America’s military men and women are legendary in part because of their readiness to go wherever they are needed. In 1983, Lake-area veteran Michael “Butch” Bayer was called as a young man to take part in a major operation on a small island in the Caribbean.
Bayer served as an E-4 Corporal in the 82nd Airborne Division of the United States Army. He was stationed at Fort Bragg, NC when he was first called to serve his country in Grenada, during Operation Urgent Fury. He was immediately flown to the Salines Airport on the Caribbean island of Grenada, located 100 miles north of Venezuela.
Bayer says he joined the Army at the age of 19 to obtain an education and to see the world. He was fresh out of jump school and Advanced Individual Training when he was called into Operation Urgent Fury.
Operation Urgent Fury was deemed necessary after a call for aid from the Organization of American States. Grenada had been rocked by a bloody military coup, and a medical facility filled with American medical students was considered imperiled. Ronald Reagan was president at the time.
“We dropped into the Salinas Airport and got things ready for the soldiers,” Bayer said. He had been trained by the Army as a truck, tank and generator mechanic. “We kept things operational for the troops,” he added.
In addition to the 82nd Airborne, Army Rangers, Navy SEALs and others moved on Grenada. The combined force totaled 7,600 troops from the United States, Jamaica and members of the Regional Security System. The invasion consisted of a low-altitude airborne assault by the 75th Rangers on Point Saline’s Airport on the southern end of the island. A Marine helicopter and amphibious landings came in on the northern end at Pearl's Airfield shortly afterward.
In less than two months, the operation ended. Militant leader Hudson Austin was deposed and Governor-General Paul Scoon appointed a temporary government until elections were held in 1984. Grenada now celebrates “Thanksgiving Day” as a national holiday, on the date of the invasion.
After the operation in Grenada, Bayer was stationed in Europe in 1985, for three years. He again served his country as a mechanic on foreign soil. He had requested to be stationed in Europe because he was interested in seeing the region and meeting the people. Bayer’s unit guarded the Zweibruken Air Base, a NATO airbase in West Germany assigned to the Royal Canadian Air Force and the US Air Forces. While stationed at the Zweibruken Air Base, Bayer maintained and repaired equipment and demonstrated American mechanical technologies for our allies.
Corporal Bayer worked side-by-side with soldiers from the German and European Armies. They lived, trained and did other activities together. “I made a lot of new friends and I still keep in contact with 50 percent of them, many on Facebook,” Bayer said. A military reunion is planned for June 2014 at the Lake of the Ozarks.
On the lighter side, while in Europe, Bayer enjoyed attending the European festivals. “Europe has the best food and beer,” he said. The food reminded him of German dishes his grandmother Sophie cooked for him as a child. She had immigrated to the U.S. from Germany in 1928. While in Europe, Bayer rediscovered some of his ancestral roots and met a few of his German cousins.
After leaving Europe in 1988, Bayer was stationed again at Ft. Bragg where he continued his mechanical occupation.
He retired from the Army and moved to St. Louis, where he lived from 1989 – 2001. He worked there in his family’s hardware store. He married Grada in 1994 and they have one daughter, Sophie (named after Grandma Sophie), and a step-daughter Whitney Goodmon.
The couple moved to the Lake and started their own business, A-1 Plumbing and Electric, in Sunrise Beach where they enjoy boating and fishing on the Lake in their leisure time.
Bayer says he joined the American Legion Zack Wheat Post No. 624 in Sunrise Beach because he believes in their mission. He is currently the American Legion Second Vice Commander and his wife Grada serves as the legion’s bartender. Grada was named Woman of the Year by the Legion’s Women’s Auxiliary in 2010.
According to legion.org, the American Legion is a patriotic veteran’s organization devoted to mutual helpfulness and is the nation’s largest veteran’s service organization, committed to mentoring youth and the sponsorship of wholesome programs in our communities, advocating patriotism and honor, promoting strong national security, and continued devotion to our fellow service members and veterans.
The legion’s activities raise funds for local veteran’s programs and high school scholarships. “Sometimes we are able to help veterans who are just down on their luck,” Bayer said. The legion also helps with funerals, hospital visits, and community patriotic assemblies. There is also a local service officer available to assist veterans with accurately completing benefit documents and assuring they receive the benefits they deserve.
Another branch of the legion is the American Legion Riders—members who are also motorcycle enthusiasts. They can be found participating in parades, partaking in motorcycling events, and supporting the community.
“It is a great organization because they help so many veterans,” Corporal Bayer said. The national organization sends representatives to Washington, D.C. where they fight for veteran rights with the support of the local legions. The American Legion points to its significant political influence perpetuated by its grassroots involvement in the legislation process from local districts to Capitol Hill.
The atmosphere at the post is one of true congeniality. As the Second Vice Commander, Bayer is in charge of entertainment. A few of the upcoming activities he is organizing include:
- A Turkey Shoot with cash prizes held at noon every Saturday in November.
- Bingo at 5:30 p.m. every Thursday and 11 a.m. on Saturdays
- Excursions to the Isle of Capri Hotel and Casino in Booneville
- A potluck and sports on television every Sunday, as aired.
Non-members are welcome to participate in fundraisers, and anyone with a family member who served in the military can join the Sons of the American Legion or the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary.
In light of his experiences, Bayer encourages youth to join the military. “Everyone should spend some time in the military. It is very hard work but it teaches you discipline, responsibility, self-sufficiency and it makes you a better overall person,” he said, adding he is trying talk his daughter into enlisting. “The military trains you for business and life,” he concluded. “They invest a lot of money in you and they treat you good.” The military can also help pay for college. The legion has a service officer available at the local post to speak with anyone interested in joining the military.
For more information about the American Legion, joining the military or post activities, call 573-374-6091.
