Corporal Autrey John Betar

1932 ∼ 2001

Corporal Autrey John Betar was only 17 years old and a student at Thomas Jefferson High School when he enlisted in the United States Army on August 5, 1949. He was deployed in the Chosin Reservoir area in Northeast Korea where he was a member of Company A, First Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division and 31st Regimental Combat Team. During the attack that started on November 27, 1950 against the United States troops stationed in North Korea many soldier lives were lost. They were sent into sub-zero temperatures, weapons jamming and awful conditions. Their infantry unit was surrounded and had to do a fighting retreat. Cpl Betar was reported missing in action on December 2, 1950. He was only 18 years old. Autrey was born on February 5, 1932 in Port Arthur, Texas to Robert A. Betar and Angel Wickly Betar. They were parents to six sons and one daughter. All of their sons proudly served in the United States Military. Over the many years after Autrey was reported missing his Dad stayed in constant contact with the military offices in hope of hearing some news of his son. The family had no closure and it was feared he had been captured and was a P.O.W. somewhere in Korea. Many presidents over the years had tried to persuade North Korea to return the remains of our servicemen killed during the war, but it was during a summit meeting in the summer of 2018 between President Donald Trump and North Korean Leader Kim Jong-Un that negotiations for the release of some of the remains of the United States servicemen killed during the Korean War was resolved. The 55 boxes of servicemen remains were sent to the Pearl Harbor Base in Hawaii where 20 of those have been identified. A graveside service with Full Military Honors will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, December 7, 2019 at Greenlawn Memorial Park under the direction of Levingston Funeral Home in Groves. Autrey is survived by one brother, Bruce Betar and wife Shirley and many nieces and nephews all of Nederland, Texas. A family member stated that they prayed Autreys return would give other military families hope that their loved ones will also be found and returned home. "This is truly a Miracle.....Autrey will be home for Christmas!"

Condolences

Levingston Funeral Home November 2, 2021
1 file added to the album Obituary Wall
Corporal Autrey John Betar August 4, 2020
Corporal Autrey John Betar
Anonymous January 7, 2020
Grateful for all service men and women that protect our country. My father in law was from Groves and served in Korea. We were lucky he was one that came back. It is wonderful that Corporal Autrey is back home now too!
Anonymous December 10, 2019
i will always love my great great uncle
Anonymous December 8, 2019
Thank you Cpl.Betar for your service to our country. Rest in peace.
Anonymous December 7, 2019
To the family and friends of Cpl. Autrey Betar, We thank God that this brave young soldier is now home and that his family will realize some final closure for his loss so many years ago. God bless you all. From his brother veterans of the Korean War, members of the Texas Lone Star Chapter, Korean War Veterans, Houston.
Anonymous December 6, 2019
It brings joy to my heart to hear of Autrey's return home to family. Sorry war has to happen. My best wishes to the Betar family.
Anonymous December 6, 2019
So grateful for this young man's service for our country! So glad his family finally have some closure as sad as the outcome is.
Anonymous December 5, 2019
I am so glad you finally have your soldier home. Every American today owes him and others like him a debt of gratitude for allowing us to have the freedoms we enjoy today. My deepest sympathy to his brother and other family members.
Anonymous December 5, 2019
My deepest sympathy for the Family of Corporal Betar and gratitude for his service and giving the ultimate sacrifice. Every time one of our soldiers is recovered that is considered missing in action it is a blessing. There is a song that says; Come, ye disconsolate, where'er ye languish, Come to the mercy seat, fervently kneel. Here bring your wounded hearts, here tell your anguish; Earth has no sorrow that Heav'n cannot heal. Joy of the desolate, light of the straying, Hope of the penitent, fadeless and pure! Here speaks the Comforter, tenderly saying, "Earth has no sorrow that Heav'n cannot cure." Here see the Bread of Life, see waters flowing Forth from the throne of God, pure from above. Come to the feast of love; come, ever knowing Earth has no sorrow but Heav'n can remove.