|
Matthew W. Bancroft, 29
Marines, Captain
Supporting:
Operation Enduring Freedom
Died:
January 9, 2002
Mountain near Shamsi,
Pakistan
|
That was Matt--tall, straight and proud. That was our son. That's the way he went down.
— Bob Bancroft, father
As a child Bancroft vowed he would go to the U.S. Naval Academy and become a flier. The plane he was piloting crashed into a mountainside in Pakistan. An investigation found that the accident might have been prevented if the plane had been equipped with night-vision equipment.
Permalink
|
Delicious
|
Digg
|
Facebook
|
Twitter
|
About this project
Sources: Times research, Defense Department, iCasualties.org
Help us complete our database. Something missing or wrong? Want to share a photo?
Sources: Times research, Defense Department, iCasualties.org
Help us complete our database. Something missing or wrong? Want to share a photo?
Enjoy more stories like this for 
Four memories of Matthew W. Bancroft
He was a lovely young man...I have the utmost respect for him for risking his life for his country he will always be remembered.
He was a dear friend and always made me laugh. He was like a big brother to me and my parents loved him. He was a student of my dad's at the USNA. A smart and funny man and he will be truly missed, but always remembered.
Dearest Matt,
This weekend we celebrated 2 birthdays, Monsoons 64th, and John Baca 61, a Medal of Honor reciepient. We had your beautiful wife and precious Maddie here to be with us. Many Patriot guard riders, veterans and friends came together. One of them, "No Chute" pulled up in with a sound trailer with 100 flags, USMC, Air Force, Navy, Army, state flags, were flying in the air on this trailer and then came the music!! "No Chute" opened his truck door and music from the 60's played. We ate so much food, Maddie and Millie my daughter, played dress-up with make-up till 3 AM! And your wife, sharing her stories, she is so much fun to listen to..oh how I know you are missing them, and they too are missing you. She is amazing and Maddie has the most beautiful, compassionate personality. They stayed the night and I think she could have chatted all night but we are older and we had to get to bed. But she was up bright and early and we just picked up where we left off. She is so much fun and I know we will all be friends forever.
We did not know that 9 January was the date you were taken from us and it was ackward hearing this from Mary Ellen. Some speeches were made towards the end of the night, one on your behalf by myself. I wanted everyone in the room to know about you and to let Maddie know that all the people in the room were her strongest supporters and if they ever needed anything, we are here for them. Although Maddie is so young, it is important that she be able to say, "for as long as I can remember, people have surrounded us with love and support"....that will be true for her life.
You are an American Hero and a treasure, we honor you with the greatest respect for your sacrafice to our Country and with that we will take very good care your your greatest treasures, Maddie and Mary Ellen.
Semper Fi
Chris Mimiaga, Monsoon's wife
I don't know this soldiers as I'm just visiting the website. I thank him and his family for his dedication to our county. Thank you for keeping America free and protecting our beliefs. It's because heroes like you my very young daughter will be able to live freely in this wonderful country. Thank you from the bottom of my heart! Many your memory never be forgotten. RIP
Share a memory of Matthew