Sgt. Jacob Durham was identified Sunday as the Marine killed in a crash of a light aircraft in the Philippines on Feb. 6, 2025. (U.S. Marine Corps)
A Marine sergeant from California was among the four Americans killed last week when a plane contracted by the Defense Department crashed last week in the southern Philippines.
Sgt. Jacob M. Durham, 22, of Long Beach, was an electronic warfare analyst, the Marine Corps confirmed Sunday.
He and three contractors were aboard the UC-12W Beechcraft King Air 350 that went down Feb. 6 in Maguindanao del Sur on the southern Philippine island of Mindanao.
The three contractors have not been identified.
The crash occurred during a “routine mission in support of U.S.-Philippine security cooperation activities,” according to a report from the Indo-Pacific Command.
A U.S. military-contracted plane crashed in a rice field in the southern Philippines, killing all four people on board, including a U.S. Marine, on Feb. 6, 2025. (Sam Mala, UGC via AP)
“The aircraft was providing intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance support at the request of our Philippine allies,” the command said.
Durham was assigned to the 1st Radio Battalion, I Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force. I MEF is headquartered at Camp Pendleton, Calif.
“We mourn the loss of Sgt. Jacob Durham, who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country,” Lt. Col. Mabel B. Annunziata, commanding officer of 1st Radio Battalion, said in the Marine Corps’ statement. “Sgt. Durham embodied the highest traditions of the Marine Corps — exemplifying composure, intelligence and selfless leadership. He was deeply respected and loved by his fellow Marines. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and his fellow Marines during this profoundly difficult time.”
Durham joined the Marines in 2021 and was promoted to sergeant five days before he died in the crash, the Marines reported.
His decorations include the Naval Aircrew Insignia, Meritorious Mast, and the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal.
