Honored at last: Del City memorializes fallen

By Katrina Crumbacher
Midwest City Beacon

Seven Del City High School alumni killed in action during the Vietnam War are now commemorated on the Robert Kalsu Stadium’s new Wall of Honor.

The seven men are as follows: U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Tom Burton (Class of 1962), Lance Cpls. Jimmy Mullins (Class of 1965), Ricky Sanders (Class of 1966) and Leslie Jones (Class of 1967); U.S. Army Capt. Mike Hope (Class of 1958), Pfcs. Michael Saunders and Gary Parsons (Class of 1965).

Each inductee was enshrined with a bronze plaque detailing their life and service during a joyous yet solemn ceremony held Saturday afternoon. The Wall of Honor stands opposite the Robert “Bob” Kalsu statue, which was dedicated and unveiled in March 2024. Kalsu, who graduated from Del City High School in 1963, was the only active NFL player to die in the Vietnam War.

“It is good for our kids to see this,” Rep. Andy Fugate said. “I think it’s important for our kids to see true heroes, in the deepest sense of the word, and be able to honor and recognize those who made the ultimate sacrifice, who were students here at Del City High School just like today’s kids are.”

According to Steve Coleman, who knew several of those inducted in their time together at Del City High School, it’s estimated over a thousand Del City High School students served in Vietnam.

“If Kalsu were here today, he would not like the disproportion that exists between the notoriety that he has received over the years as compared with the seven and as compared with those who made it home,” Coleman said. “He would say, ‘We were all in this together as brothers.’”

The May 3 ceremony also included the establishment of the Robert Kalsu Del City Chapter of the Oklahoma Military Hall of Fame. Since 1945, 22 Del City citizens have been killed in action in various theaters of war ranging from Germany to Iraq. Following the chapter’s establishment, each were summarily inducted into its Hall of Honor.

“Since World War II and throughout every conflict and war, from Korea to Vietnam to Bosnia to the War on Terror, thousands of Del City’s finest have volunteered to support and defend the

Constitution and have shown great resolve on the battlefield, exhibiting the spirit of a warrior and heart of a patriot,” two proclamations in the servicemembers’ honor read.

The Robert Kalsu Legacy Group and the Del City Navy Junior ROTC held the ceremony in partnership with the Del City Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion.