CAMP PENDLETON, California — On Sunday, military authorities named a U.S. Marine from California as one of the victims in a tragic plane crash in a rice field in the southern Philippines. Sgt. Jacob M. Durham, 22, from Long Beach, lost his life on Thursday during an aircraft mishap while the plane was on a routine operation aimed at “providing intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance support at the request of our Philippine allies,” according to a statement from officials at Camp Pendleton. The investigation into the cause of the crash is currently ongoing.
Along with Sgt. Durham, three defense contractors were also confirmed dead from the incident, military officials reported. The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines verified the occurrence of a light aircraft crash in Maguindanao del Sur province. Ameer Jehad Tim Ambolodto, a safety officer in the region, stated that the bodies of the four individuals were recovered from the crash site in Ampatuan town.
U.S. military personnel have maintained a presence at various Philippine military installations for decades, providing training and counsel to local forces engaged in the fight against Muslim insurgents. This area is primarily inhabited by the Muslim minority in a predominantly Roman Catholic country.
Windy Beaty, a provincial disaster-mitigation officer, recounted receiving reports from local residents who witnessed smoke rising from the aircraft and heard an explosion before it descended rapidly, falling less than a kilometer (approximately half a mile) from nearby farmhouses.
Sgt. Durham specialized as an electronic intelligence/electromagnetic warfare analyst and was assigned to the 1st Radio Battalion of the I Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in January 2021 and received his promotion to sergeant on February 1.
His commendations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, a Meritorious Mast, and the Naval Aircrew Insignia. “Sgt. Durham epitomized the finest qualities of the Marine Corps — showing grace under pressure, intelligence, and selfless leadership,” stated Lt. Col. Mabel B. Annunziata, commanding officer of the 1st Radio Battalion, in an official comment. “He earned deep respect and affection from his fellow Marines.”
