Betham enlisted in the Navy from New York City in July 1861,[1] 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.

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.

59 (June 22, 1865) Action Date: January 15, 1865 Service: Navy Rank: Coxswain Division: U.S.S.