Benjamin Franklin Hardaway

Colonel, U.S. Army

Medal of Honor Recipient

Spanish-American War

Colonel Benjamin Franklin Hardaway (17 July 1865 - 9 July 1955) was a U.S. Army officer who received the U.S. military's highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor, for his heroic actions during the Spanish-American War.

Benjamin Franklin Hardaway was born 17 July 1865 in Benleyville, KY. After entering the Army as a Private, he worked his way up to the rank of Sergeant while in Company C, 17th U.S. Infantry. On 31 July 1891 he was promoted to the rank of Second Lieutenant and then to First Lieutenant 26 April 1898 before being sent to fight in the Spanish-American War with the 17th U.S. Infantry. While his unit was fighting at El Caney, Cuba, on 1 July 1898, he received the Medal of Honor.

Medal of Honor

Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Company C, 17th U .S. Infantry

Place and date: El Caney, Cuba, 1 July 1898

Citation: Gallantly assisted in the rescue of the wounded from in front of the lines and under heavy fire from the enemy.

Hardaway remained in the Army after the war and was promoted to the rank of Captain on 2 February 1901. He achieved the rank of Colonel before he left the Army.

Death and Burial

Colonel Benjamin Franklin Hardaway died on 9 July 1955. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA, in Section 2, Lot 1044-1.