GARRETT, Elmer Earl

GARRETT, COTTER, EDWARDS, DAVIS

Posted By: Elaine Harrington (email)
Date: 5/18/2006 at 23:08:20

The Tabor Beacon
January 11, 1945

Word was received Friday morning, January 5, that Lt. Elmer (Bud) Garrett had been killed in action in the South Pacific on Sunday, December 3, 1944. He was pilot of a P-38 fighter plane.

Lt. Garrett had been slightly wounded some time previous to his death when he made a crash landing in the water. At that time, he was out of action for approximately two weeks and on October 1 had about 100 combat hours to his credit.

He received his commission and became a second lieutenant on January 7, 1944 at Williams Field,Chandler, Arizona. He had further training at Lalinia, California, Redmond and Portland, Oregon, and Santa Maria, California, before going overseas six months ago. He was sworn into the service July 7, 1942.

Lt. Elmer Garrett, son of the late Elmer Garrett and Ruth Garrett, was born May 7, 1918, southwest of Tabor, and had spent his entire life in the Tabor vicinity prior to entering the armed services. He attended the Thurman school for the first seven years, then moving to Tabor, he entered the Tabor schools, and was graduated from Tabor high school with the class of 1936.

He was one of the many Tabor high school athletes who cared most for basketball and always played a good game. He also played with the Johnson's Clothes Shop team for a number of years after finishing school.

Lt. Garrett was employed at Johnson's Clothes Shop for six years prior to his enlistment in the air corps.

He was married January 11, 1944 to Miss Helen Cotter, daughter of Mrs. Lina Cotter of Tabor, at Seneca, Kansas. She went with him to California and remained with him until he left for overseas duty six months ago.

Lt. Garrett was a member of the Tabor Congregational church and the Masonic lodge.

He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Helen Garrett; his mother, Mrs. Ruth Garrett; two sisters, Mrs. Hugh Edwards of Glenwood and Mrs. Edgar Davis of Ventura, California; and a brother, Robert, a junior in Tabor high school.

A very beautiful memorial service for Lt. Elmer Garrett was conducted by Rev. R. O. Barber Sunday morning at the Congregational church. A lovely bouquet of flowers from friends and a lighted candle in his memory were arranged on the altar.

Rev. Barber spoke words of commendation for Lt. Garrett's gallant service. He was the second member of the Congregational church to sacrifice his life for his country and freedom.