John was born on the 6th of July, 1864 in Boston, Massachusetts. Ate the age of 20, John enlisted in the US Navy and it was his actions during the Spanish-American War that would earn him the Medal of Honor. The citation reads:

On board the USS Marblehead during the operation of cutting the cable leading from Cienfuegos, Cuba, 11 May 1898. Facing the heavy fire of the enemy, Doran set an example of extraordinary bravery and coolness throughout this action.

John would continue to serve in the Navy, until his death at the age of 39 on the 16th of February, 1904. Two US ships and two elementary schools were named after John and his nephew, Charles Watters, would also earn the Medal of Honor for his actions in the Vietnam War. John James Doran is buried in the Saint Patricks Cemetery in Fall River, Massachusetts.