Maj. James Capers, a Marine Corps veteran, is at the center of renewed discussions around the Medal of Honor, as lawmakers call for President Trump to award him this prestigious recognition following decades lost to bureaucratic failures.
The push for Capers' award stems from the failures of the military's internal processes, which many believe have unjustly ignored his valorous actions during the Vietnam War. Initially proposed for the Medal of Honor back in 1967 by Maj. Gen. Bruno Hochmuth after combat commanders testified to his extraordinary bravery at Phu Loc, Capers’ path to recognition has been fraught with obstacles. Hochmuth's claim came at a time when Capers was recovering from severe wounds at Bethesda Naval Hospital.
Unfortunately, after Hochmuth's untimely death, the ball was dropped. Instead of the Medal of Honor, Capt. Ken Jordan, Capers’ officer who harbored ill feelings toward him, granted Capers only the Bronze Star, which ranks considerably lower than the Medal of Honor. Capers’ experiences became even more tumultuous after Jordan, stationed close to Capers during his recovery, never made the effort to check on him.
Years later, the inquiry led by Maj. Gen. James Williams in 2006 validated the assertions of Capers' comrades about his deserving of the Medal of Honor. Despite this important endorsement, the military's bureaucracy continued to impede Capers’ recognition. A 2010 Awards Board managed to raise Capers' honor from the Bronze Star to the Silver Star, yet when General Williams sought insight from the board's proceedings, he found critically lacking documentation, raising suspicious clouds over the decisions made.
Among the chaos, the previous individuals involved, including Jordan, found themselves still influencing outcomes behind the scenes. This politicization raised worries of collusion between those who had served under Jordan and the decisions perpetuating Capers' denial.
The case dragged on through subsequent reviews, with Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro eventually shooting down another recommendation for Capers based on procedural errors, which conveniently questioned the validity of the claims made during the first submission. Experts pointed out the legal restrictions of the Medal of Honor requiring the acknowledgment of heroic acts from single engagements rather than overall accomplishments.
When Capers met with influential Congressman James Clyburn and others, many believed his chance had finally arrived. They assured him of their support; yet, he faced pressure to align with political narratives which clouded the purity of his request for heroism recognition. Capers maintained his stance: the award must reflect his actions alone and not serve as leverage for political agendas. This stance led to the withdrawal of support initially promised to him.
Congressman Ralph Norman drew attention to Capers’ case by introducing his nomination for the Medal of Honor within the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act. This entry had bipartisan acceptance and passed the House of Representatives, but the Senate later stripped it from the final legislation.
Despite the hurdles, there remains significant political will among six senators, including Lindsey Graham and Tom Tillis, who are determined to see justice served for Capers, advocating for direct intervention from President Trump.
The serious concern arises with Capers being 87 years old and facing health challenges. Should bureaucratic procedures linger, it may affect the chances of him receiving honor posthumously rather than during his lifetime. This urgency fuels the continued call for action, ensuring the valor of Maj. James Capers is recognized swiftly.
'God willing, we will make it happen,' said one of the senators advocating for Capers’ nomination, encapsulating the determination behind this effort. Capers’ former platoon sergeant, Sgt. Ron Yerman, famously encapsulated the consensus on Capers' heroism, stating, 'Maj. Capers doesn't deserve the Medal of Honor. He deserves two Medals of Honor.'
This assertion is ringing clear as the campaign for Capers’ Medal of Honor gains momentum, underscoring the importance of recognizing true military valor without delay.