Former Wilmington resident, Medal of Honor recipient James Capers Jr. named grand marshal of first in freedom parade

North Carolina Labor Commissioner Luke Farley announced the selection Thursday, calling Capers a fitting choice to lead the state’s Independence Day celebration.

“Major James Capers Jr. represents the very best of our state and our nation,” Farley said in a statement. “His extraordinary courage under fire, unwavering commitment to his fellow Marines, and lifetime of service embody the values we celebrate every Independence Day.”

Capers, a South Carolina native who later lived in Wilmington and now resides in Jacksonville, received the nation’s highest military honor from President Donald Trump on June 18 during a ceremony in Washington, D.C. The Medal of Honor recognized his extraordinary heroism during a 1967 reconnaissance mission in Vietnam and upgraded the Silver Star he had originally received for his actions.

According to the U.S. Marine Corps, Capers was leading a four-day Force Recon patrol deep behind enemy lines when his team encountered a numerically superior enemy force multiple times. Despite intense combat, he continued the mission, enabling his team to direct supporting fire that disrupted an impending attack on a nearby Marine battalion.

On the mission’s final day, Capers and his team were ambushed by a claymore mine and came under heavy enemy fire. Although he suffered multiple severe wounds and significant blood loss, Capers continued directing supporting fire and leading his Marines to an extraction point. He refused evacuation until every member of his patrol had safely boarded the rescue helicopter.

The award made Capers the first African American commissioned officer in the U.S. Marine Corps to receive the Medal of Honor. He is also North Carolina’s 22nd Medal of Honor recipient.

During WWAY’s coverage of the Medal of Honor ceremony last month, Capers reflected on the recognition and the Marines who served alongside him.

“So I’m honored not necessarily to be the first, but to be in this position,” Capers told WWAY.

He also remembered the members of his reconnaissance team, known as Team Broadminded, noting that only one of his fellow Marines from that mission remains alive.

“They gave it all for this country and for the Marine Corps,” Capers said.

Farley said Capers’ courage and selfless leadership make him an ideal grand marshal for the First in Freedom Parade, which celebrates North Carolina’s patriotic heritage and honors the men and women who have defended the nation’s freedoms.

“North Carolina has long been home to some of America’s greatest military heroes,” Farley said. “As we celebrate our nation’s independence, there is no one more fitting to lead this year’s First in Freedom Parade than Major James Capers Jr. His courage and selfless leadership continue to inspire generations of North Carolinians.”

Capers’ Medal of Honor is the latest in a distinguished military career that also includes the Silver Star, two Bronze Stars, three Purple Hearts and the Combat Action Ribbon. He remains an active figure within the military and special operations community while continuing to call North Carolina home.

The First in Freedom Parade is held each year to celebrate North Carolina’s role in the nation’s history and recognize the service and sacrifice of America’s veterans and active-duty military members.