James Edward Bassett III (October 26, 1921 – January 23, 2025) was an American executive in law enforcement and horse racing.

[1] Bassett graduated from Kent School in 1941 and Yale College.

He served as an infantry officer in 4th Marine Regiment of the 6th Marine Division in World War II and received a Presidential Unit Citation and two Purple Hearts for wounds sustained in combat during the Battle of Okinawa.

[5] He worked at Keeneland for over 40 years, and held senior positions, including president and chairman of the board.

This American horse racing biographical article is a stub.