The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Benjamin Franklin Hardaway, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 1 July 1898, while serving with 17th U.S. Infantry, in action at El Caney, Cuba. First Lieutenant Hardaway gallantly assisted in the rescue of the wounded from in front of the lines and under heavy fire from the enemy.