Paul Jackson

Sergeant Paul Jackson was an operator of the USMC 1st Force Reconnaissance Company and was one of the main protagonists in Act 1 of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare.

U.S.M.C. Career
Sgt. Paul Jackson and the 1st Force Recon of the USMC are sent to the Middle East in search of Khaled Al-Asad. They enter the country in numerous Black Hawks. Jackson's platoon, led by Lt. Vasquez, land in a coastal town and head to the local OpFor Headquarters where they believe Al-Asad is hiding. After the search of the HQ proved unsuccessful, Vasquez was informed by Command that Al-Asad was broadcasting in a TV station not far from their position. The Marines pushed through the town easily eliminating OpFor resistance. Once inside the station, they regrouped with SSgt. Griggs and his squad before clearing the broadcast room. Unfortunately, Al-Asad was not there either and the Marines headed out to continue the search.

The USMC forces continue their push towards the capitol in pursuit of Al-Asad. Lt. Vasquez is given orders to help protect an Abrams tank - callsign "War Pig" - which was stuck in a Bog. The Marines move out and manage to eliminate OpFor troops in an abandoned building before destroying OpFor tanks and infantry who were moving along an overpass. They manage to reach "War Pig" on time and stop it from being overrun by the OpFor. Vasquez requests air-support but his request is denied due to anti-air guns in their vicinity. Jackson heads out and destroys the anti-air guns allowing two Cobras to come in and finish off the enemy. A few hours later, War Pig has managed to escape the bog and provides support for the Marines. They head through the city and with the help of War Pig reach the LZ for extraction.

Jackson is then part of the strike-force sent to the capital city to capture Khaled Al-Asad. He is the Mk19 gunner aboard a Sea Knight helicopter and provides air support for Abrams' attempting to enter the city limits. Jackson also eliminates resistance around the Ministry of Defense clearing an LZ for troops to land and begin the ground assault. Vasquez is ordered by Command to head further into the city and extract a group of Marines. They manage to extract the Marines with the assistance of a Cobra, callsign "Deadly". Following the discovery of an armed nuclear device in the city center, Command recommends for Jackson's squad to displace to a position outside of the effect radius. However, Deadly is shot down and Jackson's squad decides to go and rescue her. They manage to retrieve her and head back to the chopper. Just as they begin leaving the city, a nuclear device detonated by Vladimir Makarov goes off and Jackson's helicopter crashes. He survives the crash but dies a few moments later after seeing the aftermath of the explosion due to injuries sustained from the crash and the effect of the radiation. Sgt. Paul Jackson was one of 30,000 personnel who lost their lives under General Shepherd's command, which is revealed in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2.

Trivia

 * In the earlier E3 2007 footage, Jackson was originally serving in the 1st Battalion 7th Marine Regiment prior to the unit being changed to 1st Force Recon.
 * He was under the command of General Shepherd, but this was not revealed until the release of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2.
 * Jackson always spawns with an M4A1 in either the normal or grenadier variant in every Marine mission except "Aftermath".
 * Originally, Griggs was planned to make comments like "Man, you pulled that off just like Jackson" while working with the SAS, implying that he had respect for him.
 * Jackson is the first playable character to be a USMC member in the Call of Duty series.