James C. Putnam is a Notable burial at https://www.cem.va.gov/cems/nchp/fayetteville.asp.  He was an original founder of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the first National President of the VFW.  Putnam was a medic in the @U.S. Army with the 17th Regiment, before being transferred to the Medical Corps in July 1896. His disability claim shows he was also in E and F Companies of the 6th Cavalry Regiment. Records show he lived in Ohio where he founded the AVFS.

An excerpt of a letter to his mother was published in the Smith County Pioneer. It states he returned with the “71st Regiment” (numbers were likely transposed in news article) to New York. The 17th had supported the 1st U.S. Volunteer Calvary (The Rough Riders) during the Battle of Santiago. The published letter stated Putnam attended to the 17th's Commanding Officer, Lt. Col. Joseph Haskell when he was wounded in the battle. Putnam himself was wounded in helping Haskell.
https://www.vfw.org/media-and-events/latest-releases/archives/2016/9/vfw-day-celebrates-organizations-roots.
*The preceding content is not intended as a comprehensive biography, but it highlights their significance as a result of military or civilian distinction, lasting achievements, or association with impactful national events. 

Fayetteville National Cemetery

RIP Hero! Thank you for leading the way in the founding of the VFW!

JAMES C PUTNAM

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