After ‘Unbroken’: The Rest of the Story
Cynthia Applewhite and Louis &#;Louie&#; Zamperini met on the beach in Florida in January of She was captivated by this unusual man with an incredible background—the child delinquent who became an Olympic long-distance runner … the World War II B bombardier who survived 47 days on a life raft after his plane crashed in the Pacific Ocean … the prisoner of war in a Japanese camp who suffered two years of sadistic torture.
After a whirlwind two-week courtship, Louie and Cynthia were engaged. Two months later they were married.
Of course they barely knew each other. And soon it became evident to Cynthia that her new husband had not survived the war unscathed. Tormented by flashbacks and nightmares, he turned to alcohol. Cynthia urged him to get help, but in those days few doctors understood post-traumatic stress disorder. His life continued to spiral downward; on one occasion he dreamed he was strangling the man who had persecuted him in the POW camp, and he woke up to discover he was on top of his pregnant wife with his hands around her neck.
In October of Cynthia heard some neighbors talking about a young evangeli
Louis Zamperini | Biography
Louis Zamperini, a WWII veteran and Olympic runner, faced incredible challenges from war to personal redemption. His story is a testament to resilience.
Who is Louis Zamperini?
Louis Zamperini was an extraordinary figure in American history, known for his resilience as a World War II veteran and his accomplishments as an Olympic distance runner. Born on January 26, , in Olean, New York, to Italian immigrant parents, Zamperini grew up in California where he discovered his talent for long-distance running. He went on to represent the United States at the Berlin Olympics, competing in the 5, meters, where he finished in eighth place. Despite not medaling, his athletic prowess and determination set the stage for a remarkable life filled with challenges and triumphs.
During World War II, Zamperini served as a bombardier in the Army Air Corps, but his plane crashed into the Pacific Ocean in May He survived an incredible 47 days adrift on a life raft with two other crew members, enduring starvation, exposure, and attacks from sharks. A
The Silent Strength Behind Louis Zamperini
In the epic tale of Louis Zamperini&#;s survival, immortalized in the book and film Unbroken, Cynthia Applewhite, his wife, often remains a silent figure. Yet, her story, interwoven with Louis&#;s, is a powerful testament to faith, resilience, and enduring love. She was more than just his wife; she was arguably the anchor that kept him from succumbing to the psychological torment of his wartime experiences. This article explores the untold story of Cynthia Zamperini, the woman who quite possibly saved a life.
Cynthia&#;s Unwavering Devotion
Cynthia Applewhite&#;s name may not be widely recognized, but her life is inextricably linked to Louis Zamperini&#;s. While his struggles as a POW are well-documented, Cynthia&#;s role as his steadfast support often goes unmentioned. She wasn&#;t merely a romantic partner; she was a lifeline. Returning from the horrors of war, Louis grappled with what is now recognized as PTSD. He was plagued by nightmares, consumed by anger, and teetering on the brink. Cynthia&#;s unwavering love provided a stabilizing force in his chaotic world.
Their meeting in , on a Florida beach, seems almost fated. This
Cynthia Marie (Applewhite) Zamperini ( - )
Born in Clayton, St. Louis County, Missouri, USA
Died at age 75 in Los Angeles County, California, USA
Born in Clayton, St. Louis County, Missouri, USA
Died at age 75 in Los Angeles County, California, USA
Descendants of Cynthia (Applewhite) Zamperini
If this profile reveals sensitive information about a living person and must be permanently deleted, click here.
Mistaken or missing content
WikiTree profiles get better over time thanks to people like you. Please share what you know! Login if you'd like to edit the profile yourself, or post a Public Comment on the profile to suggest or discuss changes. A Guest Account is completely free and can be deleted at any time.
Other problems and questions
Search our help pages or ask your question in our famously friendly Genealogist-to-Genealogist ("G2G") community forum.
You can also report bugs or ask technical questions in G2G.
If it's a problem with someone else, start at Problems with Members.
Biography
Cynthia Marie Applewhite was born on 20 Jan in Clayton, St. Louis County, Missouri, USA. She married Louis Zamperi
Biographies you may also like
Colin firth biography wife Firth married Livia Giuggioli, an Italian producer's assistant who later became a producer in Luca and Matteo are their two sons. The family split their time between London's Wandsworth .
Nmtb terry wogan biography Terry Wogan - TVARK Presenter.
Megha gupta biography definition Megha Gupta is an Indian television actress and model. Quick Facts Born, Occupation Gupta has appeared in television serials such as Kkavyanjali, Kumkum – Ek Pyara Sa Bandhan, Missing: definition.
Ildiko raimondi biography of alberta Au fil du Danube: concert de lʹan des amis de l'Orchestre de la Suisse Romande. Ildiko Raimondi (soprano), Ensemble Lakatos, Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, Missing: biography · alberta.
Naeem bokhari and tahira syed ghazal Syed was married to lawyer Naeem Bukhari for 15 years (–) before their separation and divorce; they had two children. She is a well-known personality in Pakistan and occasionally .
Mary hall surface biography of mahatma Read the full biography of Mary Hall Surface, including facts, birthday, life story, profession, family and g: mahatma.
Biography of shakespeare ks2 The pack includes a variety of resources that cover key aspects of Shakespeare’s life and work: William Shakespeare fact sheet. This provides a concise but informative .