California Stories

Orlow “Buzz” Garrett, San Diego

ORLOW “BUZZ” GARRETT
(Nominated by Ulysses Miller, Jr.)
USS MIDWAY MUSEUM
March 13, 2011

Orlow “Buzz” Garrett entered military service on September 4, 1943. Following basic training, he was deployed to Morocco and assigned to the 3rd infantry division. There Buzz and the 3rd ID boarded ships that would eventually take them to Naples, Italy. and start training for it mission, Operation “Shingle” which had the objective of an amphibious landing at Anzio, Italy and eventually the liberation of Rome. Buzz Garrett fought in seven campaigns as a rifleman in the 3rd ID: Naples-Foggia; Anzio; Rome-Arno; Southern France; Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace (eastern France);and Central Europe and in two Amphibious Landings: Anzio (southern Italy) and “Operation Dragoon” (southern France). PFC Garrett’s most significant operations were the Battle for Hill 616 just west of Katzenthal (in the Vosges Mountain); the pursuit of the Germans up the Rhone Valley into Besancon, France; and the “Colmar Pocket Operation” with the French 1st Army and the 5th French Armored Division culminating in the capture of Colmar, France. In addition to the Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster and Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, he received the French Croix de Guerre with Palm for action in support of the French in the capture of Colmar. On May 8, 2010, the nation of France awarded him with their highest award, the French Legion of Honor, given for outstanding achievement in military or civilian contributions to the nation of France.