHodak,Carlsbad,Calif.,August1988,AAFLA.
16Racepreparations:LouisZamperini,lettertoPeteZamperini,July10,1936.
17Preracecoverage,“IfIhaveany”:LouisZamperini,lettertoPeteZamperini,July1936.
18Lashasunbeatable:Alan
Gould,“TwoNewRecordsFalBeforeIndiana’sLash,”Burlington(N.C.)DailyTimes-News,July4,1936;AlanGould,
“LashTopsU.S.DistanceStarsonTrailofFirstOlympicTitle,”Kingston(N.Y.)DailyFreeman,June27,1936.
19“madeawreckofme”:“RunnerTels,”Torrance
Herald,September3,1936.
20Olympictrial:“LocalBoyRunsDeadHeat,”LosAngelesTimes,July12,1936;BobLwelyn,untitledarticle,TorranceHerald,July1936;“TwentyCalifornians,”undatedarticlefromZamperiniscrapbook,NPN;LouisZamperini,interviewbyGeorgeHodak,Holywood,Calif.,June1988,AAFLA;
“StarsFalinGamesbutNegroContingentShines,”HelenaDailyIndependent,July13,1936;GeorgeKirksey,“RecordsFal,ChampionsBeateninBitterFinalsforAmericanGamesTeam,”Olean(N.Y.)Times-Herald,July13,1936;HenryMcLemore,“AmericaSendsStrongestTeamtotheOlympics,”Dunkirk(N.Y.)EveningObserver,July15,1936;GeorgeT.Davis,
“ZamperiniHadConfidenceinAbility,”LosAngelesEveningHeraldandExpress,July11,1936;“TorranceTornadoinDeadHeat,”TorranceHerald,July16,1936;PeterZamperini,lettertoLouisZamperini,July19,1936.
21“youcouldn’tputahair”:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview,July10,2006.
22“jackasseatingcactus”:Telegram,Mr.andMrs.J.O.BishoptoLouisZamperini,July14,1936.
23Bright’sinjuredfeet:“LouieSaysHeWon,”TorranceHerald,July16,1936;LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
24NormanBright’srunning:GeorgieBrightKunkel,“MyBrotherWasaLongDistance
Runner,”WestSeattleHerald,August21,2008.
25Telegrams:LouisZamperini,lettertoLouiseZamperini,July14,1936;Zamperiniscrapbook;TorranceHerald,undatedarticlefromZamperiniscrapbook,NPN.
26“AmIeverhappy”:PeterZamperini,lettertoLouisZamperini,July19,1936.
27Youngestdistancerunner:BobLwelyn,untitledarticle,TorranceHerald,July1936.
Chapter4:PlunderingGermany
1Stealing:LouisZamperini,interviewbyGeorgeHodak,Holywood,Calif.,June1988,AAFLA.
2Mustache:LouisZamperini,Olympicdiary,
July22,1936,entry.
3“Theyhadnothingonme”:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
4Trainingonship:IrisCummingsCritchel,telephoneinterview,September29,2005;IrisCummingsCritchel,interviewedbyGeorgeA.Hodak,Claremont,Calif.,May1988,AAFLA;Velma
DunnPloessel,telephoneinterview,June16,2005;LouisZamperini,Olympicdiary;VelmaDunnPloessel,interviewedbyGeorgeA.Hodak,Downey,Calif.,July1988,AAFLA;HerbertH.Wildman,interviewedbyGeorgeA.Hodak,MarinadelRey,Calif.,October1987,AAFLA;ArthurO.Molner,interviewedbyGeorgeA.Hodak,WestlakeVilage,Calif.,May1988,AAFLA.
5Louiehadeateninrestaurantsonlytwice:LouisZamperini,Olympicdiary;LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
6FoodontheManhattan:LouisZamperini,interviewbyGeorgeHodak,Holywood,Calif.,June1988,AAFLA;ArchieF.Wiliams,interviewedbyGeorgeA.Hodak,SantaRosa,Calif.,June1988,AAFLA.
7“Ofcourse,mostofthiswasdue,”LouiesittingwithJackTorrance:Dr.JamesLuVale,interviewbyGeorgeHodak,PaloAlto,Calif.,June1988,AAFLA.
8Dinnerlist:JackColeman,lettertoLouisZamperini,listandcommentarywrittenonback.
9Weightgain:KennethGriffin,interviewbyGeorge
Hodak,Carlsbad,Calif.,August1988,AAFLA;LouisZamperini,Olympicdiary;“FirstLightWorkouts,”articleinZamperiniscrapbook,July23,1936,NPN;MalcolmW.Metcalf,interviewedbyGeorgeA.Hodak,Claremont,Calif.,February1988,AAFLA.
10Athletesstealingglasses:JoannadeTuscanHarding,interviewedbyGeorgeA.
Hodak,HolywoodHils,Calif.,April1988,AAFLA.
11“WoistJesse?”:Dr.JamesLuVale,interviewbyGeorgeHodak,PaloAlto,Calif.,June1988,AAFLA.
12OlympicVilage:ArvoVercamerandJasonPipes,“The1936OlympicGamesinGermany,”www.feldgrau.com(accessedJuly19,2006);Richard
Mandel,TheNaziOlympics(Urbana:UniversityofIlinoisPress,1987),pp.88–92,138;LouisZamperini,interviewbyGeorgeHodak,Holywood,Calif.,June1988,AAFLA.
13Japanesefeedingdeer:“SportsParade,”LosAngelesExaminer,July30,1936.
14Storks:ArvoVercamerandJasonPipes,“The1936
OlympicGamesinGermany,”www.feldgrau.com(accessedJuly19,2006).
15Owenspursuedbyfans:Dr.JamesLuVale,interviewbyGeorgeHodak,PaloAlto,Calif.,June1988,AAFLA.
16DrivethroughBerlin:Mandel,pp.139–43;HerbertH.Wildman,interviewedbyGeorgeA.Hodak,Marinadel
Rey,Calif.,October1987,AAFLA.
17Gliders:IrisCummingsCritchel,telephoneinterview,September29,2005.
18Gypsies:“TheFacadeofHospitality,”U.S.HolocaustMuseum,www.ushm.org/museum/exhibit/online/olympics/zcd062.htm(accessedJune16,2005).
19Doves:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;IrisCummingsCritchel,telephoneinterview,September29,2005;Mandel,p.145.
20Bulgingeyes,LouieversusFinns:“SportShorts,”undatedarticleinZamperiniscrapbook,NPN.
21Germannationalism:IrisCummingsCritchel,
telephoneinterview,September29,2005;IrisCummingsCritchel,interviewedbyGeorgeA.
Hodak,Claremont,Calif.,May1988,AAFLA.
22“Don’tletthemseeme!”:IrisCummingsCritchel,telephoneinterview,September29,2005.
23Qualifyinground:“Owens
inNewRecord,”LosAngelesEveningHeraldandExpress,August4,1936;“ZamperiniIsIn,”TorranceHerald,August6,1936.
24“tiredashel”:LouisZamperini,Olympicdiary,August4,1936,entry.
25Olympicfinal:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;“FinnStarWins5,000MeterTitle,”Waterloo
DailyCourier,August7,1936;“ArchieWiliamsWins400MeterTitle,”GalvestonDailyNews,August8,1936;“SweepinSprints,”EmporiaGazette,August7,1936;“FirstAmerican,”undatedarticlefromZamperiniscrapbook,NPN;“ThreeAmericans,”undatedarticleinZamperiniscrapbook,NPN;“BrownSkies,”LosAngelesTimes,August8,1936;“SportsParade,”Los
AngelesTimes,August14,1936;StuartCameron,“FinlandWinsCleanSweepinDistanceRunningbyTaking5000-MeterFinals,”Dunkirk(N.Y.)EveningObserver,August7,1936;“OlympicGamesResults,”RenoEveningGazette,August7,1936;
“ArchieWiliamsWins400MeterFinal,”Chester(Pa.)Times,August7,1936;“Wil
iamsVictoryGivesU.S.OlympicDashSweep,”Syracuse(N.Y.)Herald,August7,1936;“DuskyArchie:UnitedStatesAthletesTakeOne,Two,ThreeLeadinOlympicsDecathlon,”SanAntonioExpress,August8,1936.
26Hitlercontortinghimself:“Cunningham,”LosAngelesTimes,August8,1936.
27Finallapsindistanceraces:BilHenry,“BilHenrySays,”LosAngelesTimes,undated;Mandel,p.40.
28MeetingHitler:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;LouisZamperini,interviewbyGeorgeHodak,Holywood,Calif.,June1988,AAFLA.
29Flag:“ZamperiniStormedHitler’sPalace—Lived!,”
undatedarticlefromZamperinipapers,NPN;“BombardierZamperiniSeeksReturnTriptoGermany,”articlefromZamperinipapers,August13,1942,NPN;“ZampWilTryAgain,”articlefromZamperinipapers,August13,1942,NPN;LouisZamperini,telephoneinterviews;LouisZamperini,interviewbyGeorgeHodak,Holywood,Calif.,June1988,AAFLA.
30Lubinseesanti-Semitism:FrankJ.Lubin,interviewedbyGeorgeA.Hodak,Glendale,Calif.,May1988,AAFLA.
31
Anti-Semitic
signs,Der
Stürmer:
“The
Facade
of
Hospitality,”
U.S.
Holocaust
Museum,
www.ushm.org/museum/exhibit/online/olympics/detail.php?content-facade_hospitality_more&lang=en(accessedApril29,2010).
32Fürstnerkilshimself:Mandel,p.92.
33Sachsenhausen:“TheFacadeofHospitality,”U.S.HolocaustMuseum,www.ushm.org/museum/exhibit/online/olympics/detail.php?
content=facade_hospitality_more&lang=en
(accessedApril29,2010).
34Homecoming:“ZamperiniHome,”TorranceHerald,September3,1936;“InvalidWoman,”TorranceHerald,undatedarticlefromZamperiniscrapbook;“OlympicGamesHero,”TorranceHerald,September3,1936;“RunnerTels,”TorranceHerald,September3,1936;“CheeringMass,”
TorranceHerald,September4,1936;LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;LouisZamperini,interviewbyGeorgeHodak,Holywood,Calif.,June1988,AAFLA.
35“Ididn’tonly”:“CheeringMass,”TorranceHerald,September4,1936.
36Plansfor1940:“RunnerTels,”TorranceHerald,September3,1936;Louis
Zamperini,telephoneinterview;PeterZamperini,telephoneinterviews,October15,17,19,22,2004.
37Tokyogiven1940Games:“TokyoPrepares,”articlefromZamperiniscrapbook,August1,1936,NPN.
Chapter5:IntoWar
1PaytonJordan:PaytonJordan,telephoneinterviews,
August13,16,2004.
2Highjumperonherbed:SylviaFlammer,telephoneinterviews,October25,27,2004.
3Pranks:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
4Sasaki:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;PaytonJordan,telephoneinterviews,August13,16,2004;Bruce
Gamble,BlackSheepOne:TheLifeofGregory“Pappy”Boyington(Novato,Calif.:Presidio,2000),p.323;thefolowingKunichiSasakiandJamesKunichiSasakirecordsfromRG331,RAOOH,WWI,1907–1966,SCAP,LegalSection,AdministrationDivisionandProsecutionDivision,NACP:KunichiSasaki,IsamuSato,KazuoAkane,1945–1948,Investigationand
InterrogationReports;NakakichiAsomaetal.,trial,exhibits,appeal,andclemencyfiles;NakakichiAsomaetal.,1945–1952,POW201File,1945–1952,ChargesandSpecifications,1945–1948.
5Sasaki’struecolegerecord:Harvard,Yale,Princeton,USCregistrararchives;inquirieswithDegreecheck.com,April
2007.
6Louie’swinning:GeorgeDavis,“FresnoRelaysAreNext,”undatedarticleinZamperiniscrapbook,NPN;“ZamperiniStars,”LosAngelesExaminer,May8,1938;“Zamperini,DaySmashMeetMarks,”undated1938articleinZamperiniscrapbook,NPN.
7Coachpredictsworld
record:LeeBastajian,“TrojansMeetStanford,”undatedspring1938articlefromZamperiniscrapbook,NPN.
8Seabiscuitonlyrunnertobeathim:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
9Cunninghamprediction:GeorgeDavis,“CunninghamPredictsZamperiniNextMileChamp,”undated1938article
fromZamperiniscrapbook,NPN.
10Fastestmileprojectedtobe4:01.6:BrutusHamilton,AmateurAthlete,February1935.
11Louietrainingonstairs:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;LouisZamperini,interviewbyGeorgeHodak,Holywood,Calif.,June1988,AAFLA.
12Firstfour-minuteman:CharliePaddock,“Sportorials,”undatedApril1938articlefromZamperiniscrapbook,NPN;GeorgeDavis,“ForSakeofSport,”LosAngelesEveningHeraldandExpress,undated1938articlefromZamperiniscrapbook;GeorgeDavis,“CunninghamPredictsZamperiniNextMileChamp,”undatedarticlefromZamperiniscrapbook,NPN;
“HistoryoftheRecordfortheMileRun,”InfoPlease,www.infoplease.com(accessedJuly9,2004);PaulScheffels,“4MinuteMileRunIsCloser,”Modesto(Calif.)Bee,February14,1940.
13Preracewarning:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;PaytonJordan,telephoneinterviews,August13,16,2004;Louis
Zamperini,interviewbyGeorgeHodak,Holywood,Calif.,June1988,AAFLA.
141938NCAAChampionshiprace:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;PaytonJordan,telephoneinterviews,August13,16,2004;“Zamperini’sRecordMileBeatsFenske,”MinnesotaJournal,June18,1938;CharlesJohnson,“ZamperiniSetsMark,”Star
Nighthawk,June18,1938;“MileRecordSmashedatColegiateMeet,”MinneapolisTribune,June18,1938;LouisZamperini,interviewbyGeorgeHodak,Holywood,Calif.,June1988,AAFLA.
15Crowdgasps,Woooo!:PaytonJordan,telephoneinterviews,August13,16,2004.
16JapandropsOlympics,
Finlandtakesover:RelmanMorin,“JapanAbandonsOlympicsPlans,”Appleton(Wisc.)Post-Crescent,July14,1938;
“FinlandOkaysOlympicGames,”Lowell(Mass.)Sun,July19,1938.
17Louie’sindoorraces:“FenskeOutrunsZamperinibyThreeYards,”FresnoBee,February18,1940;“Fenske
AgainBeatsBestU.S.Milers,”
OaklandTribune,February18,1940;“Fenske’sBriliantMilroseVictoryStampsHim‘KingofMilers,’”NebraskaStateJournal(Lincoln),February5,1940;PaulScheffels,“4MinuteMileRunIsCloser,”Modesto(Calif.)Bee,February14,1940.
18Indoorversusoutdoorrecords:JonHendershott,associateeditor,TrackandFieldNews,emailinterview,May6,2009;WalyDonovan,AHistoryofIndoorTrackandField(ElCajon,Calif.:EdwardJulesCo.,1976),p.294;“HistoryoftheRecordfortheMileRun,”InfoPlease,www.infoplease.com(accessedJuly9,2004).
19Japan’seconomicplight,ambitions,preparations:DavidJames,TheRiseandFalloftheJapaneseEmpire(London:GeorgeAlenandUnwin,1951),pp.6–17,119–27,168,173;IrisChang,TheRapeofNanking:TheForgottenHolocaustofWorldWarII(London:PenguinBooks,1998),pp.25–38.
20“Therearesuperior”:JohnW.Dower,WarWithout
Mercy:RaceandPowerinthePacificWar(NewYork:PantheonBooks,1993),p.217.
21“planttheblood”:Ibid.,p.277.
22Military-runschools,soldiertraining:Chang,pp.29–32,57;JamesBradley,Flyboys(NewYork:Little,Brown,2003),pp.34–36.
23“Imbuingviolence”:Chang,p.218.
24Stadiumpartialycolapsed:LonJones,“WarCheatsTrojans:OlympicChancesLost,”LosAngelesExaminer,February28,1940.
25Lehtinengivesmedal:“LauriLehtinen,”AlExperts,http://en.alexperts.com/e/l/la/lauri_lehtinen.htm(accessedSeptember11,
2009).
26Bright,Cunninghamenlist:Kiel,pp.320–21;GeorgieBrightKunkel,“MyBrotherWasaLongDistanceRunner,”WestSeattleHerald,August21,2008.
27Jitteryandairsick:LouisZamperini,lettertoVirginiaZamperini,April10,1941;LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
28Candybars:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
29Informant’sreport:LettersbetweenJ.EdgarHooverandBrigadierGeneralShermanMiles,October–November1941,FBI,acquiredfromDepartmentoftheArmy,UnitedStatesArmyInteligenceandSecurityCommand,FreedomofInformation/PrivacyOffice,
FortGeorgeG.Meade,Md.
30Notesfrompoliceofficer:NotesbyCaptainErnieAshton,Torrancepolicedetective,writtenalongsideapassageonSasakiinAshton’scopyofZamperini’s1956autobiography,DevilatMyHeels,frompapersofLouisZamperini.
31SasakiinWashington:ThefolowingKunichiSasakiand
JamesKunichiSasakirecordsfromRG331,RAOOH,WWI,1907–1966,SCAP,LegalSection,AdministrationDivisionandProsecutionDivision,NACP:KunichiSasaki,IsamuSato,KazuoAkane,1945–1948,InvestigationandInterrogationReports;NakakichiAsomaetal.,trial,exhibits,appeal,andclemencyfiles;NakakichiAsomaetal.,1945–1952,
POW201File,1945
–1952,ChargesandSpecifications,1945–1948.
32Hooverordersprobe:LettersbetweenJ.EdgarHooverandBrigadierGeneralShermanMiles,October–November1941,FederalBureauofInvestigation,acquiredfromDepartmentoftheArmy,UnitedStatesArmyIntel
igenceandSecurityCommand,FreedomofInformation/PrivacyOffice,FortGeorgeG.Meade,Md.
33PilotoverHawaii:MitsuoFuchidaandMasatakeOkumiya,Midway:TheBattleThatDoomedJapan(BluejackBooks,2001).
34ActivitiesonOahu:WiliamCleveland,ed.,GreyGeeseCalling(Askov:
AmericanPublishing,1981),p.203;StetsonConn,RoseEngelman,andByronFairchild,UnitedStatesArmyinWorldWarII:GuardingtheUnitedStatesandItsOutposts(Washington,D.C.:CenterofMilitaryHistory,U.S.Army,1964),p.191;CliveHowardandJoeWhitley,OneDamnedIslandAfterAnother:TheSagaoftheSeventh(ChapelHil:UniversityofNorthCarolina
Press,1946),p.25;RobertCressmanandJ.MichaelWenger,“InfamousDay,”MarinesinWWICommemorativeSeries,http://www.nps.gov/archive/wapa/indepth/extContent/usmc/
pcn-190-003116-00/sec3.htm(accessedSeptember10,2009).
35Twoplaneslost:“TimelinePearlHarbor,”PearlHarborRemembered,
http://my.execpc.com/~dschaaf/mainmenu.html(accessedApril29,2010).
36Mankiledduringpilowfight,friendseesJapaneseplanecrash:Cleveland,p.203.
37Louie,PetelearnofPearlHarbor:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;PeterZamperini,telephoneinterview,October19,2004.
PARTIIChapter6:TheFlyingCoffin
1Pancakes:KenMarvin,telephoneinterview,January31,2005.
2“Calm!”:WiliamManchester,TheGloryandtheDream:ANarrativeHistoryofAmerica,1932–1972(NewYork:Bantam
Books,1974),p.258.
3EleanorRooseveltwritesAnna:DorisKearnsGoodwin,NoOrdinaryTime:FranklinandEleanorRoosevelt—theHomeFrontinWorldWarII(NewYork:SimonandSchuster,1994),p.289.
4Butleroverheardpresident:Ibid.,p.290.
5Japanesestaffersburningdocuments:“JapaneseEmbassyBurnsOfficialPapers,”WisconsinStateJournal(Madison),December8,1941;Manchester,p.258.
6DaysafterDecember7:CarlNolte,“PearlHarborWasaCloseThingfortheCityin1941,”SanFranciscoChronicle,December7,2006;StanleyPilsbury,telephoneinterview,August25,2004;
“EntireCityPutonWarFooting,”NYT,December8,1941;“U.S.CitiesProveTheyCanSwingintoAction,”WisconsinStateJournal(Madison),December8,1941;AdamFjel,“‘ADayThatWilLiveinInfamy’:BuffaloCountyandtheAttackonPearlHarbor,”BuffaloTales,November–December2002,vol.25,no.6;Goodwin,pp.295–96.
7Wake’sdefense:LieutenantColonelR.D.Heinl,Jr.,USMC,TheDefenseofWake,MarinesinWorldWarI:HistoricalMonograph(HistoricalSection,DivisionofPublicInformationHeadquarters,U.S.MarineCorps,1947).
8MenonWakesinging:KenMarvin,telephoneinterview,January31,2005.
9Louie’stestscores:CertificateofProficiency,AirForcePreflightSchool(bombardier,navigator),ElingtonField,frompapersofLouisZamperini.
10Nordenbombsight:WiliamDarron,ArmyAirForcesHistoricalAssociation,Oradel,N.J.,interviewandbombsightdemonstration,courtesyofRobertGrenz,2004;LouisZamperini,
telephoneinterview;“Bombardiers’InformationFile,”WarDepartment,ArmyAirForces,March1945.
11Twicethepriceofahouse:“TheYear1942,”ThePeopleHistory,http://www.thepeoplehistory.com/1942.html(accessedSeptember11,2009);“TheNordenM-1BombSight,”PlaneCrazy,http://www.plane-crazy.net/links/nord.htm
(accessedSeptember11,2009).
12Ephrata:SamBritt,Jr.,TheLongRangers,ADiaryofthe307thBombardmentGroup(BatonRouge:ReprintCompany,1990),pp.4–5.
13Philips:KarenLoomis,telephoneinterview,November17,2004;MonroeBormann,telephoneinterview,June7,2005;
PhoebeBormann,telephoneinterview,June7,2005;LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;JesseStay,telephoneinterviews,July23,2004,andMarch16,2005;KelseyPhilips,“ALifeStory,”unpublishedmemoir.
14Sandblaster:JesseStay,telephoneinterviews,July23,2004,andMarch16,2005.
15CecyPerry:Karen
Loomis,telephoneinterview,November17,2004;MonroeBormann,telephoneinterview,June7,2005;PhoebeBormann,telephoneinterview,June7,2005;lettersfromRusselPhilipstoCecyPerry,1941–43.
16Cecy’sring:RusselAlenPhilips,letterstoCecyPerry,March11,21,1942.
17“I’vewished100times”:
RusselAlenPhilips,lettertoCecyPhilips,summer1942.
18Phil’sbombercrew:StanleyPilsbury,telephoneinterviews,August25,2004,March9,2005,andAugust18,2006;CharlesMcMurtry,“Liberator,Hit594Times,WingsHomeSafely,”RichmondNewsLeader,May14,1943.
19HarryBrooks’sfiancée:
“Sergt.H.V.BrooksServedinPacific,”undatedarticlefromPhilipsscrapbook,NPN.
20B-24s:CharlieTilghman,B-24pilot,CommemorativeAirForce,telephoneinterview,February14,2007;ConsolidatedAircraft,FlightManual:B-24DAirplane(1942),FlightManualforB-24Liberator,AircraftManualSeries(Appleton,
Wisc.:AviationPublications,1977);MartinBowman,CombatLegend:B-24Liberator(Shrewsbury,Eng.:Airlife,2003);FrederickA.Johnsen,B-24Liberator,RuggedbutRight(NewYork:McGraw-Hil,1999);FiskeHanleyI,telephoneinterview,July30,2004;ByronKinney,emailinterview,April26,2007.
21“itwaslikesitting”:Byron
Kinney,emailinterview,April26,2007.
22Leftarmsstronger:StephenE.Ambrose,TheWildBlue:TheMenandBoysWhoFlewtheB-24soverGermany(NewYork:SimonandSchuster,2001),p.77.
23Tailsfalingoff:Johnsen,p.28.
24“It’stheFlyingCoffin”:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
25Training:StanleyPilsbury,telephoneinterviews,August25,2004,March9,2005,andAugust18,2006.
26“Igrewalittle”:RusselAlenPhilips,lettertoCecyPerry,AugustorSeptember1942.
27“Iguessyouread”:E.C.Wiliams,lettertoLouisZamperini,July1,1941.
28Statesidecrashstatistics:ArmyAirForcesStatisticalDigest,WorldWarII,OfficeofStatisticalControl,December1945,Tables213and214.
29Deathsoffriends:RusselAlenPhilips,lettertoCecyPerry,October1942.
30Philrunsfrommeetingtowritehome:RusselAlenPhilips,lettertoCecyPerry,October7,1942.
31Trainingforcrashes:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;ConsolidatedVulteeAircraftCorporation,ServiceDepartment,EmergencyProcedure:B-24Airplane(SanDiego:ConsolidatedVulteeAircraftCorporation,1944),pp.21–
25.
32“kindofsily”:RusselAlenPhilips,televisioninterview,CBS,LaPorte,Ind.,January1997.
33“adamnswelpilot”:“SonofPickett‘SkyPilot’PilotsBomberOverWakeI,”undatedarticlefromPhilipsscrapbook,NPN.
34Phil’sB-24:StanleyPil
sbury,telephoneinterviews,August25,2004,March9,2005,andAugust18,2006;LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;RusselAlenPhilips,televisioninterview,CBS,LaPorte,Ind.,January1997.
35Phil’sdreamofCecy:RusselAlenPhilips,lettertoCecyPerry,August15,1942.
36PhilmissesCecybythree
days:RusselAlenPhilips,lettertoCecyPerry,November2,1942.
37B-24names:“WarpaintPhotoAlbum,”SomethingAboutEverythingMilitary,http://www.jcs-group.com/military/war1941aaf/warpaint1.html(accessedSeptember26,2009).
38Moznettenamesplane:RusselAlenPhilips,letterto
KelseyPhilips,February13,1943.
39Philsaysplanemasculine:RusselAlenPhilips,lettertoCecyPerry,March25,1943.
40Japan’sempire:WestPointAtlasfortheSecondWorldWar,AsiaandthePacific,map22.
Chapter7:“ThisIsIt,Boys”
1Oahuin1942:StanleyPilsbury,telephoneinterviews,August25,2004,March9,2005,andAugust18,2006;Cleveland,p.158.
2“oneseesonlyabout⅓”:Cleveland,p.158.
3Barracks:JesseStay,“Twenty-nineMonthsinthePacific,”unpublishedmemoir.
4“Youkilone”:RusselAlenPhilips,lettertoKelseyPhilips,December8,1942.
5“likeadozendirty”:RusselAlenPhilips,lettertoCecyPerry,April2,1943.
6Waterfight:RusselAlenPhilips,lettertoCecyPerry,May12,1943.
7Beerfight:LouisZamperini,telephone
interview.
8Pornography:RusselAlenPhilips,lettertoCecyPerry,December29,1942.
9Greenhousewindowsfroze:Cleveland,103.
10Philhitspole:RusselAlenPhilips,lettertoCecyPerry,March27,1943.
11Gunnery,bombscores:
LouisZamperini,wardiary,January20,30,February2,andMarch21,1943entries.
12Seasearch:StanleyPilsbury,telephoneinterview,August27,2004;LouisZamperini,wardiary,March14,1943,entry;LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
13Divingoversub:LouisZamperini,diary,March14,
1943.
14Practicaljokes:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterviews.
15“kindofdaring”:RusselAlenPhilips,televisioninterview,CBS,LaPorte,Ind.,January1997.
16Leisure-timeactivities:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;LouisZamperini,
wardiary,November1942–May1943entries.
17Wakeattack:LouisZamperini,wardiary,December22–25,1942,entries;StanleyPilsbury,telephoneinterviews,August25,27,2004,March9,2005,andAugust18,2006;LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;JesseStay,telephoneinterviews,July23,2004,andMarch16,2005;
“SonofPickett‘SkyPilot’PilotsBomberoverWakeI,”undatedarticlefromPhilipsscrapbook,NPN;WalterClausen,undatedarticlefromPhilipsscrapbook,NPN;“DelphiFlyerIsGivenMedalforPacificBombing,”undatedarticlefromPhilipsscrapbook,NPN;“FormerLaPorteYouthHelpstoBombWakeIsle,”undatedarticlefromPhilipsscrapbook,NPN;“Fledglings’Raidon
WakeTokenofThingstoCome,”BerkshireEveningEagle,January2,1943;St.LouisGlobe,undatedarticlefromPhilipsscrapbook,NPN;“TheirRaidonWakeBiggestofYear,”MansfieldNews-Journal,January2,1943;“TelsofRaidonWakeIsland,”MansfieldNews-Journal,January2,1943;“NobodyScaredinRaidonWakeIsland,AceSays,”AdaEveningNews,January2,
1943;WalterClausen,“HawaiiFliersGetJapPlanesinWakeRaid,”undatedarticlefromPhilipsscrapbook,NPN;Britt,p.12;JesseStay,“Twenty-nineMonthsinthePacific,”unpublishedmemoir.
18NewYear’s:LouisZamperini,wardiary,January1,1943,entry.
19STEELFILLSJAPSOX:
UndatedarticlefromPhilipsscrapbook,NPN.
20“fledinterror”:“TelsofRaidonWakeIsland,”MansfieldNews-Journal,January2,1943.
21Japanfinishedwithintheyear:“U.S.CanTakeCareofJapan,HalseyThinks,”AdaEveningNews,January2,1943.
22“it’salittlepremature”:RusselAlenPhilips,lettertoKelseyPhilips,December31,1942.
Chapter8:“OnlytheLaundryKnewHowScaredIWas”
1Coxwel’scrash:LouisZamperini,diary,January8–10,1943;MissingAirCrewReportNo.16218,AirForceHistoricalStudiesOffice,BolingAFB,Washington,D.C.;
RusselAlenPhilips,lettertoKelseyPhilips,February13,1943.
2BuriedinHonolulu:AmericanBattleMonumentsCommission.
3Crashesoverthepasttwomonths:ArmyAirForcesStatisticalDigest,Table64;LouisZamperini,diary,December27,1942,andJanuary9,1943;Britt,pp.10,
13.
4Crash,lossstatistics:ArmyAirForcesStatisticalDigest,Tables100and161.
5Intheaircorps,35,946personnel:ArmyBattleCasualtiesandNonbattleDeathsinWorldWarII:FinalReport,7December1941–31December1946,DepartmentoftheArmy,StatisticalandAccountingBranch,Officeof
theAdjutantGeneral,p.7.
6Diseasekils15,779:PreventiveMedicineinWorldWarII,vol.IV:CommunicableDiseases,OfficeofSurgeonGeneral,DepartmentofArmy,Washington,D.C.,1958,Table1.
7IntheFifteenthAirForce,70percentofKIA:MaeMilLinkandHubertA.Coleman,
“MedicalSupportofArmyAirForcesinWorldWarI,”OfficeoftheSurgeonGeneral,USAF,Washington,D.C.,1955,p.516.
8SuperManfliesintostorms:LouisZamperini,diary,January1943;StanleyPilsbury,telephoneinterview,August18,2006.
9Planeslandtogether,buldozer:FrankRosynek,email
interview,June15,2005.
10“Thetakeoff”:FrankRosynek,“NotEverybodyWoreWings,”unpublishedmemoir.
11Footon“off”switch:StanleyPilsbury,telephoneinterview,August18,2006.
12Planehitsmountain:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
13Inadvertentreleaseofliferaft:Britt,p.13.
14Navigationdifficulties:JohnWeler,emailinterview,September21,2006;JohnWeler,“TheHistoryandFlightLog,JeterCrew,”unpublishedmemoir.
15“Wejustsatthere”:MartinCohn,telephoneinterview,August10,2005.
16HalfofaZeroonB-24wing:Cleveland,p.103.
17Japaneserangefinders:LouisZamperini,diary,March1,1943.
18B-24dropsmineintoanother:JesseStay,telephoneinterviews,July23,2004,andMarch16,2005;Cleveland,pp.130,137,181–82.
19AAFcombatdeaths:
ArmyBattleCasualties,p.7.
20Oddsofdying:JesseStay,telephoneinterviews,July23,2004,andMarch16,2005.
21Ditching:W.F.CravenandJ.L.Cate,eds.,TheArmyAirForcesinWorldWarII,vol.XI:ServicesAroundtheWorld(Chicago:UniversityofChicago,1966),p.482.
22Statisticsonditching:Johnsen,p.29.
23DeathofAlmond:JohnHenry,“FlierWins18-HourFightwithSharks,”SanAntonioLight,July13,1943.
24Rescuestatistics:“AirSeaRescue1941–1952,”USAFHistoricalDivision,AirUniversity,August1954,pp.66–99;AirForceHistoricalStudiesOffice,BolingAFB,
Washington,D.C.
25HalfofCatalinascrashed:CravenandCate,p.493.
26September1942raftordeal:Cleveland,p.237.
27RaftfoundoffChristmasIsland:KatharinaChase,“UnravelingaWWIMystery,”Defence,November–December2006.
28RapeofNanking:Chang,pp.4–104;YukiTanaka,HiddenHorrors:JapaneseWarCrimesinWorldWarII(Boulder:Westview,1996),p.80.
29RumorsofJapanesekilingonKwajalein:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
30Albutonemanchoosingtodieincrash:John
Fitzgerald,POWdiary,PapersofJohnA.Fitzgerald,OperationalArchivesBranch,NHC,Washington,D.C.
31Nervousairman:JohnJosephDeasy,telephoneinterview,April4,2005.
32Louiecopes:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;LouisZamperini,diary,early1943entries;RusselAlenPhilips,letters
toCecyPerry,spring1943.
33Bracelet,silverdolar:RusselAlenPhilips,letterstoCecyPerry,August20,1942,andMarch25,1943.
34“WhenIdoget”:RusselAlenPhilips,lettertoCecyPerry,March10,1943.
35Traditionofdrinkingboozeoflostmen:LouisZamperini,telephone
interview.
Chapter9:FiveHundredandNinety-fourHoles
1Explodingsharks:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
2Makin,Tarawamissions:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;LouisZamperini,diary,February17,20,1943;StanleyPilsbury,telephone
interviews,August25,27,2004,March9,2005,August18,2006,January23andApril21,2007.
3Sharkscircle:StanleyPilsbury,telephoneinterviews,August25,27,2004,March9,2005,August18,2006,January23andApril21,2007;LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;LouisZamperini,diary,March5,1943;RusselAlenPhilips,
lettertoKelseyPhilips,March5,1943.
4Shootingsharks:LouisZamperini,diary,April3,1943.
5Nauru:JackD.Haden,“Nauru:AMiddleGroundDuringWorldWarI,”PacificIslandsReport,PacificIslandsDevelopmentProgram/East-WestCenterforPacificIslands
Studies/UniversityofHawaiiatManoa,http://166.122.164.43/archive/2000/April/04-03-19.htm(accessedSeptember13,2009);JaneResture,“Nauru:AShortHistory,”http://www.janeresture.com/nauru_history/index.htm(accessedSeptember13,2009);Britt,p.34.
6Naurupreparations:StanleyPilsbury,telephoneinterviews,August25,27,
2004,March9,2005,August18,2006,January23andApril21,2007;LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;LouisZamperini,diary,April17,19,1943.
7“Weonlyhope”:LouisZamperini,diary,April15,1943.
8Naururaid:StanleyPilsbury,telephoneinterviews,August25,27,2004,March
9,2005,August18,2006,January23andApril21,2007;LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;LouisZamperini,diary,April20–22,1943,andmemoranda;CharlesMcMurtry,“Liberator,Hit594Times,WingsHomeSafely,”RichmondNewsLeader,May14,1943;“CatonsvileAirGunnerHas95RaidstoCredit,”undatedarticlefromPhilipsscrapbook,NPN;
RusselAlenPhilips,lettertoCecyPerry,May1,1943;“ShapleighYouth,Injured,CreditedwithDowningZero,”undatedarticlefrompapersofStanleyPilsbury,NPN;Cleveland,pp.257,349–50;HowardandWhitley,pp.137–38;CharlesP.Arnot,“BombardierZamperiniSavesLivesinShel-RiddledPlane,”OaklandTribune,May4,1943;CharlesP.Arnot,
“JapanesePhosphatePlantsAreBlownUp,”HonoluluAdvertiser,May1,1943;“Gen.Landon,BomberCommander,TelstheStoryofNauruAttack,”May5,1943,frompapersofLouisZamperini,NPN;“TwoSouthlandOfficersClassifiedasHeroesinSouthPacificDispatches,”LongBeachPress-Telegram,May4,1943;CharlesP.Arnot,“Lt.PhilipsonAnother‘Thriler,’
”May4,1943,fromPhilipsscrapbook,NPN;“BraveFlyingSonofPickettChaplainBearsCharmedLife,”May1943,articlefromPhilipsscrapbook,NPN;“YankPilot,SonofPickettChaplain,SavesCrewmen,”undatedarticlefromPhilipsscrapbook,NPN;CharlesP.Arnot,“Lieut.PhilipsEscapesDeathonPacificRaid,”undatedarticlefromPhilipsscrapbook,NPN;
“HisToughestFight:LouZamperini,FormerTrackStar,AidsFiveWoundedasPlaneLimpsHome,”undatedarticlefromPhilipsscrapbook,NPN;CharlesP.Arnot,“TrackStarinHeroicRole,”undatedarticlefromPhilipsscrapbook,NPN;CharlesP.Arnot,“RaidonNauruToldinDetailbyEyewitness,”undatedarticlefromPhilipsscrapbook,NPN;“LouZamperiniPlays
GreatRoleonBombingTrip,”undatedarticlefromPhilipsscrapbook,NPN;LouisZamperini,interviewbyGeorgeHodak,Holywood,Calif.,June1988,AAFLA;CharlesP.Arnot,“Zamperini,S.C.TrackStar,inEpicAirAdventure,”LosAngelesHeraldExpress,May4,1943;CharlesP.Arnot,“TrackStarZamperiniHeroinJapAirFight,”LosAngelesHeraldExpress,May
4,1943.
9“avolcano-likemass”:CharlesP.Arnot,“RaidonNauruToldinDetailbyEyewitness,”undatedarticlefromPhilipsscrapbook,NPN.
10Eighthundredroundsperminute:“PistolPackin’Warplanes,”PopularMechanics,April1944,p.2.
11Ifhe’djust:StanleyPilsbury,telephoneinterview,August26,2004.
12“Ow!”:Ibid.
13Onemorepass:LouisZamperini,diary,April1943,memorandapage.
14Ihavetokill:StanleyPilsbury,telephoneinterview,August26,2004.
15Japaneseneverretrievedphosphates:JaneResture,“Nauru:AShortHistory,”http://www.janeresture.com/nauru_history/index.htm(accessedSeptember13,2009).
16Pilsbury’sinjuries:StanleyPilsbury,telephoneinterview,August26,2004;LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;LouisZamperini,diary,April20–22,1943,andmemorandapage.
17Manualalternativestoflaps,gear:FlightManual:B-24D,pp.71–75.
18standardlandingspeed:CharlieTilghman,B-24pilot,CommemorativeAirForce,telephoneinterview,February14,2007;B-24LiberatorPilotTrainingManual.
19B-24withoutbrakesneeded10,000feet:CharlieTilghman,B-24pilot,
CommemorativeAirForce,telephoneinterview,February14,2007.
20“altorntopieces”StanleyPilsbury,telephoneinterview,August26,2004.
21Parachuteidea:StanleyPilsbury,telephoneinterview,August26,2004;LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;LouisZamperini,diary,April1943,
memorandapage.
22BelleofTexas:Cleveland,pp.183,464;11thBombGroup(H),TheGrayGeese(Paducah,Ky.:TurnerPublishing,1996),p.73.
23594holes:CharlesMcMurtry,“Liberator,Hit594Times,WingsHomeSafely,”RichmondNewsLeader,May14,1943.
24“Hedidn’tmakeit”:StanleyPilsbury,telephoneinterview,March9,2005.
25Brooksfamilyinformed:“Sergt.H.V.BrooksServedinPacific,”undatedarticlefromPhilipsscrapbook,NPN.
Chapter10:TheStinkingSix
1Funafutibombing:StanleyPilsbury,telephone
interviews,August25,27,2004,March9,2005,August18,2006,January23andApril21,2007;LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;LouisZamperini,diary,April21–23,1943;JohnJosephDeasy,telephoneinterview,April4,2005;LesterHermanScearce,Jr.,telephoneinterview,March11,2005;JesseStay,telephoneinterviews,July23,2004,andMarch16,2005;
FrankRosynek,“NotEverybodyWoreWings,”unpublishedmemoir;FrankRosynek,emailinterview,June15,2005;RusselAlenPhilips,lettertoCecyPerry,May1,1943;Cleveland,p.346;Britt,pp.36–37;HowardandWhitley,pp.138–44;JesseStay,“Twenty-nineMonthsinthePacific,”
unpublishedmemoir;LouisZamperini,interviewby
GeorgeHodak,Holywood,Calif.,June1988,AAFLA.
2“Ilookedaround”:JohnJosephDeasy,telephoneinterview,April4,2005.
3Manrunsintoocean:HowardandWhitley,p.140.
4Laddsavesnatives:HowardandWhitley,p.139;PhilipScearce,emailinterview,July11,2008.
5“Thisfeelslikeit,boys”:HowardandWhitley,p.140.
6“likeanimalscrying”:Ibid.,p.143.
7“Iwasn’tonlyscared”:Cleveland,p.258.
8Phil’sfear:RusselAlenPhilips,lettertoReverendRusselPhilips,May2,1943.
9“seemedlikearailroad
carload”:FrankRosynek,“NotEverybodyWoreWings,”unpublishedmemoir.
10“likethewholeisland”:Cleveland,p.346.
11FourteenJapanesebombers:Britt,pp.36–37.
12“theStinkingSix”:FrankRosynek,emailinterview,June15,2005.
13DoctorworksonPilsbury:StanleyPilsbury,telephoneinterviews,August25,27,2004,March9,2005,August18,2006,January23andApril21,2007.
14“hamburgered”:StanleyPilsbury,telephoneinterviews,August25,27,2004,March9,2005,August18,2006,January23andApril21,2007.
15Lambert’sninety-fivemissions:“CatonsvileAirGunnerHas95RaidstoCredit,”undatedarticlefromPhilipsscrapbook,NPN.
16Palmyra,depression,Kualoa:LouisZamperini,diary,April–May1943.
17FrancisMcNamara:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;RusselAlenPhilips,televisioninterview,
CBS,LaPorte,Ind.,January1997.
18GreenHornet:Cleveland,p.159;LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;RusselAlenPhilips,televisioninterview,CBS,LaPorte,Ind.,January1997.
19PhilmeetsSmith:GeorgeSmith,lettertoCecyPerry,June19,1943.
20Corpening’splane:MissingAirCrewReport4945,May26,1943(NationalArchivesMicrofichePublicationM13801,Fiche1767);MissingAirCrewReportsoftheU.S.ArmyAirForces,1942–1947;RecordsoftheOfficeoftheQuartermasterGeneral,RG92;NACP.
Chapter11:“Nobody’sGoingtoLiveThroughThis”
1LouieonMay27,1943:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
2“Therewasonlyoneship”:LouisZamperini,diary,May27,1943.
3Ifwe’renotbackinaweek:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
4Searchpreparations:JohnJosephDeasy,telephone
interview,April4,2005;LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;MissingAircraftReport4945,MissingAirCrewReportsoftheU.S.ArmyAirForces,1942–1947;RecordsoftheOfficeoftheQuartermasterGeneral,RG92;NACP;“42ndBombardmentSquadron:AddendumtoSquadronHistory,”September11,1945,AFHRA,MaxwelAFB,Ala.
5Preparingfortakeoff:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;RusselAlenPhilips,televisioninterview,CBS,LaPorte,Ind.,January1997.
6Planessidebyside:LesterHermanScearce,Jr.,telephoneinterview,March11,2005.
7PhiltelsDeasytogoahead:KelseyPhilips,“A
LifeStory,”unpublishedmemoir.
8Searching:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;RusselAlenPhilips,televisioninterview,CBS,LaPorte,Ind.,January1997.
9PhilandCuppernelswitchseats:KelseyPhilips,“ALifeStory,”unpublishedmemoir;LouisZamperini,
telephoneinterview.
10Enginedies,wrongenginefeathered:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
11“Preparetocrash”:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;RusselAlenPhilips,televisioninterview,CBS,LaPorte,Ind.,January1997.
12Planefals:Ibid.
13Nobody’sgoingtolivethroughthis:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
14LouieandPhil’sexperiencesincrash:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;RusselAlenPhilips,televisioninterview,CBS,LaPorte,Ind.,January1997;“42ndBombardmentSquadron:AddendumtoSquadronHistory,”
September11,1945,AFHRA,MaxwelAFB,Ala.;RobertTrumbul,“Zamperini,OlympicMiler,IsSafeAfterEpicOrdeal,”NYT,September9,1945;KelseyPhilips,“ALifeStory,”unpublishedmemoir;LouisZamperini,interviewbyGeorgeHodak,Holywood,Calif.,June1988,AAFLA;SandraProvan,“LPMan’sPartofOlympics,”LaPorteHerald-Argus,February18,
1988.
PARTIIIChapter12:Downed
1Crashaftermath:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;RusselAlenPhilips,televisioninterview,CBS,LaPorte,Ind.,January1997;“42ndBombardmentSquadron:AddendumtoSquadronHistory,”
September11,1945,AFHRA,MaxwelAFB,Ala.;RobertTrumbul,“Zamperini,OlympicMiler,IsSafeAfterEpicOrdeal,”NYT,September9,1945;KelseyPhilips,“ALifeStory,”unpublishedmemoir;LouisZamperini,interviewbyGeorgeHodak,Holywood,Calif.,June1988,AAFLA;SandraProvan,“LPMan’sPartofOlympics,”LaPorteHerald-Argus,February18,
1988.
2“I’mgladitwasyou”:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
3Phildidn’thavebracelet,silverdolar:Ibid.
4Contentsofrafts:Ibid.
5Contentsof1944rafts:EmergencyProcedure:B-24,pp.26–27.
6“GibsonGirl,”DelanoSunstil:LouisMeulstee,“GibsonGirl,”WirelessfortheWarrior,http://home.hccnet.nl/l.meulstee/gibsongirl/gibsongirl.html(accessedAugust8,2005);CravenandCate,pp.486,491.
7“We’regoingtodie!”:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
8Hoursaftercrash:Louis
Zamperini,telephoneinterview;“42ndBombardmentSquadron:AddendumtoSquadronHistory,”September11,1945,AFHRA,MaxwelAFB,Ala.;“Mr.PhilipsonCBS,OurHero,Mr.Philips,”undatedarticlefrompapersofKarenLoomis,NPN;GeneStowe,“HeSharedRaftwithOlympian,”SouthBendHeraldTribune,March2,1998.
9Philshaking,sharksrubbingagainstrafts:RusselAlenPhilips,televisioninterview,CBS,LaPorte,Ind.,January1997.
Chapter13:MissingatSea
1EventsonPalmyra:JohnJosephDeasy,telephoneinterview,April4,2005;LesterHermanScearce,Jr.,telephoneinterview,March11,2005.
2Search:JohnJosephDeasy,telephoneinterview,April4,2005;LesterHermanScearce,Jr.,telephoneinterview,March11,2005;“42ndBombardmentSquadronhistory,”AFHRA,MaxwelAFB,Ala.
3“wekepthoping”:LesterHermanScearce,Jr.,telephoneinterview,March11,2005.
4Chocolateincident:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.ForthesakeofMacandhisfamily,Louiewouldnottelofthechocolateincidentformanyyears,insteadsayingeitherthatthechocolatehadbeeneatenearlyinthejourneyorthatithadbeenlosttothesea.Phil,too,wouldprotectMac,sayingthatthechocolatewaslostinthesea.
5B-25fliesover:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;RusselAlenPhilips,televisioninterview,CBS,LaPorte,Ind.,January1997;“42ndBombardmentSquadron:AddendumtoSquadronHistory,”September11,1945,AFHRA,MaxwelAFB,Ala.;RobertTrumbul,“Zamperini,OlympicMiler,IsSafeAfterEpicOrdeal,”NYT,September9,1945;Louis
Zamperini,POWdiary(enteredwhenLouiebegankeepingdiary,afterOctober1943).Inlateryears,ZamperiniwouldspeakoftheB-24flyingoverbeforetheB-25,butinalofhisearlyaccounts,includingthehistoryhegavetohissquadronuponrepatriationandthediaryhekeptasaPOW,hestatedthattheB-25flewoverfirst.Ina2008interview,heconfirmedthat
hisearlyaccountswerecorrect.
6B-24fliesover:Seenoteabove,aboutB-25flyingover;also:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;RusselAlenPhilips,televisioninterview,CBS,LaPorte,Ind.,January1997;JohnJosephDeasy,telephoneinterview,April4,2005;LesterHermanScearce,Jr.,telephoneinterview,March
11,2005;“42ndBombardmentSquadron:AddendumtoSquadronHistory,”September11,1945,AFHRA,MaxwelAFB,Ala.;RobertTrumbul,
“Zamperini,OlympicMiler,IsSafeAfterEpicOrdeal,”NYT,September9,1945;LouisZamperini,POWdiary,May30,1943entry(enteredwhenLouiebegankeepingdiary,afterOctober1943).
7“Ifweeverlooked”:LesterHermanScearce,Jr.,telephoneinterview,March11,2005.
8Smittysightings:42ndsquadronactivitylog,May30,1943,AFHRA,MaxwelAFB,Ala.
9“Cuppernel,Philips,Zamperini”:Cleveland,p.159.
10Macsnaps:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
11Louieprays:Ibid.
12Lettershome,ZamperinisseeCuppernels:RusselAlenPhilips,lettertoReverendRusselPhilips,May15,1943;RusselAlenPhilips,lettertoCecyPerry,May15,1943;PeterZamperini,lettertoLouisZamperini,June3,
1943;PaytonJordan,telephoneinterviews,August13,16,2004;LouisZamperini,lettertoPaytonJordan,May27,1943.
13“Isurehope”:ReverendRusselPhilips,lettertoMarthaHeustis,May6,1943.
14Searchends:LesterHermanScearce,Jr.,telephoneinterview,March11,2005.
15Kreyvisitscottage:JackKrey,telephoneinterview,August18,2005.
16TelegramtoKelseyPhilips:telegram,AdjutantGeneraltoKelseyPhilips,June4,1943.
17Zamperinisreact:SylviaFlammer,telephoneinterviews,October25,27,2004;PeterZamperini,telephoneinterviews,October
15,17,19,22,2004.
18“LifeofZamp”:GeorgeT.Davis,“ZamperiniCareerBriliant,LifeofZamp,”LosAngelesEveningHeraldandExpress,June5,1943.
19Jordanlearnsnews:PaytonJordan,telephoneinterviews,August13,16,2004.
20Louise’shandsores:
SylviaFlammer,telephoneinterviews,October25,27,2004.
21PilsburyandDouglas:StanleyPilsbury,telephoneinterviews,August25,2004,March9,2005,andAugust18,2006.
22Pilsbury’sremainderofwar:Ibid.
23Flaghung:JackCuddy,
“FlagHangsinMemoryofZamperini,”Syracuse(N.Y.)Herald-Journal,June24,1943.
Chapter14:Thirst
1Heat:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;RobertTrumbul,“Zamperini,OlympicMiler,IsSafeAfterEpicOrdeal,”NYT,September9,1945.
2Rainfals,catchingwater:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;RusselAlenPhilips,televisioninterview,CBS,LaPorte,Ind.,January1997.
3Philcoldatnight:RusselAlenPhilips,televisioninterview,CBS,LaPorte,Ind.,January1997.
4Philthoughtbirdsmusthavethoughtthemjetsam:
RusselAlenPhilips,televisioninterview,CBS,LaPorte,Ind.,January1997.
5Catchingalbatross:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
6Fishing:“42ndBombardmentSquadron:AddendumtoSquadronHistory,”September11,1945,AFHRA,MaxwelAFB,Ala.;LouisZamperini,
telephoneinterview.
7Whatmorebadluckcouldtheyhave?:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
8Sniffingwax:Ibid.
9Phil’sthoughtsofRickenbacker:RusselAlenPhilips,televisioninterview,CBS,LaPorte,Ind.,January1997;RusselAlenPhilips,lettertoKelseyPhilips,
March10,1943.
10Rickenbacker’sordeal:EdwardRickenbacker,“PacificMission,PartI,”Life,January25,1943,pp.20–26,90–100;EdwardRickenbacker,
“PacificMission,PartII,”Life,February8,1943,pp.94–106;EdwardRickenbacker,SevenCameThrough(GardenCity:
Doubleday,1951).
11Navymensurviveonraftin1942:RobertTrumbul,TheRaft(NewYork:Holt,RinehartandWinston,1942).
12PoonLim:“Telsof132DaysonRaft,”NYT,May25,1943(titlewasincorrectastonumberofdays);“PoonLim,”FactArchive,http://www.fact-archive.com/encyclopedia/Poon_Lim
(accessedSeptember15,2009).
13Philthinkingofhowlongthey’dbeenfloating:RusselPhilips,televisioninterview,CBS,LaPorte,Ind.,January1997.
14Quizzing:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;RusselPhilips,televisioninterview,CBS,LaPorte,Ind.,January1997.
15Mac’swithdrawal:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
16“Iftherewasonethingleft”:RusselPhilips,televisioninterview,CBS,LaPorte,Ind.,January1997.147Phil’sfaith:KarenLoomis,telephoneinterview,November17,2004.
17“IhadtoldAl”:RevernedRusselPhilips,letterto
MarthaHeustis,May6,1943.
18Bodiesdeclining:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
19Cannibalism:NeilHanson,TheCustomoftheSea:AShockingTrueTaleofShipwreck,Murder,andtheLastTaboo(NewYork:JohnWileyandSons,1999);NathanielPhilbrick,IntheHeartoftheSea(NewYork:
Viking,2000).
21Cannibalismnotconsidered:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
22Praying,secondalbatross,catchingfish,bandagerotting:Ibid.
23Dolphins:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;RusselAlenPhilips,televisioninterview,
CBS,LaPorte,Ind.,January1997.
24Hooksonfingers:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
25Catchingbirds:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;RusselAlenPhilips,televisioninterview,CBS,LaPorte,Ind.,January1997.
26Lice,chasingrain:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
27Philoverboard:RusselAlenPhilips,televisioninterview,CBS,LaPorte,Ind.,January1997.
28Prayerfolowedbyrain:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;LouisZamperini,interviewbyGeorgeHodak,Holywood,Calif.,June1988,
AAFLA.
Chapter15:SharksandBullets
1Strafing:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;RusselAlenPhilips,televisioninterview,CBS,LaPorte,Ind.,January1997;“42ndBombardmentSquadron:AddendumtoSquadronHistory,”September11,1945,AFHRA,Maxwel
AFB,Ala.;“Mr.PhilipsonCBS,OurHero,Mr.Philips,”undatedarticlefrompapersofKarenLoomis,NPN;RobertTrumbul,“Zamperini,OlympicMiler,IsSafeAfterEpicOrdeal,”NYT,September9,1945;LouisZamperini,interviewbyGeorgeHodak,Holywood,Calif.,June1988,AAFLA;AlbertaH.Jones,“LaPorteWarHeroTakesPartinZamperiniShow,”
undatedarticlefromPhilipsscrapbook,NPN;LouisZamperini,POWdiary,June23,1943,entry.
2PhilthinksAmericawilwin:“Mr.PhilipsonCBS,OurHero,Mr.Philips,”undatedarticlefrompapersofKarenLoomis,NPN.
3Sharksattacking:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;KelseyPhilips,“A
LifeStory,”unpublishedmemoir.
4Patching:“42ndBombardmentSquadron:AddendumtoSquadronHistory,”September11,1945,AFHRA,MaxwelAFB,Ala.;LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;LouisZamperini,interviewbyGeorgeHodak,Holywood,Calif.,June1988,AAFLA.
5TransformingPhil’sraft:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;RusselAlenPhilips,televisioninterview,CBS,LaPorte,Ind.,January1997.
6Estimatingdistancefromland:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
Chapter16:SingingintheClouds
1Sharkstrytojumpintoraft:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
2Attempttocatchshark:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;RusselAlenPhilips,televisioninterview,CBS,LaPorte,Ind.,January1997.
3Greatwhite:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
4MacaskingLouieifhewoulddie:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;RusselAlenPhilips,televisioninterview,CBS,LaPorte,Ind.,January1997;RobertTrumbul,“Zamperini,OlympicMiler,IsSafeAfterEpicOrdeal,”NYT,September9,1945.
5DeathofMac:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;RusselAlenPhil
ips,televisioninterview,CBS,LaPorte,Ind.,January1997.
6Louiecatchesfishwithlieutenant’spin:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
7Decliningbodies:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;RusselAlenPhilips,televisioninterview,CBS,LaPorte,Ind.,January
1997.
8Doldrums:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
9Sharpeningintelect:Ibid.
10Louiehearssinging:Ibid.
11Morebirds:RusselAlenPhilips,televisioninterview,CBS,LaPorte,Ind.,January1997.
12Moreplanes:“42ndBombardmentSquadron:AddendumtoSquadronHistory,”September11,1945,AFHRA,MaxwelAFB,Ala.;LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;RobertTrumbul,“Zamperini,OlympicMiler,IsSafeAfterEpicOrdeal,”NYT,September9,1945.
13Stormcoming:LouisZamperini,telephone
interview.
14Philenjoysswels:RusselAlenPhilips,televisioninterview,CBS,LaPorte,Ind.,January1997.
15Sightingisland:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;RusselAlenPhilips,televisioninterview,CBS,LaPorte,Ind.,January1997;LouisZamperini,POWdiary,July12,1943,entry.
Chapter17:Typhoon
1Islandsappearing:“42ndBombardmentSquadron:AddendumtoSquadronHistory,”September11,1945,AFHRA,MaxwelAFB,Ala.;RobertTrumbul,“Zamperini,OlympicMiler,IsSafeAfterEpicOrdeal,”NYT,September9,1945.
2Discussinglandmatter-of-factly:RusselAlenPhilips,
televisioninterview,CBS,LaPorte,Ind.,January1997;RobertTrumbul,“Zamperini,OlympicMiler,IsSafeAfterEpicOrdeal,”NYT,September9,1945.
3Rowingparaleltoislands:“42ndBombardmentSquadron:AddendumtoSquadronHistory,”September11,1945,AFHRA,MaxwelAFB,Ala.
4Stormhits:“42ndBombardmentSquadron:AddendumtoSquadronHistory,”September11,1945,AFHRA,MaxwelAFB,Ala.;LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
5Catastrophictyphoon:KeithHeidorn,PhD,emailinterview,March24,2008;“FoochowFloodedAfterTyphoon,”NevadaStateJournal(Reno),July24,
1943.
6Smelingland,listeningtosurf:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
7Wakingamongislands:“42ndBombardmentSquadron:AddendumtoSquadronHistory,”September11,1945,AFHRA,MaxwelAFB,Ala.
8Seeingplanes:Ibid.
9Capture:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;RusselAlenPhilips,televisioninterview,CBS,LaPorte,Ind.,January1997;“42ndBombardmentSquadron:AddendumtoSquadronHistory,”September11,1945,AFHRA,MaxwelAFB,Ala.;RobertTrumbul,“Zamperini,OlympicMiler,IsSafeAfterEpicOrdeal,”NYT,September9,1945;LouisZamperini,interview
byGeorgeHodak,Holywood,Calif.,June1988,AAFLA;LouisZamperini,POWdiary,July13,1943,entry.
10Swattingbeardwithbayonet,cigarettesburnbeards:“42ndBombardmentSquadron:AddendumtoSquadronHistory,”September11,1945,AFHRA,MaxwelAFB,Ala.
11Questioned,takenintocustody:RusselAlenPhilips,televisioninterview,CBS,LaPorte,Ind.,January1997;“42ndBombardmentSquadron:AddendumtoSquadronHistory,”September11,1945,AFHRA,MaxwelAFB,Ala.
12“TheseareAmericanfliers”:RobertTrumbul,“Zamperini,OlympicMiler,IsSafeAfterEpicOrdeal,”
NYT,September9,1945.
13Weight:RusselAlenPhilips,affidavit,JohnD.MurphyColection,HIA,Stanford,Calif.;RusselAlenPhilips,televisioninterview,CBS,LaPorte,Ind.,January1997;“42ndBombardmentSquadron:AddendumtoSquadronHistory,”September11,1945,AFHRA,MaxwelAFB,Ala.;LouisZamperini,telephone
interview;LouisZamperini,affidavit,November1,1945,JohnD.MurphyColection,HIA,Stanford,Calif.NotesthatLouiemadein1946statethatheweighed67pounds,andinlaterinterviews,hewouldsaythathewastoldthathisweightwas30kilos,66pounds.Butinatleastthreeinterviewsgivenjustafterrepatriation,hewasquotedassayingthathehadweighed87pounds,andina
signedaffidavitmadeimmediatelyafterthewar,hewasquotedassayingthatheweighed79½pounds.Inoneinterviewjustafterthewar,healsosaidheweighed79
pounds.Phil’spostwaraffidavitstatedthatheweighedabout150atthetimeofthecrashand80atcapture.IntheCBSinterview,PhilstatedthatheandLouieweighedthesame—about80
pounds—atcapture.
14Firstmeal:“42ndBombardmentSquadron:AddendumtoSquadronHistory,”September11,1945,AFHRA,MaxwelAFB,Ala.
15Interviewedaboutjourney:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
16Toldthattheywerein
Marshals:RusselAlenPhilips,televisioninterview,CBS,LaPorte,Ind.,January1997;LouisZamperini,POWdiary;KelseyPhilips,“ALifeStory,”unpublishedmemoir;LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.Itisunclearwhichatoltheyweretoldtheywereon.Inone1945interview,a1946affidavit,anda1988interview,Louiestatedthattheyweretoldthatitwas
Maloelap,butinmanyotherinterviews,aswelasinthePOWdiarythathebeganshortlyafterhiscapture,hestatedthattheyweretoldtheywereonWotje.PhilalsostatedthatitwasWotje.
17Forty-eightbuletholes:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
18Theyareourfriends:RusselAlenPhilips,
televisioninterview,CBS,LaPorte,Ind.,January1997.
19“Afteryouleavehere”:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
20Sickonfreighter:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;RusselAlenPhilips,televisioninterview,CBS,LaPorte,Ind.,January1997.
21ConditionsonKwajalein:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;RusselAlenPhilips,televisioninterview,CBS,LaPorte,Ind.,January1997;LouisZamperiniandRusselAlenPhilips,affidavits,JohnD.MurphyColection,HIA,Stanford,Calif.;LouisZamperini,1946notesoncaptiveexperience;RobertTrumbul,“Zamperini,OlympicMiler,IsSafeAfterEpicOrdeal,”NYT,
September9,1945.
22NINEMARINES:TrippWiles,ForgottenRaidersof’42:TheFateoftheMarinesLeftBehindonMakin(Washington,D.C.:PotomacBooks,2007),photocaption.
23AllIsee:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
PARTIVChapter18:ADeadBodyBreathing
1Hardtack,tea:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;“42ndBombardmentSquadron:AddendumtoSquadronHistory,”September11,1945,AFHRA,Maxwel
AFB,Ala.;LouisZamperini,affidavit,JohnD.MurphyColection,HIA,Stanford,Calif.;RobertTrumbul,“Zamperini,OlympicMiler,IsSafeAfterEpicOrdeal,”NYT,September9,1945.
2Meetingnative:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
3Forcedtosleepbywastehole:Ibid.
4Diarrhea:LouisZamperini,affidavit,JohnD.MurphyColection,HIA,Stanford,Calif.;LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;LouisZamperini,1946
notesoncaptiveexperience.
5Boilingwaterthrowninface:LouisZamperini,affidavit,JohnD.MurphyColection,HIA,Stanford,Calif.;LouisZamperini,
telephoneinterview;LouisZamperini,1946notesoncaptiveexperience.
6Louiehearssinging:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
7Phil’sordeal:RusselAlenPhilips,televisioninterview,CBS,LaPorte,Ind.,January1997;RusselAlenPhilips,affidavit,JohnD.MurphyColection,HIA,Stanford,
Calif.
8Carvingnameinwal:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
9“What’sgoingtohappen?”:RusselAlenPhilips,televisioninterview,CBS,LaPorte,Ind.,January1997.
10Guards’cruelty:RusselAlenPhilips,televisioninterview,CBS,LaPorte,
Ind.,January1997;LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;“42ndBombardmentSquadron:AddendumtoSquadronHistory,”September11,1945,AFHRA,MaxwelAFB,Ala.;LouisZamperini,affidavit,JohnD.
MurphyColection,HIA,Stanford,Calif.;RobertTrumbul,“Zamperini,OlympicMiler,IsSafeAfter
EpicOrdeal,”NYT,September9,1945.
11“Iwasliteraly”:RaymondHaloran,emailinterview,March3,2008.
12Louie’sinterrogation:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;“42ndBombardmentSquadron:AddendumtoSquadronHistory,”September11,1945,AFHRA,Maxwel
AFB,Ala.
13Womensexualyenslaved:Chang,pp.52–53.
14“arupturedoctopus”:“42ndBombardmentSquadron:AddendumtoSquadronHistory,”September11,1945,AFHRA,MaxwelAFB,Ala.
15Phil’sinterrogation:LouisZamperini,telephone
interview;RusselAlenPhilips,televisioninterview,CBS,LaPorte,Ind.,January1997;RusselAlenPhilips,affidavit,JohnD.MurphyColection,HIA,Stanford,Calif.
16Kawamura:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;LouisZamperini,interviewbyGeorgeHodak,Holywood,Calif.,June1988,AAFLA.Louiewouldlater
beunsureifthenamewasKawamuraorKawamuda,buttheformerisalmostcertainlycorrect,asitisacommonname.
17Submenattack:LouisZamperini,affidavit,JohnD.MurphyColection,HIA,Stanford,Calif.;LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
18Medicalexperimentation:
LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;RusselAlenPhilips,affidavit,JohnD.MurphyColection,HIA,Stanford,Calif.;LouisZamperini,affidavit,JohnD.MurphyColection,HIA,Stanford,Calif.;LouisZamperini,1946notesoncaptiveexperience.
19Japaneseexperimentoncaptives:Tanaka,pp.135–65;GaryK.Reynolds,U.S.
PrisonersofWarandCivilianAmericanCitizensCapturedandInternedbyJapaninWorldWarII:TheIssueofCompensationbyJapan,CongressionalResearchService,December17,2002,pp.19–21.
20Denguefever:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;“42ndBombardmentSquadron:AddendumtoSquadron
History,”September11,1945,AFHRA,MaxwelAFB,Ala.;LouisZamperini,affidavit,JohnD.MurphyColection,HIA,Stanford,Calif.;LouisZamperini,1946notesoncaptiveexperience.
21Secondroundofinterrogation:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
22Condemned,thensaved
fromexecution:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;LouisZamperini,interviewbyGeorgeHodak,Holywood,Calif.,June1988,AAFLA.
Chapter19:TwoHundredSilentMen
1Attackedonship:“42ndBombardmentSquadron:AddendumtoSquadronHistory,”September11,
1945,AFHRA,MaxwelAFB,Ala.;LouisZamperini,affidavit,JohnD.MurphyColection,HIA,Stanford,Calif.;LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;LouisZamperini,1946notesoncaptiveexperience;RobertTrumbul,“Zamperini,OlympicMiler,IsSafeAfterEpicOrdeal,”NYT,September9,1945.
2SailorknockingonLouie’s
head,beatenincar:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
3Louiealowedtobathe:Ibid.
4MeetingSasaki,“Wemeetagain”:Ibid.
5“unarmedcombatants”:WiliamR.GilandDavisP.Newton,“ACompilationofBiographicalSource
DocumentsConcerningMajorWiliamHeraldWalker,U.S.ArmyAirForce(1919–1945),aPrisonerofWarinJapanDuringWorldWarI,”1999,p.15.
6LifeinOfuna:YuzuruSanematsu,“ARecordoftheAftermathofOfunaPOWCamp,”ShukanYomiuri,August1974,translatedfromJapanese;WiliamR.GilandDavisP.Newton,“A
CompilationofBiographicalSourceDocumentsConcerningMajorWiliamHeraldWalker,U.S.ArmyAirForce(1919–1945),aPrisonerofWarinJapanDuringWorldWarI,”1999;“Ofuna:DolderRescueTeamReport,”September22,1945,http://www.mansel.com/pow_resources/camplists/tokyo/ofuna/ofuna.html(accessedSeptember20,2009);LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;Jean
Balch,lettertolegalsection,prosecutiondivision,SCAP,January18,1948;Gamble,p.321;Affidavit,ArthurLaurenceMaher,fromCaseDocketNo.218:NakakichiAsomaetal.(vol.I,part2of2sections,exhibits,1945–1949),RG331,RAOOH,WWI,1907–1966,SCAP,LegalSection,AdministrationDivision(10/02/1945–04/28/1952?),RecordoftheTrialFile,1945–49,NACP;
JohnA.Fitzgerald,POWdiary,PapersofJohnA.Fitzgerald,OperationalArchivesBranch,NHC,Washington,D.C.;GregoryBoyington,BaaBaaBlackSheep(NewYork:Bantam,1977),pp.
251–53;JohanArthurJohansen,Krigsseileren,issues1–2,1990,translatedfromNorwegianbyNinaB.Smith;“MainSubjectIson
OfunaPOW
Camp,February1946–July1947”and“MainSubjectIsonOfunaPOWCamp,September1945–May1947,”RG331,RAOOH,WWI,1907–1966,SCAP,LegalSection,AdministrationDivision(10/02/1945–04/28/1952?),MiscelaneousSubjectFile,NACP;informationonOfunafromthefolowingfilesonKunichi
SasakiandJamesKunichiSasakiinRG331,RAOOH,WWI,1907–1966,SCAP,LegalSection,AdministrationandProsecutionDivisions(10/02/1945–04/28/1952?),NACP:KunichiSasakietal.,1945–1948,InvestigationandInterrogationReports;NakakichiAsomaetal.,trial,exhibits,appeal,andclemencyfiles,NACP;NakakichiAsoma,1945–1952,POW201File,1945–
1952,ChargesandSpecifications,1945–1948,NACP;YuichiHatto,Aa,OmoriShuyojo(Tokyo:KyoshinShuppan,2004),translatedfromJapanese.
7“Myjob”:GlennMcConnel,telephoneinterview,June8,2007.
8“wereofsuchintensity”:Affidavit,GlennMcConnel,fromfilesonSueharu
Kitamura,RG331,RAOOH,WWI,1907–1966,SCAP,LegalSection,AdministrationDivision(10/02/1945–04/28/1952?),NACP.
9“Ironmustbebeaten”:YuichiHatto,writteninterview,August28,2004.
10“Nostrongsoldiers”:Ibid.
11“transferofoppression”:Chang,p.217;Tanaka,p.
204.
12JapaneseviewofWesterners,“Anglo-Saxondevils”:ShoichiIshizuka,“AboutNaoetsuPOWCamp,”GaikoForum,June2006.
13Japaneseviewofcapture:YuichiHatto,Aa,OmoriShuyojo(Tokyo:KyoshinShuppan,2004),translatedfromJapanese;Shoichi
Ishizuka,“AboutNaoetsuPOWCamp,”GaikoForum,June2006.
14“Haveregardfor”:ShoichiIshizuka,“AboutNaoetsuPOWCamp,”GaikoForum,June2006.
15“thenightofathousandsuicides”:“CowraOutbreak,1944,”FactSheet198,NationalArchivesofAustralia,
http://www.naa.gov.au/about-us/publications/fact-sheets/fs198.aspx(accessedSeptember23,2009);HarryGordon,VoyagefromShame:TheCowraBreakoutandAfterwards(Brisbane:UniversityofQueenslandPress,1994).WhiletheCowraincidentissometimesdescribedsimplyasanescapeattempt,theevent’sauthoritativehistorian,HarryGordon,describesitasa
“masssuicidebid.”WhilesomeJapanesePOWsremainedincampandcommittedsuicideorwerekiledbyotherPOWs,thosewhomadethebreakoutrun,includinghundredswhorandirectlyatcampmachineguns,weretryingtoforcetheAustralianstokilthem.Accordingtoonesurvivor,theycarriedweaponsto“showhostility…sotheywouldsurelybeshotat”and
carriedimplementstousetokilthemselvesiftheAustraliansdidn’tkilthem.Somewhosuccessfulyescapedlaterkiledthemselvestoavoidrecapture.
16FrederickDouglass:FrederickDouglass,NarrativeoftheLifeofFrederickDouglass(Cheswold:PrestwickHouse,2004),p.33.
17Kitamura:FilesonSueharuKitamura,RG331,RAOOH,WWI,1907–1966,SCAP,LegalSection,AdministrationDivision(10/02/1945
–04/28/1952?),NACP.
18HirosesavesPOWfrombeating:Affidavit,FrederickDewittTurnbul,fromCaseDocketNo.216:KatsuoKohara(Vol.I,Recordof
Trial–Vol.I,Exhibits)1945–1949,RG331,RAOOH,WWI1907–1966,SCAP,LegalSection,AdministrationDivision(10/02/1945–04/28/1952?),NACP.
19Child’ssympathyforPOWs:LewisBush,ClutchofCircumstance(Tokyo:Okuyama,1956),p.184.
20“Thegeneralopinion”:YukichiKano,“Statementof
YukichiKanoTokioP.O.W.CampH.Q.(Omori),”undated,frompapersofRobertMartindale.
21Sympatheticguardassaulted:Boyington,p.257.
22Food:JohnA.Fitzgerald,POWdiary,PapersofJohnA.Fitzgerald,OperationalArchivesBranch,NHC,Washington,D.C.;Boyington,pp.270
–71;Gamble,p.328;LouisZamperini,1946notesoncaptiveexperience.
23“Weweredying”:JeanBalch,“YorktownAviator:MyExperienceasPrisonerofWar,”www.ussyorktown.com/yorktown/pow.htm(accessedJuly1,2004).
24Beriberi:AlfredA.Weinstein,BarbedWireSurgeon(NewYork:Lancer
Books,1965),p.83;TomHenlingWade,PrisoneroftheJapanese(Kenthurst,Australia:Kangaroo,1994),p.44;Gamble,p.324.
25Tarawa:GavanDaws,PrisonersoftheJapanese:POWsofWorldWarIIinthePacific(NewYork:WiliamMorrow,1994),p.278.
26Balale:PeterStone,HostagestoFreedom
(Yarram,Australia:OceansEnterprises,2006).
27
Wake
massacre:
Daws,
p.
279;
Major
Mark
E.
Hubbs,
“Massacre
on
Wake
Island,”
Yorktown
Sailor,
http://www.yorktownsailor.com/yorktown/massacre.html(accessedOctober18,2009).
28“kil-al”ruleand“Atsuchtime”:EntryfromtheJournaloftheTaiwanPOWCampH.Q.inTaihoku,Aug.1,1944,Document2701,
certifiedasExhibitOinDocument2687;NumericalEvidentiaryDocumentsAssembledasEvidencebytheProsecutionforUseasEvidenceBeforetheInternationalMilitaryTribunalfortheFarEast,1945–1947(NationalArchivesMicrofilmPublicationM1690,rol346,frame540),RAOOH,WWI,RG
331,NACP.
29“Ifthereisanyfear”(May1944order):V.DennisWrynn,“AmericanPrisonersofWar:MassacreatPalawan,”WorldWarII,November1997.
Chapter20:FartingforHirohito
1Fartingguard:LouisZamperini,telephone
interview.
2Maher:Affidavit,ArthurLaurenceMaher,fromCaseDocketNo.218:NakakichiAsomaetal.(vol.I,part2of2sections,exhibits),1945–1949),RG
331:RAOOH,WWI,1907–1966,SCAP,LegalSection,AdministrationDivision(10/02/1945–04/28/1952?),RecordoftheTrialFile,
1945–49;RobertMartindale,The13thMission(Austin:Eakin,1998),pp.109–10.
3Fitzgerald:JohnA.Fitzgerald,POWdiary,PapersofJohnA.Fitzgerald,OperationalArchivesBranch,NHC,Washington,D.C.
4Harris:EdgarD.Whitcomb,EscapefromCorregidor(NewYork:PaperbackLibrary,1967),pp.
106–59,284;KateyMeares,emailinterviews,March14,17,18,27,2008.
5Photographicmemory:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
6Sasaki’sbehavior:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;Gamble,p.323;thefolowingrecordsofKunichiSasakiandJamesKunichiSasaki,fromthe
NACP,RG331,RAOOH,WWI,1907–1966,SCAP,LegalSection,AdmumstrationDivisionandProsecutionDivision:KunichiSasaki,IsamuSato,KazuoAkane,1945–1948,InvestigationandInterrogationReports;NakakichiAsomaetal.,trial,exhibits,appeal,andclemencyfiles;NakakichiAsomaetal.,1945–1952,POW201File,1945–1952,
ChargesandSpecifications,1945–1948.
7Gaga:GlennMcConnel,telephoneinterview,June8,2007;Boyington,pp.255–56.
8“toresttheirtorturedbrains”:Boyington,p.256.
9Phildoingcalisthenics:RusselAlenPhilips,televisioninterview,CBS,LaPorte,Ind.,January1997.
10“I’lneverflyagain”:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
11Mahertelscaptivetosteal:JohnA.Fitzgerald,POWdiary,PapersofJohnA.Fitzgerald,OperationalArchivesBranch,NHC,Washington,D.C.
12Morsecode:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;JohanArthur
Johansen,emailinterview,March26,2005.
13Louietelsofmother’scooking:FrankTinker,telephoneinterview,February20,2005;Boyington,p.271;TomWade,telephoneinterview,January2,2005.
14Guardnicknames:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;JeanBalch,lettertoLegalSection,Prosecution
Division,SCAP,January18,1948;Boyington,p.258.
15Speakingoffensivelytoguards:Boyington,pp.267–68.
16Convincingguardthatsundialworkedatnight:Boyington,pp.264–65.
17FartingatHirohito:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;Gamble,p.325.
18POWdiary:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
19GuardssaytheyshotLincolnandtorpedoedD.C.:ConstanceHumphrey,“ATasteofFoodfromSkies,”PittsburghPost-Gazette,March29,1946.
20Papersstolenduringinterrogation:JohnA.Fitzgerald,POWdiary,
PapersofJohnA.Fitzgerald,OperationalArchivesBranch,NHC,Washington,D.C.
21Fal1943:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;JohanArthurJohansen,Krigsseileren,issue1,1990,translatedfromNorwegianbyNinaB.
Smith.
22Officialsstealingfood:
LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;Boyington,pp.290–91.
23“Togiveyouanidea”:JohnA.Fitzgerald,POWdiary,PapersofJohnA.Fitzgerald,OperationalArchivesBranch,NHC,Washington,D.C.
24Smoking:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
25Colapsingatbasebal,editorcomestocamp:Ibid.
26RaceagainstaJapaneserunner:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;LouisZamperini,1946notesoncaptiveexperience.
27AskingSasakitohelp,MeadandDuva:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
28Minsaasdies:JohnA.Fitzgerald,POWdiary,PapersofJohnA.Fitzgerald,OperationalArchivesBranch,NHC,Washington,D.C.;JohanArthurJohansen,Krigsseileren,issue2,1990,translatedfromNorwegianbyNinaB.Smith;JohanArthurJohansen,emailinterview,March26,2005.
29“We…believed”:JohanArthurJohansen,email
interview,March26,2005.
30Christiansengivescoat:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
31Garrett:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;FredGarrett,affidavit,JohnD.MurphyColection,HIA,Stanford,Calif.
32Tinker:FrankTinker,telephoneinterview,February
20,2005.
33MentalclarityofTinker,Harris:Ibid.
34Louie’ssecondrace:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
35“mademeaprofessional”:Ibid.
36Philtakenaway:RusselAlenPhilips,affidavit,JohnD.
MurphyColection,HIA,Stanford,Calif.
37Zentsujisaidtobegoodcamp:TomWade,telephoneinterview,January2,2005.
38PhilsenttoAshio:KelseyPhilips,“ALifeStory,”unpublishedmemoir.
39
Ashio:
Roger
Mansel,
“Ashio
POW
Camp,”
Center
for
Research,
Alied
POWs
Under
the
Japanese,
http://www.mansel.com/pow_resources/camplists/tokyo/Ashio/ashio_main.html,
PaloAlto,Calif.(accessedSeptember19,2009).
40Phil’sletterburned:RusselAlenPhilips,lettertoKelseyPhilips,April1944;KelseyPhilips,“ALifeStory,”unpublishedmemoir.
Chapter21:Belief
1Sylviacrying:SylviaFlammer,telephoneinterviews,October25,27,
2004.
2Zamperiniscoping:Ibid.;PeterZamperini,telephoneinterviews,October15,17,19,22,2004;PeterZamperini,lettertoLouisZamperini,June3,1943.
3LouisewritestoGeneralHale:LouiseZamperini,diarynotes,July13,1943;LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
4Louie’strunkarrives:LouiseZamperini,diarynotes,October6,1943.
5GiftsforLouie:LouisZamperini,lettertoEdwinWilber,May1946.
6ChristmascardforLouie:FrompapersofLouisZamperini.
7“Theentireisland”:EasternMandates(Washington,D.C.:
CenterforMilitaryHistoryPublications,1993),p.14.
8Woodslat:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
9PapersonKwajalein:JohnJosephDeasy,telephoneinterview,April4,2005.
10“Iwashappy”:Ibid.
11Condolenceletter:Henry
Rahaley,lettertoReverendandMrs.Philips,June16,1943.
12Oak-leafclusters:ReverendRusselPhilips,lettertoCecyPerry,July28,1943.
13ReverendPhilips’splaque:ReverendRusselPhilips,lettertoMarthaHeustis,March17,1944.
14“IthinkIhave”:ReverendRusselPhilips,lettertoMarthaHeustis,August4,1943.
15Smitty’slettertoCecy:GeorgeSmith,lettertoCecyPerry,June19,1943.
16CecymovestoD.C.,visitsfortune-teler:TerryHoffman,telephoneinterview,March6,2007.
17“Thisyearsure”:DeliaRobinson,lettertoLouiseZamperini,June23,1944.
18“Wethoughtsurely”:Mrs.A.J.Deane,lettertoLouiseZamperini,June27,1944.
19Deathnotice:SylviaFlammer,telephoneinterviews,October25,27,2004.
20“Noneofus”:Ibid.
21PlantofindLouie:PeterZamperini,telephoneinterview,October19,2004.
Chapter22:PlotsAfoot
1Escapeplot:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
2Rationscut:JohnA.Fitzgerald,POWdiary,PapersofJohnA.Fitzgerald,OperationalArchivesBranch,
NHC,Washington,D.C.
3Louiestealingfood,starchingshirts:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
4Barberingjob:Ibid.
5OfficialsaysPOWswilbekiled:JohnA.Fitzgerald,POWdiary,PapersofJohnA.Fitzgerald,OperationalArchivesBranch,NHC,
Washington,D.C.
6StealingmapfromMummy:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
7GettinginfoaboutSaipan:Ibid.
8Sasaki’ssuddenchange:Ibid.
9MurderonTinian:EricLash,“HistoricIslandof
Tinian,”EnvironmentalServices,October2008,vol.1,2ndedition;MajorGeneralDonaldCook,
“20thAirForceToday,”20thAirForceAssociationNewsletter,Fal1998.
10Infestation,leeches,“Youshouldbehappy”:JohnFitzgerald,POWdiary,PapersofJohnA.Fitzgerald,OperationalArchivesBranch,
NHC,Washington,D.C.;LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
11Fitzgeraldseesstealing:JohnFitzgerald,POWdiary,PapersofJohnA.Fitzgerald,OperationalArchivesBranch,NHC,Washington,D.C.
12Putridfish,Quackbeating:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;LouisZamperini,1946notesoncaptive
experience;LouisZamperini,interviewbyGeorgeHodak,Holywood,Calif.,June1988,AAFLA.
13MurderofGaga:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
14Louiethinkingofhome:Ibid.
15Plantoescapebyboat:Ibid.
16
Doolittle
raid:
Kennedy
Hickman,
“World
War
I:
The
Doolittle
Raid,”About.com,
http://militaryhistory.about.com/od/aerialcampaigns/p/doolittleraid.htm(accessedOctober15,2009).
17Kindnessofcivilians:Boyington,pp.304–05.
18
Murder
of
Chinese
civilians:
Chang,
p.
216;
Kennedy
Hickman,
“World
War
I:
The
Doolittle
Raid,”About.com,
http://militaryhistory.about.com/od/aerialcampaigns/p/doolittleraid.htm(accessedOctober15,2009).
19AverageJapanesesoldierfivefootthree:“BattleofthePacific:HowJapsFight,”Time,February15,1943;TarShioya,“TheConflictBehindtheBattleLines,”SanFranciscoChronicle,
September24,1995.
20CiviliansattackPOWs:MiltonMcMulen,telephoneinterview,February16,2005;K.P.Burke,ProofThroughtheNight:AB-29PilotCaptiveinJapan—theEarnestPickettStory(Salem,Ore.:OpalCreek,2001),p.88;FiskeHanleyI,AccusedAmericanWarCriminal(Austin:Eakin,1997),pp.68–69.
21Preparationsforescape,“afearfuljoy”:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
22Suspensionofplan:Ibid.
23Newspapertheft,Harrisbeating:Ibid.;filesonSueharuKitamura,RG331,RAOOH,WWI,1907–1966,SCAP,LegalSection,AdministrationDivision(10/02/1945–04/28/1952?),
NACP;GlennMcConnel,telephoneinterview,June8,2007;JohnA.Fitzgerald,POWdiary,PapersofJohnA.
Fitzgerald,OperationalArchivesBranch,NHC,Washington,D.C.;Gamble,p.328.
24Sasaki’sadvice:Affidavit,LouisZamperini,infileofNakakichiAsoma,1945–
1952,RG331:RAOOH,WWI,SCAP,LegalSection,AdministrationDivision(10/02/1945–04/28/1952?),ChargesandSpecifications,1945–1948,NACP.
Chapter23:Monster
1AppearanceofOmori:Bush,p.150.
2POWlikensOmoritothemoon:Wade,p.83.
3Nobirds:Ray“Hap”HaloranandChesterMarshal,Hap’sWar(MenloPark,Calif.:Halmark,n.d.).
4Watanabe’sappearance:Weinstein,p.228;TomWade,telephoneinterview,January2,2005.
5Likentopaws:DragganMihailovich,emailinterview,August3,2007.
6LouiemeetingWatanabe:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
7Thisman:FrankTinker,telephoneinterview,February20,2005.
8Buildingfire:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
9Watanabe’shistory:Martindale,pp.92–93;Wade,
pp.103–04;YuichiHatto,writteninterview,August28,2004;James,p.278;MutsuhiroWatanabe(Sgt.),vols.1–3,1945–1952,POW201File1945–1947,SCAP,LegalSection,AdministrativeDivision,RAOOH,RG331,NACP;“FromChiefofHyogoPrefecturalPoliceForce,”November21,1950,report,frompapersofFrankTinker.
10Japanesesignbutdon’tratifyGenevaConvention:Tanaka,p.73.
11Slavery:Martindale,p.90;Wade,pp.97–99,129;Bush,pp.152–53;JohanArthurJohansen,Krigsseileren,issue3,1990,translatedfromNorwegianbyNinaB.Smith.
12Liftingthirtytonsaday:Wade,p.99.
13Menpaidtenyenpermonth:Martindale,p.111.
14Thosewhodon’tworkreceivehalfrations:Bush,p.160.
15FoodatOmori:Martindale,p.120;Bush,p.159.
16Nicknames:ErnestO.Norquist,OurParadise:AGI’sWarDiary(Hancock,
Wisc.:Pearl-Win,1989),p.293;Bush,p.205.
17Watanabe’sfirstdays:Wade,pp.103–05;TomWade,telephoneinterview,January2,2005;Bush,pp.176–79.
18HattothinksWatanabemad:YuichiHatto,writteninterview,August28,2004.
19“Hesuddenlysaw”:Tom
Wade,telephoneinterview,September17,2005.
20“Hedidenjoyhurting”:YuichiHatto,writteninterview,August28,2004.
21Watanabe’sbehavior:MutsuhiroWatanabe(Sgt.),vol.1,1945–1952,POW201File1945–1947,SCAP,LegalSection,AdministrativeDivision,RAOOH,RG331,NACP;Martindale,pp.95–
110,130,144–55;RobertMartindale,telephoneinterview,January2,2005;Norquist,pp.277–79,283
–84;Wade,pp.103–08;Weinstein,pp.228–33,247,256;Derek(Nobby)Clarke,NoCook’sTour(Hereford,Eng.:AuthorsOnLine,2005),pp.114
–16;DonaldKnox,DeathMarch:TheSurvivorsof
Bataan(SanDiego:HarcourtBraceJovanovich,1983),p.377;James,pp.277–83.
22Watanabe’sfame:James,p.278;Affidavit,ArthurLaurenceMaher,fromfilesonMutsuhiroWatanabe(Sgt.),vol.1,1945–1952,POW201File1945–1947,SCAP,LegalSection,AdministrativeDivision,RAOOH,RG331,NACP.
23“punishmentcamp”:Martindale,pp.104–05.
24“themostviciousguard”:Affidavit,ArthurLaurenceMaher,fromfilesonMutsuhiroWatanabe(Sgt.),vol.1,1945–1952,POW201File1945
–1947,SCAP,LegalSection,AdministrativeDivision,RAOOH,RG331,NACP.
25“Hewasabsolutely”:Knox,p.379.
26BeatingPOW,thenbecomingplacid:Weinstein,p.230.
27Forcingmentobehisfriends:Martindale,pp.149–50;Clarke,p.116;RobertMartindale,telephoneinterview,January2,2005.
28Watanabedespisedby
guards:Bush,p.200;YuichiHatto,writteninterview,August28,2004.
29“tense,sitting-on-the-edge-of-a-volcano”:Clarke,p.116.
Chapter24:Hunted
1LouieentersmainbodyofOmori:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
2LessonsonavoidingtheBird:Norquist,pp.278–79;Wade,p.124;Bush,p.187;Weinstein,pp.228–33;Clarke,pp.114–16;J.WattHinson,emailinterview,July26,2004.
3TheBird’soffice:Martindale,p.78.
4LouienotregisteredwithRedCross:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
5Attackedeveryday:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
6“numberoneprisoner”:CBSTelevision,“48Hours:RacetoFreedom,”1998.
7“Afterthefirstfewdaysincamp”:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
8TheBirdforcesofficerstowork:Clarke,p.114;
Martindale,p.97;LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;Weinstein,p.249.
9Cleaningbenjos:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;Martindale,pp.99–100;LewisBush,p.186;Clarke,p.114.
10“Themotto”:Martindale,p.100.
11Sabotage,stealing:John
Fitzgerald,POWdiary,PapersofJohnA.Fitzgerald,OperationalArchivesBranch,NHC,Washington,D.C.;“42ndBombardmentSquadron:AddendumtoSquadronHistory,”September11,1945,AFHRA,MaxwelAFB,Ala.;LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;MiltonMcMulen,telephoneinterview,February16,2005;Martindale,pp.127–28,156–72;Wade,pp.
97–99,129;Bush,p.161;JohanArthurJohansen,emailinterview,March26,2005;Weinstein,pp.243–45;GloriaRoss,“ASingularMan,”Airman,January1982;TomWade,telephoneinterview,January2,2005.
12“UniversityofThievery”:Martindale,pp.168–69.
13Stealingingredientsforcake:Ibid.,p.128.
14LouiegetssugarforTinker:FrankTinker,telephoneinterview,February20,2005;LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
15Onlytwodeathsafterschoolcreated:Martindale,p.169.
16Louiebeaten:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
17Sakabawatchesbeating:Ibid.
18TheBirdholdingpoweroversuperiors:Norquist,p.279;Wade,p.120;Weinstein,p.255.
19Watanabe’simpunity:YuichiHatto,writteninterview,August28,2004.
20Kindguards:Bush,p.200;YuichiHatto,written
interview,August28,2004;Boyington,pp.302–03;Martindale,p.195;Norquist,p.288;Gamble,p.336;YukichiKano,“StatementofYukichiKanoTokioP.O.W.CampH.Q.(Omori),”undated,frompapersofRobertMartindale.
21RedCrossinspection:Martindale,p.123;LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
22Louie’sdefiance:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
23PostmanCalls:E.BartlettKerr,SurrenderandSurvival:TheExperienceofAmericanPOWsinthePacific,1941–1945(NewYork:WiliamMorrow,1985),pp.189–90;“TheZeroHour,”Glasgow.com,http://www.glasglow.com/e2/th/The_Zero_Hour.html(accessedSeptember25,
2009).
24Radiomessage:E.H.Stephan,postcardtoZamperinifamily,October18,1944.
25Louieknewnothingofbroadcast:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
26MessageinTrona:E.H.Stephan,postcardtoZamperinifamily,October
18,1944,stamponcard.
Chapter25:B-29
1LouietakingwheelbarrowtoTokyo:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
2StateofTokyo:MiltonMcMulen,telephoneinterview,February16,2005;Bush,pp.213,222–23;Weinstein,p.248.
3Graffiti:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
4B-29:“BoeingB-29Superfortress,”MilitaryFactory,http://www.militaryfactory.com/aircraft/detail.asp?aircraft_id=82(accessedOctober15,2009).
5Steakley’sflight:E.BartlettKerr,FlamesoverTokyo:TheU.S.ArmyAirForces’IncendiaryCampaignAgainst
Japan,1941–1945(NewYork:DonaldI.Fine,1991),p.92.
6EarlierB-29raidsonmainlandJapan:Ibid.,pp.57–60,64–68.
7B-29flyingoverOmori:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;TomWade,telephoneinterview,September17,2005;FrankTinker,telephoneinterview,
February20,2005;Martindale,pp.166–67;Wade,pp.138–39;Clarke,p.147;RobertMartindale,telephoneinterview,January2,2005;TomWade,telephoneinterview,January2,2005.
8“ItwasnottheirMessiah”:Martindale,p.176.
9Smugglingnewspapers:MiltonMcMulen,telephone
interview,February16,2005.
10DistortionsinJapanesepress:Weinstein,p.242.
11Planedownedwithricebal:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
12“LoneenemyB-29visitsTokyoarea”:Norquist,p.287.
13FLEDIN
CONSTERNATION:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
14“Nijuku!”:Wade,p.139.
15TheBirdbeatsLouiewithbelt:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;RobertTrumbul,“Zamperini,OlympicMiler,IsSafeAfterEpicOrdeal,”NYT,September9,1945.
16TheBirdforcesMahertoburnletters:Affidavit,FrancisHarryFrankcom,fromfilesonMutsuhiroWatanabe(Sgt.),vol.1,1945–1952,POW201
File1945–1947,SCAP,LegalSection,AdministrativeDivision,RAOOH,RG331,NACP.
17RadioTokyovisit:LouisZamperini,telephone
interview;Martindale,pp.129–30;“42ndBombardmentSquadron:AddendumtoSquadronHistory,”September11,1945,AFHRA,MaxwelAFB,Ala.
18Writingradioaddress:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
19LynnMoody:LynnMoodyHoffman,lettertoLouisZamperini,August14,
1998.
20DeMileinterviewsZamperinis:SylviaFlammer,telephoneinterviews,October25,27,2004;“SixthWarBondDrive,”November19,1944,interviewtranscript.
21Harvey’swounding:SylviaFlammer,telephoneinterviews,October25,27,2004.
22Moodyhearsnewbroadcast:LynnMoodyHoffman,lettertoLouisZamperini,August14,1998.
23Textofaddress:FrompapersofLouisZamperini.
24VisitwithcalerfromSanMarino:HandwrittennotesfrompapersofLouisZamperini.
25“Iwasthinking”:Sylvia
Flammer,telephoneinterviews,October25,27,2004.
26Telegramconcerningbroadcast:telegram,provostmarshalgeneraltoLouiseZamperini,undated,fromthepapersofLouisZamperini.
27Unclehearsbroadcast:“LouisZamperiniRadioTalkHeardbyUncle,”DesMoinesRegister,December12,1944.
28Detailaboutguns:SylviaFlammer,telephoneinterviews,October25,27,2004.
29“Payt!He’salive!”:PaytonJordan,telephoneinterview,August16,2004.
Chapter26:Madness
1RadioTokyomenreturn:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
2Textofnewmessage:FrompapersofLouisZamperini.
3ReasonLouiesparedfromexecution:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;LouisZamperini,notesfrom1950meetingwithKwajaleinofficer;LouisZamperini,interviewbyGeorgeHodak,Holywood,Calif.,June1988,AAFLA.
4ProducersencourageLouie:
LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;“42ndBombardmentSquadron:AddendumtoSquadronHistory,”September11,1945,AFHRA,MaxwelAFB,Ala.
5“Okay”:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
6November24,1944,raid:Martindale,p.177;JohanArthurJohansen,email
interview,March26,2005;JohanArthurJohansen,Krigsseileren,issue4,1990,translatedfromNorwegianbyNinaB.Smith;TomWade,telephoneinterview,January2,2005;“TokyoinFlamesAfterCripplingSuperfortBlow,”OgdenStandardExaminer,November25,1944;Kerr,Flames,pp.97–101.
7“Itwasacold”:Johan
ArthurJohansen,emailinterview,March26,2005.
8Hattoseesparachutingman:YuichiHatto,writteninterview,August28,2004.
9Sirens:Norquist,pp.288,291.
10November27and29–30bombings:Ibid.,p.291.
11Louiewatchesairbattle:
LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
12“Hikokidame”:Ibid.
13“Youwinwar”:Bush,p.207.
14TheBirdbeatsMartindale:Martindale,pp.180–81.
15TheBirdleaves,thenreturnsforfiredril:Ibid.,pp.152–53;Wade,pp.140–41.
16TheBirdherdsofficersintoTokyo:Martindale,pp.144–45;Wade,p.141;Affidavit,FrancisHarryFrankcom,fromfilesonMutsuhiroWatanabe(Sgt.),vol.1,1945–1952,POW201File1945–1947,SCAP,LegalSection,AdministrativeDivision,RAOOH,RG331,NACP.
17TheBirdmakesmenstandatattention:JohanArthur
Johansen,Krigsseileren,issue4,1990,translatedfromNorwegianbyNinaB.Smith.
18“deathlunge”:FrankTinker,telephoneinterview,February20,2005.
19Louie’snightmaresabouttheBird:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
20Zentsuji:DonWal,SingaporeandBeyond:The
StoryoftheMenofthe2/20Battalion,ToldbytheSurvivors(Cowra,Australia:JamesN.
Keady,1985),pp.307–09;Affidavit,MajorMelvinMiler,fromfilesof“TheMadQuack”(1stLt.),POW201File1945–1947,SCAP,LegalSection,AdministrativeDivision,RAOOH,RG331,NACP.
21Philipseshearofbroadcast:“Lt.AlanPhilipsMayBePrisonerinTokyo,”undatedarticlefromPhilipsscrapbook,NPN.
22Majorfromtheadjutantgeneral’sofficecals:“Lt.AlenPhilipsAliveasPrisoneroftheJaps;MissingYearandaHalf,”undatedarticlefromPhilipsscrapbook,NPN.
23Cecyraceshome:Terry
Hoffman,telephoneinterview,March6,2007.
24“Wordsrealycannot”:ReverendRusselPhilips,lettertoMarthaHeustis,January5,1945.
25Philipsesaskedtokeepnewssecret:KelseyPhilips,lettertoLouiseZamperini,December15,1944.
26Kelseysadforother
mothers:Ibid.
27“Eventhoughwe”:SadieGlassman,lettertoZamperinis,November18,1944.
28“Itisdifficult”:KelseyPhilips,lettertoLouiseZamperini,December15,1944.
29RedCrosspackagesdelivered:Norquist,pp.282,
290.
30OfficialadmitstogivingpackagestoJapanese:Martindale,p.134.
31“Wecouldseethemthrowingaway”:Wade,p.138.
32TheBirdstealsforty-eightpackages:Wade,p.138;Affidavits,FrancisHarryFrankcomandFort
HammondCalahan,fromfilesonMutsuhiroWatanabe(Sgt.),vol.1,1945–1952,POW201File1945–1947,SCAP,LegalSection,AdministrativeDivision,RAOOH,RG331,NACP.
33Applesandorangesdistributed,takenback:Martindale,p.187.
34LouiegetsRedCrosspackage:LouisZamperini,
POWdiary.
35Mansfield:Martindale,pp.122–23;Norquist,pp.287–88;Wade,pp.137–38;RobertMartindale,telephoneinterview,January2,2005.
36Cinderella:Martindale,pp.189–92;Wade,pp.143–44;JohanArthurJohansen,Krigsseileren,issue4,1990,translatedfromNorwegianbyNinaB.Smith;Clarke,pp.
151–54.
37ChristmasatZentsuji:Wal,p.308.
38TokugawacomestoOmori:Bush,pp.183,198–99;YuichiHatto,writteninterview,August28,2004;ReportofLieutenantLewisBush,fromfilesonMutsuhiroWatanabe(Sgt.),vol.1,1945–1952,POW201File1945–1947,SCAP,Legal
Section,AdministrativeDivision,RAOOH,RG331,NACP.
39TheBirdpromoted:YuichiHatto,writteninterview,August28,2004;James,p.280.
40MenputfecesonBird’sricecakes:Martindale,pp.191–92.
41LouielearnsBirdleaving:
LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
Chapter27:FallingDown
1Lifeincampimproves:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;Martindale,pp.194–95;Affidavit,FrancisHarryFrankcom,fromfilesonMutsuhiroWatanabe(Sgt.),vol.1,1945–1952,POW201File1945–1947,SCAP,LegalSection,
AdministrativeDivision,RAOOH,RG331,NACP.
2MailfoundintheBird’soffice:Affidavit,FrancisHarryFrankcom,fromfilesonMutsuhiroWatanabe(Sgt.),vol.1,1945–1952,POW201File1945
–1947,SCAP,LegalSection,AdministrativeDivision,RAOOH,RG331,NACP.
3“Trustyou’real”:LouisZamperini,lettertofamily,January6,1945.
4“TelPete”:LouisZamperini,lettertofamily,JanuaryorFebruary1945.
5Ofunaarrivals:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;JohnA.Fitzgerald,POWdiary,PapersofJohnA.Fitzgerald,OperationalArchivesBranch,NHC,
Washington,D.C.
6ConditionofHarris:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
7Harris’sbeatings:JohnA.Fitzgerald,POWdiary,PapersofJohnA.Fitzgerald,OperationalArchivesBranch,NHC,Washington,D.C.
8DoctorthinksHarrisdying,LouiegiveshimRedCross
box:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;LouisZamperini,POWdiary,January15,1945,entry.
9Palawanmassacre:HamptonSides,GhostSoldiers:TheEpicAccountofWorldWarII’sGreatestRescueMission(NewYork:AnchorBooks,2002),pp.7–17;Kerr,Surrender,pp.212–15;V.DennisWrynn,“AmericanPrisonersofWar:
MassacreatPalawan,”WorldWarII,November1997.
10February16–17airraid:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;JohnA.Fitzgerald,POWdiary,PapersofJohnA.Fitzgerald,OperationalArchivesBranch,NHC,Washington,D.C.;Martindale,p.198;JohanArthurJohansen,Krigsseileren,issue4,1990,translatedfromNorwegianby
NinaB.
Smith;FrankTremaine,“TokyoinFlamesAfterRecordBombingAttack,”Brainerd(Minn.)DailyDispatch,February16,1945;“NavyPlanesRipTokyo,”NebraskaStateJournal(Lincoln),February16,1945;“DevastatingWartoTokyo,”NebraskaStateJournal(Lincoln),February16,1945.
11AmericanHelcatpursuesJapanesefighter:JohnA.Fitzgerald,POWdiary,PapersofJohnA.Fitzgerald,OperationalArchivesBranch,NHC,Washington,D.C.;LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
12February24airraid:“1,600PlanesBombJapCapitalasAl-OutDriveLaunchedonIwo,”SundayTimes-Signal(Zanesvile,
Ohio),February25,1945;Kerr,Flames,pp.138–44.
13TransferofPOWs:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;JohnA.Fitzgerald,POWdiary,PapersofJohnA.Fitzgerald,OperationalArchivesBranch,NHC,Washington,D.C.
14JourneythroughTokyo:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
15Shadowfactories:Martindale,p.214;Kerr,Flames,p.153.
16ArrivalatNaoetsu:JohnA.Fitzgerald,POWdiary,PapersofJohnA.Fitzgerald,OperationalArchivesBranch,NHC,Washington,D.C.;Wade,pp.
146–47.
17“Itwasasifagiantfrosted
cake”:Wade,p.144.
18Louiecolapses:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
Chapter28:Enslaved
1Birdbeaming:FrankTinker,telephoneinterview,February20,2005.
2DescriptionofNaoetsu:Wade,pp.148–49,152–53;
FrankTinker,telephoneinterview,February20,2005;AlanB.Lyon,JapaneseWarCrimes:TrialsoftheNaoetsuCampGuards(Loftus,Australia:AustralianMilitaryHistoryPublications,2000),pp.25–34;JohnCook,“Japan:CForce,”
unpublishedmemoir;“ListofDeathNaoetu[sic]POWCamp,1942–44,”TaheiyoniKaleruHashi:Horyo
ShuyojonoHigeikeiwoKeoete(Japan-AustraliaSociety,1996),translatedfromJapanese.
3ZamperiniInvitational:“UnitedNationsOlympicsTalked—NewGoldenErainTrackSeenWhenPeaceComes,”Abilene(Tex.)Reporter-News,March5,1945.
4Glickmancrying:CBS
Television,“48Hours:RacetoFreedom,”1998.
5Louiesick:“42ndBombardmentSquadron:AddendumtoSquadronHistory,”September11,1945,AFHRA,MaxwelAFB,Ala.;LouisZamperini,1946notesoncaptiveexperience.
6Food,guardssmoking:LouisZamperini,telephone
interview;LouisZamperini,1946notesoncaptiveexperience;Wade,p.151;KenMarvin,telephoneinterview,January21,2005.
7“aroaringHitleriananimal”:Wade,p.159.
8OfficerspickedbytheBird:TomWade,telephoneinterview,January2,2005.
9“justfordril”:KenMarvin,
telephoneinterview,January21,2005.
10Slavelabor:Wade,pp.151–52;JohnCook,“Japan:CForce,”unpublishedmemoir;TomWade,telephoneinterview,January2,2005.
11Menfalingintosnowcrevasses:Wal,p.303.
12Meltingsnow,pig’s
appearance:Wade,pp.156,149.
13Potato-fieldwork:JohnA.Fitzgerald,POWdiary,PapersofJohnA.Fitzgerald,OperationalArchivesBranch,NHC,Washington,D.C.;LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;Wade,p.157;Affidavit,LouisZamperini,fromfilesonMutsuhiroWatanabe(Sgt.),vols.1–3,1945–1952,POW201
File1945–1947,SCAP,LegalSection,AdministrativeDivision,RAOOH,RG331,NACP.
14B-29seen:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;Wade,p.157;Wal,p.298.
15Roosevelt’sdeath:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;Wal,p.298.
16Bargeduty:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;JohnA.Fitzgerald,POWdiary,PapersofJohnA.Fitzgerald,OperationalArchivesBranch,NHC,Washington,D.C.;KenMarvin,telephoneinterview,January21,2005;LouisZamperini,1946notesoncaptiveexperience;JohnCook,
“Japan:CForce,”
unpublishedmemoir;Wade,pp.160–63.
17Bathingoptions:KenMarvin,telephoneinterview,January21,2005;JohnCook,“Japan:CForce,”unpublishedmemoir.
18Wadeshaveshead:Wade,p.161.
19Maninjuredonbarge:LouisZamperini,telephone
interview.
20Saltstealing:JohnCook,“Japan:CForce,”unpublishedmemoir.
21Ricestealing:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
22MarvinteachingBadEye:KenMarvin,telephoneinterview,January21,2005.
23Leginjured:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;LouisZamperini,POWdiary.
24Louie’sfeverspikes:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
25Louietailorsclothes:Ibid.
26Pigduty:Ibid.;Wade,p.149;LouisZamperini,1946notesoncaptiveexperience.
Chapter29:TwoHundredandTwentyPunches
1May5,1945,B-29raid:Wal,p.299;JohnCook,emailinterview,October30,2004.
2FourhundredPOWsarrive:JohnA.Fitzgerald,POWdiary,PapersofJohnA.Fitzgerald,OperationalArchivesBranch,NHC,Washington,D.C.
3“Youmustbesober!”:KenMarvin,telephoneinterview,January21,2005.
4TheBirdatMitsushima:Weinstein,pp.287–94;MutsuhiroWatanabe(Sgt.),vols.1–3,1945–1952,POW201File1945–1947,SCAP,LegalSection,AdministrativeDivision,RAOOH,RG331,NACP.
5Murderplotsat
Mitsushima:Weinstein,pp.287–94.
6“whimpering,”“almosthystericaly”:Ibid.
7Beatingaftertheftoffish:MutsuhiroWatanabe(Sgt.),vol.1,1945–1952,POW201File1945–1947,SCAP,LegalSection,AdministrativeDivision,RAOOH,RG331,NACP;LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;Frank
Tinker,telephoneinterview,February20,2005;Wade,pp.163–64;LouisZamperini,1946notesoncaptiveexperience,1946;RobertTrumbul,“Zamperini,OlympicMiler,IsSafeAfterEpicOrdeal,”NYT,September9,1945.
8Some220punches:Wade,p.163.
9“theLoneRanger”:Wal,p.
300.
10“allitup”:Ibid.
11Mandiesafterwork:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
12TheBirdbreaksman’sjaw:Affidavit,ArthurKlein,fromfilesonMutsuhiroWatanabe(Sgt.),vol.1,1945–1952,POW201File1945–1947,SCAP,Legal
Section,AdministrativeDivision,RAOOH,RG331,NACP.
13POWsaskformeat,dogkiled:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
14Rationstobecutinwinter:Wade,p.165.
15“hangingonfromdaytoday”:Wal,p.300.
16“Friscodivein’45”:Knox,p.417.
17beriberiincivilians:Wade,p.158.
18menstopstealing:KenMarvin,telephoneinterview,January21,2005.
19Womenwithsharpenedsticks,childrenwithwoodenguns:MiltonMcMulen,telephoneinterview,February
16,2005.
20BatuLintang:OoiKeatGin,ed.,JapaneseEmpireintheTropics:SelectedDocumentsandReportsoftheJapanesePeriodinSarawak,NorthwestBorneo,1941–1945(Athens:OhioUniversityCenterforInternationalStudies,1998),vol.2,pp.612,648.
21Writtendeathordersin
campoffices:Ibid.,p.648.
22OmoriPOWstoldofdeathplan:Martindale,p.223;RobertMartindale,telephoneinterview,January2,2005;Affidavit,ArthurLaurenceMaher,fromfilesonMutsuhiroWatanabe(Sgt.),vol.1,1945–1952,POW201File1945–1947,SCAP,LegalSection,AdministrativeDivision,RAOOH,RG
331,NACP.
23Preparationsforkiling:KenMarvin,telephoneinterview,January31,2005;Wade,p.167;Daws,pp.324–25;TomWade,telephoneinterview,January2,2005.
24Rokuroshi:GeorgeSteiger,“CaptainGeorgeSteiger:APOWDiary,”http://www.fsteiger.com/gsteipow.html
(accessedOctober2,2009);K.C.
Emerson,GuestoftheEmperor(SanibelIsland:1977),pp.77–79;DonaldT.Giles,Jr.,ed.,CaptiveoftheRisingSun:ThePOWMemoirsofRearAdmiralDonaldT.Giles(Annapolis:NavalInstitutePress,1994),pp.146–54.
25Thisistheplace:Giles,p.
154.
26NaoetsuPOWstobetakenintothemountains:Wade,p.166;Wal,p.300.
26NaoetsuPOWstobetakenintothemountains:Wade,p.166;Wal,p.300.
27Civiliangivesdeathdate:JohnCook,“Japan:CForce,”unpublishedmemoir.
Chapter30:TheBoilingCity
1B-29scomingovereverynight:Wal,p.300.
2TheBirdtormentingmenafterraids:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;LouisZamperini,1946notesoncaptiveexperience.
3Faceslapping:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;LouisZamperini,
1946notesoncaptiveexperience.
4Louieclubbedonankle:LouisZamperini,lettertoEdwinWilber,May1946.
5Portclosed,shippinghit:Wal,p.300;“JapShipping,PlanesHardHitinJuly,”WallaWallaUnion-Bulletin,August1,1945.
6LouiebegstheBirdfor
work:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
7“Goatdie,youdie”:Ibid.
8Marvinstealsrope:KenMarvin,telephoneinterview,January31,2005.
9Goatdies:TomWade,telephoneinterview,January2,2005;LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;LouisZamperini,1946noteson
captiveexperience.
10TheBirdforcesLouietoholdbeam:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;FrankTinker,telephoneinterview,February20,2005;Wade,p.166;TomWade,telephoneinterview,January2,2005;LouisZamperini,1946notesoncaptiveexperience;Affidavit,LouisZamperini,fromfilesonMutsuhiroWatanabe(Sgt.),vols.1–3,
1945–1952,POW201File1945–1947,SCAP,LegalSection,AdministrativeDivision,RAOOH,RG331,NACP.
11Thirty-sevenminutes:Wade,p.166.
12B-29flyoveronAugust1:“RecordRaidHitsFourJapCities,”WallaWallaUnion-Bulletin,August1,1945.
13BiggestWorldWarIraidbytonnage:Kerr,Flames,pp.269–70.296Nagaokaciviliansthinknapalmisrain:“NagaokaAirRaid,August1,1945,”
http://www.echigonagaoka.com/index.html(accessedOctober5,2009).
14TheBirdbeatsmenonAugust1:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
15Skylineglowing:Wal,p.300.
16Leaflets,Japanesegovernmentforbidspeoplefromkeeping,sharingleaflets:JosetteH.Wiliams,“TheInformationWarinthePacific,1945:PathstoPeace,”CentralInteligenceAgencyCenterfortheStudyofInteligence,May8,2007,https://www.cia.gov/library/center-for-the-study-of-intel
igence/csi-publications/csi-studies/studies/vol46no3/article07.html(accessedApril29,2010).
17Louiesicker:LouisZamperini,POWdiary;LouisZamperini,lettertoEdwinWilber,May1946.
18Bootlicking:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;Affidavit,LouisZamperini,fromfilesofMutsuhiroWatanabe(Sgt.),
vols.1–3,1945–1952,POW201File1945–1947,SCAP,LegalSection,AdministrativeDivision,RAOOH,RG331,NACP;LouisZamperini,POWdiary;“42ndBombardmentSquadron:AddendumtoSquadronHistory,”September11,1945,AFHRA,MaxwelAFB,Ala.
19Push-upsoverlatrine:LouisZamperini,telephone
interview;RobertTrumbul,“Zamperini,OlympicMiler,IsSafeAfterEpicOrdeal,”NYT,September9,1945.
20BirdthreatenstodrownLouie:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;RobertTrumbul,“Zamperini,OlympicMiler,IsSafeAfterEpicOrdeal,”NYT,September9,1945.
21Murderplot:Louis
Zamperini,telephoneinterview;LouisZamperini,interviewbyGeorgeHodak,Holywood,Calif.,June1988,AAFLA.
22TheBirdseesmansneering:MutsuhiroWatanabe,“IDoNotWanttoBePunishedbyAmerica,”BingeiShunjyu,April1956,translatedfromJapanese.
23Hiroshima:PaulTibbets,
interviewbyStudsTerkel,2002,http://dalesdesigns.net/interview.htm(accessedSeptember14,2007);MatthewDavis,
“TheMenWhoBombedHiroshima,”BBCNews,August4,2007;“PaulTibbets,”AcePilots.com,www.acepilots.com/asaaf_tibbets.html(accessedSeptember13,2007).
24FerronCumminsfeelseffectofbomb:Knox,p.435.
Chapter31:TheNakedStampede
1Civilians’handsinfists:FrankTinker,telephoneinterview,February20,2005.
2GuardsaysHiroshimahitbycholera:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
3Civiliansaysonebombdestroyedcity:FrankTinker,telephoneinterview,February20,2005.
4“electronicbomb”:TomWade,telephoneinterview,January2,2005.
5OmoricommanderspeakstoPOWs:MiltonMcMulen,telephoneinterview,February16,2005.
6Mendiscussself-defense:TomWade,telephoneinterview,January2,2005.
7TheBirdinmountains:Wade,p.166;JohnCook,emailinterview,October30,2004.
8Louie’silness,weightloss:LouisZamperini,lettertoEdwinWilber,May1946;LouisZamperini,POWdiary;LouisZamperini,telephone
interview.
9LouiestruckbyOgawa:LouisZamperini,lettertoEdwinWilber,May1946;LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
10Japanesewalkout:KenMarvin,telephoneinterview,January31,2005.
11Japaneseatradio:FrankTinker,telephoneinterview,
February20,2005.
12Marvin’stalkwithBadEye:KenMarvin,telephoneinterview,January31,2005.
13Rumors:KenMarvin,telephoneinterview,January31,2005;JohnFitzgerald,POWdiary,PapersofJohnA.Fitzgerald,OperationalArchivesBranch,NHC,Washington,D.C.;Wal,pp.300,304;“LettersRecalEnd
ofCaptivity,”IdahoPress-Tribune,undatedarticlefromIdahoPress-Tribunearchives;JohnCook,emailinterview,October30,2004.
14Naoetsutobebombed:LouisZamperini,lettertoEdwinWilber,May1946.
15Marvin’sthoughts:KenMarvin,telephoneinterview,January31,2005.
16Workcrewsdismissed:Wal,p.304.
17Louievomiting,getsletters:LouisZamperini,POWdiary.
18Towniluminated,POWstakeshadesdown:Wal,p.304.
19“Looklikeskeleton”:LouisZamperini,POWdiary.
20TheBirdreappears:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
21Rokuroshi:Emerson,pp.80–84;Giles,pp.154–57;RobertS.LaForte,RonaldE.Marcelo,andRichardL.Himmel,eds.,WithOnlytheWilltoLive:AccountsofAmericansinJapanesePrisonCamps,1941–1945(Wilmington,Del.:SRBooks,1994),pp.260–61;
GeorgeSteiger,“CaptainGeorgeSteiger:APOWDiary,”http://www.fsteiger.com/gsteipow.html(accessedOctober2,2009).
22Mentoldwarover:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;JohnFitzgerald,POWdiary,PapersofJohnA.Fitzgerald,OperationalArchivesBranch,NHC,Washington,D.C.;JohnCook,emailinterview,
October30,2004;FrankTinker,telephoneinterview,February20,2005.
23“Thewarhascome”:JohnCook,emailinterview,October30,2004.
24CommanderasksPOWstofight“RedMenace”:FrankTinker,telephoneinterview,February20,2005;JohnCook,emailinterview,October30,2004;JohnCook,
“Japan:CForce,”unpublishedmemoir.Onepublishedaccountofthespeechgivesadifferentversionofevents,statingthataccordingtoCook,itwasFitzgeraldwhoaskedthatthePOWsofothernationsjoinAmericainfightingtheSoviets.ButinCook’smemoir,aswelashisinterviewwiththisauthor,hestatedthatitwastheJapanesecommander,notFitzgerald,
whowantedPOWstojoinJapaninthefightagainsttheSoviets.“TheCampCommander,throughtheInterpreter,”Cookwrote,“informedthePOWsthattheWarwithJapanwasoverandheappealedtothemtojoinwithJapantofighttheRedMenace.(Russia.)”Thisaccountmakesfarmoresense,asAmericawasnotfightingtheSovietUnion,thenitsaly,butJapanwas,
havingseenitsKurilIslandsseizedbytheSovietstwodaysbefore.AccordingtoPOWJohanArthurJohansen,thecommanderatOmorialsoaskedthePOWstojoinJapaninfightingtheRussians.
25Flyover,reaction:FrankTinker,telephoneinterview,February20,2005;LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;JohnCook,emailinterview,October30,2004;
RobertRasmussen,“AMomentousMessageofHope,”NationalAviationMuseumFoundationMagazine,vol.8,no.1,Spring1987;LouisZamperini,interviewbyGeorgeHodak,Holywood,Calif.,June1988,AAFLA;KenMarvin,telephoneinterview,January31,2005.
26Clift:RobertRasmussen,“AMomentousMessageof
Hope,”NationalAviationMuseumFoundationMagazine,vol.8,no.1,Spring1987.
27OURTBFSHAVEN’TBEENABLE:Ibid.
28Chocolate,cigarettes:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;KenMarvin,telephoneinterview,January31,2005;Wade,p.169.
29Pantsdropfromplane:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;LouisZamperini,interviewbyGeorgeHodak,Holywood,Calif.,June1988,AAFLA.
30TheBirdleaves:FrankTinker,telephoneinterview,February20,2005.
Chapter32:CascadesofPinkPeaches
1EndofwaratRokuroshi:Emerson,pp.80–84;Giles,pp.154–57;LaForte,pp.260–61;GeorgeSteiger,“CaptainGeorgeSteiger:APOWDiary,”
http://www.fsteiger.com/gsteipow.html(accessedOctober2,2009).
2Littlefood,notobacco:JohnFitzgerald,POWdiary,PapersofJohnA.Fitzgerald,OperationalArchivesBranch,
NHC,Washington,D.C.;Wal,p.
302.
3Fitzgeralddemandsfood:JohnFitzgerald,POWdiary,PapersofJohnA.Fitzgerald,OperationalArchivesBranch,NHC,Washington,D.C.
4Cow,pigsbrought:KenMarvin,telephoneinterview,January31,2005.
5Fitzgerald’sdispatch,fightwithcommander:JohnFitzgerald,POWdiary,PapersofJohnA.Fitzgerald,OperationalArchivesBranch,NHC,Washington,D.C.
6Fightersflyover:Ibid.;Wade,p.169;Wal,p.302;“LettersRecalEndofCaptivity,”IdahoPress-Tribune,undatedarticlefromIdahoPress-Tribunearchives.
7“Wonderful?”:“LettersRecalEndofCaptivity,”IdahoPress-Tribune,undatedarticlefromIdahoPress-Tribunearchives.
8Commandergivesin:JohnFitzgerald,POWdiary,PapersofJohnA.Fitzgerald,OperationalArchivesBranch,NHC,Washington,D.C.
9Suppliesdrop,mengorgethemselves:JohnCook,email
interview,October30,2004;JohnFitzgerald,POWdiary,PapersofJohnA.Fitzgerald,OperationalArchivesBranch,NHC,Washington,D.C.;Wade,p.170;Wal,pp.302,304;RobertRasmussen,“AMomentousMessageofHope,”
NationalAviationMuseumFoundationMagazine,vol.8,no.1,Spring1987;“LettersRecalEndofCaptivity,”
IdahoPress-Tribune,undatedarticlefromPress-Tribunearchives;FrankTinker,telephoneinterview,February20,2005.
10BOMBEDHEREINMAY45:Wal,p.302.
11Louiesleepsinparachute:LouisZamperini,interviewbyGeorgeHodak,Holywood,Calif.,June1988,AAFLA.
12“’Tisabout6p.m.,andI’mlyinghere”:“LettersRecalEndofCaptivity,”IdahoPress-Tribune,undatedarticlefromPress-Tribunearchives.
13Kinney’sflyover:ByronKinney,telephoneinterview,April23,2007;LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;ByronKinney,AMissionofMercyTouchesTwoLives(Chicago:United
LetterService,1995).
14Harristakentosurrenderceremony:Whitcomb,p.285.
15Some132,000AliedPOWs:Tanaka,p.70;BrianMacArthur,SurvivingtheSword:PrisonersoftheJapaneseintheFarEast,1942–45(NewYork:RandomHouse,2005),p.xxvi.
16Nearly36,000AliedPOWsdie:Tanaka,p.70.
17Morethan37percentversus1percent:CharlesA.Stenger,PhD,telephoneinterviewwithauthor,October17,2009;CharlesA.Stenger,PhD,AmericanPrisonersofWarinWorldWarI,WorldWarII,Korea,andVietnam:StatisticalData,VeteransAdministrationCentralOffice,June30,1979,
p.20.
18Morethan215,000otherPOWs:Tanaka,p.2.
19Deathmarches:Kerr,Surrender,p.60.
20
Burma-Siam
Railway:
Children
of
Far
East
Prisoners
of
War,
“SE
Asia
Under
Japanese
Occupation,”
http://www.cofepow.org.uk/pages/asia_thailand1.html(accessedMarch18,2010).
21Medicalexperiments:
Tanaka,pp.135–65;GaryK.Reynolds,U.S.PrisonersofWarandCivilianAmericanCitizensCapturedandInternedbyJapaninWorldWarII:TheIssueofCompensationbyJapan,CongressionalResearchService,December17,2002,pp.17–19.
22Cannibalism:James,p.259;Tanaka,pp.111–34;“ClaimJapsPracticed
Cannibalism,”HammondTimes,September16,1945;“JapSoldiersEatFleshofU.S.Prisoners,AustraliaDiscloses,”AbileneReporter-News,September10,1945.
23Sandakan:Tanaka,pp.11–43.
24Tinianmassacre:EricLash,“HistoricIslandofTinian,”EnvironmentalServices,October2008,vol.
1,2ndedition;MajorGeneralDonaldCook,
“20thAirForceToday,”20thAirForceAssociationNewsletter,Fal1998.
25Balale:PeterStone,HostagestoFreedom(Yarram,Australia:OceansEnterprises,2006).
26Wake:MajorMarkE.Hubbs,“MassacreonWake
Island,”YorktownSailor,http://www.yorktownsailor.com/yorktown/massacre.html(accessedOctober18,2009);Daws,p.279.
27Tarawa:Daws,p.278.
28Palawan:Sides,pp.7–17;Kerr,Surrender,pp.212–15;V.DennisWrynn,“AmericanPrisonersofWar:MassacreatPalawan,”WorldWarII,November1997.
29POWsgivingsuppliestocivilians,guards:Kerr,Surrender,p.273.
30Konohidesinoffice:Wade,p.169.
31Kono’sflight,capture,trial:HiroakiKonorecordsfromtheNACP:HiroakiKonoetal.,1946–1947,FileUnitfromRG331:RAOOH,WWI,1907
–1966,SCAP,LegalSection,ManilaBranch(1945–11/1949)Series:OrdersandSummaries,compiled1946–1947;NarumiOotaetal.,1945
–1949,FileUnitfromRG331:RAOOH,WWI,1907–1966,SCAP,LegalSection,ProsecutionDivision(1945–1949)Series:USAVersusJapaneseWarCriminalsCaseFile,compiled1945–1949;
HiroakiKono,1948–1953,FileUnitfromRG84:RecordsoftheForeignServicePostsoftheDepartmentofState,1788–ca.1991,DepartmentofState.U.S.Embassy,Japan.(04/28/1952–)(MostRecent)SCAP,LegalSection(10/02/1945
–04/28/1952?)(Predecessor)Series:JapaneseWarCrimesCaseFiles,compiled1946–
1961.
32Guardthrownfromgaley:KenMarvin,telephoneinterview,January31,2005.
33NOMORE—THANKS:RobertRasmussen,“AMomentousMessageofHope,”NationalAviationMuseumFoundationMagazine,vol.8,no.1,Spring1987.
34onethousandplanes,4,500tonsofsupplies:Daws,p.340.
35Cocoahitsoffice:Martindale,p.233;RobertMartindale,telephoneinterview,January2,2005.
36Louiewashesshirt:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
37Industrialmachinesin
privatehouses:KenMarvin,telephoneinterview,January31,2005.
38Tinkerbuysrecord:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
39fifteenhundredRedCrossboxesinstorehouse:KenMarvin,telephoneinterview,January31,2005.
40Menfindbrothel:Wade,
p.170.
41Marvinonbicycleandinbath:KenMarvin,telephoneinterview,January31,2005.
42Occupyingforcesdon’tarrive:JohnFitzgerald,POWdiary,PapersofJohnA.Fitzgerald,OperationalArchivesBranch,NHC,Washington,D.C.
43Fitzgeraldhitsofficial:
KenMarvin,telephoneinterview,January31,2005.
44POWswalktotrain:Wal,p.304;Wade,p.170;LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
45Fitzgeraldstays:JohnFitzgerald,POWdiary,PapersofJohnA.Fitzgerald,OperationalArchivesBranch,NHC,Washington,D.C.
46Japanesesaluting:Wal,p.304.
Chapter33:Mother’sDay
1POWsontrain:KenMarvin,telephoneinterview,January21,2005;Wade,p.171;Knox,p.452;LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
2“Firstthereweretrees”:Knox,p.451.
3“Welcomeback,boys”:Wade,p.171.
4“Beforemeinimmaculatekhakiuniform”:Ibid.
5Womenlikegoddesses:KenMarvin,telephoneinterview,January21,2005.
6TrumbulencountersLouie:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;“ZamperiniGivesSidelightsofHisDramatic
TripBack,”October1,1945,NPN,frompapersofLouisZamperini;LouisZamperini,interviewbyGeorgeHodak,Holywood,Calif.,June1988,AAFLA.
7“Zamperini’sdead”:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
8“IfIknew”:RobertTrumbul,“Zamperini,OlympicMiler,IsSafeAfter
EpicOrdeal,”NYT,September9,1945.
9HoardingKrations:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;LouisZamperini,interviewbyGeorgeHodak,Holywood,Calif.,June1988,AAFLA.
10Rosynekwatchesmendeplane:FrankRosynek,emailinterview,June21,2005.
11POWtoldhiswifemarriedhisuncle:“SendsLoveMessagetoSoldierHusband,”CouncilBluffsNonpareil,September11,1945.
12Louieinterviewed:FrankRosynek,writteninterview,December8,2007.
13“Wel,I’lbedamned”:JackKrey,telephoneinterview,August18,2005.
1411thBombGroup,42ndsquadronmenlost:Cleveland,pp.484–85.
15Onlyfourofsixteenmenfrombarracksalive:JesseStay,“Twenty-nineMonthsinthePacific,”unpublishedmemoir.
16fourhundredathleteskiled:“400StarsGiveLivesinService,”OaklandTribune,December30,1944;Walt
Dobbins,“IMayBeWrong,”Lincoln(Neb.)Journal,January6,1944.
17Louienotalowedfood,clothes:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
18Louieassessedbyphysicians:“LouZamperiniHasWonFinalRaceonTrack,”Olean(N.Y.)Times-Herald,September13,1945.
19“It’sfinished”:“ZamperiniDrifted1,200MilesonRaft,”StarsandStripes,September14,1945.
20“Darling,wewil”:SylviaZamperini,lettertoLouisZamperini,August31,1945.
21PetelearnsLouiefree:“LouZamperini’sReleaseThrilsBrotheratNTC,”Hoist(U.S.NavalTrainingCenter,SanDiego),
September14,1945.
22Preparingforhomecoming,familyquotations:“Zamperini’sMotherShedsTearsofJoy,”undatedarticlefrompapersofPeterZamperini,NPN.
23FreeingRokuroshi:GeorgeSteiger,“CaptainGeorgeSteiger:APOWDiary,”http://www.fsteiger.com/gsteipow.html
(accessedOctober2,2009);Emerson,pp.86–87;Giles,pp.155–65;Kerr,Surrender,pp.288–89.
24HistoryofAmericanflag:Giles,pp.156–57.
25KelseyPhilipslearnsAlenisfree:“Lt.AlenPhilipsBackinCareofU.S.Army,MotherInformed,”TerreHauteStar,September,1945.
26“Thatday”:Ibid.
27LouieremainsinOkinawa:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;LouisZamperini,lettertoEdwinWilber,May1946.
28Hospitalparties:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
29LouiestartlingUSCrecruiter:Ibid.
30Typhoon:Ibid.
31LouiefliesinB-24:Ibid.;LouisZamperini,lettertoEdwinWilber,May1946.
32OverloadedB-24crashes:Martindale,p.243.
33“ThisisKwajalein”:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
34Onetreeleftonisland:
Ibid.
35Hospitalizationmandatory:BernardM.CohenandMauriceZ.Cooper,AFollow-upStudyofWorldWarIIPrisonersofWar(Washington,D.C.:GovernmentPrintingOffice,1955),p.40.
36GarrettandLouiestaytogether:Ibid.
37Louielosesbelovedshirt:Ibid.
38LouieandGarrettwrestleonbeach:Ibid.
39“IjustthoughtIwasempty”:Ibid.
40Wadegoeshome:Wade,p.179;TomWade,lettertoLouisZamperini,August20,1946.
41Phil’shomecoming:KelseyPhilips,“ALifeStory,”unpublishedmemoir;telegramandphotographsfromPhilipsscrapbook.
42PeteandLouiemeet:PeterZamperini,telephoneinterview,October19,2004;LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
43Louieflownhome:LouisZamperini,lettertoEdwin
Wilber,May1946;“LouZamperiniBackinL.A.,”undatedarticlefrompapersofPeterZamperini,NPN;PeterZamperini,telephoneinterview,October19,2004.
44“Caramammamia”:“LouZamperiniBackinL.A.,”undatedarticlefrompapersofPeterZamperini,NPN.
PARTVChapter34:TheShimmeringGirl
1“This,thislittlehome”:“LouZamperiniBackinL.A.,”undatedarticlefrompapersofPeterZamperini,NPN.
2Homecoming:PeterZamperini,telephone
interview,October19,2004;LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;SylviaFlammer,telephoneinterviews,October25,27,2004.
3Louiehearsrecord:SylviaFlammer,telephoneinterviews,October25,27,2004.
4NightmareabouttheBird:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
5WadenamedWatanabe:Wade,p.176.
6MacArthurarrestlist:“MacArthur’sRoundUpofCriminals,”Argus(Melbourne),September25,1945;“TojoShootsSelftoAvoidArrest;MacArthurOrders39OtherCriminalsArrested,”PortArthurNews,September11,1945.
7Tojosuicideattempt:
“ThinkTojoHadPlannedSuicide,”CouncilBluffs(Iowa)Nonpareil,September11,1945;“BloodofMenHeSoughttoDestroyMaySaveLifeofManOrderingPearlHarborAttack,”CouncilBluffs(Iowa)Nonpareil,September11,1945;RobertMartindale,telephoneinterview,January2,2005.
8Watanabeflees:MutsuhiroWatanabe,“IDoNotWantto
BePunishedbyAmerica,”BingeiShunjyu,April1956,translatedfromJapanese.
9WatanabehearsnamelistedwithTojo,resolvestodisappear:Ibid.
10Manhunt:MutsuhiroWatanabe(Sgt.),vols.1–3,1945–1952,POW201File1945–1947,SCAP,LegalSection,AdministrativeDivision,RAOOH,RG331,
NACP.
11Fakeletter:MutsuhiroWatanabe,“IDoNotWanttoBePunishedbyAmerica,”BingeiShunjyu,April1956,translatedfromJapanese.
12Watanabesaidhe’dratherdiethanbecaptured:MutsuhiroWatanabe(Sgt.),vols.1–3,1945–1952,POW201File1945–1947,SCAP,LegalSection,Administrative
Division,RAOOH,RG331,NACP.
13Waveofsuicides:PhilipR.Piccigalo,TheJapaneseonTrial:AlliedWarCrimesOperationsintheEast,1945–1951(Austin:UniversityofTexasPress,1979),p.45.
14Affidavits:MutsuhiroWatanabe(Sgt.),vols.1–3,1945–1952,POW201File1945–1947,SCAP,Legal
Section,AdministrativeDivision,RAOOH,RG331,0020NACP.
15Twothousandletters:LouisZamperini,lettertoCynthiaApplewhite,April5,1946.
16Ringingphone,ninety-fivespeeches:LouisZamperini,lettertoEdwinWilber,May1946.
17“Itwaslikehegothit”:PaytonJordan,telephoneinterviews,August13,16,2004.
18Louiedrivestoforest:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
19LosAngelesTimesdinner,drinking:Ibid.
20ZamperiniInvitationalMile:“HeroTakesMile
WithoutRunning,”Kingsport(Tenn.)News,March4,1946.
21LouiemeetsCynthia:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;LouisZamperini,letterstoCynthiaApplewhite,April15andMay9,1946;RicApplewhite,telephoneinterview,March12,2008;SylviaFlammer,telephoneinterviews,October25,27,2004.
22“Iwanttoseeyouagain”:RicApplewhite,telephoneinterview,March12,2008.
23CynthiadatingMacs,firstdate:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
24Cynthia’shistory:RicApplewhite,telephoneinterview,March12,2008.
25Drinkingginatsixteen:LouisZamperini,letterto
CynthiaApplewhite,May8,1946.
26Louiethrowstoiletpaperdownhotelwal:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
27Louieproposes:LouisZamperini,lettertoCynthiaApplewhite,May9,1946.
28EngagementconcernsApplewhites:Louis
Zamperini,lettertoCynthiaApplewhite,April13,1946;LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
29CynthiaignorantofPOWexperiences:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
30Easyonrice,barley:LouisZamperini,lettertoCynthiaApplewhite,May2,1946.
31Louiegetsdrunkondate:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
32LouiewarnsCynthia:LouisZamperini,lettertoCynthiaApplewhite,April23,1946.
33“Wehavegottoset”:LouisZamperini,lettertoCynthiaApplewhite,April15,1946.
34“Ifyoulovemeenough”:LouisZamperini,lettertoCynthiaApplewhite,April23,1946.
35Louiepreparesforwedding:LouisZamperini,letterstoCynthiaApplewhite,April5,9,27andMay8,1946.
36Cynthiawantsahome:LouisZamperini,lettertoCynthiaApplewhite,April
23,1946.
37Sleepingonfloors:LouisZamperini,lettertoCynthiaApplewhite,May10,1946.
38ConcernsaboutApplewhites:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;RicApplewhite,telephoneinterview,March12,2008;LouisZamperini,lettertoEricApplewhite,April1946;EricApplewhite,
lettertoLouisZamperini,April16,1946.
39Louietrains:LouisZamperini,lettertoCynthiaApplewhite,April13,1946;LouisZamperini,lettertoEdwinWilber,May1946.
40Cynthia’sdealwithparents:LouisZamperini,lettertoCynthiaApplewhite,April25,1946;RicApplewhite,telephone
interview,March12,2008.
41Ric’sfears:RicApplewhite,telephoneinterview,March12,2008.
42Louie,Cynthiaargue:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
43Cynthiacalshome,Louiedrinks:Ibid.
Chapter35:ComingUndone
1Garrettupsetoverrice:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
2Tolofcaptivity:NormanS.White,MD,lettertotheeditor,HospitalandCommunityPsychiatry,November1983;BernardM.CohenandMauriceZ.Cooper,AFollow-upStudyofWorldWarIIPrisonersofWar(Washington,D.C.:GovernmentPrintingOffice,
1955);D.Robsonetal.,
“ConsequencesofCaptivity:HealthEffectsofFarEastImprisonmentinWorldWarI,”JM:AnInternationalJournalofMedicine,vol.102,no.2,2009,pp.87–96;RobertUrsano,MD,andJamesRundel,MD,“ThePrisonerofWar,”WarPsychiatry(Washington,D.C.:OfficeoftheSurgeonGeneral,1995),pp.431–56.
3Nightmares,sleepingonfloors,ducking,halucinations:Knox,pp.461,463,478–79.
4McMulenspeakingJapanese:MiltonMcMulen,telephoneinterview,February16,2005.
5Weinstein’surgestoscavengeingarbagecans:Weinstein,p.316.
6Weinsteinhousingcomplex:“Georgia:NoShenanigans,”Time,January2,1950.
7Haloran’sexperience:RaymondHaloran,emailinterview,March3,2008.
8FormerPOWspittingatAsians:Burke,p.184.
9FormerPOWstrytoattackhospitalstaffer:Knox,p.465.
10McMulenafterJapan:MiltonMcMulen,telephoneinterview,February16,2005.
11“aseething,purifying”:JeanAméry,AttheMind’sLimits:ContemplationsbyaSurvivorofAuschwitzandItsRealities(Bloomington:IndianaUniversityPress,1998),p.40.
12“Youmustlook”:LouisZamperini,lettertoCynthia
Applewhite,May4,1946.
13Louie’storment,resumptionofrunning:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterviews.
14Louieinjured:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;LouisZamperini,lettertoEdwinWilber,May1946;JohnP.Stripling,“Striptees,”TorranceHerald,November28,1946.
15Louie’snightmares,drinking,decline,resolutiontokiltheBird:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterviews.
Chapter36:TheBodyontheMountain
1Manhunt:MutsuhiroWatanabe(Sgt.),vols.1–3,1945–1952,POW201File1945–1947,SCAP,LegalSection,Administrative
Division,RAOOH,RG331,NACP.
2Officer’svisit:MutsuhiroWatanabe,“IDoNotWanttoBePunishedbyAmerica,”BingeiShunjyu,April1956,translatedfromJapanese.
3Watanabe’sflightandquotesinthissection:Ibid.
4Convictionrates:JohnW.Dower,EmbracingDefeat:
JapanintheWakeofWorldWarII(NewYork:Norton,1999),p.447.
5Ofunaconvictions:“JapOfficerstoBeHangedforPOWBrutality,”SanMateo(Calif.)Times,October13,1948;WiliamR.GilandDavisP.
Newton,“ACompilationofBiographicalSourceDocumentsConcerning
MajorWiliamHeraldWalker,U.S.ArmyAirForce(1919–1945),aPrisonerofWarinJapanDuringWorldWarI,”1999;“8thArmyCommissionCourtGivesSentencetoPOWTorturers,”PacificStarsandStripes,February29,1948.
6Naoetsuconvictions:Lyon,pp.49–51.
7Sasaki’scapture,trial,
imprisonment:KunichiSasakiandJamesKunichiSasakirecordsfromRG331,RAOOH,WWI,1907–1966,SCAP,LegalSection,AdministrationDivisionandProsecutionDivision,NACP:KunichiSasaki,IsamuSato,KazuoAkane,1945–1948,InvestigationandInterrogationReports;NakakichiAsomaetal.,trial,exhibits,appeal,andclemencyfiles;Nakakichi
Asomaetal.,1945–1952,POW201File,1945
–1952,ChargesandSpecifications,1945–1948.
8Kano:Martindale,pp.230,240;Gamble,p.339;YukichiKano,“StatementofYukichiKano,TokioP.O.W.CampH.Q.(Omori),”undated,frompapersofRobertMartindale;YukichiKano,SCAP,LegalSection,Administration
Division(10/02/1945–04/28/1952),FileUnitfromRG331:RAOOH,WWI1907–1966,SeriesPOW201File,1945–1952,NACP.
9Katoaccusedofkickingamannearlytodeath:Martindale,p.141.
10“Crossmyheart”:YukichiKano,“StatementofYukichiKano,TokioP.O.W.CampH.Q.(Omori),”undated,from
papersofRobertMartindale.
11“IthoughtI”:YukichiKano,lettertoRobertMartindale,December23,1955.
12Watanabeinhiding:MutsuhiroWatanabe,“IDoNotWanttoBePunishedbyAmerica,”BingeiShunjyu,April1956,translatedfromJapanese.
13Intensifiedmanhunt:MutsuhiroWatanabe(Sgt.),vols.1–3,1945–1952,POW201File1945–1947,SCAP,LegalSection,AdministrativeDivision,RAOOH,RG331,NACP.
14WatanabegoestoTokyo:MutsuhiroWatanabe,“IDoNotWanttoBePunishedbyAmerica,”BingeiShunjyu,April1956,translatedfromJapanese.
15“Youhaveplentyofroom”:Ibid.
16Watanabeapproachedforarrangedmarriage:Ibid.
17“ifshelikedbooks”:Ibid.
18“aburdenwhichwouldmakeherunhappy”:Ibid.
19Watanabebecomescowherd:Ibid.
20BodiesfoundonMitsumine:“FromChiefofHyogoPrefecturalPoliceForce,”November21,1950,report,frompapersofFrankTinker;MutsuhiroWatanabe(Sgt.),vols.1–3,1945–1952,POW201File1945–1947,SCAP,LegalSection,AdministrativeDivision,RAOOH,RG331,NACP.
21Shizukatakentobody:MutsuhiroWatanabe,“IDo
NotWanttoBePunishedbyAmerica,”BingeiShunjyu,April1956,translatedfromJapanese.
22Watanabe’sdeathannounced:Ibid.
Chapter37:TwistedRopes
1LouieplanstogobacktoJapan:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
2Louie’sdecline,troubledmarriage:RicApplewhite,telephoneinterview,March12,2008;LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;PaytonJordan,telephoneinterviews,August13,16,2004;PeterZamperini,telephoneinterview,October22,2004;SylviaFlammer,telephoneinterviews,October25,27,2004.
3“nailseveryoneofus”:
Améry,p.68.
4Shizukaseesdeadson:MutsuhiroWatanabe,“IDoNotWanttoBePunishedbyAmerica,”BingeiShunjyu,April1956,translatedfromJapanese.
Chapter38:ABeckoningWhistle
1RelativesthinkdeadmanisMutsuhiro:Mutsuhiro
Watanabe,“IDoNotWanttoBePunishedbyAmerica,”BingeiShunjyu,April1956,translatedfromJapanese.
2ShizukabelievesMutsuhiroisalive,Mutsuhiropromisestoreturn:Ibid.
3Authoritiesquestionidentityofbody,tailfamily:“FromChiefofHyogoPrefecturalPoliceForce,”November21,1950,report,
frompapersofFrankTinker;MutsuhiroWatanabe,“IDoNotWanttoBePunishedbyAmerica,”BingeiShunjyu,April1956,translatedfromJapanese.
4Meetingatrestaurant:MutsuhiroWatanabe,“IDoNotWanttoBePunishedbyAmerica,”BingeiShunjyu,April1956,translatedfromJapanese.
5ShizukareferstodeathsatMitsumine:“FromChiefofHyogoPrefecturalPoliceForce,”November21,1950,report,frompapersofFrankTinker.
6Rumors:Martindale,p.248;FrankTinker,telephoneinterview,February20,2005;JohanArthurJohansen,Krigsseileren,issue1,1991,translatedfromNorwegianbyNinaB.Smith.
7ifIamalive:MutsuhiroWatanabe,“IDoNotWanttoBePunishedbyAmerica,”BingeiShunjyu,April1956,translatedfromJapanese.
8BilyGrahamhistory:CliffBarrows,Grahammusicaldirector,telephoneinterview,February22,2007;BilyGraham,JustasIAm:TheAutobiographyofBillyGraham(HarperSanFranciscoandZondervan,1997),pp.
92–158.
9LosAngelescampaign:Graham,pp.143–158;“BilyGrahamAcclaimed:CrusadeContinuesasOver300,000Attend,”VanNuys(Calif.)News,November17,1949;“OldFashionedRevivalHitsLosAngeles,”Gettysburg(Pa.)Times,November2,1949.
10Moviecontract:Virginia
MacPherson,“PreacherLaughsOffFilmOfferstoMakeHimStar,”SanMateo(Calif.)Times,November12,1949.
11LouieandCynthiameetneighbor:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
12CynthiagoestoGraham:Ibid.;CliffBarrows,Grahammusicaldirector,telephoneinterview,February22,2007.
13DinneratSylvia’s:SylviaFlammer,telephoneinterviews,October25,27,2004.
14CynthiatalksLouieintoseeingGraham:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
15Grahamexhausted,doesn’trecognizedaughter:Graham,pp.156–57.
16Trainwhistle:BilyGraham,“TheOnlySermonJesusEverWrote,”LosAngeles,October22,1949,audiorecording,BGEA.
17Louie’simpressionofGraham:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
18Graham’ssermon,Louie’sreaction:BilyGraham,“TheOnlySermonJesusEverWrote,”LosAngeles,
October22,1949,BGEA;LouisZamperini,telephoneinterviews.
19CynthiagetsLouietoreturntoGraham:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
20Graham’ssecondsermon,Louie’sreaction:Ibid.;BilyGraham,“WhyGodAlowsCommunismtoFlourishandWhyGodAlowsChristians
toSuffer,”LosAngeles,October23,1949,BGEA.
21Louie’slastflashback:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterviews.
22LouieandCynthiareturnhome:Ibid.
23Louieatpark,newviewofhislife:Ibid.
Chapter39:Daybreak
1LouiegoestoSugamo:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;LouisZamperini,interviewbyGeorgeHodak,Holywood,Calif.,June1988,AAFLA.
2Shizukagoestoseeson:“FromChiefofHyogoPrefecturalPoliceForce,”November21,1950,policereport.
3“Mutsuhiro,”Shizukahad
said:Ibid.
4Shizuka’sshrine:FrankTinker,telephoneinterview,February20,2005.
5LouieatSugamo:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
Epilogue1VictoryBoysCamp:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;LouisZamperini,interviewbyGeorgeHodak,Holywood,Calif.,June1988,AAFLA.
2Louie’spostwarlife:JohnHal,“LouandPete,”LosAngelesTimes,June2,1977;
LouisZamperini,interviewbyGeorgeHodak,Holywood,Calif.,June1988,AAFLA;MorrisSchulatsky,“OlympicMilerat19,Skateboardsat70,”undatedarticlefrompapersofPeterZamperini,NPN;LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;CynthiaZamperiniGarris,telephoneinterview,December13,2008.
3“WhenIgetold”:National
GeographicChannel,“RiddlesoftheDead:ExecutionIsland,”October13,2002.
4“WhenGodwants”:PeterZamperini,telephoneinterview,December12,2006.
5Notangryforfortyyears:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
6Falsdownstairs,staysinhospital:Ibid.;CynthiaZamperiniGarris,telephoneinterview,December13,2008.
7“Ineverknewanyone”:PeterZamperini,telephoneinterview,October17,2004.
8Phil’spostwaryears:KarenLoomis,telephoneinterview,November17,2004;MonroeandPhoebeBormann,
telephoneinterview,June7,2005.
9Phil’sirritation:KarenLoomis,telephoneinterview,November17,2004.
10ThisIsYourLife:LouisZamperini,interviewbyGeorgeHodak,Holywood,Calif.,June1988,AAFLA.
11“Dadmusthave”:KarenLoomis,telephoneinterview,
November17,2004.
12“alittlegrinunderneath”:Ibid.
12“alittlegrinunderneath”:Ibid.
13Life,deathofHarris:KateyMeares,emailinterviews,March14,17,18,27,2008;Whitcomb,pp.286–87;EdwinH.Simmons,FrozenChosin:U.S.Marines
attheChangjinReservoir(Darby,Pa.:DianePublishing),p.94;“JamestownManGetsNavyCross,”NewportDailyNews,December6,1951;“MarineOfficerMissinginKorea,”NewportMercuryandWeeklyNews,December29,1950.
14Pete’slife,death,Cynthia’sdeath:PeterZamperini,telephone
interviews,October15,17,19,22,2004;LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
15LouielearnstheBirdisalive:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
16Watanabe’sreturn:MutsuhiroWatanabe,“IDoNotWanttoBePunishedbyAmerica,”BingeiShunjyu,April1956,translatedfrom
Japanese.
17Pressuretoresolvewar-crimesissue:Piccigalo,p.47;Daws,p.373;AwayaKentaro,“TheTokyoTribunal,WarResponsibilityandtheJapanesePeople,”ShukanKinboyi,December23,2005,translatedbyTimothyAmos;ErnieHil,“Japan’sRevival,”OaklandTribune,March17,1953.
18“Christmasamnesty”:“Amnestyfor17TopJapWarSuspects,”Lowell(Mass.)Sun,December24,1948;Dower,p.454.
19Kishi:MichaelSchaler,“America’sFavoriteWarCriminal:KishiNobusukeandtheTransformationofU.S.-JapanRelations,”ThisIsYomiuri,August1995.
20Manydefendantsbelieved
tobeguilty:“Amnestyfor17TopJapWarSuspects,”Lowell(Mass.)Sun,December24,1948.
21Lastmantried:TomLambert,“LastTrialHeldonWarCrimesbyU.S.Tribunal,”StarsandStripes,October20,1949;“AlKnownJapaneseWarCriminalsBroughttoTrial,”Independent(LongBeach,Calif.),October20,1949.
22Sentencesreduced:“WarCriminalIsDueParole,”LubbockEveningJournal,March7,1950.
23TreatyofPeaceandreparations:GaryReynolds,U.S.PrisonersofWarandCivilianAmericanCitizensCapturedandInternedbyJapaninWorldWarII:TheIssueofCompensationbyJapan,CongressionalResearchService,December
17,2002,pp.3–9,9–10.
24Orderforapprehensionrevoked:MutsuhiroWatanabe,“IDoNotWanttoBePunishedbyAmerica,”BingeiShunjyu,April1956,translatedfromJapanese.
25Warcriminalsparoled,amnestydeclared:Daws,p.373;“U.S.PardonsLast83JapanWarCriminals,”StarsandStripes,December31,
1958.
26Watanabeblameswar,notself:MutsuhiroWatanabe,“IDoNotWanttoBePunishedbyAmerica,”BingeiShunjyu,April1956,translatedfromJapanese.
27“Iwasjustinagreatjoy”:Ibid.
28Watanabe’spostexilelife:Lyon,p.63;Martindale,p.
250.
29VisitedAmerica,rumorsthattheBirdisalive:DragganMihailovich,emailinterview,August3,2007;Martindale,p.249.
30DailyMailinterviewswiththeBird,Wade:PeterHadfieldandClareHenderson,“DeathcampMonsterFinalySaysI’mSorry,”DailyMail(London),
August20,1995.
31Naoetsuparkmovement:YoshiKondo,emailinterview,February14,2009;ShoichiIshizuka,“AboutNaoetsuPOWCamp,”GaikoForum,June2006.
32MihailovichseekstheBird,interview:DragganMihailovich,emailinterview,August3,2007;CBSTelevision,“48Hours:Race
toFreedom,”1998.
33LouiewritestotheBird:LouisZamperini,lettertoMutsuhiroWatanabe,May19,1997;LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview.
34TheBirdrefusestoseeLouie:DragganMihailovich,emailinterview,August3,2007.
35Watanabedies:Yuichi
Hatto,writteninterview,July16,2004.
36Louierunswithtorch:LouisZamperini,telephoneinterview;ChrisBoyd,“LegendaryZamperiniCarriesthe‘EternalFlame,’”PalosVerdesPeninsulaNews,March5,1998;R.J.Kely,“OlympicTorchRelayRekindlesEx-POWsFlameofForgiveness,”StarsandStripes,January30,1998;
“Zamperini:WarSurvivalWasaMatterofMiracles,”StarsandStripes,January26,1998.
ABOUTTHEAUTHOR
LAURAHILLENBRANDistheauthorofthe#1NewYorkTimesbestselerSeabiscuit:AnAmericanLegend,whichwasafinalistfortheNationalBookCriticsCircleAward,wontheBook
SenseBookoftheYearAwardandtheWiliamHilSportsBookoftheYearaward,landedonmorethanfifteenbest-of-the-yearlists,andinspiredthefilmSeabiscuit,whichwasnominatedforsevenAcademyAwards,includingBestPicture.Hilenbrand’sNewYorkerarticle,“ASuddenIlness,”wonthe2004NationalMagazineAward,andsheisatwo-time
winneroftheEclipseAward,thehighestjournalistichonorinthoroughbredracing.SheandactorGarySinisearetheco-foundersofOperationInternationalChildren,acharitythatprovidesschoolsuppliestochildrenthroughAmericantroops.ShelivesinWashington,D.C.
Visitwww.LauraHilenbrandBooks.com
towatchavideofeaturingLauraHilenbrandand
LouisZamperini,readapersonalnotefromLaura,
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AlsobyLauraHilenbrand:
Seabiscuit:AnAmericanLegend