 His first victory came on February 21, 1953, during his 18th mission as 335th FIS commander.Engaging a pair of MiGs in a "dogfight", Garrison was nearly shot down as he became too focused on his quarry and failed to detect a MiG closing in from behind, then became locked into a Lufbery circle.When the MiGs broke the circle and tried to escape, both he and his wingmen destroyed one.