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Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

First Sergeant · U.S. Army

Benjamin Kaufman

First Sergeant Benjamin Kaufman, Army, received the Medal of Honor for actions on October 4, 1918 in Argonne Forest, France during World War I.

World War I October 4, 1918

First Sergeant Benjamin Kaufman was a soldier in the U.S. Army who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on October 4, 1918 in Argonne Forest, France during World War I. At the time he was serving with Company K, 308th Infantry, 77th Division. Kaufman was 24 years old.

3 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on May 1920, 2 years after the action. Governors Island, New York presented by Gen. Pershing.

Kaufman was born on March 10, 1894 in Buffalo, Erie County, New York. His Medal of Honor is credited to Brooklyn, Kings County, New York. Kaufman died on February 5, 1981 in Trenton, New Jersey, at the age of 86. He is buried at Fountain Lawn Memorial Park in Trenton, New Jersey.

Kaufman is one of 132 Medal of Honor recipients from World War I and one of 678 credited to New York.

Official Medal of Honor citation

He took out a patrol for the purpose of attacking an enemy machine gun which had checked the advance of his company. Before reaching the gun he became separated from his patrol and a machine-gun bullet shattered his right arm. Without hesitation he advanced on the gun alone, throwing grenades with his left hand and charging with an empty pistol, taking one prisoner and scattering the crew, bringing the gun and prisoner back to the first-aid station.

Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.

Battles and campaigns

Also served in: World War I.

Places

  • Born: Buffalo — map
  • Died: Trenton — map
  • Buried: Fountain Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in New York →

Timeline

  1. March 10, 1894
    Born in Buffalo, Erie County, New York
  2. October 4, 1918
    Act of valor — Argonne Forest, France
    Age 24. Company K, 308th Infantry, 77th Division
  3. May 1920
    Medal of Honor presented
    Governors Island, New York presented by Gen. Pershing
  4. February 5, 1981
    Died in Trenton, New Jersey
    Age 86.
  5. Resting place
    Fountain Lawn Memorial Park
    Trenton, New Jersey

Biography

Benjamin Kaufman (March 10, 1894 – February 5, 1981) was a First Sergeant in the U.S. Army during World War I. He received the Medal of Honor and the Croix de Guerre for bravery in action in the Argonne Forest, France on October 4, 1918.

From the Wikipedia article “Benjamin Kaufman”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →

Also honored for actions on October 4, 1918

James Jonas Madison Lieutenant Commander · Navy World War I · 1918 SM Sterling Lewis Morelock Private · Army World War I · 1918 Harold W. Roberts Corporal · Army World War I · 1918 ✦

More World War I recipients from New York

Matej Kocak Sergeant · Marine Corps World War I · 1918 ✦ FG Frank J. Gaffney Private First Class · Army World War I · 1918 Wilbur E. Colyer Sergeant · Army World War I · 1918 ✦ Matej Kocak Sergeant · Marine Corps World War I · 1918 ✦ William Joseph "wild bill" Donovan Lieutenant Colonel · Army World War I · 1918 PD Parker Francis Dunn Private First Class · Army World War I · 1918 ✦
Sources. Service and award details compiled from the recipient record of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Wikidata and Wikipedia. The narrative summary is generated from these records. Spotted an error? Send a correction.