After nearly six decades of waiting, retired Marine Corps Maj. James Capers Jr. is finally on the verge of receiving the nation’s highest military honor. President Donald Trump has signed legislation authorizing the presentation of the Medal of Honor to the Bishopville native.
The legislation, H.R. 3377, sponsored by South Carolina Congressman Ralph Norman, authorizes the President to award the Medal of Honor to retired U.S. Marine Corps Major James Capers Jr. for his extraordinary heroism during the Vietnam War. The formal Medal of Honor ceremony will be announced at a later date.
A Hero Under Fire
From March 31 to April 3, 1967, near Phu Loc, then-2nd Lieutenant Capers and his team from 3rd Force Reconnaissance Company were tasked with helping destroy a North Vietnamese Army regiment. On the final day of the mission, his team of eight was ambushed, outnumbered and seriously injured.
Capers was shot twice and suffered 17 shrapnel wounds and other injuries during the ambush. Despite his wounds, he ordered a mortar strike on the team’s position to keep the enemy at bay. Then, even after losing a significant amount of blood and being administered morphine, he led his team to a helicopter landing zone. 
Only after every member of his team had been evacuated did he allow himself to be removed from the battlefield. 
While loading the helicopter, the North Vietnamese reengaged. When the helicopter was fully loaded, the weight of the Marines was too much for it to take off. Capers yelled “Get my team out of here and leave me behind,” as he tried to jump out of the aircraft to sacrifice himself — before being pulled back in. Finally, a gust of wind swept the helicopter away from danger. All of the Marines made it out alive.
A Trailblazer in Every Sense
Capers was the first African American to lead a Marine Reconnaissance company and receive a battlefield commission. During the Vietnam War, he also led a prisoner of war rescue mission ordered by President Johnson and commanded attacks on Viet Cong and North Vietnamese forces.
Capers participated in over 60 long-range reconnaissance missions and five major campaigns. The Marine Corps has called him “one of the most decorated Marines in Force Reconnaissance history.”
Decades of Delays
After the mission, Capers was originally awarded a Bronze Star for Valor because a senior officer who was not briefed on the Phu Loc mission did not know of his Medal of Honor-worthy actions. That officer went down in a helicopter crash shortly after, and Capers was never put forward for the Medal of Honor. His Bronze Star was later upgraded to a Silver Star in 2010.
Major Capers’ recognition was delayed for decades due to administrative and procedural obstacles. Congress acted in a bipartisan manner to waive statutory limitations and ensure his heroism is properly recognized.
Congressional Champions
The legislation was led by Congressman Norman and passed both the House and Senate earlier this year before being sent to the President’s desk. Sen. Lindsey Graham and Sen. Tim Scott sponsored the Senate version of the bill.
Congressman Norman was emphatic in his praise upon the signing. “Today, we right a decades-long wrong and honor a warrior who embodies the very best of America,” said Norman. “Major James Capers, Jr. risked everything while gravely wounded to save his fellow Marines. Our veterans are the heart and soul of our nation, with Major Capers’ selflessness representing the highest ideals of our Armed Forces. He has given everything to protect our freedoms. And he deserves to be properly recognized.”
A Moment Long Overdue
Capers, now 88, said he took pride in being the first Black Marine Corps officer to receive the Medal of Honor, but wished it hadn’t taken nearly 60 years.
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