Following college [University of Maine], Gary entered the U.S. Army as a Second Lieutenant and was sent to Ft. Benning, Georgia, where he excelled in paratrooper training, receiving his jump wings in 1965, and further attended infantry school. From January 1966 to December 1967, he was stationed in Germany. In January 1968, he was promoted to Captain and sent to Panama for jungle warfare training before deploying to Vietnam for a tour of duty. Gary landed in Vietnam during the Tet Offensive, one of the most intense chapters of the war. In life and death, he consistently placed loyalty to his comrades above all else. His fighting spirit was evident in countless moments, including running through heavy enemy fire to rescue the wounded. For his extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, Gary was awarded the Silver Star Medal, three Bronze Star Medals, the Army Commendation Medal and the Air Medal. Gary devoted over 30 years to the United States Army, serving six years on active duty and 25 years in the Army Reserve, where he retired as Colonel