Special Forces History

James Robert "Bob" Kalsu was an esteemed member of the United States military. A veteran of the Vietnam War, he made the ultimate sacrifice of giving his life for his country. While most used their celebrity status and wealth to avoid going to war, Kalsu, an offensive lineman in the National Football League, chose to commit to active duty. A Second Lieutenant in the United States Army, he served from 1969-1970. Tragically, only eight months after joining the fight, Kalsu was killed in A-Shau Valley, Vietnam.

Milton Olive III is one of our American war heroes. He began his military career in the mid-1960s and after completing basic training, became part of an infantry battalion in Vietnam. In the midst of battle, Olive sacrificed his own life for those of his comrades. He covered a grenade with his body, thus minimizing injury and saving the lives of the four others in his squad. As a result, Olive lost his life in battle and was later bestowed the Congressional Medal of Honor, the highest military recognition one can receive in war.

"I never thought it would be a foregone conclusion that I would be seeing a fight when I entered the Teams. I thought that perhaps I would get the chance to answer that call, but I never knew for sure until today. I hope that I never get in a rough situation, but if I do, I hope I will have the courage to see it through." Less than four years later, on June 28, 2005, Matthew Gene Axelson answered his own question.

Pat Tillman left his career with the Arizona Cardinals and enlisted in the United States Army in June 2002 in response to the September 11 attacks. His service in Iraq and Afghanistan, and subsequent death, were the subject of much controversy. Tillman joined the Army Rangers and served several tours in combat before he died in the mountains of Afghanistan. Initially, the Army reported that Tillman had gunned down by enemy forces. But the truth would be revealed later.

World War II was by far one of the most significant wars of all time. Ripples of the splash this war made on history are still being felt today. Even more so than its predecessor, this was the most comprehensive global war. The focal point is the European battle front but there was just as much, if not more in Asia and even in Africa and the Americas.