Called up for compulsory military service on 30 March 1948, Henri had previously worked as a painter at Regenwetter’s painting company in Luxembourg City. For basic training, he joined the IInd Battalion in Bitburg, Germany.
Six months later, he was released from active duty. In September 1950, he volunteered for the first contingent in the Korean War, as his uncle and brother had fought in the Second World War, and he was eager to emulate them. When his first term came to an end in October 1951, he rejoined for a second term. According to his military records, two more terms followed, making him stay in Korea for 4 years straight, until 10 April 1954. It appears that he was integrated into a Belgo-Luxembourgish contingent dedicated to peace-keeping missions after the armistice on 27 July 1953. 

During his time in Korea, he married a Korean wife and apparently owned a pet monkey. The moment he was ordered back to Luxembourg, he filed for divorce and left everything behind. 

Back home, he was released from active military service on 3 May 1954.  Later, he worked as a bill-ticker for the company Publicité Maurice Benoy.