James Capers inducted into South Carolina military veterans hall of fame

Medal of Honor recipient Maj. James Charles Capers Jr. was permanently enshrined in the S.C. Military Veterans Hall of Fame during a private ceremony near his family home in Bishopville on July 24. The induction places the retired Marine officer in the Hall’s Medal of Honor Class alongside other South Carolina recipients and highlights the Hall’s push to honor, educate and inspire.

Why it matters: - Maj. James Charles Capers Jr. is now officially part of South Carolina’s military heritage record as a Medal of Honor Class inductee. - The induction adds one of the state’s most recognized Marine combat leaders to a hall designed to honor veterans who stood out in peace and war. - The Hall of Fame says its mission is to honor, educate and inspire, and Capers’ story is central to that goal.

What happened: - Maj. James Charles Capers Jr., U.S. Marine Corps (Ret.), was permanently enshrined in the S.C. Military Veterans Hall of Fame on July 24. - The ceremony was private and took place near the Capers family home in Bishopville, South Carolina. - Capers received the Medal of Honor in June 2026. - Capers joins other South Carolina Medal of Honor recipients who were formally inducted during the Hall’s annual induction dinner on June 6. - The Hall included Capers in its Medal of Honor Class.

The details: - Capers is a veteran combat commander from the Vietnam War. - The Hall of Fame is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. - The Hall’s permanent homesite is planned for the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center in Columbia, South Carolina. - The Hall’s earliest class, the Class of 1776, includes Brig. Gen. Francis Marion, Brig. Gen. Thomas Sumter, Brig. Gen. Andrew Pickens, Maj. Gen. William Moultrie, Brig. Gen. William Washington, Maj. Gen. Johann Baron DeKalb, Lt. Col. John Laurens, and all four of South Carolina’s signers of the Declaration of Independence. - Nominations for the Class of 2027 and beyond must meet standards and screening required by the Hall’s bylaws. - Not all nominees will be inducted. - Military veterans who meet the criteria will be considered for possible induction. - Capers’ full Medal of Honor citation is available here. - Nomination information is available here.

Between the lines: - Hall leaders are using Capers’ induction to reinforce the organization’s public mission and recruiting message. - Col. Steve Vitali said Capers’ service enhances the Hall of Fame and reflects the standard set by veterans honored since 1775. - Executive Director Jay Alverson said Capers is one of South Carolina’s most iconic heroes. - Alverson said he was inspired by Capers as a young man by a recruiting poster featuring the Marine officer. - Col. W. Thomas Smith Jr. said Capers’ Medal of Honor citation for actions in 1967 evokes the heroism of Marine legend John Basilone.

What's next: - The Hall of Fame will continue screening nominations for the Class of 2027 and later classes under its bylaws. - The organization will keep building toward its permanent homesite at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center. - The Hall says it will use Capers’ story to help inspire current students and future nominees.

The bottom line: - Capers’ induction puts a celebrated Marine and Medal of Honor recipient at the center of South Carolina’s effort to preserve military service history.