Unbroken Summary

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Here you will find a Unbroken summary (Laura Hillenbrand's book).
We begin with a summary of the entire book, and then you can read each individual chapter's summary by visiting the links on the "Chapters" section.

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Last Updated: Monday 1 Jan, 2024

Unbroken Summary Overview

The narrative revolves around the captivating life of Louis Silvie Zamperini, or Louie, a renowned athlete, who was a participant in the 1936 Berlin Olympics, before getting involved in World War II. Miraculously surviving the crash of a military aircraft in the Pacific Ocean, he was thought to be deceased but astounded everyone with his return after the cessation of the war. His story is one of immense adaptability as he endures numerous tribulations such as surviving on a raft in the ocean, enduring brutal conditions as a Japanese prisoner of war, all thanks to inner resilience, fortune, and the support of his comrades, particularly his close friend Russell Allen Phillips, or Phil, who also experiences similar adversities. The central theme of the tale is Louie's survival against all odds during the war, and particularly, his time in Japan. His resilience becomes a source of astonishment for the American populace, catapulting him once again to fame after the war. However, the scars of war linger in the form of post-traumatic stress disorder, leading to alcoholism, rage, and the desire for retribution, particularly against Mitsuhiro Watanabe, the cruel leader of the POW camp, nicknamed "The Bird" by the inmates. His life takes a turn for the better when he encounters Billy Graham, a renowned evangelist, and finds solace in religion, which helps him salvage his marriage, derive happiness with his family, and devote the remainder of his life to spreading his religious beliefs and assisting others. The tale, a testament to the human ability to survive and serve others, also reveals the horrifying capacity to inflict pain and suffering. The initial segment elaborates on Louie's journey, from a mischievous child to an Olympic runner, showcasing his tenacity and determination. His running career, bolstered by his brother Pete, culminates in his participation in the Berlin Olympics of 1936, giving him the first taste of the impending war, as well as a chance encounter with Adolf Hitler.

preface

The introduction paints a harrowing image of Louis Silvie Zamperini and two companions stranded on a tiny raft, surrounded by menacing sharks in the ocean. The author, Laura Hillenbrand, provides insights into their 27-day journey and Louis's past sports achievements. Hope surges when they spot a plane, only to be dashed when it starts shooting at them, forcing them to dive into the water for safety.

chapter 1

In the summer of 1929, Louie and his sibling, Pete, living in California, were awed by the sight of a gigantic aircraft, the Graf Zeppelin, overshadowing the stars in its pursuit of a global journey. The airship, on its last leg from a trip around the world, had already crossed New York, France, Switzerland, Germany, and Japan. Louie, a child of Italian immigrants, was born in Olean, New York. At the tender age of two, he battled pneumonia and began his life of adventure by jumping off a train during his family's move to California. Louie's childhood in Torrance, California was filled with mischief and daring exploits. He was notorious for theft, running away, and his uncanny ability to escape from tricky situations. Pete, Louie’s elder brother, was a stark contrast, being well-mannered and successful. Despite Louie's rebellious nature and his knack for attracting trouble, Pete was always there to help him. Louie, being shorter than his peers and of Italian descent, was an easy target for bullies. As he grew older, he courted more trouble and even ended up fighting with his peers and the police. The near sterilization of his neighbor by the government prompted Louie to change his ways. He yearned for a different life and fantasized about escaping his current circumstances.

chapter 2

In 1931, Louie learns of a locksmithing fact that he uses to his advantage by letting kids into basketball games for free with his own house key. This mischievous act gets him in trouble with the school principal, resulting in a ban from school activities. His brother Pete steps in, persuading the principal to let Louie get involved in sports, believing athletics could offer him much needed discipline and recognition. Despite a rocky start in running, Louie, under Pete's encouragement, starts to excel, finishing fifth in the All-City Finals. Struggling with the intense demands of training and personal issues, Louie impulsively runs away. Along with a friend, he hitchhikes to Los Angeles and hops on a train heading north, intending to leave his life behind. However, they are discovered and thrown off the train. Weary and famished, they eventually return home with Louie agreeing to commit to training under Pete's guidance. By the summer of 1932, Louie has fully embraced running. He trains relentlessly, even using his paper route and local pool time as added training. He finds inspiration in Glenn Cunningham, a miler who began his running career after recovering from significant burns. Louie's dedication to running earns him popularity in junior college, leading him to win the class presidency. His unique running style, despite his short stature, allows him to run sub-five minute miles. Louie's talent is further recognized when he outpaces college competitors in a two-mile race by more than a quarter mile at a UCLA Cross Country meet.

chapter 3

Under the careful guidance of Pete, Louie starts triumphing in all his races, even breaking the national high school mile record in 1934. His speed and popularity earn him the nickname "The Torrance Tornado" and he becomes a local sensation. Thinking he has a shot at the 1936 Olympics, Louie gets a scholarship to the University of Southern California, where Pete studies. Pete advises him to start in the fall and train full time. Louie moves in with Pete and begins intensive training, but he doesn't progress quickly enough to make the Olympic team. Despite feeling devastated about not making the 1500-meter team, Louie learns about the Compton Open, a prestigious race featuring a 5000-meter run. Louie decides to enter the race, his sole aim being to keep up with Norman Bright, a runner assured of a place in the Olympic team. Louie's performance, only slightly behind Bright, revitalizes his Olympic aspirations, and he eventually qualifies for the Olympic trials finals in New York. Louie departs for New York, carrying the hopes of Torrance with him. In New York, the extreme heat is lethal. Despite the harsh conditions, Louie trains rigorously. On the day of the race, Don Lash, an unbeatable runner, takes the lead with Louie trailing behind. Louie slowly works his way up the ranks until he's toe-to-toe with Lash. The cheers from Torrance as Louie crosses the finish line are heard over the radio. Louie's win is later corrected to Lash, but Louie is undeterred. He's still headed to the Berlin Olympics as the youngest distance runner to represent the U.S. team.

chapter 4

Onboard the plush steamer Manhattan, Louie struggles to sustain his training regime due to the ship's constant movement. Despite the challenge, he indulges in the sumptuous food offered, putting on twelve pounds by the time they dock in Germany. The Olympic Village is impressive and flawlessly managed by the Germans. Louie feels apprehensive about his chances, given Finland's previous dominance. During the qualifiers, he barely makes it to the finals, finishing fifth and feeling out of shape. Before the final race, he receives an envelope from Pete, containing a joker and an ace card, symbolising the choice he must make. During the race, this memory sparks a determination in Louie. Starting almost last, he rallies to overtake competitors, ultimately finishing eighth with the fastest American time of the year. His astonishing performance draws Hitler's attention, who invites him for a handshake. Content with his performance, Louie and another Olympian explore the town. Spotting a Nazi flag, he impulsively decides to take it, unaware of its soon-to-be grave significance. He seizes it when the guards are distracted. Even though he is caught, he smooth-talks his way out, and the guards even allow him to keep the flag. The media blows the incident out of proportion, suggesting Hitler personally handed him the flag after a daring escape. As the Olympics draw to a close, a different side of Berlin emerges with anti-Semitic signage, the Olympic Village morphing into military barracks, and concentration camps being filled. Upon returning to California, Louie already has his sights set on the 1940 Tokyo Olympics' 1500 race.

chapter 5

While studying at the University of Southern California, Louie intensifies his training, aiming for the 1940 Olympic gold medal. He becomes particularly close with his track team members and gets acquainted with an enigmatic Japanese man, Mr. Sasaki aka Jimmie. Despite his claim of being a student from Ivy League schools, Louie later discovers that Jimmie's story was just a carefully crafted deception. Louie's running performance sees a steady enhancement throughout the season. A new workout routine including hill runs and stair climbing boosts his confidence, and others' belief, in breaking the four-minute mile. Despite the hurdles at the NCAA championships, where he gets boxed in and injured by rival runners, Louie triumphs, setting a long-standing NCAA record. While Louie's athletic accomplishments continue to stun, World War II is on the horizon. The Japanese government is eyeing China, and Louie learns about Hitler's invasion of Poland in April 1940, causing havoc in Europe. The Olympics, relocated to Helsinki, are called off when Soviet bombs decimate the stadium. This disappointing news, coupled with bouts of illness, leads Louie to quit training and start working as a welder. The introduction of the draft by Congress prompts Louie to consider his options. He opts for the Air Corps, drawn by the allure of sky. Initial bouts of nervousness and sickness make him drop out temporarily and return to his previous job as a movie extra. Despite failing his physical exam by purposefully increasing his blood sugar with candy, he is still drafted back into the air force and selected to train as a bombardier. Meanwhile, it surfaces that Mr. Sasaki aka Jimmie was in fact a spy for the Japanese navy, placed in California to send radio reports back to Japan and raise funds. Louie is oblivious to this revelation. The chapter concludes with the stunning news of the Pearl Harbor attack, leaving Louie and his brother Pete shocked.

chapter 6

Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, panic and paranoia engulf America, with fear of California being the next target. During this time, the Japanese invasion continues, with Wake Island resisting the longest. The Americans captured here would be among the first Japanese prisoners of war. Louie thrives in his training at Midland Army Flying School, performing well and learning to use two types of bombsights. The Norden bombsight, a top-secret, expensive, and advanced tool, allows for precise bombing after Louie inputs the necessary information. He's instructed to protect this technology even at the cost of his own safety. Louie completes his training at Midland in August 1942 and heads back to California to bid farewell to his family before moving onto the final phase of training. His farewell is emotional, especially with his brother Pete, now a Navy officer. Louie's last training session happens in Ephrata, Washington. Here he meets his pilot, Russell Allen Phillips, an affable, courageous man also known as "Phillips" or "Phil". Louie also meets the rest of his crew, including Pillsbury, Mitchell, Glassman, Lambert, Brooks, Moznette, and Douglas. They're all assigned to the notorious B-24 bomber planes, notoriously hard to handle and prone to accidents. By mid-October of 1942, Louie's training is abruptly concluded and the crew is set for deployment. They dub their plane 'Super Man' and have it painted before departure. Post their farewell call, Louie's mother, Louise, begins a war diary. Louie's team then heads to Oahu's Hickam Field in Hawaii.

chapter 7

The aftermath of the Pearl Harbor attack is evident in Oahu. Littered with damaged roads and roofs, the men have to observe stringent protocols to prevent further attacks. The outwardly pleasant base houses grimy barracks, with the lavatory, adorned by provocative pinup posters, being the only agreeable spot. The routine on the island is monotonous. Though the men are eager to battle the enemy, they remain unengaged. Pilot Moznette is replaced by Cuppernell, who easily fits into the crew. The crew trains rigorously and soon gains recognition as one of the top teams on the island. Louie, known for his pranks, struggles to cope with the boredom. Days before Christmas, the men are instructed to prepare for a three-day mission and head to their planes equipped with auxiliary fuel tanks and heavy bombs. They receive their orders and depart for Midway, where they learn their target is Wake Atoll, a new Japanese base. On December 23, 1942, at 4:00 P.M., Louie's crew, among other B-24s carrying tons of bombs, embarks on the mission to Wake. By 11:00 P.M., they are forced to switch off their lights, fly blind through the dark, and maintain radio silence. A colonel kickstarts the attack with the words, "This is it, boys." Bombing ensues, lighting up the island, followed by a hasty retreat as Japanese anti-aircraft gunners retaliate. Despite a fuel crunch, Louie's crew returns to a jubilant island, celebrating the victory.

chapter 8

Navigating B-24s is perilous, even without enemy encounters. Louie regularly witnesses the loss of his comrades due to frequent accidents caused by malfunctioning airplanes, inadequate runways, and substandard equipment. Six planes are lost to these incidents for each one lost in battle. When disaster strikes, the soldiers are faced with a tough choice. Shark-infested waters immediately surround the crash sites, such as that of Louie's friends Moznette and Coxwell. What's even more threatening is the possibility of capture by the notoriously inhumane Japanese forces. Though rescue missions are exhaustive, they seldom succeed, often resulting in more fatalities than rescues. In coping with these challenges, the men resort to various methods. Louie attempts to find solace in the issued bible, but fails to comprehend it. Instead, he turns to alcohol, offering a temporary escape from the harsh realities.

chapter 9

Louie and his crew fly to Canton Island for two missions over Makin and Tarawa, confronting peril with each flight. Their next task is aimed at Nauru Island, a small landmass rich in phosphate. The mission briefing instructs the crew to approach at a risky low altitude of eight thousand feet to confront ten to twelve Japanese Zero planes. Although intimidated by the looming threat, Louie and his crew of twenty-two others launch their attack on Nauru. During the raid, Louie's bomber leads the pack. Upon reaching Nauru, they immediately encounter Japanese gunfire. Louie's bombsight controls the plane, making dodging impossible. Despite the onslaught, Louie manages to drop all his bombs successfully. On their return, Phil and Cuppernell steer the bomber home, evading three pursuing Zeros. Amidst the ensuing chaos, Pillsbury and Brooks suffer severe injuries. In a brave move, Pillsbury downs a trailing Zero disregarding his grievous wound. Miraculously, they escape the Zeros but the significant damage to their plane brings into question their ability to land. Barely six hours away from base, their plane has just enough hydraulic fuel for one brake. They manage to halt on the runway, narrowly averting disaster. The wounded are rapidly transported to the infirmary, where Brooks tragically succumbs.

chapter 10

On the same night, Louie, situated on Funafuti Island, experiences unease. Unexpectedly, the calm night is shattered by the sound of aircraft, closely followed by a massive explosion. Japanese bombers have launched an assault on the island. Panic sets in. Soldiers and natives, in the absence of established bomb shelters, resort to crafting their own foxholes, while others seek refuge under huts and other structures. The torment seems unending, with metal fragments flying aimlessly, reducing men to tears and desperate prayers. In the grim light of the following morning, the aftermath is disorienting. Several men are so deeply affected that they're unable to vocalize their experiences. The dead are disfigured beyond identification. Louie is subsequently relocated to an eastern station in Oahu, where he numbs his trauma through alcohol. Six new men are introduced to fill the gaps left in the Super Man crew, among them is Francis McNamara, also known as Mac. They are temporarily housed in an idyllic beachfront cottage, without an aircraft. The chapter concludes with a plane departing Hickham Field, disappearing from sight under the command of Clarence Corpening.

chapter 11

Louie starts his day on May 27, 1943, with a mile run on the beach, clocking in a record time of 4:12. Later, he and Pete are tasked by a lieutenant to search for Clarence Corpening's missing plane, despite having to use the faulty Green Hornet. Accompanied by Phil and nine others, they embark on the rescue mission. Upon reaching the search zone, Phil swaps places with Cuppernell for him to gain some piloting experience. They quickly notice a massive fuel disparity between the two engines. The efforts to balance the fuel fail and one engine quits. In a panic, Cuppernell instructs an engineer to balance the engine, but doesn't specify which one. The engineer mistakenly hits the wrong command and the plane starts descending. Louie, realizing their inevitable crash, braces for impact. The impact pulls Louie deep underwater, entangled in wires, while Phil manages to escape the cockpit and reach the surface. Louie struggles to free himself, passing out during the ordeal. Upon regaining consciousness, he believes he's dead, still trapped underwater. He orients himself, fights his way loose, pulls his life-vest cord and surfaces. Against all odds, Louie survives.

chapter 12

Louie spots Phil and Mac holding onto a fuel tank, without life vests and Phil's head is wounded. The plane's rafts are drifting away, so Louie swims vigorously to get them. He latches onto the cord of each raft, secures them, and rows back to his comrades. Phil's wounds seem severe, but Louie swiftly takes care of it with a shirt. With both Phil and Mac disoriented, Phil nominates Louie as the leader. Checking their supplies, Louie realises they're inadequately prepared. Their rations allow for two chocolate squares and a few sips of water per day. They have minimal fishing and raft repair gear, but no means to obtain more water. The tranquillity on the raft is shattered when Mac yells about their impending doom. Louie silences him with a slap. Shortly, sharks, ranging from six to twelve feet, start to surround the rafts and bump it from underneath. The motion of the sea and the jostling sharks lull Louie and Phil to sleep, but Mac stays awake, consumed by terror.

chapter 13

Upon realizing that Louie and his companions are missing, a rescue mission is initiated on Palmyra Island. The complicated ocean currents in the suspected crash area complicate the search, making the raft's location unpredictable and rescue improbable. Meanwhile, Louie wakes up to find Mac has consumed all their chocolate provisions out of fear. Remaining composed, Louie holds out hope for a timely rescue. They soon spot a plane in the distance but cannot catch its attention. The next day, another plane, a rescue plane this time, flies overhead. Even though Louie desperately shoots flares, they remain unnoticed. With 2,000 miles of open sea bringing them closer to Japanese territory, their prime chance of being rescued slips away. As they drift aimlessly, their bodies weakening daily, their farewell letters, reassuring their families of their safety, arrive at their homes. This brings temporary relief to their loved ones. A week into the rescue mission, it's aborted and the men are officially declared missing. Louie’s possessions are readied for transportation to Torrance. On hearing the news of their missing status, their families and friends are deeply impacted.

chapter 14

After three days of dehydration, rain finally falls. Louie along with his men come up with methods to collect and store the water. They also create protective headgear to shield themselves from the scorching sun. They feel the consequences of Mac's overindulgence in their chocolate ration with each passing day. In an unusual occurrence, an albatross alights on Louie's hat. He kills it and uses its meat as bait to catch fish. The incident motivates Louie and Phil. Phil remembers a story about a crew that survived a record twenty-one days at sea. Determined to keep their minds sharp, regardless of their physical state, Louie and Phil engage in quizzes, share songs and memories. Louie frequently talks about his mother's homecooked meals, which helps them cope with hunger. Mac, however, remains aloof from the group. Their days continue in this manner, with the men making do with the little food they have and the rainwater for hydration. They surpass the supposed record of survival at sea. However, soon their fortune dries out as the rain stops and the fish become scarce. Louie pledges his life to God in a plea for rain, which does come the following day. Miraculously, this occurrence repeats twice.

chapter 15

Upon sighting a plane on the twenty-seventh day, the men desperately wave their shirts, hopeful of rescue. However, they are met with gunfire from what turns out to be a Japanese bomber. The men repeatedly plunge underwater to dodge the bullets, barely managing to reclaim their positions in the rafts. Despite initially assuming a misunderstanding, the recurrent attacks confirm the hostile nature of the airplane. The bomber attacks five more times, prompting Louie to dive into the water and fend off sharks. Miraculously, all of them survive. On its last appearance, the plane drops a depth charge that fortunately does not detonate. Despite this, the secondary raft is split in half, forcing them to make do with one. The remaining raft is so depleted that sharks begin to leap into it, trying to drag the men underwater. The men manage to keep a shark at bay with an oar and Louie temporarily patches the raft, preventing further shark invasions. Estimating their journey to be approximately 1,250 miles, the men believe they have three more weeks until they reach land. Louie and Phil manage to conserve some energy, whereas Mac visibly struggles to keep up.

chapter 16

Continuing their struggle, Louie and his companions fend off relentless shark attacks. Louie attempts to hunt the sharks but is dragged under by a shark before successfully capturing a large one. They fill their stomachs by harvesting the livers of captured sharks. Mac's health rapidly decreases and his death becomes imminent. One night, Louie hears Mac's final breath in his sleep. In the morning, Phil and Louie bid their farewells and send Mac's body back to the sea, which surprisingly, the sharks ignore. After Mac's death, Louie and Phil enter the last phase of starvation, where they no longer feel hunger. Despite their physical deterioration, their mental strength remains. They drift into the doldrums, a serene part of the ocean, marveling at its tranquil beauty. On the fortieth day, Louie hears a celestial melody in the sky, a sound that Phil fails to perceive. The forty-sixth day brings a storm that lifts them to towering heights on its waves. At the apex of a wave, they spot an island far off in the distance.

chapter 17

Caught in a typhoon, the men manage to survive only to mistakenly assume a Japanese ship to be an island. They are forcefully taken aboard. Although they initially face severe mistreatment, the ship's captain shows them some respect and gives them food. Subsequently, they are blindfolded and taken to an infirmary. Here, Louie and Phil discover they've lost nearly half their body weight. They are treated to a large meal and questioned about their ordeal. Their story is met with skepticism until Louie's detailed description of the hostile Japanese plane silences the officers. In the ensuing two days, they are treated decently. However, they receive the alarming news that they are being sent to Kwajalein, infamously known as “Execution Island.” The possibility of ensuring their safety once they reach Kwajalein is slim. Upon their arrival on July 16, the Japanese treatment of Louie becomes harsh again. He is confined to a primitive wooden cell with a hole in the floor as a latrine, with Phil in a similar condition nearby. Seeing his own emaciated physique, Louie breaks down in tears.

chapter 18

Louie's captive life makes him yearn for his time on the raft. He suffers from intense physical discomfort, vomiting and too weak to stand. The guards and visitors torment him, ignore him, or hurt him. His thirst becomes unbearable, forcing him to beg for water. Phil, in the same situation down the hall, has to deal with rats crawling over his face. Louie finds solace in the familiar singing he heard on the boat. The melodies give him hope and inspire him to pray for hours. He etches his name into the wall, joining the names of other marines, who he imagines as allies. Louie and Phil try to absorb as much Japanese language as possible. During an interrogation, Louie learns about the abduction and sexual exploitation of women by the Japanese. The questioners attempt to extract information about aircraft and the Norden bombsight, but he responds with a blend of truth and fiction. A guard named Kawamura develops a friendship with Louie, but this is soured when a submarine crew brutally attack Louie and Phil. They are exposed to biological and chemical warfare experiments. After being injected with a burning substance, Louie contracts dengue fever. Despite his illness, he continues to mislead his interrogators about American base locations. After 42 days on Execution Island, Louie and Phil are informed they won't be killed but transferred to a POW camp, which Louie believes may offer better conditions.

chapter 19

For three weeks, Louie and Phil are confined on a vessel. Initially, sailors strike Louie in response to his confidence in America's eventual victory in the war, but they later apologize and treat them more civilly. Louie spends a good portion of this time trying to realign his fractured nose. Upon reaching Yokohama, Louie is taken aback when he is blindfolded, driven to an unknown location, and given his first bath since leaving Oahu. A stranger proceeds to shave his scalp and beard. Walking into a room, he is dumbfounded to find his old college buddy, Jimmie Sasaki. Louie discovers that Sasaki now holds a prominent position as the chief interrogator of all POWs in Japan. Louie is then escorted to a compound enclosed by a towering fence crowned with barbed wire. A fellow prisoner gives him the rundown: it's Ofuna, a covert interrogation hub notorious for its torture of captives, where communication between inmates is strictly prohibited. Louie gradually adapts to the harsh regime, characterized by solitary confinement, strenuous work, daily thrashings, and pervasive malnutrition and illness, including scurvy and beriberi. Louie clings to a glimmer of hope for an Allied rescue, while Hillenbrand provides context about the beheadings and other atrocities committed against Allied soldiers in other POW camps. She details the Japanese “kill-all” policy, which ordered Japanese guards to execute all POWs should an Allied invasion occur.

chapter 20

The scene unfolds in Ofuna, where Louie grows close to William Harris, a sharp marine officer with an extraordinary memory. In the camp, Louie experiences a mix of interactions, from being summoned by Jimmie Sasaki who does nothing to help him, to finding comedic relief in a one-legged duck named Gaga. He soon discovers an underground communication network in the camp, involving Morse code via hand signals and hushed whispers. They even find ways to rebel, one of which involves "farting for Hirohito" during forced emperor reverence. Louie keeps a clandestine diary and, along with others, manages to pilfer newspapers. Harris even compiles a Japanese-English dictionary. As winter sets in, food scarcity combined with the biting cold and dysentery make life unbearable. A few sympathetic kitchen workers and soldiers ease Louie's suffering by sneaking him food scraps. The guards, upon learning about Louie's past as an Olympian, make him race a Japanese runner for their amusement. Despite his weakened state, Louie is forced to run again in the spring, and is punished for defeating the runner. The prisoners are permitted to converse more freely towards the end of 1943, during which Louie meets Fred Garrett, another prisoner from near his hometown. Interestingly, Garrett had been held in the same cell as Louie at Kwajalein and had seen Louie's name etched on the wall. Louie also befriends Frank Tinker, and the three share a similar mental clarity brought on by starvation. When Phil is told he's being transferred to a POW camp, Zentsuji, he hopes for improved conditions. However, he ends up at Ashio, where he's forced into copper mining. His attempts to contact home are fruitless when his letters are burned.

chapter 21

In 1943, following a telegram announcing Louie's disappearance, Hillenbrand provides an update on Louie's family in Torrance. The family, though distressed, keeps faith in Louie's survival. Louie's brother Pete, despite losing weight due to stress, continues his duty training Navy recruits in San Diego. Sylvia, Louie's sister, battles anxiety as her husband goes to war and Louise, their mother, suffers from a severe rash triggered by the news of Louie's disappearance. The island of Kwajalein is taken over by the Americans. Joe Deasy, a pilot, examines Japanese documents recovered from the island. In them, he finds references to surviving raft prisoners and is convinced that they are Phil and Louie. Uncertainty also plagues the Phillips family. Phil's soon-to-be wife, Cecy Perry, remains hopeful of his safe return. The families of all Green Hornet crew members start communicating, forming a support network and maintaining hope. Even when the crew members are officially declared dead, their families refuse to lose hope.

chapter 22

In the POW camp, Louie, Frank Tinker, and Bill Harris begin concocting a strategy to escape. To stay alive, Louie often takes high-risk actions including swiping food from the kitchen. He also becomes a barber for the camp guards. One day, Louie manages to steal a map which Harris quickly learns by heart. It reveals that the Allied forces are nearing Japan. As Saipan falls and the armies press on, they gather more information but also grow anxious about the Japanese response. Louie is subjected to horrifying acts by the Quack, a particularly vicious guard. Another guard, known as Shithead by his peers, commits a heinous act with a duck named Gaga, which Louie views as the most appalling thing he's witnessed in the war. The trio, Louie, Tinker, and Harris, work on various escape strategies. However, their plans are thwarted as camp Ofuna officials announce that multiple POWs will face death if any one tries to escape, in response to a breakout at another camp. Despite this setback, Louie and Harris succeed in stealing a map from the Quack’s office. Harris gets caught and is severely beaten, to the extent he can't recognize his friends days later. Shortly after this incident, Louie is suddenly informed that he, Tinker and a few others are being transferred to a different POW camp, Omori. They are given only ten minutes to pack up before their departure.

chapter 23

Louie, Tinker, and some Ofuna survivors reach Omori, a desolate camp situated across the water from vibrant Tokyo. They encounter a tough and intimidating corporal named Mutsuhiro Watanabe, whom Louie later names "the Bird." This man assaults Louie on the first day and shows a peculiar obsession with tormenting him. Hillenbrand provides context about the Japanese handling of POWs and contrasts it with the 1929 Geneva Convention. Omori functioned as a forced labor camp where inmates received meager food rations. Before the Bird's arrival, the Japanese staff at Omori had been relatively kind to the captives, but this changed drastically under Watanabe's rule. His conduct was erratic and violent, and he seemed especially determined to break Louie.

chapter 24

At Omori barracks, Louie becomes acquainted with British lieutenant Tom Wade and American lieutenant Bob Martindale. They inform him about the camp's living conditions and the unpredictable nature of Watanabe, who is known for his violent and paranoid tendencies. Louie quickly learns to always be on the lookout for the Bird. As Louie works alongside fellow officers, he finds out about other POWs carrying out forced labor in different locations. They engage in acts of sabotage such as damaging cargo, sinking boats, and even causing train accidents. They also resort to stealing items like sugar, fish and alcohol. Louie comes to understand that the camp's commander, Kaname Sakaba, is apathetic to Watanabe's regular, cruel punishments. However, he also finds out that some Japanese personnel at the camp assist the POWs, offering help to the ill. When Louie and the others hear the sound of air-raid sirens, they start feeling hopeful. In October 1944, a propagandist radio message is broadcasted by the Japanese, falsely claiming that it was written by Louie for his mother, assuring her of his well-being in a Tokyo camp. This message doesn't air in the United States but is picked up by someone in South Africa who communicates it to Louie's family. Owing to a spelling error in 'Torrance', the family only receives this message in late January 1945.

chapter 25

Towards the end of October 1944, Louie is allowed to go to Tokyo for collecting horse meat from a butcher shop. He spots an encoded message on a building indicating 'B-29', the meaning of which he is unaware of. Hillenbrand provides details about this specific type of aircraft named B-29 Superfortress. Upon seeing one flying over their camp, Louie and his fellow prisoners are thrilled. They manage to get hold of some newspapers but realize that the press in Japan heavily manipulates the news. The sight of the B-29 invigorates the prisoners, but it infuriates the Bird who brutally assaults Louie, causing temporary hearing loss in one ear. In the middle of November 1944, the Bird, along with two radio producers, ask Louie to record a message for a show named Postman Calls on Radio Tokyo. This recording is for his family. In San Francisco, at the Office of War Communication, Louie’s former classmate from USC, Lynn Moody, hears and transcribes Louie's message. Back in their hometown, the Zamperinis publicly maintain that they have accepted Louie's demise. Louise and Sylvia even participate in a radio interview with Cecil B. DeMille, where they talk about Louie as though he has passed away. Sylvia finds out that Harvey, her husband, has been injured in Holland. On November 20, Lynn Moody gets another message from Louie where he talks extensively about his loved ones. The same day, a lady from a neighboring suburb, San Marino, informs the Zamperinis that she too heard Louie’s message. Later in the day, they receive a telegram from Western Union, followed by several other messages.

chapter 26

Louie is pressed to voice another radio broadcast for Japan's propaganda, this time given a script instead of his own words. His refusal to read the strangely cheerful message, even when promised better living conditions and food, results in threats of being relocated to a disciplinary camp. Back at Omori, he once again faces the Bird's brutality. On the 24th of November, the sight of over a hundred American B-29s in the sky ignites the Bird's fury and sparks his abhorrent behavior. The constant presence of B-29s and their implications for Japan unnerves the Bird, while Louie fantasizes about his death. The narrative then shifts to Phil, who is enduring terrible conditions and widespread illness at the Zentsuji POW camp alongside Fred Garrett. In December 1944, his family is informed of his survival, however, they are requested to keep his POW status a secret. Despite their efforts, the news spreads throughout their town, causing heartbreak among the families of the Green Hornet crew. Even with the arrival of Red Cross aid packages and food supplies, Louie continues to struggle with hunger. Some men resort to pilfering food, while others discover a Red Cross theatrical trunk and stage a rendition of Cinderella. When a Japanese official is alerted to the Bird's cruel actions, the Bird is promoted and reassigned to a different POW camp, much to the relief and joy of the men at Omori.

chapter 27

The absence of the Bird from the camp leads to a brief time of better treatment for the men, during which they're even allowed to write home. When 1945 dawns, prisoners from Ofuna join them, including Louie’s acquaintances, and the visibly damaged Bill Harris. Louie learns about the continuous violence Harris endured even after he departed Ofuna, making him anxious about being transferred to a punishment camp. The men also bear the constant fear of their unknown fate. Although they hear of Allied successes, news of a POW massacre following a “kill-all” command disturbs them. On February 16, the prisoners observe an air combat between U.S. and Japanese planes. Hillenbrand mentions that one and a half thousand American aircraft flew over the captives that day. As February draws to a close, Louie and his comrades learn they’ll be relocated to a camp named Naoetsu, or camp 4B. They are driven to Japan’s frosty west coast by truck and train. On arriving at the new camp, Louie's horror is indescribable when he comes face-to-face with the Bird once again.

chapter 28

Wanatabe, also known as "The Bird," is overjoyed about the arrival of Louie and his comrades at his POW camp, which he promises to govern as he did Omori. The camp is primarily filled with around 300 Australian POWs. Their lodgings are ill-prepared for the harsh cold, with a frozen river near the establishment, a damaged roof, and a rodent problem. Boxes filled with the ashes of numerous Allied soldiers are stacked against a wall. The Bird intentionally brought Louie and the others to the camp to inflict suffering on them. Louie manages to partially avoid his torment by working outside the camp for long stretches, up to 18 hours per day. When spring arrives, Louie and some of the others are put to work on farms. On April 13, they spot the first B-29 on the coast, an aircraft the Australians have never seen before. This sighting agitates The Bird, and he condemns the officers to strenuous labor, loading coal onto ships. The prisoners endure this forced labor through minor forms of resistance, such as reciting speeches from Shakespeare and Churchill, along with pilfering food and other goods. One day, a guard shoves Louie off a ramp, causing a severe leg injury which confines him to the camp with The Bird. In his weakened, famished state, Louie pleads for work and is given a new task - cleaning a pigsty with his bare hands.

chapter 29

On May 5, 1945, a B-29 flies over Naoetsu as a bomb, explained away as a transformer failure, drops into the POWs' mill. Shortly thereafter, four hundred new prisoners from bombed Kobe and Osaka slave camps join them, bringing word of Germany's fall and the Allies' complete concentration on Japan. "The Bird" begins to also oversee Mitsushima, earning the moniker "the Knob" from the soldiers there who conspire to murder him. While their attempts to make him ill succeed, he recovers and returns to Naoetsu. He accuses Louie and others of stealing fish and forces them to brutally punch each other. Louie, already on the brink of illness, absorbs over two hundred blows, leaving him unable to open his mouth for days. Despite his physical afflictions, Louie remains hopeful, reminiscing about the Olympics and praying. Food is alarmingly sparse, and he notices that Japanese civilians, like the POWs, are sick and malnourished. Louie and fellow prisoners are certain that Japan's defeat is imminent, even in the absence of surrender. They are aware of the potential execution order and hear rumors of isolated executions in distant POW camps. Predictions circulate about their possible execution dates at Naoetsu.

chapter 30

The B-29 aircraft continue their flyovers in Naoetsu, heightening the Bird's fury. With his anger rising, he subjects the POWs to severe physical torment, including forcing them to punch each other. Louie, desperate for full food rations, pleads for work and is handed the task of caring for a frail goat. However, when the goat perishes, the Bird makes him hold a large beam over his head until he can't anymore. After lasting for 37 minutes, Louie is punched in the stomach by the Bird. On August 1, a massive Allied raid takes place, with 35 cities including Hiroshima and Nagasaki being bombarded with evacuation leaflets. Meanwhile, Louie's health deteriorates due to dysentery. Despite his weak state, the Bird persists with his violent beatings, forcing Louie and other POWs into degrading acts like doing push-ups over a waste-pit. Failure results in their faces being pushed into the waste. The Bird even threatens to drown Louie, prompting Louie and others to plan the Bird's murder by tying him to a rock and throwing him into a river. In this section, Hillenbrand recounts the experience of the crewmen who dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima.

chapter 31

The prisoners of war sense a significant event has occurred, but they are uncertain of its nature. They hear whisperings of a cholera outbreak in Hiroshima. Despite this, they continue their labor. One guard inquires about the possibility of a single bomb annihilating a city; they have no response. Suddenly, the Bird, a prominent figure, departs from the camp. During this time, Louie is critically ill. Despite his condition, he decides to venture outdoors and is unexpectedly assaulted by a normally benign guard. Shortly afterwards, they notice the guards have vanished. It's August 15. The guards return behaving oddly, and a civilian informs them the war has ended. The men are skeptical, but some are overwhelmed with relief and shed tears. Louie, still severely ill, receives a package of letters and photos from his family. It's the first contact with his family in over two years, offering him a glimmer of hope. They spend the next few days in anticipation. On August 20, the prisoners are finally informed that the war is indeed over. They are permitted to bathe in the river. During their bath, a torpedo bomber comes into view. Though initially frightened, they feel a surge of joy when they decipher the Morse code from the American plane's red light confirming the end of the war. Their jubilation is portrayed through jumping, shouting, and weeping. A message from the plane assures them of food and supplies arriving the following day. Another plane drops a magazine featuring an image of the atomic cloud over Hiroshima.

chapter 32

On August 22nd at Rokuroshi POW camp, Phil and Fred Garrett remain unaware of the war's end until the Japanese leader, who has been missing for five days, informs the highest-ranking American soldier. This leads to a massive celebration among the men, who choose to stay put until they're rescued. At Naoetsu, supplies aren't arriving as quickly as expected. Fitzgerald resorts to threatening the Japanese to get food supplies, leading to a delivery of rations. Shortly after, planes start dropping additional supplies such as fruits, vegetables, and shoes. There are so many items being dropped that the men must dodge them. They enjoy an abundance of food. Appreciation for the soldiers who make these supply drops is mutual. Louie experiences feelings of gratitude, love, and even forgiveness. While waiting for rescue, the men celebrate by feasting, sharing their surplus with Japanese civilians, and embarking on other adventures. On September 4th, Commander John Fitzgerald arranges for a ten-carriage Japanese train to be ready for their departure the following day. Hillenbrand discusses the final surrender on September 2, 1945 and describes how B-29s dropped food and supplies to POW camps across Japan. Although the POWs at Naoetsu didn't lose their lives due to a no-kill order, it was a close call as their guards seemed ready to execute it. Elsewhere, similar orders led to the death of thousands of Koreans on Tinian and tens of thousands of POWs.

chapter 33

The prisoners of war at Naoetsu embark on a joyful train journey to Yokohama, their spirits dampened only by the sight of bomb-ravaged cities. Upon arrival, Red Cross nurses welcome them and the revelry resumes. It's here that a reporter meets Louie, capturing his extraordinary tale. Louie collects souvenirs and flies to Okinawa, where his comrades are shocked to see him, having presumed him dead. He also discovers the grim statistics of war fatalities, including those of former athletes. Back in the US, Louie's family is in the dark, having heard nothing since a radio broadcast ten months earlier. On September 9, however, a newspaper headline announces “ZAMPERINI COMES BACK FROM DEAD.” The news reaches his family who eagerly await his homecoming. Meanwhile, in Rokuroshi, Phil and Fred are waiting for supplies and transport to Yokinawa, while Phil's mother endures a nerve-wracking wait for news of her son's survival. Choosing to linger a little longer in Okinawa, Louie cites his emaciated appearance as the reason. He indulges in food, drink and festivities, enjoying the simple luxury of a bed with sheets. When he finally opts to return home, he endures an anxiety-filled flight on a packed B-24, landing on Kwajalein, where he savors his freedom. In Honolulu, the American military admits Louie and other POWs to a hospital. Louie shares a room with Fred Garrett, where they recuperate and celebrate their freedom. On October 16, Phil reaches Indiana by train, where he is welcomed by his family and fiancee, Cecy. They tie the knot a month later. Pete finds out that Louie is in a San Francisco hospital and goes AWOL to visit him. By October, Louie is finally back with his family.

chapter 34

The story reveals details about General MacArthur's directive to apprehend individuals accused of war crimes, including the Bird. His attempts to vanish heighten as his hunt escalates. Rumors of his possible suicide circulate, but remain unconfirmed. A hefty eighty-four-count indictment against him is prepared, derived from numerous POWs' testimonies. Back home, Louie oscillates between a sense of gratitude and unease. His outburst and demand to destroy a record of his broadcast shocks his family, leading him to retreat to solitude, haunted by nightmares featuring the Bird. His torment isn't unique as many men recollect the Bird's cruelty to the military. Louie becomes the center of public interest, invited to public appearances and speeches. Only his closest friends discern his emotional turmoil. Mountain hiking provides temporary solace, but his anxiety resumes on his return, leading to him consuming alcohol around the clock. In Miami Beach, he encounters a captivating woman, Cynthia Applewhite, whom he envisions as his future wife. They meet again the following day, and by the end of the month, they plan to marry. Cynthia, from a privileged and adventurous background, attracts many suitors. Cynthia's parents' refusal to consent to the marriage, and their unwillingness to finance her trip to California, doesn't deter them. They maintain almost daily correspondence. In California, Louie organizes their wedding, secures a job at Warner Brothers Studios, and stops drinking, though his anxiety persists. He begins training for the 1948 Olympics while worrying about resistance from Cynthia's parents. Cynthia reassures her parents of a fall wedding. Despite a disagreement, they reaffirm their decision to marry, and tie the knot on May 25, much to her parents' disapproval.

chapter 35

The narrative begins with a cheerful gathering including Phil, Cecy, Louie, Cynthia, and Fred Garrett at a restaurant, which turns gloomy when Fred has a hysterical response to being served white rice. It goes on to share data about the physical health of war survivors and describes the emotional trauma that the surviving soldiers endured. Although Louie is occasionally plagued by thoughts of the Bird, they generally remain on the outskirts of his consciousness. After their honeymoon, Louie and Cynthia stay briefly at the home of Harry Read's mother. Dissatisfied with this arrangement, Louie seeks to find a proper home for them. Even though he doesn't have stable employment yet, he earns enough to rent a modest flat in a Hollywood neighborhood. When memories of the Bird resurface, Louie channelizes his energies towards preparing for the Olympics. However, pushing himself too hard during a practice session and injuring his ankle makes him realize that his dream of returning to the Olympics is unattainable. Louie falls back into unhealthy habits such as smoking and drinking, and begins expressing anger. His first flashback occurs not long after. Despite visiting a counselor at Cynthia's behest, he discontinues the sessions when he fails to notice any improvement. Louie becomes increasingly obsessed with thoughts of exacting revenge on the Bird by taking his life.

chapter 36

In Japan, law enforcement is on the lookout for the Bird, a war criminal. He conceals his identity, working on a farm and keeping tabs on other suspects facing war-crime trials. Despite revealing his true identity, the farmer takes no notice. Details about other war-crime suspects including Jimmie Sasaki, sentenced to six years hard labor, are shared by Hillenbrand. The Bird accompanies the farmer, always worried about being identified. When in Tokyo, he takes a risk and visits his mother, but has to hide from investigators. The Bird starts working at a restaurant opened by the farmer, who tries to set him up for marriage. However, the Bird ends the proposed relationship, leaves the farmer, and becomes a cowherd. After a couple is discovered dead on a Japanese mountain, he is mistakenly reported dead by newspapers.

chapter 37

While in California, Louie is secretly determined to kill the Bird. His attempts to fund a trip back to Japan through various unsuccessful business ventures fail. Louie becomes increasingly dependent on alcohol, using it as an escape from his haunting nightmares. Despite pleas from Cynthia and his friends, including Pete, to stop his drinking, Louie persists. His relationship with Cynthia becomes extremely volatile, leading to violent disputes. During one such argument, Cynthia seeks refuge at her parents' home. Louie's resentment towards God grows, accusing Him of toying with his life. He imposes a ban on Cynthia attending church or listening to religious broadcasts. In 1948, two significant events trigger intense emotions in Louie - Cynthia's pregnancy announcement and his former rival's victory in the London Olympics. Louie is consumed by his desire for revenge against the Bird, believing the Bird has stolen his dignity. A disturbing dream about battling the Bird jolts Louie awake, making him realize he was strangling his pregnant wife. The birth of their baby brings temporary joy, but Louie soon falls back into his destructive drinking pattern. The constant tension and arguments push Cynthia to file for divorce. The chapter concludes with the Bird's mother sighting her son in Tokyo in late 1948, confirming her belief that he was still alive.

chapter 38

The story transitions to Tokyo where the 'Bird' covertly communicates with his mother, despite the ongoing police hunt. They plan a meeting in two years, providing he remains alive. The narrative then moves to Los Angeles where famous Christian preacher Billy Graham arrives. Cynthia and Louie, though separated, opt to cohabitate until their divorce finalizes. Their neighbors mention Graham's sermon, piquing Cynthia's interest who decides to go to the service that evening. Graham’s sermon instills a renewed sense of hope in Cynthia. She declares to Louie that she won't proceed with the divorce and tries persuading him to join her at one of Graham’s gatherings. After persistent coaxing, Louie agrees, albeit with the intention of leaving as soon as possible. However, he finds himself drawn to a Biblical story shared by Graham, in which Jesus teaches forgiveness and asks the accusers to “sin no more.” Graham's assertion that God sees and records all actions prompts self-reflection in Louie. Despite his desire to see himself as virtuous, the rage within him is undeniable. Presented with an opportunity to repent by Graham, Louie flees the tent. That night, the Bird haunts his dreams once more, but Louie perceives the face as the devil's. Louie grudgingly agrees to hear Graham's sermon again. During the sermon, Louie is reminded of his past gratitude when adrift on the raft and also the Green Hornet crash and his miraculous survival. Overwhelmed, Louie dashes towards the exit but stops as he recalls a promise he had made on the raft: “If you save me, I will serve you forever.” He decides to heed Graham's call to step forward, marking his transformation. Once home, Louie discards his alcohol and cigarettes, symbolic of his troubled past. That night, he sleeps without nightmares of the Bird. Never again does he dream of him. The subsequent day, he begins to read the Bible.

chapter 39

In the year 1950, Louie makes a trip back to Japan. Following his transformative experience with Billy Graham, Louie has been earning a humble income as a Christian orator, sharing his life story across the United States. Together with his wife Cynthia and their infant daughter Cissy, they lead a simple yet content life. Upon his arrival at Sugamo Prison, Louie comes face to face with nearly a thousand ex-prison guards, including familiar faces like the Quack and Sasaki. His search for the Bird, another former guard, ends in disappointment as he learns about his suicide. Now, Louie is capable of viewing the Bird as a mere man, even extending compassion towards him.

epilogue

By 1954, Louie runs a boys camp and travels globally to share his narrative, earning just enough to support his family, which now has a son. He also manages the elderly center at his local church. Post-1954, Louie gains recognition and accolades, including the opportunity to bear the Olympic torch five times. He remains active, positive, and affectionate. Phil and Cecy both became educators, with Phil rarely discussing his war experiences. Bill Harris recuperates intellectually, marries, and has a child, but vanishes during the Korean War. Pete finds his calling as a well-loved high school coach. In 1998, prior to his departure for the Nagano Winter Olympics, Louie discovers through a TV producer that his tormentor, the Bird, is alive. The Bird ties the knot, establishes a thriving insurance firm in Tokyo, and at 75, confesses his wrongdoings and invites former POWs to take revenge. However, he justifies his actions and downplays the severity of his torment on his captives, blaming it on the war. In 1995, a tranquility park is established in Naoetsu. The CBS producer sets up a 1997 interview with the Bird, where he exhibits his understanding of Louie but sidesteps blame for his ruthlessness. When Louie visits Japan in 1998, he carries a letter for the Bird, who refuses to meet him and the letter's receipt remains a mystery to Louie. The Bird dies in 2003. The tale concludes with the portrayal of Louie carrying the 1998 Olympic torch through a transformed Japan, marked by splendor, serenity, and happiness.