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Robert Joseph "Bob" Betz 1924 - 2018

BETZ, MCVICKER, CAMPOS

Posted By: Connie Swearingen -Volunteer (email)
Date: 2/21/2018 at 17:49:40

Sioux City Journal
21 January 2018

San Antonio, formerly Sioux City

Robert Joseph "Bob" Betz, formerly of Sioux City, passed away on Jan. 11, 2018.

Services were held Jan. 20 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in San Antonio. In respect to his service to the United States, his final place of rest will be in Arlington National Cemetery, Washington, D.C. A rosary was held on Jan. 19 at the church.

He was born in Sioux City, on Sept. 19, 1924. He was raised as a Catholic and was devout his entire life. He attended St. Joseph School and graduated from Trinity High School in 1943.

After graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, and was transferred to the U.S. Marine Corps. He was highly decorated for his World War II heroics. He was awarded his first purple heart for the Battle of Pelileu. The First Marine Division to which he was attached, was awarded their first Presidential Unit Citation for extraordinary heroism at the Battle of Pelileu.

He was shot on April 12, 1945 during the Battle of Okinawa and he was awarded his second Purple Heart Medal. The following day, he returned to battle and was shot in his back, leg and arm He was awarded a Silver Star Medal for his bravery. He was the only survivor of his medical corps.

For his heroism that day, Bob was awarded the Silver Star Medal citation in the name of the president of the United States and the U.S. Marine Corps. The Silver Star Medal Citation states, "that while pinned down by heavy Japanese machine gun fire, and without regard to his own safety, Robert Joseph Betz ran from man to man, exposing himself to constant enemy fire, rendering first aid to the wounded and though shot and badly wounded himself, he refused to be evacuated and continued to provide aid to others until orders were given that he receive treatment." The First Marine Division (7th Marines, 2nd Battalion) to which he was attached was awarded their second Presidential Unit Citation for extraordinary heroism at the Battle of Okinawa.

Beginning in 1946 and until he was the lone remaining member, on April 1 he would call each of the eleven Marines of his troop who also survived on April 12-13, 1945.

After World War II ended, he returned to Sioux City married, and worked for several years. Bob then embarked on his lifelong career with the U.S. Government working in South Dakota, France, New Jersey, Texas, and Colorado.

While working with the U.S. Government in 1957, he was assigned to Bordeaux, France. It was there that he found a love he would carry with him for the rest of his life…red wine.

After reassignment to New Jersey with OSHA in 1960, He relocated to Denver in 1971 and completed his career there. Recently he and his wife relocated to San Antonio.

He married Claudia McVicker in1946. They divorced in 1971. He was married to Alicia Campos Betz from 1991 until his death.

He is survived by his wife, Alicia Betz; as well as numerous nieces and nephews in Texas. He was always very close to his brother Bill's family and is survived by nieces and nephews, Barbara Ann (Mike) Swanson, Mary (Brad) Howard, Bill Betz, and Tom (Julie) Betz, all of Sioux City, and Kevin Betz and Gerit Mulder of Chicago, Ill.

He will be reuniting with his parents, Robert and Emily Betz; his brothers, William Betz and Richard Betz; sister-in-law, Marilyn Betz; and niece, Patty (Bob) Thompson.


 

Woodbury Obituaries maintained by Greg Brown.
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