Norbert and David Shebish: I’m Proud of My Brother

By Stephanie Rizzardo, Honor Flight Chicago Veteran Interview Volunteer

Norbert and David grew up in the quaint town of Whiting, Indiana.  They come from a family of seven, with their mother also being from Whiting. Both Norb and David served in Vietnam but during different time frames due to the Sullivan Act. The Sullivan Act provided that members of immediate family would not be placed together in harm’s way. David — the younger of the brothers — served in the Marines first then Norb had his turn to serve while in the Air Force, with just a few months of their time served overlapping. 

Corporal David Shebish served from 03/03/1968 to 09/03/1970 and overseas from 09/01/1969 to 09/03/1970. His basic training took place in San Diego and Advanced individual training (AIT) was at Camp Pendleton. During basic training, David won Platoon Honor Man. This is a distinguished award only received when one Marine in their platoon has demonstrated the highest degree of discipline, proficiency, bearing, physical fitness, and basic leadership traits that exemplify the highest standards of the United States Marine Corps. David’s uniform was purchased by Leatherneck Magazine for being awarded Platoon Honor Man. While serving in Vietnam, David was an Infantryman and 81mm Mortars along with being a Squad Leader. 

When asked why David decided to join the Marines, at the age of 19, his response was he saw a guy in the uniform and thought he looked cool. David, coming from a tight knit family, chose not to tell his parents right away that he enlisted into the Marines to serve in the war. His mother found this out by the recruiter calling his mother to ask for David come back to the recruiting station to sign additional forms. As any mother would be, she was not happy about this, neither was his father. 

During David’s time in Vietnam, he explained the phases of emotions. He said, “of course we were scared. You had bullets coming at you, buzzing over your head in every direction, you didn’t know where they were coming from, how close they were you to.” He was told to just shut up, listen to other men who made it and you will make it. 

“After about three months of doing the same thing repeatedly, you just didn’t care anymore about what you were doing. The closer you got to going home, you would think to yourself, ‘I’m still around.’ The week before you got to go home, you weren’t allowed to go out to ensure you can make it home.” When asked what kept him going each day, David’s response was there was no option to quit, you had to keep moving forward. It helped to have letters from back home and cassette tapes from his girlfriend. 

When David got home from serving his time there were no parades, no big welcoming from crowds. His mother and brother picked him up from the airport. David’s father made a Welcome Home sign for him that read: Welcome Home from Vietnam, U.S. Marine, Job-Well-Done. David kept this sign until it deteriorated from age. The focus for David turned to civilian life” going to college and getting a job. David attended Indiana University and obtained a job at Inland Steel. After earning his degree, he secured a job in the accounting department. David then moved onto the accounting department at St. Mary’s for 10 years. After St. Mary’s, David landed at Direct Buy where he was able travel all over the county.  

At the age of 23, Norb enlisted with two buddies into the Air Force, serving from 2/19/1969 to 12/15/1972. Taking a different approach from his brother, Norb was upfront with his parents about joining, though they were still not happy with their second son deciding to join. When asked why he chose the Air Force, it was because this branch was closest to his college vocation, engineering. The Air Force provided Norb with the opportunity to do something mechanical, which he did. Norb work on planes to ensure they were combat ready. 

Norb was overseas from 07/29/1971 to 07/29/1972. Training took place at Lackland AFB, San Antonio, Tx and Sheppard AFB, Wichita Falls, Tx as an Aircraft maintenance specialist (43151A). 

The initial assignment for Norb was Wright Patterson AFB (AFLC) in Ohio. After O-2 training at Hurlburt Field in Florida, Norb was assigned to Phan Rang AB, RVN with 9th SOS (Psy Ops) maintaining O-2B aircraft used in the “Chieu Hoi” program from 07/1971 to 02/1972. 

From February 1972 through July 1972, Norb was stationed with 21st TAC ASPSQ at Tan Son Nhut AB, RVN as crew chief on O2-A forward air control Cessnas. His final assignment was Andrews AFB, Maryland (HQ COMD). During this time, he received a two-month early discharge to enroll in the 1973 spring term at Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN.

Norb shared an experience in Vietnam that still makes him smile today. Early Christmas morning 1971at Phan Rang, Norb was the only crew chief scheduled to work. His job was to preflight and launch his O2-B, which carried the pilot and a chaplain out to remote bases for Christmas Day services. The plane’s forward nose cone was repainted bright red, and the plane’s sound system, which normally was used to broadcast “Chieu Hoi” propaganda tapes at low altitude over the jungle, was set up to play Christmas carols en route to the bases. Once airborne, and with Christmas music blaring, the plane did a lap around the flight line and headed out over the jungle. It was quite the sight and experience. 

During Norb’s time serving, he was able to record voice letters that were sent to his wife. David was only able to make one phone call home, which he made to his parents so they knew that he was doing ok. 

Norb was married on August 16th, 1969. David was overseas and was unable to serve as Norb’s best man. One of the buddies Norb enlisted with stepped in to be Norb’s best man at his wedding.  When Norb was able to come home, he came home to a wife and a daughter that was one year old. Norb and his wife created a beautiful family with four daughters and two grandchildren. Norb and his wife now reside in Lowell, Indiana. 

When it was David’s time to get married, on October 1977, Norb was able to be his best man. David and his wife have two daughters and 3 grandkids. David and his wife are enjoying their retirement years while living in Crown Point, Indiana. 

When asked what advice they would give the young generation of today, David stated if you are going to join the military, to go in with a purpose. Don’t join the military just to sign up, have a reason and follow through with it. 

Norb’s advice he would like share is to decide on something to do and be the very best at it. Do not be afraid to do something beyond your comfort zone.  David and Norb were put into tough situations due to the timeframe they were born in. Events in South East Asia impacted their lives. Today’s generation needs to understand that the events going on today will have an affect on them. Do not think that events happening across the world won’t have an effect on you, because it will. Don’t sit back and close your eyes and hope it will go away, because it won’t. Make the tough decisions and live with that decision. 

Norb and David are going to experience their Honor Flight together. While listening to Norb and David share their stories, it is clear how proud Norb is of his brother for what he has done during his time in the Marines. Norb stated, “My job was to support others to be able to do their jobs.  I didn’t have weapons. My brother was put in dangerous situations, he made a big difference.” In regards to their flight, they both mentioned what an honor it is going to be go with a group of heroes. They are looking forward to being able to talk freely and meet others who have had similar experiences. They both agreed nothing they did was special, they are two men from a small town of Whiting who made the best decision at the time for them: to serve. 

While sitting with Norb and David, it was extremely apparent these brothers share of bond only brothers who served during wartime can have. Their banter and the bond they share were nothing short of amazing to witness. At the end of our time together, David stated that he is proud of his brother and he hopes his brother is proud of him. 

From everyone from Honor Flight Chicago to the Shebish brothers: Thank you for your sacrifices, for your valor, for the things you carry, for protecting us, for defending our rights and most importantly, Welcome Home.