Faith Through the Storm: Memoirs of Major James Capers, Jr.

by James Capers Jr., Buz Sawyers

This is a book about war. A war against America’s enemies, against racism, against the loss of fellow warriors in battle, and against the personal loss of family back home. This is the story of Major James Capers, Jr. (USMC Ret.) Jim was born to a family of sharecroppers in South Carolina who escaped to Baltimore, Maryland in the dead of night to escape the days of Jim Crow laws for a better life. Joining the Marines fresh out of high school, Jim had no idea that he was paving the road for future Marines, black and white alike. The first African-American Marine to receive a battlefield commission as a member of 3rd Force Recon, a new special forces unit designed specifically for the war in Vietnam; the first African-American Marine officer used on a Marine recruitment poster; co-leader of the first special forces team to attempt the rescue of American and allied POW’s held in a North Vietnamese prison; a leader in Team Broadminded, whose missions were so secret, their military records from Vietnam were not declassified until 2006; nominated for the Medal of Honor; inducted into the Commando Hall of Honor for special forces; awarded the Bronze and the Silver Stars. This book is about a man who is a true American hero, though he denies the notion. Above all, Jim is a husband, a father, a patriot, a warrior who has dealt with the tragedies of his military and personal life, always depending on his faith in God to guide him through the storm.

Kindle Edition

Published November 19, 2018

Reviews

[Bryan Karlan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing man of god

What a wonderful book about a true man of faith. I couldn’t put it down. The greatest man I had never heard of. Some treat this a book about a black man making it when few did in the military. While that is a part of the book. What I'm impressed with was all the people he encountered were so protective and concerned about his success because they had been impressed by his character, leadership qualities and sense of duty and honor and loyalty to his men and the Corp. What this truly shows is that in a time of supposedly horrible race relations, nobody cared about his color, they cared and were impressed by the content of his character.
Additionally, no matter how horrible the circumstances, no matter how bad things got or looked, he alway gave thanks to God for his blessings.
Truly a man for all people to aspire to be like.

[Jason Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is hard to believe in today's time that stories like this are just now coming to light. I am in awe of the major's leadership, love of his men, the love of his family, and how he kept all of it together while leading one of the most lethal units of the Vietnam War. He broke many barriers and I am glad to see that he is getting the recognition that he deserves. This man is a legend and there is something we can learn from him. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is remotely interested in any of the areas that this book covers. Again, just an amazing read!

[Sway Ruti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal story of a Marine who kept beating the odds, not only to achieve personal success, but to pull the men he was leading through some do the most spiritually trying times. Night recommend reading this if you want a true story of heroism and inspiration.

[andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

He should have the Medal of Honor...I'm not expert on all the actual war and military stuff but what an incredible story. I found out about him on a backroad in Bishopville SC where he was born. A fantastic military and cotton museum there along with a freedom train rail car. Worth the stop.