A United States Marine of Nigerian heritage has been declared dead after falling overboard from the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima in the Caribbean Sea, military officials confirmed.

Lance Corporal Chukwuemeka E. Oforah, 21, a native of Florida and infantry rifleman with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), reportedly fell from the ship on the evening of February 7, 2026 during routine operations in the region.

After an extensive search that lasted three days, officials officially pronounced him deceased on February 10.

The Marine Corps said the search and rescue effort involved multiple U.S. Navy ships, support aircraft and Marine units, but ultimately failed to locate him alive.

In a statement released on Thursday, the commanding officer of the 22nd MEU, Col. Tom Trimble, paid tribute to Oforah’s service and extended condolences to his family.

“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,” Col. Trimble said.

Oforah enlisted in the Marine Corps in October 2023 and completed his recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island in February 2024.

He was attached to the 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, before his deployment aboard USS Iwo Jima.

At the time of the incident, USS Iwo Jima was engaged in a broader U.S. military deployment in the Caribbean under Operation Southern Spear, an initiative targeting transnational threats and illicit maritime activity.

Oforah’s death is believed to be the first publicly acknowledged U.S. service member fatality linked to operations in the region under this mission.

Military authorities have said the circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation.

Nigerian-American marine loses life after falling overboard from US warship