AMERICAN HERO: Major Capers shares powerful message to nation

Nearly six decades after heroically leading his Marines through an ambush in Vietnam, President Trump awards Major James Capers Jr. the Medal of Honor.

For his incredible valor, Jim was recommended for the Medal of Honor in 1967, and everybody knew he should get it.But life is life.His commanding officer, who was His biggest man was tragically killed before the paperwork was signed.Jim, the nation kept you waiting far too long.So I say to you, congratulations.You made it.

Thank you.

Major Capers is recognized as the father of Marine Corps Special Operations.He was the first African -American to lead a Marine recon company and receive a battlefield commission.And today, Major James Capers will be inducted into Pentagon's Hall of Heroes.And he joins us now.Major Capers, thank you so much for all your sacrifice and for coming on this morning.

It's an honor to be here.

Thank you.An honor to talk to you.What went through your mind yesterday when the president put this this Medal of Honor, placed it around your neck?

I got to tell you, you know, it was a difficult time for me because I felt a little guilty because I didn't really felt like I deserved it.But all of the men and women that served and I get to do something like this.It's a it's a wonderful day and I'm honored.

Well, you are so stoic.in these images.And I was watching this and thinking, I wonder if he's thinking about his friends, the men that didn't come home.

Yeah, you always think about that.You never turn that loose.And I lost a lot of good men in battlefields.And I fought two wars and suffered 19 bullet holes.And along the way out of the battle zones, my son died in my arms of appendicitis.And my wife of 50 years died of cancer.

So I had to survive that on type of losing wonderful Marines, special operation Marines in combat.So there's no real satisfaction in getting a medal when I've lost so much.

Wow.Wow.What did the military, how did the military help you get through so much tragedy?

Well, that's what the military does.We're one unit.When one falls, somebody else has to replace that one, that person who fell.So I feel honored to have the support that I find today.I'm honored and I give gratitude to the ones who made this happen.I can't say I'm happy to be here.

because this award belongs to a lot of young men who followed me and died in battlefields around this world for a country that we honor this flag.I appreciate that.

Well, Major Capers, I was reading about your story, and you led your team in Vietnam with broken legs.You had lost a lot of blood.You were trying to get your men with the helicopter, and you even offered, you volunteered, I'll get off this helicopter.If the helicopter's too heavy, I'll stay behind.

That's what you're supposed to do when your man is in peril and you have an opportunity to save your man.That's what I chose to do, to get off the helicopter, to lighten the load.so that my men can survive.I had a war dog named King, and we even brought a war dog.He was killed saving my life, and we brought him home.We didn't leave him there.

Even though the helicopter was overloaded, we took that chance.We had to do that.We never leave anyone behind.

Even the service dog that saved your life.We have a clip from your Fox We have a clip from your Fox Nation special.It's called The Iron Major, James Capers Jr.Here's a clip, watch this.

Okay.Everybody was wounded, killed my dog.Both my legs were broken.I was trying to stop the bleeding and my hands were full of blood and blood was in my boots.

But Capers stood fast.He maintained command of the situation.He immediately started redistributing ammo, called in air artillery mortars within 50 meters of his position.He stayed in the attack with two other Marines, and he pushed forward.And he went after them with rifle and grenade until they pulled back.

Major Capers, you're the type of man that we all want to be around.I want to just sit in a room with you and listen to you and learn from you.What advice do you have for America and for young people?

On a flag, it means that it's a joke.It's just something that we do.When one man falls, then another one picks up that rifle and drives toward the enemy, and that enemy must be defeated.That's an old adage that we use, and it's been successful for 250 years.

Major, thank you so much.God bless you.You're welcome.And I mean that.Thank you.May God bless all of your days.

Thank you for what you've done for our great country.Thank you very much.

You're welcome.