Sponsors (2)
The bill grants a specific veteran upgraded recognition and public closure, improving the historical record for that individual, while introducing a narrow retroactive exception that could increase administrative burden and raise fairness concerns for others.
Military personnel and veterans: formally upgrades James Capers Jr.'s military honor to recognize his documented heroism from March 31–April 3, 1967, correcting the historical record and ensuring official recognition.
Veteran's family and the public: provides closure and public recognition that preserves legacy and the historical record for the honoree and his descendants.
Federal agencies and employees: creates a narrow retroactive exception to statutory time limits that could prompt similar individual requests, increasing administrative workload and precedent concerns.
Military personnel and veterans: may appear to treat some claimants unequally if only select cases receive retroactive exceptions rather than a uniform policy, raising fairness and equity concerns.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Waives statutory time limits so the President may award the Medal of Honor to James Capers, Jr. for valorous actions in March–April 1967.
Authorizes the President to award the Medal of Honor to James Capers, Jr., waiving the usual statutory time limits that would otherwise bar awarding the medal for actions in 1967. The waiver applies notwithstanding the deadlines in 10 U.S.C. §§ 8298(a) and 8300 or any other time limitation, allowing the President to confer the Medal of Honor under 10 U.S.C. § 8291 for valorous actions March 31–April 3, 1967, for which he previously received the Silver Star.
Official title: 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
Introduced February 4, 2026 by Lindsey O. Graham · Last progress February 4, 2026