James Benson
United States Navy Medal of Honor recipient
About James Benson
Lived 1845 – 1890 (aged 44–45). James Benson was an American and Danish enlisted navy sailor.
James Benson (c. 1845 – August 4, 1890) was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor.
Biography A native of Denmark, Benson joined the U.S. Navy from Yokohama, Japan. By June 20, 1872, he was serving as a seaman on the . On that day, he jumped overboard and attempted to rescue Landsman John K. Smith from drowning. For this action, he was awarded the Medal of Honor four months later, on October 10.
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Important facts
People in James Benson's life
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Frequently asked questions
Who was James Benson?
United States Navy Medal of Honor recipient
When was James Benson born?
James Benson was born in 1845 in Denmark.
When did James Benson die?
James Benson died on 4 August 1890.
What was James Benson's occupation?
James Benson was an enlisted navy sailor.
What nationality was James Benson?
James Benson was American and Danish.
Sources & further reading
· DBpedia: James Benson (Medal of Honor)
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). James Benson. https://biography.guide/james-benson/
MLA: "James Benson." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/james-benson/.
Chicago: "James Benson." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/james-benson/.
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