US Marine Declared Deceased After Overboard Incident Aboard USS Iwo Jima During Caribbean Operations
The incident occurred while the vessel was conducting routine operations in the Caribbean Sea as part of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit deployment.
CARIBBEAN SEA — Lance Cpl. Chukwuemeka E. Oforah, a 21-year-old infantry rifleman from Florida, was declared deceased on February 10 following an extensive 72-hour search and rescue operation after he fell overboard from the USS Iwo Jima on the evening of February 7.
The incident occurred while the vessel was conducting routine operations in the Caribbean Sea as part of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit deployment.
The search involved multiple U.S. Navy ships, helicopters from the Navy and Marine Corps, Air Force aircraft, and national technical means, covering a wide area without success. Officials expressed profound grief over the loss, highlighting Oforah’s dedicated service. The circumstances remain under investigation by military authorities.
