EDERT, Norbert

Prior to his military service, Norbert had a variety of jobs until he discovered his true passion for the military. As a Soldat de 2e Classe, he served in the second contingent as an assistant machine gunner, radio operator and ammo bearer. During enemy bombings, he had to repair the telephone lines at the “KING” outpost, ensuring stable communications.

Once returned from Korea in 1953, Norbert remained in the Luxembourg Army for two more years. He first tried to join the Luxembourg Police, but eventually emigrated to the United States, where he joined the US Air Force as an Airman Second Class.

Initially, Norbert considered becoming a pilot, but his application was rejected due to his poor eyesight, so he decided to become an Air Marshal instead. He left the Air Force in 1959 and joined the US Army in 1960. In May 1964, he was sent to Vietnam and served with an air surveillance detachment in Can Tho, in the south of the country. He left Vietnam in 1968 and became an NCOIC at the 8th Infantry Division Headquarters in Bad Kreuznach, West Germany. In 1970, he again returned to Vietnam as a military advisor for the People’s Armed Forces in Chan Than District, Vinh Binh Province. In 1972, he left Vietnam for good.

After his retirement, Norbert visited his family in Luxembourg every year. In 2000, when Norbert was dwelling in Luxembourg during the Christmas holidays, the Luxembourg Army awarded him the honorary title of Caporal d’Honeur de l’Armée. He was the first ever to receive such an honor.