First Sergeant James H. Turpin (c. 1846 – May 6, 1893) was an American soldier in the United States Army who served with the fifth U.S. Cavalry regiment during the Apache Wars.

Turpin was one of 12 men received the Medal of Honor for gallantry in several engagements with the Apache Indians in the Arizona Territory during Lieutenant Colonel George Crook's "winter campaign" between 1872 and 1873.

Turpin was assigned to frontier duty, and served with Company L of the Fifth Cavalry Regiment, seeing action during the Apache Wars and eventually reached the rank of First Sergeant.

Turpin was involved in heavy fighting in the Tonto Basin region, where Western Apache and Yavapais raiding parties had been active for many years.

He was one of 23 expedition members who were presented with the Medal of Honor, his citation reading "gallantry in actions with Apaches".