Marine declared dead after falling overboard off USS Iwo Jima in Caribbean Sea

The Marine Corps announced Thursday that one of its service members on board the USS Iwo Jima fell overboard recently and has now been pronounced dead after a 72-hour search failed to find him.

The Marine, identified as 21-year-old Lance Cpl. Chukwuemeka Oforah from Florida, fell off the warship on Feb. 7 and has been reported missing at sea in the Caribbean following an extensive, around‑the‑clock 72‑hour search and rescue operation.

"We are all grieving alongside the Oforah family," Col. Tom Trimble, commanding officer of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, said. "The loss of Lance Cpl. Oforah is deeply felt across the entire Navy-Marine Corps team. He will be profoundly missed, and his dedicated service will not be forgotten." 

Oforah is the first service member whose death has been publicly announced as part of Operation Southern Spear, the ongoing U.S. effort to strike alleged drug boats. He first enlisted with the Marines in 2023.

The Marines said the search and rescue operation included five U.S. Navy ships, a rigid‑hull inflatable boat, and ten aircraft from the Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force.

An investigation into the Marine's death is currently ongoing.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.