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The Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group, in conjunction with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, has confirmed the tragic passing of Lance Cpl. Chukwuemeka E. Oforah.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Marine, based in Jacksonville, was pronounced dead following an incident where he reportedly went overboard from the USS Iwo Jima while in the Caribbean on Saturday, February 7.
The official announcement of Lance Cpl. Oforah’s death was made on Thursday, with authorities declaring him deceased on Tuesday. An investigation is currently underway to determine the details surrounding this unfortunate event, according to a statement released by the military. Property records indicate that Oforah was a resident of Jacksonville.
The statement revealed that a comprehensive and continuous 72-hour search and rescue mission was launched immediately after Oforah’s fall from the ship.
Officials highlighted the operation as a collaborative effort between multiple military branches. The extensive search utilized various resources, including five U.S. Navy ships, a rigid-hull inflatable boat, and 10 aircraft from the Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force, covering a vast area in the search for Oforah.
Aircrafts involved in the search included six helicopters (two U.S. Navy MH-60 Sierras, two MH-60 Romeos, one U.S. Marine Corps AH-IZ Viper and one UH-1Y Venom), one U.S. Navy P-8 Poseidon, two U.S. Air Force HC-130J Combat Kings IIs and one U.S. Air Force MQ-9 Reaper.
Oforah was reportedly an infantry rifleman. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in October 2023 and graduated from Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, in February 2024. He completed the School of Infantry at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment.
At the time of his death, officials said he was deployed with Battalion Landing Team 3/6, 22nd MEU (SOC), aboard the USS Iwo Jima.
“We are all grieving alongside the Oforah family,” Col. Tom Trimble, commanding officer, 22nd MEU (SOC) said in the release. “The loss of Lance Cpl. Oforah is deeply felt across the entire Navy-Marine Corps team. He will profoundly missed, and his dedicated service will not be forgotten.”
Editor’s note: Military officials did not have a picture to share of Oforah.