Lieutenant Steele was killed when a bullet entered the left window of his helicopter, puncturing both lungs and cutting his spine. This occurred during the morning assault at Marble Mountain south of Da Nang. He died in route to Japan from Okinawa. Gary was Posthumously promoted to captain.

Gary did not serve in the 281st. However, subsequent to his death, his unit was infused into the 281st as the aerial weapons platoon. The highly revered Wolf Pack was borne out of Gary's 6th Aviation Platoon.

A MAN IS NOT DEAD UNTIL HE IS FORGOTTEN