Sergeant Kalal was a tank commander with the Tank Company, 224th Infantry Regiment, 40th Infantry Division. While clearing a path through a mine field on 10 November 1953, he was killed when a mine exploded.

For his leadership and valor, Sergeant Kalal was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Korean War Service Medal.