Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando
Memorial Day provides an opportunity to remember Pat Tillman, Bob Kalsu, Don Steinbrunner and the NFL's 23 players, coaches and executives who gave their lives during World War II. Tillman's death remains in the news. Kalsu, formerly of the Bills, and Stenbrunner, formerly of the Browns, died during the Vietnam War. The Pro Football Hall of Fame honors these men by listing their names and providing details about their deaths on this tribute page.
Sports Illustrated memorialized Kalsu in a 2001 cover story. Kalsu's daughter and pregnant wife, Jan, survived him. Their son, James Robert, was born days after Kalsu's death. The SI story includes a letter Kalsu wrote to his wife, Jan, before his death:
Dearest Janny Belle-
How're things with my beautiful, sexy, lovable wife. I love & miss you so very much and can't wait till I'm back home in your arms and we're back in our own apartment living a normal life. The time can't pass fast enough for me until I'm back home with all my loved ones and especially you Jan and Jilly and Baby K. I love and need you so very much.
The wind has quit blowing so hard up here. It calmed down so much it's hard to believe it. Enemy activity remains active in our area. Hopefully it will cease in the near future.
I'm just fine as can be. Feeling real good just waiting to hear the word again that I'm a papa. It shouldn't be much longer until I get word of our arrival....
I love you, xxx-ooo.
Bob
Steinbrunner's story remains less known, but Washington State University has posted an online memorial to its former standout linebacker and offensive right end. Virtualwall.org carries the obituary that ran in the Bellingham (Wash.) Herald. Steinbrunner left behind two daughters and a son when small-arms fire took down his UC-123B during a defoliation mission southwest of Quang Ngai, according to reports.
