Israel Putnam (January 7, 1718 (o.s.)-May 29,1790) was a general in the American Revolutionary War. He fought at the Battle of Bunker Hill.

Putnam was born in Salem Village (now Danvers), Massachusetts. In 1740 he moved to northeastern Connecticut. He died in Connecticut ten years after being forced to retire from military life due to a stroke.

During the French and Indian War he served in Roger's Rangers. He was captured and was saved from being burned at the stake to be exchanged for a French prisoner. He was later one of the few survivors of a shipwreck in another military expedition. He died in Brooklyn, Connecticut.

See also: List of places named for Israel Putnam