James Dougherty (November 16, 1839 – November 25, 1897) was a United States Marine who received the Medal of Honor for his actions in 1871 during the United States expedition to Korea, while serving as a private aboard USS Benicia.

Private Dougherty was one of 15 United States sailors and Marines who received the Medal of Honor for this little known American military action.

Dougherty enlisted in the Marine Corps at Philadelphia on July 31, 1869, and retired on August 22, 1893.

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 USS Carondelet.

This biographical article related to the United States Marine Corps is a stub.