By Deborah Reed
WKTV Managing Editor
deborah@wktv.org
Veteran Mike Bacon recently stepped into the recording studio with James Smither, Director of the GVSU Veterans History Project, to talk about his experience in the Vietnam war.
After receiving a notice from the draft board that he would soon be drafted into the war, Bacon chose to enlist in the United States Army so he could participate in Officer Candidate School (OCS).
Bacon began basic training in spring of 1966 at Fort Dix in New Jersey, then moving into Advanced Individual Training (AIT) at Fort McClellan in Alabama before being assigned to Mannheim, Germany as a Signal Corps Officer with the 97th Signal Battalion of the 7th Army.
Founded by Major Albert J. Myer in 1860, the U.S. Signal Corps was a small organization with members scattered among the Army’s various posts. With the rise of telecommunications, signaling duties became increasingly complex and integral to military operations.
Today, the Signal Corps consists of approximately 68,000 men and women.
Assigned as a platoon leader of the 97th Signal Battalion, Bacon eventually became Headquarters Company Commander. After two years stationed in Germany, he was discharged at Fort Dix in 1969.
Life as a civilian consisted of various jobs that allowed the military veteran to travel throughout the U.S. Bacon’s travels eventually led him to Michigan where he served at East Kentwood High School as an English teacher until his retirement.
For Bacon, however, retirement does not require sitting still.
Owner of Loon Tracks since 1985, Bacon is still heavily involved in photography, videography, and writing.
In conjunction with WKTV Community Media, Bacon produces “Whittlin’ Time,” a show based around wood carving and related skills. He has also volunteered on countless WKTV productions as camera operator, audio technician, graphics engineer, technical director, director, and helped maintain computers and software in the editing bays.
Bacon said his time in the Signal Corps gave him confidence in himself and his abilities.
