"Roy" was unable to send home his promised gifts for everyone.

Charles L. Garretty, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Garretty, was born in Santa Cruz, California on November 2, 1893. Charles, who soon acquired the nickname "Roy," resided in the family home on Water Street with his three brothers and two sisters. Upon completing his formal education, the San Vicente Lumber Company employed Roy as a "steam engineer" at their logging camp in Swanton.

Garretty's introduction to the army began with his draft registration in June 1917. His induction records described him as being of medium height and stature with brown hair and brown eyes. He was among the last of the county residents to be inducted and left Santa Cruz on Easter Sunday 1918, for Camp Lewis, Washington. While at the camp, he wrote home about his marksmanship and noted that, "out of 60 shots he made 48 good ones."

Private Garretty was assigned to the 361st Infantry Regiment of the 91st Infantry Division and left for France in July 1918. While in France, he sent a brief letter home along with silk handkerchiefs as souvenirs and promised that in his next letter he would include gifts for everyone. In September he participated in the St. Mihiel Offensive and in October his unit moved into the Meuse Argonne Region.

“October 9: The 361st Infantry and the 347th Machine Gun Battalion advanced at 9:40 o'clock, October 9, the right assault battalion reaching the base of Hill 255 under heavy artillery and machine gun fire from the two crests north of them. Many casualties were suffered. At 11 o'clock, wounded men from the right flank combat liaison detachment reported that the 125th Infantry (32nd Division), on the right of the 181st Brigade, had not advanced abreast of them. Further advance being impossible the new line was held, the men digging in and waiting until the resistance from Hills 269 and 255 could be reduced by artillery. Meanwhile Hill 269 was reconnoitered by patrols and was attacked by the 1st Battalion, 361st Infantry. The crest was seized and held at 16 o'clock. Under artillery-fire protection the 3rd Battalion, 361st Infantry, seized Hill 255, after fighting all afternoon, about 18 o'clock and dug in.”

When the armistice was declared on November 11, there was relief in the Garretty household because they expected that Roy would be coming home; however, on November 23 the family received a telegram informing them that he had been killed on October 9, 1918. Private Charles Garretty was buried in the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery at Romagne, France.

(CAG; 91st Div Publication Com., San Mateo CA 1919, Story of the 91st Division, books.google.com/books?id=3tIMAAAAYAAJ, [16 September 2008]; WWIDR; ABMC; SCSf November 23, 1918 1:8; SCSn November 24, 1918 5:3)