James Charles Capers Jr. (born August 25, 1937) is a United States Marine who received the United States's highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor, for heroism in Vietnam in March-April 1967.[1]
Early years
Capers lived in Bishopville, South Carolina, as a child but his sharecropper family left the Jim Crow era South for life in Baltimore, where he spent the rest of his youth and met his wife Dottie.[2]
Medal of honor
James Capers Jr. (unknown date)
In 2025, Congressman Ralph Norman introduced legislation to award Capers the Medal of Honor.[3][4][5][6] In 2026, US Senator Lindsey Graham introduced similar legislation, which was read and advanced.[7]
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, March 3, 1863, has awarded in the name of Congress the Medal of Honor to
SECOND LIEUTENANT JAMES C. CAPERS JR. UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as a Team Leader with 3d Force Reconnaissance Company, 3d Reconnaissance Battalion in the Republic of Vietnam from 31 March to 3 April 1967. Tasked to locate a North Vietnamese regimental base camp southwest of Phu Loc and provide observation for the flank of Company M, 3d Battalion, 26th Marines, Second Lieutenant Capers maneuvered his nine-man team on a four-day patrol through rugged enemy territory. The team had contact with 20 enemy soldiers on the first day of patrol, and two additional contacts on the second day, resulting in one severely wounded team member. Despite being outnumbered by enemy forces, Second Lieutenant Capers relentlessly pursued his vigilant and tenacious adversary, and called for fire on an enemy base camp to thwart an impending attack on Company M. On the last day of the patrol, his team was engaged by a numerically superior enemy force with an initial attack from claymore mines, coupled with direct and indirect fire. Despite severe pain and blood loss caused by the multiple fragmentation and gunshot wounds he sustained, Second Lieutenant Capers bravely continued to lead his team and maintain the initiative. Even after being administered morphine, he continued to coordinate supporting fires and his team’s movement to a helicopter extraction site. While struggling to maintain consciousness and still under enemy attack, Second Lieutenant Capers maintained command of the situation to ensure all of his Marines were evacuated before he, barely able to stand, finally boarded the helicopter. By his bold leadership, undaunted courage, and complete dedication to duty, Second Lieutenant Capers reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
Capers was celebrated by Bishopville, South Carolina with the installation of three bronze plaques. One plaque is a map of North and South Vietnam. The other details Capers career. The middle plaque is a reproduction of a recruiting poster featuring Capers in his blue dress uniform with the words “Ask a Marine.” The three plaques are titled “The Place, The Legend, The Man.”[13][14]:
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United States Marine Corps
Major
Medal of Honor
Silver Star
Bronze Star
Purple Heart(3)
Commendation Medal Joint Service
Commendation Medal Navy & Marine Corps..jpg)
