A U.S. Marine has died after falling overboard from a Navy vessel during operations in the Caribbean Sea, military officials confirmed.
Lance Cpl. Chukwuemeka E. Oforah, 21, of Florida, went overboard from the USS Iwo Jima on February 7 while the amphibious assault ship was deployed with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit in the region.
Following 72 hours of intensive search and rescue operations involving Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force personnel, the effort was called off and Oforah was officially declared deceased on February 10.
“We are all grieving alongside the Oforah family,” said Col. Tom Trimble, commanding officer of the 22nd MEU (SOC). “This loss is deeply felt across the entire Navy-Marine Corps team.”
Military officials are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Oforah served as an infantry rifleman with Battalion Landing Team 3/6. He enlisted in October 2023 and completed his training at Parris Island and Camp Lejeune before deploying with his unit aboard the USS Iwo Jima.
In an unrelated incident this week, the U.S. Navy reported that two of its ships, the USS Truxtun and USNS Supply, collided during a refueling operation at sea, causing minor injuries to two crew members. Both vessels remain operational and an investigation is underway.
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