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AlsobyLauraHillenbrand

SEABISCUIT

Alrightsreserved.

PublishedintheUnitedStatesbyRandomHouse,animprintofTheRandomHousePublishingGroup,adivisionofRandomHouse,Inc.,NewYork.

RANDOMHOUSEand

colophonareregisteredtrademarksofRandomHouse,Inc.

LIBRARYOFCONGRESSCATALOGING-IN-PUBLICATIONDATA

Hilenbrand,Laura.

Unbroken:aWorldWarIstoryofsurvival,resilience,andredemption/LauraHilenbrand.

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

Forthewoundedandthelost

Whatstayswithyoulatestanddeepest?ofcuriouspanics,

Ofhard-foughtengagementsorsiegestremendouswhatdeepestremains?

—WaltWhitman,“TheWound-Dresser”

CONTENTS

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

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.

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.

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

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.”

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

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.

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.

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

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.

“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.”

“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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

Thankstothemistakenaddressandtheseveredelaysofthewartimemail,thecardwouldwandertheworldformonths.InJanuary1945,itwouldturnupinTrona,acrossroadsintheCaliforniadesert.ItwouldbetheendofJanuary,nearlythreeandahalfmonthsafterthebroadcast,whensomeoneinTronawouldpickupthe

letter,scribbletryTorranceontheoutside,andmailiton.

Twenty-five

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

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

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

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

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

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-

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

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

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“WhyGodAlowsChristianstoSufferandWhyGodAlowsCommunismtoFlourish,”sermonbyBilyGraham,©1949BilyGrahamEvangelisticAssociation.Usedwithpermission.Alrightsreserved.Author’stranscriptionfromaudiorecording.

Thirty-nine

Daybreak

towardOa

complex

unadorned

buildings.

approached

archway

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

AlletterstoorfromLouisZamperini,ortoorfromhisfamilymembers,aswelasdiaries,arefromthepapersofLouisZamperini,exceptwherenotedotherwise.

AllettersbetweenPhilipsfamilymembers,aswelasKelseyPhilips’sunpublishedmemoir“ALifeStory,”arefromthepapersofKaren

Loomis.

Alinterviewswereconductedbytheauthor,exceptwherenotedotherwise.Assomeseventy-fiveinterviewswereconductedwithLouisZamperini,citationsoftheseinterviewsarenotdated.

ABBREVIATIONS

AAFLAAmateurAthleticFoundationofLosAngeles

AFHRAAirForceHistoricalResearchAgency

BilyGrahamEvangelisticAssociation

HooverInstitutionArchives

NationalArchivesatColegePark,Maryland

NavalHistoricalCenter

Nopublicationnamed

NewYorkTimes

RAOOHRecordsofAliedOperationalandOccupationHeadquarters

RecordGroup

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.

Cunningham:

Hersey,

“Cunningham

Career,”

Connection,April

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.

Anti-Semitic

signs,Der

Stürmer:

“The

Facade

Hospitality,”

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

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

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–

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,

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,

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,

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,

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

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

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,

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.

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).

massacre:

Hubbs,

“Massacre

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.

Ashio:

Mansel,

“Ashio

Camp,”

Center

Research,

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,

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.

Doolittle

Kennedy

Hickman,

“World

Doolittle

Raid,”About.com,

http://militaryhistory.about.com/od/aerialcampaigns/p/doolittleraid.htm(accessedOctober15,2009).

17Kindnessofcivilians:Boyington,pp.304–05.

Murder

Chinese

civilians:

Chang,

Kennedy

Hickman,

“World

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,

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,

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.

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.

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.

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,

18Morethan215,000otherPOWs:Tanaka,p.2.

19Deathmarches:Kerr,Surrender,p.60.

Burma-Siam

Railway:

Children

Prisoners

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–

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:

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,

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.

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,

26Watanabeblameswar,notself:MutsuhiroWatanabe,“IDoNotWanttoBePunishedbyAmerica,”BingeiShunjyu,April1956,translatedfromJapanese.

27“Iwasjustinagreatjoy”:Ibid.

28Watanabe’spostexilelife:Lyon,p.63;Martindale,p.

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,

viewphotos,andmuchmore.

AlsobyLauraHilenbrand:

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