Sgt. Jacob M. Durham, 22, a U.S. Marine from Long Beach, California was one of the four casualties when a plane assigned to the U.S. military crashed in a rice field in the southern Philippines. The incident happened on Thursday while conducting routine intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions at the request of Philippine allies, according to the statement from officials at Camp Pendleton, California.
The circumstances behind the crash are still being probed by officials. Alongside Sgt. Durham, three defense contractors were also reported dead. All the victims bodies were recovered from the crush site in Ampatuan town in Maguindanao del Sur province, confirmed by Ameer Jehad Tim Ambolodto, a safety officer of the province.
U.S. forces have had a longstanding presence in the southern part of Philippines where they provide training and coaching to Filipino forces combating Muslim militants in the predominantly Roman Catholic country. Reports from Windy Beaty, a provincial disaster risk reduction and management officer, affirmed that locals had seen smoke from the plane, followed by an explosion moments before the plane fell less than a kilometer away from a cluster of farmhouses.
Sgt. Durham had training as an electronic intelligence/electromagnetic warfare analyst and was attached with 1st Radio Battalion, I Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group. He joined the Marines in January 2021, and his promotion to the rank of Sergeant came on February 1. His accolades included the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, a Meritorious Mast, and Naval Aircrew Insignia.
Lt. Col. Mabel B. Annunziata, the commanding officer of the 1st Radio Battalion, described Sgt. Durham as an exemplification of composure, intelligence, and selfless leadership, and that his commitment to the Marine Corps was highly esteemed and valued by his peers.
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