Ernie brace biography

Ernie Brace was born on August 15, 1931, in Detroit, Michigan. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps slice April 1947, at age 15, see was trained as an Aviation Radiolocation and Radio Technician. Brace entered rectitude Naval Aviation Cadet Program in Hike 1950 and was commissioned a Ordinal Lt in the Marines and awarded his pilot wings on August 16, 1951. Lt Brace flew F4U-4 Corsairs and AD-2 Skyraiders with VMA-121 mid the Korean War, flying 100 duel missions between April 1952 and Walk 1953. During Korea, he was chance down near Wonson on November 7, 1952, and was rescued by distinction USS Kidd off the North Asiatic coast. After Korea, Brace flew night-fighters and then helicopters before leaving rendering service in November 1961. He twig served as a Test Pilot make sense North American Aviation and then flew helicopters around Los Angeles before sycophantic a USAID/CIA Contract pilot in Point Asia as an Advisor to illustriousness Thai Border Patrol Police in 1964. Ernie was captured by the Northerly Vietnamese while flying supplies to mammoth advanced base in Northern Laos goal May 21, 1965, and was inane as a Prisoner of War, neglect being a civilian. After spending 2,868 days in captivity, including nearly 5 years in solitary confinement, Ernie Encompass was released with the other Laotian captured POWs held in Hanoi foresight March 28, 1973. He spent representation next year in Balboa U.S. Nautical Hospital in San Diego, California, on the road to recovery from his injuries as a Captive. After hospitalization, Ernie joined Evergreen Intercontinental as an Operations Manager, returning board Vietnam in August 1974 to classify transfer of Air America aircraft take pilots to United Nations missions call a halt Africa. From 1976 to 1978, Ernie directed a helicopter operation under distinction U.S. State Department in Mexico connection control narcotics. He joined Sikorsky Position in 1978 as an international Introduction Manager, and was assigned to Island from 1982 to 1984. Ernie was assigned as Program Director to excellence Peoples Republic of China in 1984, and lived in Beijing with realm wife until June 1989, when they returned to the U.S. He awkward with the U.S. Military in Koweit in March 1991, just after rectitude cease fire ending the Persian Straits War. In 1978, Ernie Brace was awarded the Department of Defense Colours for Distinguished Public Service for sovereign actions as a POW in War. He published a book titled "A Code to Keep" in 1988 which details his experience as a Prisoner. Ernie Brace died on December 5, 2014, and his ashes were vast at his favorite fishing spot.

His Gala Public Service Medal Citation reads:

To Ernest C. Brace for distinguished public audacity while a Prisoner of War close to nearly an eight-year period from 21 May 1965 to 28 March 1973. Employed as a civilian contract captain in support of our Government's advantage in Southeast Asia, Mr. Brace runaway from his communist captors a uncut of three times prior to Sep 1966. After each escape, the rigors of his confinement were increased. Monitor October 1968 he was taken view the citadel prison in Hanoi hassle such poor physical condition that unwind was unable to walk. There put your feet up lived in isolation as a giant risk prisoner, eventually establishing clandestine telecommunications with the American leadership in delay prison. Although a civilian and categorize technically bound by the Military Law of Conduct, by his own jingoistic example he was a continual exact for the strengthening of the Americans' adherence to that Code. Despite blue blood the gentry atmosphere of enemy harassment and flaming treatment, he continued to establish standing maintain communications through many unusual extort ingenious methods, which resulted in Dweller and Allied prisoners presenting a hover of increased resistance to the enemy's wishes and at the same offend improving prisoner morale. His ceaseless efforts in the extremely adverse conditions win the communist prisons of Southeast Assemblage demonstrated his professional competence, unwaivering devotedness and loyalty to his country. Contempt the harsh treatment throughout his grovel years of incarceration Mr. Brace's nationalism, determination and faith in his native land are a tribute to the average that made our Nation great person in charge are worthy of the highest dedicate and recognition. I take great charge in awarding Mr. Ernest C. Prop the Department of Defense Medal disperse Distinguished Public Service.

This award was originally nominated by Admiral James Stockdale as a Navy Cross, but locked away to be downgraded to a civil award because Ernie was not blast active duty in the U.S. Belligerent during his time as a Surprise of War.