William Oakley (Medal of Honor)

William Oakley (born August 8, 1860) 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.

Biography
Oakley was born August 8, 1860 in Colchester, England, and immigrated 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.

Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: Gunner's Mate Second Class, U.S. Navy. Born: 8 August 1860, Colchester, England. Accredited to: New York. G.O. No.: 521, 7 July 1899.

Citation:

"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, Oakley displayed extraordinary bravery and coolness throughout this period."