Major James Capers Jr., a pioneer of Marine Force Recon and the first African American Marine officer in U.S. history authorized to receive the Medal of Honor, visited the Library of Congress in March 2026 to induct his oral history into the Veterans History Project (VHP). The induction followed the signing of H.R. 3377 into law on March 26, 2026, which officially authorized President to award the Medal of Honor to Capers for his acts of valor during the Vietnam War.
During his visit, Capers provided a firsthand account of his 64 long-range reconnaissance patrols in Vietnam and his role as the face of the Marine Corps' first fully integrated national recruitment campaign in 1967. His oral history will be permanently archived in the Library of Congress, ensuring that future generations can hear directly from a veteran who broke racial barriers and shaped modern special operations.
Capers, born to sharecroppers in the Jim Crow South, rose through the ranks to become the first African American Marine promoted from enlisted to officer via a battlefield commission. He was a member of the inaugural class of the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) Commando Hall of Honor, and his tactics remain foundational to special operations forces today. His personal decorations include the Silver Star Medal, Bronze Star with Combat V, Purple Heart with three Gold Stars, and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, among many others.
The induction event was captured in high-resolution images available at www.majorcapers.com. The photos show Capers in full Dress Blue uniform in the Great Hall of the Library of Congress, accompanied by family members and VHP staff. One image features his daughter, researcher Aneesah Akbar-Uqdah, and his grandson, U.S. Coast Guard OS3 Joden Brunson, inside the Main Reading Room where Capers' oral history will be archived.
The Veterans History Project collects, preserves, and makes accessible the firsthand recollections of U.S. military veterans. By inducting his story, Capers joins a legacy of veterans whose experiences are safeguarded for posterity. His induction highlights the importance of preserving diverse perspectives within military history and underscores the ongoing recognition of contributions by African American service members.
Major Capers lives in Jacksonville, North Carolina, where he actively mentors within the Special Operations community. His Medal of Honor authorization marks a historic milestone, as he becomes the first Black Marine officer to receive the nation's highest military honor. The oral history induction ensures that his legacy of courage and perseverance will inspire generations to come.
