The paths and careers of Brashear and Sunday diverge . Brashear rises quickly through the ranks , even becoming a national hero in the 1966 Palomares incident for recovering a missing atomic bomb and for saving the life of Navy crew . Sunday continually loses his composure around officers who disrespect his accomplishments , until he is finally demoted to chief petty officer and relegated to menial duties . He becomes a brooding alcoholic displeased with his lowered rank
1966 Palomares incident
1966 Palomares B-52 crash
Men of Honor