NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) – Lance Cpl. Chukwuemeka E. Oforah, a 21-year-old Marine from Florida, was declared deceased on Feb. 10 after falling overboard from the Norfolk-based USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7). The incident occurred in the Caribbean Sea on the evening of Feb. 7, prompting an extensive 72-hour search-and-rescue operation, according to a news release from the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit.
The Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) announced the death on Feb. 12. The multi-branch search effort covered a wide area of the Caribbean and involved five U.S. Navy ships and 10 aircraft from the Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force.
Oforah served as an infantry rifleman and was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in October 2023 and graduated from Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, in February 2024. Before deploying aboard USS Iwo Jima with Battalion Landing Team 3/6, he completed the School of Infantry at Camp Lejeune, N.C…