James Carey was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of America's highest military decoration — the Medal of Honor.

Carey was born in Ireland in either 1844 or 1847, depending on the source.

He later served in the U.S. Navy, entering the service from New York City in 1866.

In 1868, while a member of the crew of USS Huron, he saved three fellow crewmen from drowning and was awarded the Medal of Honor.

[2] He later served aboard the USS Kansas, and also saved another sailor from drowning.