Staff Sergeant Paul “PJ” R. Jackson died 19 August 2009 when his MH-60K Black Hawk helicopter, #378, crashed on Mount Massive during a training mission near Leadville, Colorado.

SSG Jackson was a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and volunteered service in the U.S. Army in May 1998. Following Basic Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Eustis, Virginia, he successfully assessed with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, as a Helicopter Aircrew Member. SSG Jackson was assigned as a Black Hawk Crew Chief in Delta Company, 1st Battalion at Fort Campbell in March 1999. In 2007, he served with 3rd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division at Camp Humphreys, Korea, as an Aircrew Member. In 2008, SSG Jackson returned to Delta Company, 1st Battalion as an Aviation Standardization Noncommissioned Officer.

SSG Jackson was a combat veteran with 10 deployments, 9 in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM and one in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.

SSG Jackson was a graduate of the Warrior Leader Course, the Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) Course, Strategic Deployment Planning Course, Airlift Planners Course, Combat Lifesaver Course, and the Special Operations Training Course.

SSG Jackson’s awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal (w/"V" Device), Air Medal (w/Numeral 3), Army Commendation Medal (w/1 OLC), Army Achievement Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Valorous Unit Award, Army Good Conduct Medal (3rd Award), National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal (w/1 Bronze Service Star), Iraq Campaign Medal (w/3 Bronze Service Stars), Global War On Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War On Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon (w/Numeral 2), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Combat Action Badge, Aviation Badge, and the Senior Aviation Badge. He was posthumously awarded the Meritorious Service Medal.

SSG Jackson is survived by his wife, Keihaulani; his daughter, Desiree; and his mother, Brenda (Maisha). He is laid to rest in Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania, at West Laurel Hill Cemetery. The 1st Battalion aircraft maintenance hangar is dedicated as IRON 378 Hangar in honor of PJ and the crew of MH-60K Black Hawk Tail #378.