Aviation Electronics Technician Third Class Byars was a crew member of a P2V Neptune patrol bomber with Patrol Squadron 22. On 18 January 1953, his aircraft was struck by enemy fire and had to ditch in the Formosa Straits. He was rescued by a Coast Guard plane but it overturned on take off because of rough seas. He was listed as Missing in Action on 18 January 1953. He was presumed dead on 19 January 1954.

Byars was awarded the Purple Heart, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.