Captain Garza was a decorated veteran of World War II flying 53 combat missions in the Southwest Pacific. In Korea, he was the navigator of a B-29A Superfortress from the 371st Bomber Squadron, 19th Bomber Group, 307th Bomber Wing and flew 16 missions. On 22 July 1952, his aircraft caught fire northeast of Ocho-o, South Korea, and crashed. All thirteen airmen were killed.

For his leadership and valor, Captain Garza was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation, the Republic of Korea War Service Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.