The NPC "Prv. Ambrose" is most likely a reference to Stephen E. Ambrose, author of Band of Brothers. The book is a collection of stories from the members of "Easy Company", part of the 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne. This same unit featured prominently in Call of Duty.

During development, Call of Duty was codenamed MoH Killer, with MoH standing for Medal of Honor.

At the beginning of the Soviet Campaign during the Battle of Stalingrad, the player is given just ammo whereas the soldiers in front and behind him are given a rifle, suggesting that the Soviets were short in equipment which had to be divided. This appears to be based on the 2001 film Enemy at the Gates which features an almost exact same scene. Historically, whilst the Soviets had low supplies, they did not need to divide rifles and ammo between soldiers. This was however more accurate with militia units under NKVD command who had been hastily raised.