Zamperini

Zamperini is an Italian surname. It is most widely recognized in connection with Louis Zamperini (1917–2014), an American athlete and World War II veteran.

As a runner, Zamperini competed in the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, where he ran the 5,000 meters and finished eighth, becoming the youngest member of the U.S. track team. His early athletic success helped shape his public profile before the war.

During World War II, Zamperini served as a bombardier in the United States Army Air Forces. His aircraft was shot down over the Pacific in 1943; he survived 47 days adrift at sea with two fellow crew members and later endured more than two years as a prisoner of war in Japanese camps, including brutal treatment by a commandant known as “The Bird.” He was liberated in 1945 and returned to civilian life.

In the years after the war, Zamperini spoke publicly about his experiences and helped promote forgiveness and resilience. He co-authored Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption with Laura Hillenbrand, published in 2010. The book was adapted into the feature film Unbroken (2014), directed by Angelina Jolie, with Jack O’Connell portraying Zamperini.

Beyond Louis Zamperini, the surname remains relatively uncommon and is of Italian origin. The name is primarily associated with his life and legacy in athletic achievement and wartime endurance.