Asa Betham

Asa Betham (c. 1838 – unknown) was a sailor in the U.S. Navy during the American Civil War. He received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Second Battle of Fort Fisher on January 15, 1865.

Asa Betham
Born	c. 1838 New York City, New York, USA
Allegiance	United States of America Union
Service / branch	United States Navy Union Navy
Rank	Coxswain
Unit	USS Pontoosuc (1864)
Battles / wars	American Civil War  • Second Battle of Fort Fisher
Awards	Medal of Honor

Military service

Betham enlisted in the Navy from New York City in July 1861, and was assigned to the Union side-wheel gunboat USS Pontoosuc (1864).

On January 15, 1865, the North Carolina Confederate stronghold of Fort Fisher was taken by a combined Union storming party of sailors, marines, and soldiers under the command of Admiral David Dixon Porter and General Alfred Terry. Betham was a member of the naval storming party.

Medal of Honor citation

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Coxswain Asa Betham, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving on board the U.S.S. Pontoosuc during the capture of Fort Fisher and Wilmington, North Carolina, 24 December 1864, to 22 January 1865. Carrying out his duties faithfully during this period, Coxswain Betham was recommended for gallantry and skill and for his cool courage while under the fire of the enemy throughout these various actions.

General Orders: War Department, General Orders No. 59 (June 22, 1865)

Action Date: January 15, 1865

Service: Navy

Rank: Coxswain

Division: U.S.S. Pontoosuc

See also

• List of American Civil War Medal of Honor recipients: A–F
• List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Second Battle of Fort Fisher

References

• "Asa Betham". Hall of Valor. Military Times. Retrieved June 9, 2010.