How Chukwuemeka Oforah, US Marine died after falling from warship

A U.S. Marine of Nigerian descent has died after falling overboard from a warship in the Caribbean, military officials confirmed.

Lance Cpl. Chukwuemeka Oforah, 21, stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, was declared dead on Tuesday, February 10, following a fall from the USS Iwo Jima on the night of February 7.

Oforah’s death came after a 72-hour, multi-branch search-and-rescue operation involving five ships, an inflatable boat, and 10 aircraft from the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force.

An infantry rifleman who enlisted in October 2023, Oforah completed the School of Infantry at Camp Lejeune and served with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit.

“We are all grieving alongside the Oforah family,” said Col. Tom Trimble. “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.”

Military officials said the circumstances surrounding his death remain under investigation.