ONE of Wivenhoe’s “invisible” war heroes has finally been laid to rest with respect under a special Medal of Honour headstone.

Last year when action began to properly commemorate US Navy veteran William Oakley, his grave in Wivenhoe cemetery was marked only with a wooden cross.

Now, the Congressional Medal of Honour recipient has a special headstone, commissioned by the US Veterans’ Association 100 years after his death in 1918, aged 61.

Wivenhoe town mayor Bob Needham said: “We’re proud Wivenhoe’s William Oakley was one of those heroes serving the US who were granted the Medal of Honor.

“As it’s an American military decoration, holders of the medal are usually buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia.

“Because of this, only a handful, including William, are commemorated with memorial stones sited in the UK.”

Wivenhoe has become one of only ten of these sites.

The project was initiated by former Wivenhoe councillor Chris Singleton last year.

Since then William’s extraordinary story of heroism continues to unfold.

A spokesman for the council’s William Oakley Memorial Group said: “Historians have been working with town councillors and discovered William emigrated to the USA in 1880, aged 23, and joined the US Navy in 1890.

“During the Spanish-American War, he was one of a small group of seamen and Marines who took part in a decisive and daring exploit to cut the large undersea communications cables linking well-defended Spanish headquarters in Cuba with Spain and the rest of the world.

“For his part in this memorable action, William’s citation from the US President, in the name of Congress, reads: ‘For extraordinary heroism in action 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, Gunner’s Mate Second Class Oakley displayed extraordinary bravery and coolness throughout this period’.”

William retired from the Navy in 1911, returning home afterwards to spend his final years in Wivenhoe.

A ceremony of dedication will be held at the graveside close to the 100th anniversary of his death on November 22.

This will bring together US and British military personnel, veterans’ associations, civic dignitaries, church representatives and community groups.

It is also hoped some descendants of the Oakley family will be there too.

For more information, email Suzanne Bacon, of Wivenhoe Town Council’s William Oakley Memorial Group, on suzannebacon@btinternet.com.

READ MORE: SPECIAL HONOUR FOR US NAVY HERO