Book mentions Greencastle native Russell Allan Phillips

To the Editor:

I have been reading a book about Olympic runner and World War II POW and war hero Louis Zamperini.

The book by Laura Hillenbrand is titled "Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption." Ms. Hillenbrand also wrote the book "Seabiscuit."

In the paperback copy I have on page 60 is the first mention of Russell Allan Phillips. It says, "Born in Greencastle, Ind., in 1916, Phillips had just turned 26. He had grown up in a profoundly religious home in LaPorte, Ind., where his father had been a Methodist pastor." (There is a photo of the man on page 61.)

This man proves to be a dear friend and co-worker with Louie in the Army Air Corps and figures prominently in this true story.

The book mentions the fact that Zamperini's story will soon be made into a movie.

I thought that this might be of interest to other Greencastle folks. I have not done any research on this as yet, but it could be that there are other relatives of this man and his family still in the area who would be interested in learning more about their ancestor -- a true hero.

I know the book is a fascinating and also gruesome look at life in the Japanese war camps. It is obvious that they did not follow any of the required treatments of POWs.

Diane Flint

Greencastle