21-Year-Old Marine Declared Dead After Falling Overboard From USS Iwo Jima In Caribbean

A 21-year-old U.S. Marine has been declared dead after falling overboard from the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7) while deployed in the Caribbean Sea.

The Marine Corps confirmed that Lance Cpl. Chukwuemeka E. Oforah went into the water on 7 February and was later declared deceased after an extensive search operation lasting three days.

The incident marks the first publicly announced U.S. military death linked to Operation Southern Spear, the ongoing American operation in the Caribbean.

Oforah, 21, was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines based at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

At the time of the incident, he was deployed with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit. He was an infantry rifleman attached to Battalion Landing Team 3/6.

Search and rescue efforts began immediately after the man-overboard alert was issued on 7 February.

According to official releases, the operation involved five U.S. Navy ships, a rigid-hull inflatable boat and surface rescue swimmers from the Iwo Jima.

Ten aircraft from the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force also took part.

The aircraft deployed included two Navy MH-60 Sierras, two Navy MH-60 Romeos, one Marine Corps AH-1Z Viper and one UH-1Y Venom helicopter.

A Navy P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, two U.S. Air Force HC-130J Combat King II aircraft and one U.S. Air Force MQ-9 Reaper drone were also involved in the search.

Rescue operations were suspended on 10 February after approximately 72 hours. The Marine Corps subsequently declared Oforah deceased.

Col. Tom Trimble, commanding officer of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, stated that the unit was grieving alongside Oforah’s family.

He said the loss was deeply felt across the Navy-Marine Corps team and added that Oforah’s service would not be forgotten.

Oforah enlisted in the Marine Corps in October 2023. He graduated from boot camp at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island in February 2024 before being assigned to 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines.

The USS Iwo Jima is currently deployed to the Caribbean as part of Operation Southern Spear, a U.S. military effort aimed at targeting alleged drug trafficking vessels and enforcing restrictions on sanctioned tankers operating in and out of Venezuela.

The ship was recently involved in transporting captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro after his apprehension.

The circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation. The Marine Corps said the Naval Safety Command and Naval Surface Force Atlantic are examining the case in coordination with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit.

References: USNI, BBC