Shawn Ryan Show Episode #180: Major James Capers Jr. - Vietnam Marine Commando Silver Star Recipient

Release Date: March 7, 2025
Host: Shawn Ryan
Guest: Major James Capers Jr., retired United States Marine Corps officer and Vietnam War veteran

Introduction

Shawn Ryan welcomes Major James Capers Jr. to the "Shawn Ryan Show," highlighting Capers as the first Vietnam veteran featured on the program. Ryan emphasizes the significance of documenting Capers' experiences, especially given the absence of comprehensive accounts of the Vietnam War.

Notable Quote:

• Sean Ryan (00:58): "You're the first Vietnam veteran to be on the show... It's such an honor to have you here."

Early Life and Childhood

Major Capers shares his early years growing up in South Carolina. He recounts the hardship of his father being placed on a chain gang in the 1930s, a period marked by severe racial discrimination and forced labor for African Americans. At around four years old, Capers was sent to live with a white farming family in Baltimore, Maryland, due to his father's circumstances. This transition was traumatic, with Capers recalling vague memories of his caretakers and the challenges of reintegrating with his biological family after recovering from illness.

Notable Quotes:

• Major Capers (03:52): "The chain gang is when they took mostly African Americans and put them out and they did hard labor."
• Major Capers (07:07): "So a lot of kids were like that, had these bags on your shoulder and you were out there picking cotton."

Military Career: Joining the Marines

Inspired by the military presence he witnessed on television and driven by patriotism, Capers enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1956. He describes the rigorous training he underwent, which included jump school, scouting, and later Force Reconnaissance. Despite facing racial discrimination within the military ranks, Capers persevered, eventually receiving a battlefield commission to second lieutenant without attending traditional officer training schools.

Notable Quotes:

• Major Capers (16:51): "Back in those days, everybody you know after World War I joined in '56."
• Major Capers (35:57): "These guys were nuts. Damn, you think SEAL training got to be pretty good..."

Military Operations: Suez Canal and Lebanon

Capers details his early military deployments, including missions to the Suez Canal and Lebanon during times of political turmoil. Under President Eisenhower's orders, he participated in shows of force to reopen the canal and evacuate American civilians amidst Lebanese civil conflict. These operations marked his first combat experiences, where he led squads in challenging mountainous terrains, engaging with enemy snipers and enduring harsh conditions.

Notable Quotes:

• Major Capers (18:10): "The mission was to go behind enemy lines and kill those son of a bitches."
• Major Capers (22:13): "In 20 years of my experience in the Marine Corps, I was never defeated."

Reenlistment and Joining Force Recon

Despite personal hardships, including the death of his first son and later his wife, Capers reenlisted to stay with his Marine brothers. He describes the intense selection process for Force Recon, highlighting the physical and mental challenges he overcame. Capers emphasizes his resilience in the face of racism within the unit, maintaining his leadership and earning the respect of his peers through steadfastness and competence.

Notable Quotes:

• Major Capers (35:43): "I did pass, of course. Well, actually, I didn't pass...I didn't make it."
• Major Capers (40:00): "I don't back down from him. No? No."

Vietnam War Service

Capers provides a harrowing account of his service in the Vietnam War. As part of Force Recon, he undertook numerous missions that involved deep reconnaissance, ambushes, and close-quarters combat. He recounts the brutality of guerrilla warfare, the loss of fellow Marines, and the moral complexities of battle, including moments where he had to make split-second decisions to save his men, such as rescuing a teammate from a shark attack during a diving mission.

Notable Quotes:

• Major Capers (59:53): "The mission was to go behind enemy lines and kill as many of them as you can."
• Major Capers (66:23): "If you kill them, KIA...if you wound them, you don't know if you wounded them."

Personal Life: Marriage and Family Tragedies

Capers opens up about his personal life, detailing his 50-year marriage to his high school sweetheart, Dottie Capers. The couple faced significant challenges, including raising a blind child and coping with the untimely deaths of both his son Gary—who died of appendicitis—and his wife Dottie, who succumbed to cancer. These losses deeply impacted Capers, leading to struggles with PTSD and the demons that followed him home from war.

Notable Quotes:

• Major Capers (30:05): "I love Dottie Caperson. The first time I saw her, we went through hell."
• Major Capers (31:17): "Our first child, Gary, was born blind... He played the flute, the melodica, the organ piano. But he had other difficult things."
• Major Capers (100:58): "God has him now. He's in the bosom of God."

Post-Military Life and Foundation

After retiring from the Marine Corps, Capers dedicated himself to supporting veterans and combating homelessness through the Gary and Dottie Capers Foundation. The foundation focuses on providing meals, shelter, and support to homeless individuals, honoring the legacy of his late family members by giving back to the community. Capers underscores the importance of remembering and assisting those in need, reflecting on his own experiences of being helped during his childhood.

Notable Quotes:

• Major Capers (179:17): "We started for Gary, but Dottie was still alive. And we started this thing and we'd bring people in, friends in, and raise money for a nonprofit."
• Major Capers (181:21): "We moved some to my home. We brought the homeless in and Dottie cooked for them, washed their clothes, trying to help, just like I'd been helped."

Notable Stories and Experiences

Throughout the interview, Capers shares several vivid anecdotes from his military service:

1. Shark Rescue Mission (60:02): Capers describes a diving mission where a tiger shark threatened a teammate. Demonstrating exemplary leadership, he swam out to save his comrade, an act that went unrecognized with no medals awarded.

2. Helicopter Miracle (150:48): During a critical rescue operation, Capers recounts how a helicopter he was aboard appeared to defy logic by not crashing despite low fuel, attributing this miraculous event to divine intervention.

3. POW Rescue Attempt (73:58): Capers narrates a failed mission to rescue American POWs, highlighting the emotional toll and disappointment of not securing their freedom despite intensive training and effort.

Notable Quotes:

• Major Capers (60:06): "If you killed them, KIA...if you wounded them, you don't know if you wounded them."
• Major Capers (150:48): "God reached out with his mighty hand and kept it flying... God saved us when we needed to be saved."

Reflections and Insights

Capers reflects on the enduring impact of war on his life, grappling with PTSD and the loss of loved ones. He emphasizes the importance of leadership, resilience, and the bonds formed with fellow Marines. Despite the traumas, Capers expresses unwavering faith in God and a commitment to honor his family's legacy through his foundational work. He also touches on the challenges African American Marines faced during his service, advocating for recognition and support for veterans.

Notable Quotes:

• Major Capers (156:18): "I don't think about dying... I have friends like you to keep me going."
• Major Capers (158:12): "They're gonna give me the Medal of Honor. President, so I don't know whether he'll get around to it or even if he wants to."

Conclusion

Shawn Ryan concludes the episode by expressing deep gratitude for Major Capers' service and storytelling. He underscores the honor of sharing such a profound and inspiring life story, highlighting the possibility of Major Capers' Silver Star being upgraded to a Medal of Honor—a testament to his bravery and dedication.

Notable Quote:

• Sean Ryan (185:48): "And I really hope your Silver Star gets upgraded to a Medal of Honor would be nice."

Final Thoughts

Episode #180 of the "Shawn Ryan Show" provides an unflinching and heartfelt portrayal of Major James Capers Jr.'s life, from his challenging childhood to his valorous military service and personal losses. Capers' narrative is a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by veterans and the enduring strength of the human spirit.

Note: For listeners interested in supporting Major Capers' foundation or learning more about his legacy, links and contact information are available in the episode's description.