Private First Class Garrett was a member of the 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. He was seriously wounded by the enemy in South Korea on 3 September 1950 and returned to duty on 11 September 1950. He was wounded again on 12 September 1950 and returned the following day. He was Killed in Action while fighting the enemy in South Korea on 18 September 1950.

Garrett was awarded the Purple Heart with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.