Medal of Honor designee Major James Capers Jr. (USMC, Ret.) visited the Library of Congress in March 2026 to induct his oral history into the Veterans History Project (VHP), following the signing of H.R. 3377 into law on March 26, 2026. The law officially authorizes the President to award the Medal of Honor to Capers for acts of valor during the Vietnam War, making him the first Black Marine officer in U.S. history to receive the nation's highest military honor.
Capers, a pioneer of Marine Force Recon and a legend of the elite "Team Broadminded," provided a firsthand account of his 64 long-range reconnaissance patrols in Vietnam. His induction ensures that future generations can hear directly from him about his experiences. The VHP collects, preserves, and makes accessible the firsthand recollections of U.S. military veterans so that future generations may better understand the realities of war. High-resolution images of the induction are available at www.majorcapers.com.
Born to sharecroppers in the Jim Crow South, Capers broke racial barriers to become the first African American Marine promoted from enlisted to officer via a battlefield commission. His tactics remain foundational to special operations forces today, and he was inducted into the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) Commando Hall of Honor. Capers lives in Jacksonville, North Carolina, actively mentoring within the Special Operations community.
During the Library of Congress visit, Capers was accompanied by family members, including his daughter Aneesah Akbar-Uqdah, a researcher studying Maritime Law and Port Health & Security, and his grandson U.S. Coast Guard OS3 Joden Brunson. The inter-agency team that made the induction possible included Library of Congress staff and VHP leadership. Capers' personal decorations include the Silver Star Medal, Bronze Star with two Gold Stars and Combat V, Purple Heart with three Gold Stars, and many others. His original 1967 recruiting poster, which made him the first African American Marine featured in a national military recruiting campaign, highlights his role as the face of the Marine Corps' first fully integrated recruitment effort.
The induction of Capers' oral history into the VHP is a significant step in preserving the legacy of a trailblazing Marine whose service and sacrifice have paved the way for future generations. As the first Black Marine officer authorized for the Medal of Honor, Capers' story underscores the importance of recognizing the contributions of all who have served.
