A U.S. Marine from California has been identified as one of four individuals who lost their lives in a plane crash while on a military-contracted mission in the southern Philippines.
Sgt. Jacob M. Durham was among those killed when the aircraft went down in a rice field on Thursday. According to officials at Camp Pendleton, California, the plane was carrying out a routine mission to provide intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance support at the request of Philippine allies. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
Details about Durham’s age and hometown were not included in the official statement, and military representatives have not yet responded to requests for additional information. Three defense contractors also perished in the incident.
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines confirmed that the crash occurred in Maguindanao del Sur province. Emergency responders recovered the remains of all four victims from the wreckage in Ampatuan town, according to safety officer Ameer Jehad Tim Ambolodto.
For decades, U.S. forces have been stationed at a Philippine military camp in the country’s south to provide training and support to local troops engaged in counterterrorism efforts. The region is home to the country’s Muslim minority within the predominantly Roman Catholic nation.
According to Windy Beaty, a provincial disaster-mitigation officer, local residents reported seeing smoke and hearing an explosion before the aircraft crashed less than a kilometer (about half a mile) from a group of farmhouses.
Durham served as an electronic intelligence and electromagnetic warfare analyst with the 1st Radio Battalion, I Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in January 2021 and was promoted to sergeant on February 1.
His service and dedication were recognized with multiple awards, including the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, a Meritorious Mast, and the Naval Aircrew Insignia.
“Sgt. Durham embodied the highest traditions of the Marine Corps—exemplifying composure, intelligence, and selfless leadership,” said Lt. Col. Mabel B. Annunziata, commanding officer of 1st Radio Battalion. “He was deeply respected and loved by his fellow Marines.”