San Diego ? Randy “Duke” Cunningham became an ace Navy fighter pilot in Vietnam, downing five enemy aircraft and surviving being shot down by a surface-to-air missile.

He later parlayed those military heroics into eight terms in Congress, where he became known for his interest in defense issues.

On Monday, Cunningham recalled his Vietnam days as he admitted taking millions of dollars in bribes in exchange for funneling government business to defense contractors. He learned during the war, he said, that men are judged by their response to adversity.

“In my life, I have had great joy and great sorrow. And now I know great shame,” a tearful Cunningham said after pleading guilty to federal charges and resigning.

Cunningham, 63, said “the next step is to face the consequences of my action like a man.” He could get up to 10 years in prison for conspiracy to commit bribery, fraud and tax evasion.

Cunningham, a member of a House Appropriations subcommittee that controls defense dollars, admitted taking $2.4 million in bribes, mostly from defense contractors who then secured contracts worth tens of millions of dollars.

Rep. Randy Duke Cunningham, R-Calif., admitted Monday that he accepted millions in bribes.

Prosecutors did not identify the defense contractors by name.

Cunningham was allowed to remain free while he awaits sentencing, scheduled for Feb. 27. He also agreed to forfeit his mansion, more than $1.8 million in cash, and antiques and rugs.

The case grew out of an investigation into the sale of Cunningham’s home in Del Mar to a defense contractor at an inflated price.

The congressman had announced in July that he would not seek re-election next year. But until he entered his plea, he insisted he had done nothing wrong.

In court documents, prosecutors said the bribes were paid in a variety of forms, including checks totaling more than $1 million, cash, antiques, yacht club fees and vacations.