Captain America is a symbol, not just a hero. The character represents standing up for the American people and fighting for what’s right. Steve Rogers is the person behind the mask, most of the time, since he first appeared in 1940. However, in the main Marvel Universe, not including alternate timelines or parallel universes, Rogers wasn’t the only Captain America. Many other men have taken on the role in the 76 years the character has been around.

Steve Rogers

Of course, Steve Rogers is the first person you think of when “Captain America” comes to mind. He fought on the frontlines of World War II. He’s died and come back to life. Most recently, he had his powers stripped and restored to him. Steve Rogers has been through more than any other person to have worn the costume.

Isaiah Bradley

During World War II, the US Army tested the super soldier serum on 300 black soldiers, in a story that echoed the horrors of the Tuskegee Experiments. This was called “Project Rebirth.” Seven men survived the experiment and were shipped off to war. One of these men was Isaiah Bradley, who was arrested and given a life sentence for stealing Captain America’s spare uniform and using it in battle. Bradley was pardoned after 17 years and his grandson, Patriot, is a currently a hero in the Marvel Universe.

William Nasland: Spirit of ’76

Whenever Steve Rogers died, quit, or disappeared, someone always wore his costume to keep the spirit of Captain America alive. William Nasland was the first man to do so, after Captain America went MIA towards the end of WWII. President Truman asked the hero known as the Spirit of ’76 to wear Cap’s costume to fight the rest of the war. Nasland wore the costume for two years, before being killed by a robot.

Jeffery Mace: Patriot

Back in 2010, the Captain America: Patriot mini-series retconned a bit of Captain America’s history. It told the story of Jeffery Mace, who portrayed the hero Patriot during WWII. After Nasland’s death, Mace picked up the Captain America mantle, even though he had no powers. Mace retired as Captain America and had Steve Rogers at his bedside, later in life, when Mace died of cancer.

William Burnside AKA Steve Rogers: Grand Director

Not every person who wore the Captain America outfit was sane. William Burnside was infatuated with Steve Rogers. Burnside found the super soldier serum while in Germany. The US Government found out and gave him a costume to wear, so Burnside could fight the good fight during the Korean war. Burnside had the powers of Rogers, so his next step was to get plastic surgery to look like him and to legally change his name to Steve Rogers. After the war, Burnside lost his mind and tried to kill people and himself. He also attempted to kill Bucky Barnes and tried to get Bucky to wear his costume from World War II.

Roscoe Simons

Steve Rogers had some problems with the US government, particularly the way the Watergate scandal was handled. Rogers walked away from the mantle and eventually became Nomad. Roscoe Simons took over the role of Captain America for a few issues, right up until the Red Skull killed him.

John Walker: U.S. Agent

Steve Rogers abandoned the role of Captain America again, after the government became too controlling of his actions. A super-powered wrestler named John Walker was given the role. However, he didn’t have the mental strength that Rogers had, and Walker snapped when his parents were murdered. Walker killed his parents’ murderers, which tarnished the mantle Rogers spent years building. Walker was assassinated and Rogers came back and became Captain America once again. Later, Walker returned, in secret, as the hero U.S. Agent.

Frank Castle: The Punisher

After the death of Steve Rogers, Frank Castle took on the role as Captain America, unofficially. Castle idolized Rogers and his ideals. When Rogers died, there was a brief time where no one took on the mantle, so Castle made his own suit to honor Roger’s memory. It did not last long.

Bucky Barnes: The Winter Soldier

Bucky Barnes was originally Steve Rogers’ sidekick during WWII. Later, Barnes became the brainwashed assassin, the Winter Soldier. Rogers made Barnes remember who he was, so after Rogers died, Tony Stark gave Barnes a note, which asked him to become the next Captain America. Barnes remained Captain America for some time, even when Steve Rogers returned from the grave, but much of his time as Cap was spent on trial for the crimes he committed as the Winter Soldier.

Sam Wilson: The Falcon

When Steve Rogers had his powers stripped from him, his partner, Sam Wilson (aka Falcon), took over the role of Captain America. Wilson tried to stand for the same ideals as Rogers, but the two butted heads on a few issues. Currently, Rogers has his powers back, but Wilson continues to wear the Captain America costume.