i first became aware of the incredible life of Louis Zamperini when I saw him as a guest at the Crystal Cathedral (before it changed hands). He has quite a life story, including olympic athlete & veteran as well as a survivor of a military plane crash at sea, and a survivor of being a prisoner-of-war, among other things. And a major motion film is finally being made about him ...coming soon..maybe 2015 ? And he is also friends with another great olympic athlete John Nabor. They tour together, with Nabor the younger of the two helping Zamperini out with some of the logistics. Here's a card I got from the great Zamperini after sending him a happy birthday letter.
ALSO SEE http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_Zamperini