By G;loria Nosa
A 21-year-old U.S. Marine of Nigerian descent has been pronounced dead after falling overboard from a U.S. Navy warship in the Caribbean Sea.
Military officials confirmed that Lance Cpl. Chukwuemeka Oforah, who was stationed at Camp Lejeune, was declared deceased on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, following a three-day search-and-rescue operation. He reportedly fell overboard from the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima on the night of February 7.
The Navy and Marine Corps launched an extensive 72-hour search effort involving five ships, an inflatable rescue boat, and 10 aircraft from the Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force. Despite the large-scale operation, Oforah was ultimately declared dead.
Oforah enlisted in the Marine Corps in October 2023 and served as an infantry rifleman. After completing training at the School of Infantry at Camp Lejeune, he was assigned to the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit.
In a statement, Col. Tom Trimble expressed condolences to the family, describing the loss as deeply felt across the Navy-Marine Corps community.
“We are all grieving alongside the Oforah family. The loss of Lance Cpl. Oforah is deeply felt across the entire Navy-Marine Corps team. He will be profoundly missed, and his dedicated service will not be forgotten,” Trimble said.
Military authorities stated that the circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation.
Oforah’s death has drawn tributes from colleagues and members of the Nigerian-American community, who remembered him for his service and commitment at a young age.
