brace was born in detroit, michigan in 1931. he enlisted in the marine corps in 1947 at age 15 as an aviation radar and radio technician. he earned his pilot's wings and his commission as a second lieutenant from the aviation cadet school, graduating in august 1951. during his tour in the korean war (april 1952 - march 1953), he flew more than 100 missions. while assigned to marine attack squadron 121 in november 1952, second lieutenant brace participated in a dive-bombing attack against a korean hydroelectric plant. brace received surface-to-air fire as he took low-altitude reconnaissance imagery of the bombing results. he was able to fly his damaged ad-3 skyraider clear of the korean peninsula, crashing in the sea of japan where he was rescued by "uss kidd". for his courage and initiative, brace was awarded the distinguished flying cross.