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| “ | We made a mistake and would like to back out gracefully. If you come after us, we will be forced to come after you. | „ |
| ~ Jack Kelso. |
| “ | I know you, Cole. You're still beating yourself up over that medal on Sugar Loaf. That medal you think you didn't deserve. But you just don't get it. Nobody deserves a medal, it's just the ridiculous situation you find yourself in and how you react to it. You think you failed up on that hill but courage isn't a tap you can turn on or off. Courage isn't permanent. It's a tenuous and fickle thing. Courage and cowardice exist in every man. Get over it. | „ |
| ~ Jack to Cole. |
Jack Kelso is the deuteragonist of the 2011 crime/drama video game L.A. Noire, serving as the main protagonist of the "Arson chapter".
A World War II veteran with a past history with the protagonist Cole Phelps, Kelso found himself a suspect of interest in the detective's case on the stolen army surplus of morphine. As the Suburban Redevelopment Fund became a prime suspect of corruption, Jack worked to stop Leland Monroe and bring justice to Los Angeles.
He was voiced and motion captured by Gil McKinney.
Overview[]
Jack Kelso was a member of the US Marine Corps with Cole Phelps while he discharges by going in enemy territory in Okinawa. After the war Jack Kelso was a private investigator in California Fire And Life in order to find all the Elysan Fields that have been built for barrack gangsters in order to start World War III when Jack was injured by Monroe's mafia when he escape form the pursuers. Jack was going to arrest Monroe with his Marine resistance and they won. In the end, Jack battled Ira & trying to save Phelps but drowned. In the funeral, Jack tells him that he's a hero of the war of Okinawa in his life. Jack tried to calm Elsa, who was mad at Roy Earle's accusation about Cole's affair with her. But Elsa slapped his hands off, saying "And you were his friend". Jack requested Herschel Biggs, Cole's partner from Arson, to go to Elsa. Herschel told Jack that Cole was never his friend. Jack agreed but told Herschel that he was never his enemy. Herschel understood that Cole already knew that.
Biography[]
Background[]
Not much is known about Jack Kelso's past, but he was born in Los Angeles, California in 1913 to unnamed parents, and has two unnamed sisters.
Military Service[]
During the start of America's involvement into World War II, Jack joined the United States Marine Corps and joined the Officer Candidate School alongside Cole Phelps and Hank Merrill. Initially, Jack became friends with Hank, but developed a resentment towards Phelps, whom he believed was focused on gaining fame and glory. He soon became disgusted with officer school, leaving to join the frontline in the pacific. Rising to the rank of sergeant, Kelso earned the respect and trust of his squad, but maintained his distrust of Phelps as their units worked together. His distaste for Phelps grew when the latter was given the silver star for his "bravery" on Sugar Loaf Hill, as he knew Cole's cowardice since his unit discovered him in a hole. Despite this, Kelso continued to work with Phelps and his unit, but was well aware of his squad's hatred for the man.
When Ira Hogeboom was ordered by Phelps to burn down a supposed enemy encampment, they learned that it was a hospital for Japanese civilians whom had sustained injuries. Kelso witnessed the soldier Courtney Sheldon shoot Cole for his actions, but took command of the situation and told Courtney and the soldiers to not speak of the incident. After the war, Kelso overheard Courtney's plan to steal morphine and sell back home, and attempted to convince them to not go through with it, to no avail. Jack later learned that Sheldon and the others went on to steal the morphine, but decided not to report them out of loyalty.
L.A. Noire[]
Returning to Los Angeles, Kelso became an investigator for the California Fire and Life insurance company, but was later approached by a desperate Sheldon in need of assistance. Courtney explained that Mickey Cohen had broken his deal and started to sell the morphine to drug addicts, and asked Kelso to help him and the others avoid jail time. Jack reluctantly agreed and warned Cohen that he would retaliate if needed, but this led to the gangster to send out hitmen to kill Kelso and the others. The incident resulted in LAPD vice detectives Phelps and Roy Earle to interrogate Jack, but the latter kept information due to his distrust to Cole. Despite this, the hitmen were foiled, allowing Kelso and the others to be released from police custody.
Trivia[]
- His name could be a reference to the real life U.S. Marine Jack W. Kelso, whom served during the Korean War and earned the Medal of Honor.