Bancroft, Matthew William
Male
Verified U.S. Marine Corps Captain Matthew William Bancroft, 29, of Burney, California, was killed in a KC-130 Hercules aircraft crash in Shamsi, Pakistan, on January 9, 2002.
Their Story
Matthew William Bancroft was a 29-year-old Marine Corps captain from Burney, California. He served as a pilot with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 352 (VMGR-352), part of Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.
On January 9, 2002, Bancroft was aboard a U.S. Marine Corps KC-130 Hercules transport aircraft on a flight from Jacobabad, Pakistan, to a forward operating location. The aircraft crashed into a mountainside in poor weather near the remote town of Shamsi in southwestern Pakistan. All seven U.S. Marines on board were killed.
The crash occurred during the early months of Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S.-led military campaign in Afghanistan that began in October 2001. U.S. and allied forces used bases in Pakistan, including Shamsi, for logistical and support operations. The mission was part of the broader effort to dismantle al-Qaeda and remove the Taliban from power.
The U.S. Department of Defense confirmed the deaths on January 10, 2002. A recovery operation was launched at the crash site. Bancroft and the six other Marines killed were later honored in memorial services. Their remains were returned to the United States.
Captain Bancroft is memorialized on the Global War on Terrorism Memorial at the National Infantry Museum and on the Veterans Memorial Hall online registry. His squadron, VMGR-352, continues to operate from MCAS Miramar.
Explore Further
Captain Bancroft was killed during Operation Enduring Freedom (2001?2014). The conflict concluded in December 2014. See the full roster of those killed in this conflict.
Among those documented in the same conflict: Andrews, Evander Earl, Edmunds, Jonn Joseph, Stonesifer, Kristofor Tif, Davis, Bryant Leroy.
