A stretch of the 405 Freeway — between Redondo Beach Boulevard and Western Avenue — now pays tribute to Torrance hometown hero Louis Zamperini, thanks to the efforts of two state assemblymen, the Torrance Historical Society and several businesses that contributed to the cause.
The two Louis Zamperini Memorial Highway signs, designating a 2-mile stretch of the freeway, were installed facing both the north-south directions on Saturday by Caltrans. The move honors the famed World War II bombardier whose life inspired millions and was chronicled in the book and movie titled “Unbroken.”
Zamperini, who grew up in Torrance, would have turned 100 on Jan. 26. He died on July 2, 2014, just months before the long-awaited film of his life story was released.
Former Republican Assemblyman David Hadley began the quest for the freeway designation in March 2016, aiming to win approvals and funding for a 2017 installation.
When Hadley was defeated in November, his successor, Assemblyman Al Muratsuchi, D-Torrance, finalized the effort and both assemblymen were present for the weekend’s sign unveiling.
Hadley pledged to raise the funds privately and many contributions rolled in, including large donations from the Torrance Refining Co. and the Lomita-Torrance Airport Rotary.
This year, the city of Torrance is celebrating the centennial of his birth. Among the first to view the new freeway signs were 50 guests on the historical society’s guided bus tour of Zamperini’s “old haunts.” Sunday’s tour ended with a drive-by of both the new northbound and southbound signs.