Latest news with #Capers
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Legendary Recon Marine could finally get the Medal of Honor
In April 1967, Marine 2nd Lt. James Capers Jr. ignored his numerous bullet and shrapnel wounds to lead his nine-man team from 3rd Force Reconnaissance Company against an enemy ambush in South Vietnam. The ambush had erupted with hidden explosives that threw Capers against a tree. Shrapnel from the blast punctured his body in more than a dozen places, including wounds to his abdomen and a broken leg, Capers told Coffee or Die Magazine in 2021. Still, Capers ordered a mortar strike on the team's position to keep the enemy at bay. Despite losing a significant amount of blood and being administered morphine, he led his team to a helicopter landing zone. When a helicopter landed, Capers refused to get on board unless the crew took the body of the team's military working dog. After the helicopter was initially unable to take off, Capers twice tried to get out of the aircraft to lighten the load. Both times, a crew chief had to pull him back inside. The helicopter eventually lifted off and ferried Capers and his team to a hospital. Capers later retired from the Marine Corps as a major, and in 2010, he was awarded the Silver Star for his 'bold leadership, undaunted courage, and complete dedication to duty,' his award citation reads. Now, a lawmaker is trying for a third time to pass legislation that would authorize the president to award Capers the Medal of Honor. Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) introduced a bill on May 13 that would waive a requirement that service members receive the Medal of Honor within five years of their actions that merit the award. In 2020, President Donald Trump signed a similar bill that allowed Army Sgt. 1st Class Alwyn Cashe to receive the Medal of Honor for his bravery 15 years earlier in Iraq. 'Mr. James Capers Jr. isn't just a hero, he's a living legend in every sense of the word,' Norman said in a statement earlier this month. 'His courage in Vietnam, his humility throughout life, and his unwavering devotion to this country are second to none. It's an honor to reintroduce this bill, because a man like Maj. Capers deserves nothing less than the Medal of Honor.' Although Capers had been previously nominated for the nation's highest military award for valor, 'administrative shortcomings and delays' ultimately prevented him from receiving it, a May 14 news release from Norman's office says. During a March interview with Fox News, Capers was asked why he had not already been awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroism. 'That was 1967, and the world was a lot different in those days,' Capers replied. 'The Marine Corps had been integrated in 1948, as a matter of fact, so we still had officers who commanded us that didn't quite understand all the things that we needed as African Americans. We could fight. We could lead. We could get it all done. But the leaders didn't see us as equals.' Over the past four years, Norman has twice introduced legislation that would have authorized the president to award Capers the Medal of Honor, but Congress did not pass the bills. Capers repeatedly demonstrated his bravery and his commitment to the Marines who served under him. He always insisted on being the last person to board helicopters when it was time to leave the battlefield. In a different mission in January 1967, Capers ran from tree to tree to fire at the enemy, creating the impression that there were more troops on the ground, as the rest of his team was hoisted into a CH-46 helicopter. On another patrol, Capers killed three North Vietnamese soldiers when his M16 rifle jammed. When another two enemy soldiers launched a counterattack, he killed them both with his pistol. In February, a group of 47 lawmakers sent a letter to Trump requesting that he consider taking action needed for Capers to receive the Medal of Honor, describing Capers as 'one of America's greatest patriots.' They noted that Capers was the first Black Marine to lead a reconnaissance company and to receive a battlefield commission. 'We firmly believe that Maj. James Capers Jr., has met the stringent criteria for the Medal of Honor,' the letter says. 'His selfless actions, leadership, courage, and initiative uphold the highest traditions of the United States Armed Forces. The exceptional valor displayed by Maj. Capers during his missions in the Republic of Vietnam from March 31 to April 3, 1967, serves as a shining example for all servicemen and women, and it is deserving of the highest recognition.' Now 87 years old, Capers lives alone. His son, Gary, who was born blind, died in 2003, and his wife Dottie died six years later. Capers told Task & Purpose that he originally served as a staff sergeant, but all the officers in his unit were killed, so he was commissioned to second lieutenant. After he was wounded, he spent a year recuperating at Bethesda Naval Hospital in Maryland learning how to walk again. He said that he owes his survival to his family and all the men and women who served with him in war — and he is adamant that he does not consider himself to be a hero. 'I was just a Marine,' Capers said. 'I had a job to do and I did it as best I could. Obviously, we'd all like to be heroes, but those men in my unit, they were heroes. There's only two of us left alive today.' 18 Army Rangers suspended for allegedly firing blanks at Florida beach Hegseth announces accountability review of Afghanistan withdrawal Coast Guard rescue swimmers saved a worker stuck in hardening concrete after roof collapse This National Guard unit went completely analog to simulate a cyber attack Fewer reenlistment options for soldiers amid high Army retention
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
The Corps must take the lead on Medal of Honor for Maj. Capers
In 1967, Maj. James Capers Jr.'s greatest threats were enemy fire and claymore mines. In 2025, they are friendly indifference and bureaucratic paralysis. Capers is a legend — a decorated Force Recon Marine who led multiple assaults, saved lives and paid the price in blood. Everyone, without exception, who has reviewed the facts — whether it was 3rd Marine Division Commanding General Maj. Gen. Bruno Hochmuth, who spoke with Capers' Marines in 1967, those who have read firsthand accounts or those who have seen Capers' actions compared, side by side, with the actions of other Marines who rightly received our nation's highest honor — agrees on one point: Capers deserves the Medal of Honor. Some have stated, after reviewing the evidence and the comparative chart, that the Medal of Honor is not awarded by some mechanical checklist and that it has always involved subjective judgment. The purpose of presenting the evidence and comparisons is not to suggest we can 'math' our way to a MOH — it's to highlight when we look at all things being equal (situation, actions, timeframe, organization, impact, etc.), Capers' case should have been evaluated on par with others who received the MOH. If the argument is that the process is purely subjective, then we must ask: What was the subjective factor that led to Capers receiving the Silver Star rather than the MOH? Was that factor justified? Was it fair? Was it consistent? If we accept that everything is subjective with no need for comparison or review, then why not put everyone up for the MOH? Simply saying it's subjective can't be the end of the conversation — we must understand the subjective input, or else we leave the door open to biases, oversights and errors. There must be some balance — guided by standards, fairness and accountability. To that, most respond with a shrug: 'It is what it is. For every Capers, there are dozens more who were also overlooked.' That resignation isn't leadership. It's surrender. Worse, it's a self-fulfilling prophecy. They assume Capers will not receive the MOH because they know others were left unrecognized — perhaps because they themselves never fought for them, or because they quietly accept that the system is broken. And if Capers is denied once again, they'll simply nod and say, 'See? I told you,' instead of fighting to fix what they know is broken. Others hide behind bureaucratic lines, claiming Capers' case has already been reviewed or that there is no new information. But if that's true — if the same facts now before the president, Congress and the public were substantially the same as they were before the awards board — then the board's conclusion was flawed. Capers would have, or should have, been recommended for the MOH. A reasonable alternative explanation is that the Marine Corps' awards board only considered Capers' original end-of-tour Bronze Star with a 'V' device for upgrade to the Silver Star, which they recommended. Why? Because, procedurally, the Silver Star is the highest valor award a Marine can receive for an end-of-tour award. The MOH is not an end-of-tour award — it's for specific acts of valor. The board was procedurally constrained and Capers' actions were not properly recognized. Moreover, when the Navy's decorations and awards board reviewed the matter, they assessed the information the awards board considered — not the process and not whether Capers' actions were actually deserving of the MOH. These procedural constraints, while understandable, cannot now be used to justify a faulty outcome. And yet, while civilian members of Congress are leading this fight with aggressive determination — challenging the bureaucracy, introducing legislation and signing a bipartisan letter to the president — our Marine Corps leadership stands on the sidelines, citing adherence to a flawed system. That should trouble anyone who has ever worn the Eagle, Globe and Anchor. Semper Fidelis; honor, courage and commitment; and looking after our own mean nothing if we don't live and act in accordance with those words. Where is our integrity if we know what's right, yet choose to remain silent? There is public reputational risk here, too. If the Marine Corps is seen as indifferent — or worse, obstructive — it invites hard questions: from the media, from the public, from the next news exposé or feature. And if that happens — over the MOH for a legendary Force Recon Marine, who also just happens to be Black — the fallout could be devastating. To be clear: There is no evidence of racial discrimination in this case, nor that this award has anything to do with diversity, equity and inclusion. Capers' recommendation is 100% merit-based, backed by overwhelming evidence and support from his commanders. But that won't be the headlines. This cannot be about politics, public pressure or optics. It must be about leadership — Marine leaders, past and present, standing up for one of our own. Being the champions that Capers — and every Marine — expects and deserves. If we're unwilling to correct this injustice simply because it's hard, then we've lost our moral compass. And even if we fail, let it be said that we failed fighting for what is right — that we were not among 'those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat.' Now that President Donald Trump — the same president who rightly awarded the MOH to Sgt. Maj. John Canley, another Vietnam hero — is involved, it's likely he will cut through the bureaucratic morass to ensure Capers receives the recognition he has earned. The only question is: Will the Marine Corps take the offensive to ensure Capers, now 87 years old, receives the MOH while he is still alive? History will remember not only if we acted, but when. The time to act is now. Lt. Col. David 'Bull' Gurfein is a retired prior-enlisted Marine infantry officer who served in Panama, the first Gulf War, Afghanistan and Iraq. He is the CEO of United American Patriots.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Medal of Honor upgrade for Vietnam-era Recon Marine part of new bill
A bill recently introduced in Congress would upgrade a Silver Star Medal to a Medal of Honor for a recon Marine who fought through severe injuries while under attack on a mission in the jungles of Vietnam in 1967. Retired Maj. Jim Capers received the Silver Star in 2010 for those actions, but supporters believe his valor deserves the nation's highest military honor. House Resolution 3377, sponsored by Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., was filed — and coupled with a letter to President Donald Trump — on May 13 and remains in the House Armed Services Committee as of Monday. The letter, signed in February by six U.S. senators and 41 representatives, details Capers' actions and asks the president to review the award for the purpose of an upgrade. In late March 1967, Marine 2nd Lt. Jim Capers stepped off on a four-day patrol into the jungles near Phú Lộc, South Vietnam. Capers, recently promoted via a battlefield commission to second lieutenant, led nine 3rd Force Reconnaissance Company Marines alongside a dog named 'King.' The mission was to observe a North Vietnamese Army regiment and protect the flank of Company M, 3rd Battalion, 26th Marines. On the final day of their mission, enemy claymore mines exploded, triggering an attack on his team. Capers received multiple wounds from both the explosion and the 'dense barrages of direct and indirect enemy fire' that followed. Suffering two broken legs and heavy bleeding, Capers continued fighting and directed his team in the counterattack. He coordinated supporting fire and moved his team to the helicopter extraction, which saved their lives. 'While struggling to maintain consciousness and still under attack, Major Capers demanded continuous situation and status reports from his Marines and ensured the entire team was evacuated before himself,' his award citation reads. 'Barely able to stand, Major Capers finally boarded the helicopter and was evacuated.' Capers twice got off of an evacuation helicopter so it could take off with the other wounded. When he did finally board a helo for extraction, the aircraft crashed. The wreck resulted in another man losing his leg and another individual losing a kidney. Retired Marine Lt. Col. David 'Bull' Gurfein, CEO of United American Patriots, has compared Capers' story to that of another reconnaissance Marine who did receive the Medal of Honor. Nearly a year after Capers heroics, 2nd Lt. Terrence Graves, also with 3rd Force Reconnaissance Company, was on a deep jungle patrol in the jungles of Quang Tri Province, South Vietnam, where he led an eight-Marine recon team behind enemy lines. Once his team made contact with a large NVA force, Graves exposed himself to repeated enemy fire to lead assaults, attend to wounded and command the element — all while suffering from a gunshot wound to his thigh. Shortly after boarding a medevac helicopter, Graves and another Marine got back off to search for another Marine until a second helicopter could arrive to retrieve the three of them. The helicopter that eventually picked up the three Marines was shot down. Graves died in the crash. Graves received the Medal of Honor for his actions. Capers' award, meanwhile, was initially a Bronze Star Medal that was later upgraded to a Silver Star Medal.
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Capers Restaurant in Little Rock closing its doors this weekend after 28 years of business
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Capers Restaurant, a staple of Little Rock dining, will close its doors for good on Saturday. This news is sour for many customers who have made many memories over the years at the restaurant. Little Rock landmark Capers Restaurant closing after 28 years Capers owner Dan Kovach said this was certainly not an easy decision to make. Kovach owns both Capers and Copper Grill located in downtown Little Rock. He said with the price of nearly everything going up, it's difficult to keep both restaurants running. Capers opened in 1997 and has been in business for 28 years. For many people, it's a place where many memories were made, like April Williamson. She said Capers holds a special place in her heart. 'It was a special day for me on July 27, 2012, when my husband proposed to me here,' Williamson said. Maumelle restaurant featured on The Kelly Clarkson Show Pointing at the table she and her husband sat at on their engagement day, she said, 'ironically when we came last Saturday evening for the last time, they sat us at that very table.' In business for nearly three decades, Williamson said Capers 'is a gemstone in Little Rock.' Led by Diamond Chef of Arkansas and Restaurant Proprietor of the Year Mary Beth Ringgold, Capers won numerous awards, including Best Outside Dining, Most Romantic, Best Wine List and a 14-year recipient of the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence. 'The food is amazing, and the staff has always been amazing,' she added. The Buttered Biscuit opens second location in Little Rock Before Kovach took over as the owner of Capers in 2021, it was previously owned by the former owner of Cajun's Wharf. When Cajun's closed down, Capers would often offer a throwback menu to keep the tradition of Cajun's Wharf alive. Kovach said they will do the same for Capers at Copper Grill, offering dishes and a dining experience that made Capers popular. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
House unanimously passes bill to quadruple the pensions of Medal of Honor recipients
Legislation that would quadruple the pensions of Medal of Honor recipients passed the House with unanimous bipartisan support on Wednesday. The bill sailed through the House 424-0. If passed by the Senate and signed by the president, it would boost pay for those who receive the nation's highest military award from $16,880 per year to $67,500 per year. Proponents of the bill, led by Reps. Troy Nehls, R-Texas, and Chris Pappas, D-N.H., say the pay would ease the financial burden for medal recipients who often traverse the country for speaking engagements on their own dime. The increased pensions are paid for through disability compensation out of Veterans' Affairs funding. Costs associated with the pay boost would be offset by extending a limitation on pensions for veterans with no spouses or dependents from 2031 to 2033. Veterans Ask Trump To Award Medal Of Honor To Marine Corps War Hero Snubbed By Biden The legislation would affect the 60 living Medal of Honor recipients. Some 3,500 have been awarded the medal since its inception in 1863. Read On The Fox News App Pension rolls for Medal of Honor recipients were first created in 1916, with pensioners receiving $10 per month from the federal government. The monthly stipend was raised to $100 in 1961 and $1,000 in 2002. The legislation comes as a national Medal of Honor museum is set to open in Arlington, Texas, next month to share the stories of Americans who took heroic actions in battle. President Donald Trump has not yet awarded the medal in his second term, but veterans and members of Congress are lobbying for him to extend it to Maj. James Capers, a Black Vietnam War veteran who saved seven fellow Marines when his recon group was ambushed and outnumbered by North Vietnamese troops in Phú Lộc in 1967. President Biden Awards Medal Of Honor To Seven Army Veterans According to the sworn testimony of the surviving Marines, then-Lt. Capers' unit was ambushed in the jungle, with blasts from claymore mines inflicting devastating injuries on him and his men. Despite the blasts ripping open his stomach and breaking his leg, a heavily bleeding Capers kept command of his Marines and, together with two others, held off the enemy long enough for the medevac flight to arrive. When the overloaded aircraft struggled to take off, Capers attempted to sacrifice himself by jumping from the helicopter and insisting he be left behind until he was pulled back on board by the medevac crew chief. Capers received multiple gunfire wounds and 19 pieces of shrapnel in the firefight, and suffers from the wounds to this day. But due to his heroic actions, Capers and all of his Marines survived. Fox News' Peter Pinedo contributed to this article source: House unanimously passes bill to quadruple the pensions of Medal of Honor recipients
