United States Marine Corps Officer. He had the distinction of being the longest incarcerated civilian prisoner of war during the Vietnam War. He was held in captivity for nearly eight years by North Vietnamese forces from May 21, 1965 until March 28, 1973. Two-years following the conclusion of World War II, he enlisted with the United States Marine Corps and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant, after completion of the Naval Aviation Cadet Program, in which he trained as an aviation radar and radio technician. He saw action during the Korean War and flew roughly 100 combat missions. Brace's plane was shot down in November of 1952, however he evaded capture and was rescued. He was recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal with three stars. After the war, he became a test pilot and flew helicopters. In 1964, he began to work as a civilian cargo pilot in Southeast Asia and one-year later, he was captured by the North Vietnamese and sent to a POW camp. For five years, Brace endured solitary confinement. He was transferred to what was known as the "Hanoi Hotel" and spent time with fellow prisoner John McCain. Following his release, he worked for the United States State Department. He was awarded the Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service. With the help from Senator John McCain (his former POW mate), Brace received a Purple Heart Award and a Prisoner of War Medal in 2013, exactly sixty-two years after he received his pilot wings. He authored the book "A Code to Keep", which recounted his experiences during captivity.
United States Marine Corps Officer. He had the distinction of being the longest incarcerated civilian prisoner of war during the Vietnam War. He was held in captivity for nearly eight years by North Vietnamese forces from May 21, 1965 until March 28, 1973. Two-years following the conclusion of World War II, he enlisted with the United States Marine Corps and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant, after completion of the Naval Aviation Cadet Program, in which he trained as an aviation radar and radio technician. He saw action during the Korean War and flew roughly 100 combat missions. Brace's plane was shot down in November of 1952, however he evaded capture and was rescued. He was recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal with three stars. After the war, he became a test pilot and flew helicopters. In 1964, he began to work as a civilian cargo pilot in Southeast Asia and one-year later, he was captured by the North Vietnamese and sent to a POW camp. For five years, Brace endured solitary confinement. He was transferred to what was known as the "Hanoi Hotel" and spent time with fellow prisoner John McCain. Following his release, he worked for the United States State Department. He was awarded the Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service. With the help from Senator John McCain (his former POW mate), Brace received a Purple Heart Award and a Prisoner of War Medal in 2013, exactly sixty-two years after he received his pilot wings. He authored the book "A Code to Keep", which recounted his experiences during captivity.
Bio by: C.S.
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