He died at age 31 in the September 11, 2001 Terrorist Attack on board United Airlines flight 93.
He is believed to have been among the brave passengers who stormed the cockpit to prevent the hijackers from using the plane to kill hundreds or thousands of additional victims. In a cell phone call to his mother, Alice Bingham, shortly before the plane went down, he told her, "some of us here are going to try to do something."
He was survived by his former companion of eight years, Paul Holm, who says this wasn't the first time Mark risked his life to protect the lives of others. In fact, he had twice successfully protected Paul from attempted muggings, one of which was at gunpoint. Paul describes him as a brave, competitive man, saying "He hated to lose -- at anything." He was even known to proudly display a scar he received after being gored at The running of the bulls in Pamplona.
He was a strapping athlete, at 6'4" and 225 pounds, and played on a gay rugby team. In college, he was a star on the Berkeley rugby team, leading them to a string of national championships. He was also president of his fraternity, Chi Psi.
John McCain and Barbara Boxer honored him in a ceremony for Bay Area victims on September 17, presenting a folded American flag to Mr. Holm.
Tributes and Comments
See September 11, 2001 Terrorist Attack/Casualties.
Mark Bingham: a Tribute to a Wonderful Man, a Great Friend, a Loving Brother, and an American Hero
Mark Bingham discussion forum
Gallerry: Mark Bingham - Fallen Brother photo gallery
SFFOG.ORG Mark's rugby team, the S.F. Fog (Mark's Memorial page)
Wohlmut.com: Mark Bingham Personal memorial page from a friend
UC grad, PR man used cell phone
UNITED FLIGHT 93: On Doomed Flight, Passengers Vowed to Perish Fighting, New York Times, 9/13/2001
List of California-connected victims aboard hijacked airliners, NBC4-TV, 9/13/2001
msnbc.com story on what probably happened on the plane