Medal of Honor recipient Maj. James Capers Jr. to headline Montford Point Marines gala
ATLANTA, GA (WWAY) — Medal of Honor recipient Maj. James Capers Jr., U.S. Marine Corps (Ret.), will serve as the honored guest at the Montford Point Marines Association Chapter 5 Annual Gala on Saturday, Aug. 22.
The event honors the legacy of the Montford Point Marines, the first Black Marines to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps. They trained at the segregated Camp Montford Point in Jacksonville, North Carolina, from 1942 to 1949 before the Marine Corps was fully integrated.
Capers’ appearance comes after his Navy Cross was recently upgraded to the Medal of Honor. According to event organizers, he was recognized for his actions during a reconnaissance mission near Phu Loc, Vietnam, in April 1967. Despite being seriously wounded during an ambush, Capers continued directing artillery fire, coordinating his team’s movements and overseeing the evacuation until the last Marine from his patrol was safely extracted.
The gala will bring together veterans, elected officials, business leaders and community members for a formal dinner, historical tributes and special recognitions celebrating the service and legacy of the Montford Point Marines.
Aaron Swain, president of 100 Black Men of Atlanta, Inc., is scheduled to deliver the keynote address, focusing on leadership and investing in future generations.
According to the Montford Point Marines Association Chapter 5, proceeds from the event will support veteran programs, academic scholarships and community outreach initiatives.
The reception begins at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 22, at the Atlanta Marriott Hotel–Airport in College Park, Georgia. Organizers say the event is open to veterans, active-duty service members, civic organizations and members of the public.
