Long time Soquel resident Richard Nutter recalls being instructed as a boy never to violate the sanctity of a small cluster of trees at the Soquel School dedicated to Fay Wyman.

Fay Mudie Wyman was born in Soquel, California, on June 14, 1892, to Adi and Anna Wyman. He was descended from early Soquel pioneers. Fay, along with his brother Rolland and sisters Laura and Ruth, grew up in Soquel where they were members of the local Congregational Church. He was graduated from Soquel Grammar School and Santa Cruz High School.

Following the completion of his formal education, Wyman worked as a salesman/driver for the Associated Oil Company of Madera, California. He continued to maintain his local residence and remained active in the Soquel Inter- national Order of Odd Fellows.

In June 1917 Wyman joined other young men of the county and registered for the draft. At that time he was described as being of medium height, slender build with black hair and brown eyes. While he noted that he had "weak arches and weak eyes," he did not apply for a draft exemption. On October 5, 1917, Fay Wyman was inducted into the army and accompanied other draftees from the county to Camp Lewis, Washington. Following basic training, he was transferred to Camp Kearney near San Diego and to New Jersey to await shipment overseas.

Wyman left for France in June 1918 and shortly after his arrival, joined the 59th Infantry Regiment of the 4th Division as it prepared to participate in the Argonne offensive. Fay wrote home describing how he had "been over the top twice, and did not receive even a scratch."

On December 14, 1918, his mother, Anna received the following telegram from the adjutant general at Washington, "deeply regret to inform you that it is officially reported that Private Fay M. Wyman died October 26 from wounds received in action." Ted Maddock, a member of the Wyman-Parrish family, indicated that the family history contained a different version of Fay's death. They were told that he was accidentally shot and killed by a fellow soldier cleaning a weapon.

Fay was initially buried in France but later returned to the US and was interred in Arlington National Cemetery. In recognition of his service the county's first Veterans of Foreign Wars post chose Wyman for their post name.

In 1923 five redwood trees were planted to form a star on the grounds of the Soquel School. In the center of the star is a stone monument with a bronze plaque recognizing Fay Wyman and Evan Marlin of Soquel who lost their lives in the Great War.

(CAG; USCR, 1910 US Census, CA, Santa Cruz; WWIDR; SCSf December 13, 1918 1:5; WEP December 14, 1918; SCEN October 29, 1923 4:4; USDVA)