“Uncommon Character: The Legacy of James Robert Kalsu”

F2010.108.1.055

This work was filmed and edited by videographer Nathan Livingston, narrated by the voice of the Sooners, Toby Rowland, and is dedicated to the memory of those who died or whose lives were forever changed by combat at Fire Support Base Ripcord in Vietnam in July 1970.

The 33-minute GLM3 Productions documentary was written by former Oklahoma State Representative Gary W. Banz and chronicles the life and character of Del City native James Robert Kalsu.

Kalsu earned All-State and All-American recognition as a football player at Del City High School and Oklahoma University. After playing a rookie season with the Buffalo Bills in 1968, Kalsu honored his OU ROTC active duty commitment. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Army Field Artillery and assigned duty with the 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam.

On July 21, 1970, Kalsu became the only active professional athlete to die in combat in Vietnam after a mortar round hit his position. He was posthumously awarded a Bronze Star and Purple Heart.

“The reality of war silenced his voice but launched a legacy of Uncommon Character.” Enjoy this All-American hero story.

Cover photo provided by Stephen Toney.

Creator: GLM3 Productions

Extent (quantity/size): 0:32:58

Media: video/mp4

To inquire about licensing or purchasing a high resolution digital file contact the Oklahoma Historical Society Film Archives https://www.okhistory.org/research/film