05/17/2026
What an honor it was to meet this hero!
A legendary Reconnaissance Marine who saved his nine-man team during an ambush in South Vietnam is one step closer to receiving the Medal of Honor.
The Senate has passed a bill that would waive the award’s time requirement for retired Maj. James Capers Jr., who was shot twice and suffered 17 shrapnel wounds and other injuries during the April 1967 ambush. Not only did Capers lead his team to safety, but he twice tried to get out of the helicopter carrying the rest of his teammates so that it would be light enough to take off, and had to be pulled back inside by his men.
Authored by Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.), the legislation authorizes President Donald Trump to award the Medal of Honor to Capers and cleared the Senate on March 3rd and was signed by the President on March 26th.
Under current policy, the Medal of Honor must be awarded within five years of the date of action. If someone is recommended for the medal after that point, there has to be new information about the day or days in question, or they need a waiver through Congress.
Speaking to Task & Purpose, Capers, 88, said he was “delighted” that the Senate had passed the bill.
“I will tell you: This really isn’t about me,” Capers said. It’s about the men who didn’t make it home, my troops that followed me.”
