About Ernest C. Brace
Ernest Cary Brace was the longest-held civilian prisoner of war (POW) during the Vietnam War. A decorated Marine Corps fighter pilot and mustang, Brace was court-martialed in 1961 for attempting to fake his own death. He flew as a civilian contract pilot before being captured in Laos in 1965 while flying supplies for USAID. He spent almost eight years as a POW and upon his release received a Presidential pardon in light of his good conduct. For his courage and initiative, Brace was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. In 2014, Klamath Community College awarded Brace an honorary associate degree in Aviation Science. In 1978 he was awarded the Department of Defense Distinguished Civilian Service Award. His wife Patricia assumed her husband was dead and she remarried; a fact Brace found out at the processing station after his release.
Biography source: Wikipedia. The profile adds birthday-specific historical context from the Celebs Birthday Today editorial database.