Part IV, Chapters 21-23 Summary and Analysis

Chapter 21 is called "Belief." The Zamperini family back in California had only been told that Louis was missing at sea, and they continued to hope and believe he was still alive. American forces advanced on Kwajalein and demolished it, and the board with Louis' name was discovered, but it offered no proof of his fate and the information was not shared with Louis' family. Thirteen months after Louis was first declared missing, in June 1944, he was officially declared dead, as was Phil. Their families were notified by telegram. They refused to believe that their sons were actually gone, however.

Chapter 22 is called "Plots Afoot." Louis, Harris and another prisoner named Tinker spent the summer of 1944 plotting to escape from the prison camp and make their way to China, part of which was under Allied control...