#180 Major James Capers Jr. - Vietnam Marine Commando Silver Star Recipient

A dive into the early life of James Capers Jr. paints a picture of resilience and tenacity, ultimately leading him to serve in the Marine Corps during pivotal moments in the Middle East.

Capers Grew Up Poor In the South, Worked On Farms, Then Lived With a White Family in Baltimore

Capers Faced Challenges: Difficult Upbringing, Family Separation, No Birth Certificate, Racial Discrimination

James Capers Jr. spent his early years in South Carolina, where he faced a challenging childhood. His father, once incarcerated on a chain gang, fled to Baltimore, leaving the young Capers to work on farms picking cotton and cropping tobacco. During this time of illness and vulnerability, Capers was taken in by a white farming family, nursed back to health, and eventually reunited with his biological family. The racial discrimination and segregation pervasive in the South of his youth dictated where Capers could eat and what facilities he could use. His move to Baltimore came with both a cultural shock and the hardships of city life, including economic strains and continued racial injustices. Capers grew up without an official birth certificate, an issue many African Americans contended with at the time. Despite his father finding a job in a steel mill during World War II, Capers felt compelled to help support his family by selling newspapers and junk from a young age.

Capers Joined the Marine Corps After Seeing TV Recruiters

Capers' introduction to the Marine Corps came by way of television, where the sight of a recruiter in uniform filled him with a sense of patriotism and a desire to serve his country. In June of 1956, during a peacetime lull between the Korean War and the Vietnam War, Capers and a friend enlisted in the Marines. He had no way of knowing that his service woul ...

Shawn Ryan and James Capers Jr. delve into Capers’ groundbreaking entry into the Marine Corps Special Operations Force Recon and his gripping experiences in the Vietnam War.

First African-American Marine in Force Recon & First With Battlefield Commission

Capers faced significant racial challenges when he joined the Marine Corps Special Operations Force Recon in 1959, according to Shawn Ryan. He encountered racism from his peers, including incidents where a rebel flag was placed on him while sleeping and a cross was presented during a supposed indoctrination attempt. Despite being the only black guy there and receiving a hard time because of his race, Capers did not let these actions deter him. He stood his ground and focused on his responsibilities, which likely contributed to earning the respect and loyalty of his troops. Capers, who joined the Marines and rose through the ranks, eventually became a second lieutenant through an unconventional field promotion, without the typical officer training.

Facing Racism and Skepticism, Capers Earned Respect and Loyalty From His Troops

Capers recalled how a racist captain named Ken Jordan did not want him to receive the Medal of Honor. This skepticism did not hinder his ability to serve successfully, and he earned respect from most of his troops. He also touched on the scarcity of African American officers within the Marine Corps at that time.

Capers' Harrowing Vietnam War Experiences: Firefights, Ambushes, Failed Pow Rescue

James Capers Jr. described a profound sense of duty to serve in Vietnam, despite having a blind son and a young wife which could have provided him an exemption from combat. Capers led numerous missions, facing firefights, ambushes, and booby-trapped landing zones. On one such mission, his team could not retrieve a POW named Douglas due to an unexpected shootout. Another mission involved him and his team traversing through enemy territory, minefields, and rivers over five days while being pursued by enemy fire to reach a pickup point.

Capers Recounts Combat, Comrades' Deaths, and Ensuing Trauma

Capers discussed complex and high-stakes operations, including a POW rescue mission which involved intense training, but ultimately failed due to unexpected events. His team performed day and night operations that not only involved firefights but also environmental challenges ...

James Capers Jr. discusses the profound impact that faith and spirituality have had in guiding him through harrowing experiences in war and personal tragedies at home.

Capers Credits Divine Intervention For Saving His Life In the War

During his military service, Capers believes divine intervention played a critical role in his survival. He recalls specific instances where his life hung in the balance.

Capers Recalls Praying During the Fool Lock Mission, Losing Brothers-In-arms, and Believing God's Hand Kept His Helicopter From Crashing

Capers vividly remembers praying during the Fool Lock Mission and enduring the loss of his brothers-in-arms. He credits his faith for the miraculous survival of his helicopter which, filled with blood and battered by inclement weather, seemed destined to crash yet did not. He also reflected on the temporary nature of physical structures like the church he helped build during his military career, which he found later had vanished. This contrasted with his enduring faith, which provided solace during trying times.

Capers' reliance on his spiritual beliefs lent him strength and comfort during challenging moments, highlighting the human spirit and the collective desire to honor a higher power.

Capers' Faith Was Tested Post-War by His Wife and Son's Deaths, but He Believed They Are in God's Care

Post-war life presented Capers with overwhelming grief as he dealt with the death of his wife and their special needs son, who was born blind.

Capers Founded Nonprofit to Honor Son's Memory, Aid Families With Special Needs Children

Despite the sadness of his son dying of appendicitis while in his arms, and his wife's subsequent death from cancer which brought hordes of "demons" into his life, Capers managed to clasp onto his faith. He still prayed fervently as his son passed away in the hospital, and though tested, his faith led him to the belief that his loved ones are now in God's care, healed, and awaiting him.

Capers speaks transparently about the anger and des ...

Military service can leave enduring marks on those who serve, both physically and mentally. James Capers Jr.'s experiences provide insight into these lasting effects.

Capers Severely Injured During Military Service, Resulting In Lasting Disabilities and Chronic Pain

Capers on War's Toll: 19 Gunshot Wounds, Broken Legs, Shrapnel

James Capers Jr. fought two wars and detailed his extensive injuries, which left him with 19 holes from bullet wounds, both legs broken, six pieces of metal in his body, scars all over him, difficulty walking, and one leg shorter than the other. He wears boots for stability due to having metal in his legs. His injuries influenced his decision to retire, as he was up for lieutenant colonel but was hurting all over. He even has a piece of wire in his leg and metal in his lower legs and thighs from his war wounds, and he suffered a heart attack and underwent surgery. Fellow soldiers also sustained severe injuries, such as Nick the Greek who lost a leg and Ray Poe who lost a leg during combat situations they faced.

Capers Jr. recounts both his legs being broken and that he bled from all over. The mention of discovering wounds such as holes at the back of his legs indicates the extent of injuries he was not immediately aware of. During his service, when wounded in firefights, he did not always go to the hospital, as the corpsman would patch him up and he felt he needed to be with his troops. Capers Jr. has five Purple Hearts but is only allowed to wear three.

Capers, Battling Ptsd and Mental Health Issues Post-War, Finds Solace in Faith and Military Bonds

Capers on War's Haunting "Demons" and Retaliatory Urges

After returning from missions, Capers Jr. faced challenges readjusting to normal life. He found comfort in the jungle, indicating a sense of dissonance with life away from combat. Carrying a child who died in his arms and not realizing his corpsman had been wounded and died next to him are traumatic events indicative of the mental health struggles and PTSD he faced after ...