Emile Stockreiser's story is that of a boy with a big dream: to become a pilot with the US Air Force.
From Beckerich to the great wide world
Born in 1938, Emile Stockreiser grew up in Beckerich. After completing primary school, he spent a year at the secondary school in Mamer, before beginning an apprenticeship with CFL. Afterwards, he joined the Luxembourg army, where he became a sergeant. There, he developed a fascination with flying.
As Stockreiser passed away in 2006, his brother Norbert consented to give an interview in order to tell Emile's story.
"He was always strong-willed. Once he got an idea in his head, he saw it through to the end."
Achieving his American dream
The way to the USA became clear to Stockreiser thanks to a colleague at CFL, whose brother was serving in the US army at the time. In order to leave for America, Stockreiser needed his father's written permission as he was still under the age of 21.
But there was another hurdle to overcome: the language. Emile didn't have any formal education, says his brother; instead, he received a gramophone and some records with English language courses. Night after night he listened, practised, recited, until he had mastered the sentences, says Norbert.
In 1960, Emile boarded a plane bound for the USA, without knowing if his plan would succeed.
From new recruit to jet pilot
Stockreiser began his military flight training in San Antonio. It was difficult, both physically and mentally. He had to show his superiors that the young Luxembourger with a strong accent could manage to compete with Americans and pilots from around the world.
In 1964, Stockreiser achieved a diploma at the University of Arizona, and two years later he completed his pilot's licence. This was the moment where the boy from Beckerich saw his dream come true, says Norbert.
Stockreiser was posted at bases in South Carolina and Cambridge in the United Kingdom, where he also gave training to other recruits.
Deployed to Vietnam
In 1969, belonging to the US Air Force stopped being a mere job and became a mission, as Stockreiser went to war. He was dispatched to Vietnam, where he flew over enemy territory as a reconnaissance pilot.
During one of these missions, his plane came under heavy fire. But instead of turning back, he completed the manoeuvres, collected the images and data he'd been sent to get, and returned safely, says Norbert, who received regular letters from his brother. For this feat, Stockreiser was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, a medal bestowed upon just 1,400 pilots across the globe.
Cold War and life in Europe
After Vietnam, Emile was sent on further sensitive missions, such as monitoring Russian activity in Potsdam during the Cold War – a job requiring precision, discretion and courage.
In 1974 he married Ingrid, a pharmacist from Berlin, and became stepfather to her daughter Christine. They lived in South Carolina and Potsdam, always in the vicinity of military bases. But Norbert says he never forgot his roots. "Every time he came home to Beckerich, it was as if he had never left."
Retired, but not grounded
After leaving the US Air Force, Stockreiser settled near Garmisch-Partenkirchen, practically next door to a US base.
As a pensioner, he planned a trip to Hawaii in 2006, but suffered a stroke during a stopover in Atlanta. Tragically, he passed away several days later at the age of just 68.
