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Bill would let the president award Medal of Honor to Vietnam-era Marine James Capers, Jr.

In committeeS. 3781Latest action

Sponsor: Lindsey Graham · Senator · SC

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Official title: A bill to authorize the President to award the Medal of Honor to James Capers, Jr., for acts of valor as a member of the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War

119th Congress

Topics: Security & foreign affairs

Introduced:

Read the official bill on Congress.gov

In plain words

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Senate bill S 3781 waives medal deadlines so the president may award the Medal of Honor to Marine veteran James Capers, Jr.

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What does this do?

S 3781 would waive the legal time limits that normally prevent military medals from being awarded decades after the qualifying acts occurred. This would give the president the authority, though not the obligation, to award the Medal of Honor to James Capers, Jr. for actions he took during a four-day period in late March and early April 1967.

Who does it affect?

James Capers, Jr. is a Marine Corps veteran who was previously awarded the Silver Star for his bravery during that period. His family would also be directly affected if the Medal of Honor is presented.

Why does it matter?

The bill is part of a broader congressional pattern of revisiting past military awards in cases where veterans, sometimes from minority groups who faced discrimination, may not have received full recognition. Capers originally received the Silver Star, but this bill reflects a determination that his actions may have merited the nation's highest military honor.

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Read the official bill on Congress.gov

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Where does it stand?

  1. IntroducedFeb 4, 2026
  2. Senate committeeYou are here · Feb 4, 2026
  3. Senate vote
  4. House
  5. The president's desk

Right now: a Senate committee is reviewing it. If the House changes it, it goes back to the Senate before reaching the president.

Latest action: — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.

Data as of October 9, 2026
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