WILLIAM F. GARRITY, LTJG, USN

William Garrity '59

Date of birth: April 2, 1936

Date of death: January 8, 1962

Age: 25

Lucky Bag

From the 1959 Lucky Bag:

WILLIAM F. GARRITY

Waterbury, Connecticut

Fourteenth Company

Bill showed a great desire to lead, as was evidenced by his tactful way of expressing his opinions and proving their worth. When he decided something was worthwhile, he put forth his best effort to achieve it. This is the way Bill got his N star at the pistol range and might well be how he was the first of his class in the company to become engaged. Bill's endeavor in the academic field, although not outstanding, was always more than adequate. Representing his company and battalion classmates kept Bill busy, as did weight lifting, sailing, and wrestling.

He was also a member of the 4th Battalion staff (fall), the 14th Company staff (spring), as well as the pistol team.

WILLIAM F. GARRITY

Waterbury, Connecticut

Fourteenth Company

Bill showed a great desire to lead, as was evidenced by his tactful way of expressing his opinions and proving their worth. When he decided something was worthwhile, he put forth his best effort to achieve it. This is the way Bill got his N star at the pistol range and might well be how he was the first of his class in the company to become engaged. Bill's endeavor in the academic field, although not outstanding, was always more than adequate. Representing his company and battalion classmates kept Bill busy, as did weight lifting, sailing, and wrestling.

He was also a member of the 4th Battalion staff (fall), the 14th Company staff (spring), as well as the pistol team.

Loss

William was lost on January 8, 1962 when the F4D Skyray he was piloting crashed shortly after takeoff from USS Shangri La (CVA 38). He was a member of Fighter Squadron (VF) 13, operating from Mayport, Florida.

Other Information

From the June-July 1962 issue of Shipmate:

Bill is remembered for his leadership as a member of the Brigade Executive Committee and as 14th Co. Sub-Commander and Battalion Adjutant. He also was awarded an N-Star on the pistol team and participated in varsity sailing. He is survived by his widow Barbara and daughter Cathy who was two years old in March.

From researcher Kathy Franz:

He graduated from Taft School in 1954. In his junior year, he was member of the Press Club, lettered in Varsity Wrestling, and was captain of the Junior Varsity Wrestling squad. (That year, the actor James Franciscus graduated from Taft.)
In 1955 he was named to the Naval Academy by Rep. James T. Patterson (R.) Fifth District, Connecticut. William was an alternate the year before.
His parents were Mr. and Mrs. Francis Garrity.

He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.