H.R. 3377: To 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.
Sponsor
Ralph Norman
Republican · SC-5
Bill Progress
Latest Action · Mar 4, 2026
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Why it matters
This matters now because Congress is making a rare exception to let the President consider the nation’s highest military award for Vietnam-era heroism decades after the usual deadline passed.
H.R. 3377 is a narrowly written bill with a simple goal: remove the legal deadline that would normally block a Medal of Honor award for James Capers, Jr. The bill does not automatically give him the medal, but it authorizes the President to do so despite the normal time limits in federal law.
The bill is about acts of valor during March 31 through April 3, 1967, in the Vietnam War. Those actions were previously recognized with the Silver Star, which is the military’s third-highest award for valor. This legislation opens the door for that earlier recognition to be upgraded to the Medal of Honor, the highest U.S. military decoration.
That makes this bill unusual but not unheard of. Congress sometimes passes one-off measures for old military cases when supporters argue that a service member’s actions deserve a fresh look, especially if deadlines, missing records, or historical inequities may have gotten in the way. In practical terms, this bill is less about changing military policy across the board and more about creating an exception for a single veteran.
The broader significance is symbolic as much as legal. It shows Congress is willing to revisit long-settled military awards when there is a strong case that extraordinary bravery was not fully honored at the time. It could also encourage continued review of other historic valor cases, even though this bill itself applies only to James Capers, Jr.
What does H.R. 3377 do?
Waives the normal deadline
The bill sets aside the usual legal time limits that would normally prevent a Medal of Honor from being awarded so long after the Vietnam War.
Applies to one named Marine
The bill is written only for James Capers, Jr., not for veterans generally.
Lets the President make the award
It authorizes the President to award the Medal of Honor under existing law, but it does not require the President to do so.
Targets specific Vietnam War actions
The authorization covers acts of valor by Capers during March 31 through April 3, 1967.
Builds on a prior Silver Star
The bill ties the possible Medal of Honor to the same actions for which Capers had already received the Silver Star.
Who benefits from H.R. 3377?
James Capers, Jr.
He gets a legal path to be considered for the Medal of Honor even though the normal deadline expired decades ago.
Capers family and supporters
They gain official recognition of a long-running effort to secure the highest possible honor for his wartime actions.
Vietnam veterans seeking overdue recognition
The bill signals that Congress is open to revisiting older valor cases when there is evidence the original award may not have matched the service member’s actions.
Marine Corps and military history advocates
They benefit from a public reaffirmation that extraordinary battlefield bravery should be recognized, even many years later.
Who is affected by H.R. 3377?
The President
The President receives explicit authority to make the award despite the usual legal restrictions.
Department of Defense and military awards officials
They may need to support the final review, documentation, and implementation of the award decision.
Congress
Lawmakers are using a private, case-specific bill rather than changing the broader medals system for everyone.
Other veterans with old valor claims
They are indirectly affected because this bill may raise expectations for similar exceptions in other delayed awards cases.
H.R. 3377 Common Questions
Can James Capers Jr. still receive the Medal of Honor decades after Vietnam?
Yes. Under H.R. 3377 (Section 1(a)), Congress authorizes the President to award James Capers, Jr., the Medal of Honor despite the usual time limits.
Does H.R. 3377 automatically award the Medal of Honor to James Capers Jr.?
No. Under H.R. 3377 (Section 1(a)), the President is authorized to award it, but the bill does not itself confer the Medal of Honor.
What dates of valor does H.R. 3377 cover for James Capers Jr.?
According to H.R. 3377 Section 1(b), it covers acts of valor from March 31, 1967, through April 3, 1967, during the Vietnam War.
Which medal did James Capers Jr. already receive for the actions in H.R. 3377?
Under H.R. 3377 (Section 1(b)), the actions were previously recognized with the Silver Star.
Does H.R. 3377 waive the normal Medal of Honor deadline?
Yes. Under H.R. 3377 (Section 1(a)), the award may be made notwithstanding the time limits in 10 U.S.C. 8298(a), 10 U.S.C. 8300, and any other medal-award deadline.
Can other veterans use H.R. 3377 to bypass military award deadlines?
No. Under H.R. 3377 (Section 1(a)), the authorization is specific to James Capers, Jr., not a general rule for other veterans.
Which branch did James Capers Jr. serve in under H.R. 3377?
According to H.R. 3377 Section 1(b), the bill concerns acts of valor by James Capers, Jr., as a member of the Marine Corps.
Is H.R. 3377 only about James Capers Jr.'s Vietnam War service?
Yes. Under H.R. 3377 (Section 1(b)), the authorization is tied to his Vietnam War acts of valor during March 31 to April 3, 1967.
What law would the President use to award James Capers Jr. the Medal of Honor?
Under H.R. 3377 (Section 1(a)), the award would be made under the authority of 10 U.S.C. 8291.
Does H.R. 3377 override other legal time limits on military medals for James Capers Jr.?
Yes. According to H.R. 3377 Section 1(a), the authorization applies notwithstanding any other time limitation on awarding medals to Armed Forces members.
Based on H.R. 3377 bill text
HR3377 Legislative Journey
Action Taken
Mar 4, 2026
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Passed
Mar 3, 2026
Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S767)
+1 more action this day
Sent to Senate
Feb 4, 2026
Received in the Senate, read twice.
House: Passed
Feb 3, 2026
On passage Passed without objection. (text: CR H1967)
+6 more actions this day
House: Committee Action
May 13, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
About the Sponsor
Ralph Norman
Republican, South Carolina's 5th congressional district · 9 years in Congress
Committees: the Budget, Rules, Financial Services
View full profile →
Committee Sponsors
Armed Services Committee
0 of 57 committee members cosponsored
No committee members have cosponsored this bill
30 Republicans across this committee haven't cosponsored yet. Mobilize their constituents
H.R. 3377 Quick Facts
- Committee
- Armed Services
- Chamber
- House
- Policy
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Introduced
- May 13, 2025
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Mar 4, 2026
Official Sources
Official bill page with full text, actions timeline, and congressional status for the bill authorizing the Medal of Honor for James Capers, Jr.
The statute under which the President would award the Medal of Honor. Authorizes the award for naval service members who distinguish themselves by gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty.
The time limitation statute that HR 3377 waives. Normally requires the Medal of Honor to be awarded within five years of the act of valor, with a recommendation filed within three years.
The second time limitation statute waived by HR 3377, which sets a five-year deadline for presenting military decorations.
The committee to which HR 3377 was initially referred and from which it was discharged by unanimous consent on February 3, 2026.
Press release from bill sponsor Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC) announcing Senate passage, with details on Major Capers' heroic actions near Phu Loc, Vietnam in 1967.
Congressional Record documenting the Senate's unanimous consent passage of HR 3377 on March 3, 2026, clearing the bill for presidential action.
Machine-readable bill status data from the Government Publishing Office, tracking all legislative actions from introduction through Senate passage.
H.R. 3377 Bill Text
“To 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.”
Source: U.S. Government Publishing Office
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