A US Marine has been declared dead after he fell overboard from the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima in the Caribbean Sea, the Marine Corps said.
Lance Corporal Chukwuemeka E. Oforah, 21, of Florida, fell from the ship on the evening of 7 February 2026 during routine operations. A large search and rescue effort involving Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force assets continued for 72 hours before being called off on 10 February. He was then declared deceased.
The Marine was attached to the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) and was serving aboard the USS Iwo Jima at the time of the incident. He joined the Marine Corps in October 2023 and completed basic and infantry training before his deployment.
Commanders offered condolences to Oforah’s family. Col. Tom Trimble, leader of the unit, said the loss was deeply felt across the Navy-Marine Corps team and that his service would not be forgotten.
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The circumstances of how Oforah went overboard remain under investigation by the military.
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