Corporal Spears was a veteran of World War II. In Korea, he was a member of the 7th Reconnaissance Company, 7th Infantry Division. He was Killed in Action while fighting the enemy in North Korea on 19 December 1950. His remains were not recovered. His name is inscribed on the Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial.

For his leadership and valor, Corporal Spears was awarded the Silver Star Medal, the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation, the Republic of Korea War Service Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.