James Capers Jr. was born during the Jim Crow era to a family of sharecroppers in August 1937.

In 1956, he enlisted in the Marine Corps and went to boot camp at Parris Island, S.C. While in bootcamp, he knew some of the first African American men that joined the Marine Corps. In an interview with The Veterans Project, Capers recalled their leadership and training: “We as young men didn’t know anything, and the older generation wanted us to succeed.” Following bootcamp, he was selected to join a recon nicknamed “Team Broadminded,” a 3rd Force Reconnaissance Company that was created during the Vietnam War.

While in Vietnam, Capers took part in five major campaigns which involved difficult and dangerous missions. These missions included locating a crashed B-57 aircraft carrying a rumored nuclear bomb, and search and destroy patrols in Phu Loc. In 1967, during a patrol in Phu Loc, Capers and his team were engaged in combat that resulted in serious wounds. He sustained a broken leg and bad puncture wounds to his body. For his actions in Vietnam, Capers was awarded two Bronze Stars with valor.

During the 1970s, while continuing to recover from combat wounds, Capers’ image and efforts were selected to represent the Marine Corps in a national recruitment campaign.

After Vietnam, Capers continued his service as a field agent in classified Cold War covert operations in Africa and Eastern Europe. Alongside receiving the Bronze Stars with “V” devices, Capers was awarded the Silver Star, three Purple Hearts, a Navy Commendation Medal and a Navy Achievement Medal.

In 1978, Capers retired as a major. In total, he participated in more than 50 classified missions during the span of his service.

Today, Capers is recognized as being the first enlisted African American Marine to receive a battlefield commission, alongside being the first African American Marine to command a Force Reconnaissance Company. He and surviving members of his team meet once a year, honoring those who have passed.

We honor his service.