Awards Medal of Honor Other work Medal of Honor Died November 22, 1918 Unit USS Marblehead | Role Medal of Honor Name William Oakley | |
Born August 8, 1860
Colchester, England ( 1860-08-08 ) Allegiance United States of America Rank Gunner's Mate First Class | ||
Battles/wars Spanish–American War Service/branch United States Navy Battles and wars Spanish–American War | ||
William Oakley (August 8, 1860 – November 22, 1918) was a gunner's mate second class serving in the United States Navy during the Spanish–American War who received the Medal of Honor for bravery.
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Biography
Oakley was born August 8, 1860 in Colchester, England, and emigrated to the United States in 1880. He enlisted in the Navy from New York around 1890 and was sent to fight in the Spanish–American War aboard the U.S.S. Marblehead as a gunner's mate second class. He was later promoted to gunner's mate first class, his burial place is unknown.
He died November 22, 1918 in his hometown of Colchester, England. His grave can be found in section B-2-65, Wivenhoe Cemetery.
Medal of Honor citation
The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Gunner's Mate Second Class William Oakley, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in action on board the U.S.S. Marblehead during the operation of cutting the cable leading from Cienfuegos, Cuba, 11 May 1898. Facing the heavy fire of the enemy, Gunner's Mate Second Class Oakley displayed extraordinary bravery and coolness throughout this period.