Gary enlisted in the Navy in January 1955 at the age of 17. He and 4 of his friends from Pierce were part of a group of 128 recruits who joined the Navy in a mass enlistment of a Cornhusker company through the Norfolk recruiting office. They reported to the navy office in Norfolk on January 11, 1955. They were taken to the Naval Personnel Office in Omaha where Capt. J. F. Flynn, Sixth Recruiting Area inspector administered the oath. The Nebraskans then boarded two chartered planes and flew to San Diego, California for 9 weeks of boot training. His active service time started on January 14, 1955.
  After being home on leave from March 29 to April 13, Gary reported to Norman Oklahoma where he was enrolled in Airman Class P School. He completed the course of study there on June 10. On June 17 he arrived at Memphis, Tennessee to begin training there at the Naval Air Technical Training Center for Aviation Machinist's Mate Class School. He completed that school on November 14. From Nov. 16 to Dec. 3, 1955 he was home on leave. On Dec. 3, 1955 he arrived at Moffet Field near San Fransisco, California. He had various training sessions as follows:
Dec. 5 - 20, 1955 - El Centro, Calif.
Dec. 21 - Jan. 7, 1956 - Moffett Field
Jan. 8 - 21 - on board U.S.S. Lexington CVA10
Jan. 22 - 28 - on board U.S.S. Wasp CVA18
Jan. 29 - Feb. 10 - Moffett Field
Feb. 10 - 17 - on U.S.S. Yorktown CVA10
Feb. 18 - 24 - El Centro
Feb. 25 - Mar. 2 - on U.S.S. Yorktown CVA10
He had leave again from March 3 - March 15. On March 16, 1956 he boarded the U.S.S. Yorktown for a 6 month tour. On March 19 they left from Alameda, Calif. and arrived at Ford Island Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on March 24. The ship left Ford Island on April 9, crossed the International Date Line on April 12, and arrived in Yokasuka, Japan. Left Japan on April 25 and arrived at Bucknas Bay, Okinawa on April 29. Left Okinawa on April 30 and went to Sasabo, Japan arriving there on May 7. Left Sasabo on May 14 and arrived at Kobe, Japan on May 18. Departed Kobe on May 21 and arrived at Bucknas Bay, Okinawa on May 24. On May 25, 1956 the Yorktown met up with the Wasp, Princeton Oriskany, Shangri La for Operation Seahorse. On June 2 they left Okinawa and arrived at Subic Bay, Phillippines on June 5. Left Subic Bay on June 18 and went on to Manilla Bay. Departed Manilla Bay on June 21 and arrived at Hong Kong, China on June 25. Left Hong Kong on June 30 and arrived back at Manilla Bay on July 5. Back to Bucknas Bay, Okinawa on July 13 and Yokasuka, Japan on July 22. Departed Aug. 3 and arrived at Bopper, Japan on Aug. 7. Left there August 10 and arrived at Kobe on Aug. 18. Left Kobe on Aug. 22 and got to Yokasuka on Aug 24. On Sept. 6 left there and got back to NAS Alameda, Calif. on Sept. 13 1956. Gary was then stationed at Moffett Field NAS from Sept. 13 to Feb. 1, 1957. He was home on leave in November. He married Marilyn Buss on Nov. 26, 1956 and left on Nov. 27 to report back to duty at Moffett Field. He was again in training at El Centro from Feb 1 -14, China Lake from Feb. 14 -24, Moffett Field Feb. 24 -27, and Fallan, Nevada from Feb. 26 - Mar. 6. He was home on leave in May, 1957. Gary and wife Marilyn then left for Corpus Christi, Texas. He reported for duty at NAS Cabaniss Field. He was promoted to AD2 on June 16, 1957. He was at Corpus Christi until Oct. 7, 1958 when his active service time was done. He was in Navy reserves until Jan. 13, 1963 when he was honorably discharged.