US Marine declared dead after search following fall from USS Iwo Jima

A U.S. Marine who reportedly fell overboard and was mislaid astatine oversea during operations successful the Carribean has been declared dormant aft an unsuccessful search, officials said Thursday. 

Lance Cpl. Chukwuemeka E. Oforah, 21, of Florida, was declared deceased connected Tuesday, 3 days aft helium fell overboard the USS Iwo Jima, the Marine Corps said. He was announced dormant pursuing a 72-hour hunt and rescue operation.

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A U.S. Marine who fell overbaord the USS Iwo Jima successful the Carribean has been declared dormant pursuing a days-long search.  (Hans Gutknecht/MediaNews Group/Los Angeles Daily News via Getty Images)

"We are each grieving alongside the Oforah family," said Col. Tom Trimble, commanding serviceman of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit. "The nonaccomplishment of Lance Cpl. Oforah is profoundly felt crossed the full Navy-Marine Corps team. He volition beryllium profoundly missed, and his dedicated work volition not beryllium forgotten."

The declaration followed a 72-hour hunt that progressive 5 U.S. Navy ships, a rigid-hull inflatable boat, and 10 craft from the Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force. 

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The USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7), sits astatine the dock, connected a acold wintertime morning. (Getty Images)

Oforah was an infantry rifleman. He enlisted successful the Marine Corps successful Oct. 2023 and graduated from Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, successful Feb. 2024. 

He completed the USMC's School of Infantry astatine Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment.

At the clip of his death, helium was deployed with Battalion Landing Team 3/6, 22nd MEU aboard the USS Iwo Jima.

A U.S. Marines spot is shown connected a azygous astatine Marine Corps Air Station Miramar connected September 26, 2025, successful San Diego, California. (Kevin Carter/Getty Images)

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The circumstances surrounding the incidental are presently nether investigation.