Private James Dougherty, a Marine in the U.S. Marine Corps, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on June 11, 1871 in Korean Forts, Korea during the 1871 Korean expedition. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Benicia. Dougherty was 31 years old.
11 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day.
Dougherty was born on November 16, 1839 in Langhash, Ireland — one of 258 recipients born in Ireland. His Medal of Honor is credited to Pennsylvania. Dougherty died on November 25, 1897, at the age of 58. He is buried at Cypress Hills National Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York.
Dougherty is one of 15 Medal of Honor recipients from the 1871 Korean expedition and one of 380 credited to Pennsylvania.
Official Medal of Honor citation
On board the U.S.S. Benicia in various actions of that vessel. Wounded several times, Dougherty invariably returned to duty, presenting an example of constancy and devotion to the flag.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Battles and campaigns
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Pennsylvania →
Timeline
- November 16, 1839Born in Langhash, Ireland
- June 11, 1871Act of valor — Korean Forts, KoreaAge 31. U.S.S. Benicia
- November 25, 1897DiedAge 58.
- Resting placeCypress Hills National CemeteryBrooklyn, New York
Biography
James Dougherty (November 16, 1839 – November 25, 1897) was a United States Marine who received the Medal of Honor for his actions in 1871 during the United States expedition to Korea, while serving as a private aboard USS Benicia. His Medal of Honor was issued on February 8, 1872, under General Order No. 169. Private Dougherty was one of 15 United States sailors and Marines who received the Medal of Honor for this little known American military action. Dougherty enlisted in the Marine Corps at Philadelphia on July 31, 1869, and retired on August 22, 1893.
From the Wikipedia article “James Dougherty (Medal of Honor)”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
