A 21-year-old United States Marine of Nigerian descent has died after falling overboard from a naval vessel in the Caribbean.
Military officials confirmed that Lance Cpl. Chukwuemeka Oforah, stationed at Camp Lejeune, was pronounced dead on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, following an extensive search operation.
He reportedly fell from the USS Iwo Jima on the night of February 7.
According to officials, a 72-hour multi-branch search-and-rescue mission was launched, involving five ships, an inflatable boat, and 10 aircraft from the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force.
Oforah enlisted in the Marine Corps in October 2023 and completed training at the School of Infantry at Camp Lejeune. He served as an infantry rifleman with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit.
In a statement, Colonel Tom Trimble expressed condolences to the family, noting that the loss is deeply felt across the Navy-Marine Corps team.
Authorities said the circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation.
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