ERIC ON SPORTS: AMERICAN HEROES PART 2

Bob Kalsu

THE PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME

November 1, 1955: the war began between North and South Vietnam. There were approximately 58,220 American casualties and 303,644 wounded Americans. The U.S.A. first deployed combat units in 1964 to prevent Communist takeover of South Vietnam. Many American people opposed US involvement in the war but the U.S. would continue to be at war until August 15, 1973 when the Vietnam Peoples’ Army took control of Saigon. That was 40 years ago.

In working on my stories on American heroes I came across another great American athlete who was
also a great American. His name and story may not be as well-known as Pat Tillman’s but without a
doubt he was an American hero. His name was Bob Kalsu. On July 21, 1970 in Thua Thien, South Vietnam, Bob Kalsu was killed when his Army unit came under heavy enemy mortar fire. But before he went to fight in the scorching heat and jungle she had fought in a war, and much less dangerous and more popular war. This was the battle of the gridiron.

Born on April 13, 1945, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Kalsu played tackle on the University of Oklahoma football team where he was an All-American. In 1968 he was drafted by the American League’s Buffalo Bills in the 8th round. He started every game and was the team’s Rookie of the Year.

That would be his only year as a professional football player. After the 1968 season he entered the U.S. Army as a second lieutenant to satisfy his Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) obligations. In November of 1969 he arrived in Vietnam as part of the 101st Airborne Division of the U.S. Army. He was the only recently active professional football player to be killed in the Vietnam War. He was awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart for his service. He had a military base named after him in 2003. The base, known as For- ward Operating Base Kalsu, is located in Baghdad, Iraq. His name was also added to the Buffalo Bills wall of fame in 2000. Tillman and Kalsu were only two of America’s professional athletes that sacrificed their careers for their country. There were many more. I would like to honor all Americans who sacrificed for our country, from the 20-year-old killed in World War I to the soldier who lost both legs in Afghanistan.


Issues |Lifestyle|Sports|Veterans

information about New Signature, a Washington DC tech solutions and consulting firm

Advertisement

email updates

We believe ending homelessness begins with listening to the stories of those who have experienced it.

Subscribe

RELATED CONTENT