(The Center Square) – Sgt. Jacob M. Durham, a Long Beach, California native, was the Marine who died in a surveillance plane crash in the Philippines, the U.S. Marine Corps announced.
Everyone on the plane – Durham and three defense contractors – was killed during the crash Thursday in a rice field in the Maguindanao del Sur province, according to the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.
Various media reported the craft was a Beechcraft King Air 350, a twin-engine turboprop plane.
The crash happened during a routine mission as part of efforts to provide “intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support at the request of our Philippine allies,” according to a news release from Camp Pendleton in San Diego County.
The cause is under investigation, Camp Pendleton said.
Durham, 22, was trained as an electronic intelligence/electromagnetic warfare analyst. He was assigned to 1st Radio Battalion of the Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group.
Durham joined the Marine Corps in January 2021 and was promoted to sergeant Feb. 1. His awards and decorations included the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, a Meritorious Mast and Naval Aircrew Insignia.
“We mourn the loss of Sgt. Jacob Durham, who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country,” said Lt. Col. Mabel B. Annunziata, commanding officer of 1st Radio Battalion, in a statement Sunday.
Annunziata praised Durham for his courage, intelligence and selfless leadership and noted he was deeply loved by his fellow Marines. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and his fellow Marines during this profoundly difficult time.”
