James Robert KalsuFirst LieutenantA BTRY, 2ND BN, 11TH ARTY RGT, 101 ABN DIV Army of the United States 13 April 1945 - 21 July 1970 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Panel 08W Line 038 |
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Photo used with permission from the Buffalo Bills |
The database page for James Robert Kalsu
Bob Kalsu is the only professional football player to have died in the Vietnam War. He was the Bills' Team Rookie of the Year in 1968. I only met him once, when he met with several high school football players. I don't remember his exact words, but I remember how good I felt after his encouraging words. It was shortly after the newspapers announced that he would be going into active duty and probably to Vietnam. Bob became my idol as I continued to play high school football. I wanted to follow in his footsteps, including the military, until the city was shocked by his death. By the time I graduated from college, the war was winding down and the draft was over, so I went on with my life without joining the military. Bob was a great example to many young men. May he rest in peace.
Ron Winston |
I first met Bob at Townsend Elementary School in Del City, Oklahoma, when I was in the sixth grade when he substituted for our class. He would come out at recess and play basketball with us and we of course had to get his autograph because we all knew what a big football star he was. To us at the time it was a joyous time we got to spend with one of our own local heros who was both kind and gentle and generous with his time. It seemed all so innocent at the time. I remember when I found out about Bob's death. At the time I didn't understand why it had to happen. I know now the ultimate sacrifice he paid so that we all can enjoy the freedoms we have today. Thanks to you, Bob, for being my hero all these years.
From |
He could have joined the National Guard like Steve Owens and not gone but he did it the right way. He went to Vietnam in November 1969 the same as I, but I was only 20. We were both in artillery. He was famous, I was nothing. I came home, he didn't. He is a real hero!
From a fan, |
I never met Big Bob Kalsu, but he was DEFINITELY one of my favorite Sooners back in the late 1960's. Why? Because if you take a look back at just about every picture there is of the man, one thing is immediate: his SMILE! This big man, who could be ferocious on the football field, ALWAYS seemed happy. He was perhaps the biggest OU player on that 1967 team that surprised us all by going 10-1 and winning the Orange Bowl. Big Bob wore #77 and I was thrilled when he was drafted by Buffalo after his senior season. I remember hearing about his death in Vietnam and, at age 13, I was VERY sad. But thank goodness for NFL Films and Sports Illustrated. Because of incredibly moving stories on Bob Kalsu put together by Steve Sabol & Co. and William Nack with the magazine, now MANY Americans who had never heard of Bob feel like they know him and they respect him and HONOR him - as do I. Not normally a Vietnam historian, I decided to visit the traveling "Vietnam Wall Experience" just last week in Bob's hometown of Del City, OK. I went to find one name - on the west side of the Wall, panel #8, line #38... "James R. Kalsu". I scratched it off and will keep it with me for the remainder of my days - hoping to be just HALF the man this true American and Oklahoma HERO was ... and continues to be today.
From a fan during his college football days, |
My sons and I just watched a presentation on ESPN regarding Mr. Kalsu. It was very inspiring and heartbreaking all at the same time. God Bless him and his family.
From just an ordinary guy, |
First of all I would like to say Lt Kalsu was a great officer who did his job the way it should be done. When he came to C Btry, 2/11th Artillery in September of 1969 he wanted to learn and be the best he could be. Even though Lt Kalsu was a pro football player you would not know it by the way he was just an soldier doing his job. We all learned that he was a pro football player. He was asked lots of times what he was doing in Vietnam. He said he was no different than any of us. I have talked to his son who lives in Oklahoma City by phone - he is very nice man. I called NFL Films and asked them to send copies of him playing to the Pratt Museum at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. They did - it was great. I did not know of Bob Kalsu being killed until I got back to the states. I was at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. When I left he was still with C Btry but then was transferred to A Btry after they lost their Commanding Officer. I sure was sorry of his loss as I have said before. God Bless his family.
From a friend and fellow member of the same unit, |
I am proud to say that I served under Lt. James Kalsu at Firebase Arsenal in 1970. We had a ground attack by enemy sappers one night and the whole hill was lit up with everyone running pell-mell to their posts. Lt. Kalsu made his rounds during the night, seeing to everyone's security and was very much in control of the situation. He never barked out orders that I can remember, but carried a voice of authority that was matched by his character and genuineness as "one of the men." I was stunned by hearing he was killed. I dedicate a poem I wrote to his memorial and to men like him who served with the 101st Airborne, 11th Field Artillery:
As a man
Larry Taylor |
I served with Lt Kalsu from approximately Jan 1970 until his transfer to Ripcord around May of that year ... as best I can recall. We served first at FSB Arsenal, a 10 day raid to FSB pistol, and then FSB Tomahawk. I was an FDC section chief and he was then the battery XO of C, 2/11th arty. I was only an E-4 but he treated me as well as others as friends and equals. We played cards, wrestled, laughed and in general made the best of a bad situation in our spare time. He was a first class officer who knew his business especially during combat fire missions and kept everyone on their toes. He was in many ways a mentor to me and a great example of a leader to men. In 2002 my son and I went to the Fort Campbell dedication of the building to him. It was awe inspiring with the Army band and big brass and all. I met his wife and children and showed off the one picture I had of him and they seemed geniunely glad to have met someone from one of his old units. I have often regretted not going to Ripcord with him when I had the chance and he offered. It was a very sad day when we got the news ... and for quite some time afterwards.
Yours Truly, |
I have just returned from Iraq and ran convoys in and out of Forward Operating Base KALSU. I am privileged to read about the hero that the FOB was named after. I have several pictures of the sign that was placed there in memory of Lt Kalsu if anyone would care for a copy, please feel free to contact me. Gunny Davis 5/14
GySgt Davis, USMC |
Kalsu's story touching and tragic.
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Though athletic halls of fame are sometimes criticized because they induct players "based on their actions on the field of play, not off it", ignoring any antisocial behavior if the player was a star, the American Football League Hall of Fame has inducted players not only because of their sports prowness but because of their off-field contributions to their nation and to humanity. Bob Kalsu was such a man, and he is an honored member of the AFL Hall of Fame.
From an American Football League Archivist, |
I am proud to have served with LT Kalsu in Vietnam in June and July of 1970 on Firebase Ripcord. I was new to the unit and the first person I met when I got of the chopper was a lieutenant with a big smile and a strong hand shake. Even though all hell was about to break loose he made us a little bit more comfortable. He was great with all of the guys in the unit and he gave us all respect. He was one of the few officers I have met that would hump ammo and he could carry three 155 rounds at a time. I was real sad the day he got hit as were all of us. The unit wasn't the same afterwards and even today I still think of him. All my best goes out to his family. Thinking of you still, LT.
John Beadle |
I played football with Bob ... Great guy, was loved by all on the Del City "Eagle" Team. 1963 State Champs. I will always remember Bob as a kind and just great person. I am going to see the Wall on Saturday just to visit an old friend. I will always remember our youth.
From a school and team mate, |
I'm a 35 year old black, and British. I have always held Vietnam vets in the highest respect. It's a hidden event in the UK which nobody talks or knows about. I always take the chance to educate people on the Vietnam war. The things you men had to go through and witness. I stumbled upon the story of the great James Roberts Kalsu recently and like many others of the same, it blew me away. I will take this on and tell of him to my friends and to my children. So much I want to say but I don't want to cause offence on this sensitive subject. Just know that he will never be forgotten. All my love to his family.
Andre Martin Luke Thomas |
Some people seem destined to be larger than life, heroic, if you will. Bob Kalsu was one of these individuals. He was admired and well loved by all of us, his classmates in Del City, Oklahoma. He always had a smile for one, no matter who you were or what your station. A hero on the football field and finally on the battlefield, Bob Kalsu is recalled with love by those of us who had the privilege to know him, and celebrated still by those who never met him.
From a classmate at Del City High School, |
Notes from The Virtual WallBob Kalsu was an All-America tackle at the University of Oklahoma and an eighth-round draft pick by Buffalo in 1968. He was a starting guard in 1968 and was the Buffaloes' top rookie. Following the 1968 season he entered the Army to satisfy his ROTC obligation and arrived in Vietnam in November 1969. He was killed in action on 21 July 1970 at Ripcord Base near the A Shau Valley. Sergeant David E. Johnson of Humnoke, Arkansas, died in the same attack.
1LT Kalsu had one child, a daughter. At home in Oklahoma City, his wife Jan gave birth to their son, James Robert Kalsu Jr., on 23 July. Mrs. Kalsu was informed of her husband's death hours later. Kalsu was inducted into the Football Hall of Fame on 13 April 2000. He is remembered on the Buffalo Bills web site, The American Legion web site, and the cover story of Sports Illustrated magazine July 23, 2001.
Another former professional football player died in Vietnam - Air Force Major Donald T. Steinbrunner died when his UC-123 aircraft was shot down on 20 July 1967. |
The point-of-contact for this memorial is someone who met him - just once, Ron Winston E-Mail address not available |
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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Memorial first published on 6 Oct 2001
Last updated 03/26/2008