Dougherty enlisted in the Marine Corps from Philadelphia on 31 July 1869, and retired on 22 August 1893. He is buried in Cypress Hills National Cemetery, Section 6, Grave 12374. Many online sources quoting Dougherty"s citation include significant verbiage identical to that of Seaman John Henry Dorman actions during the American Civil War, to include service on board the United States Ship Carondelet.
He received the Medal of Honor for actions during the Korean Expedition, while serving as a private aboard United States Ship Benicia. His Medal of Honor was issued on February 8, 1872, under General Order Number. 169. Private Dougherty was one of fifteen United States sailors and Marines who received the Medal of Honor for this little known American military action. There appears to be some confusion about James Dougherty"s This may indicate an erroneous early transcription of Dougherty"s award citation, which appears immediately after Dorman"s in early books listing Medal of Honor recipients, that has subsequently been repeated by various web sites.
