In May 1950, Marcel was called up for compulsory military service. He later volunteered for the first contingent, set up by governmental resolution in September 1950. After he had passed the paratrooper training camp in Beverloo, Belgium, he waved Europe goodbye on 18 December 1950 and would not return until October 1952. Having served for a total of 654 days, he was one of the few volunteers who stayed in Korea to join the second contingent. While in 1951 Marcel was serving his section as a machine gunner and as an assault trooper, he was withdrawn from the frontline in 1952. Being assigned a driver, he was henceforth responsible for the transport of soldiers and higher military officials. 

He was released from the Army the day he arrived in Luxembourg on 1 October 1952. In the 60s and 70s Marcel worked part time as a driver for the coal dealer Pepin in Differdange.

Marcel’s life came to a tragic end, when he died in an accident in 1977.