South Carolina Resident Major (Ret.) James Capers Jr. Receives Medal of Honor

Bishopville native and decorated war hero, Major (Ret.) James Capers Jr., was presented a long-awaited Medal of Honor today for his lifesaving actions in in Vietnam and representation of the U.S. Marines Corps.

The Silver Star recipient made history as the first African American to command a Marine Reconnaissance company. He was also the first enlisted African American Marine to receive a battlefield commission to officer.

The resolution was approved by both the House and Senate earlier this year. The measure then made its way to the President for final approval. The official ceremony took place on Thursday in the East Room of the White House.

Per the White House briefing on Capers' Medal of Honor:

"Then-Second Lieutenant James Capers, Jr. will receive the Medal of Honor for acts of gallantry and intrepidity 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 March 31 to April 3, 1967. During a four-day reconnaissance patrol, he and his team were tasked with locating a North Vietnamese regimental base camp. Despite making contact with a numerically superior enemy force on three separate occasions, he tenaciously continued the mission. He successfully directed fire onto an enemy base camp, thwarting an impending attack on a nearby Marine battalion.  On the final day, his patrol was ambushed by a claymore mine and came under a dense barrage of enemy fire, where he sustained multiple severe wounds. Ignoring his injuries and extreme blood loss, he continued to lead his team, coordinate supporting fire, and direct their movement to an extraction site. Refusing to be evacuated before all his men were safe, he ensured the entire team was extracted before finally boarding the helicopter."

Officials with the South Carolina Department of Veterans’ Affairs "proudly congratulate Major Capers on this well-deserved honor, and encourage everyone to learn more about his remarkable military service and the actions that led to this historic recognition."