House approves authorization of Medal of Honor for retired ENC Marine; NDAA now goes to Senate

WASHINGTON, D.C. (WITN) - The National Defense Authorization Act approved by the House on Wednesday authorizes the president to award a high honor for a retired Eastern Carolina Marine that many feel is long overdue.

It was back in June that WITN reported on the efforts to award retired Major James Capers, Jr. of Jacksonville the Medal of Honor for numerous acts of valor while serving as a member of the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War.

The act, which now goes to the Senate for approval, authorizes President Trump to bestow that honor. Once it passes the Senate, it will be up to the president to do that.

You can watch the story WITN did with retired Major James Capers, Jr. here.

correction: A previous version of this story stated that the NDAA had passed Congress. It has passed the House and still needs to be passed by the Senate.