Overview
- The Marine was identified as Lance Cpl. Chukwuemeka E. Oforah, 21, an infantry rifleman from Florida assigned to Battalion Landing Team 3/6 with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit.
- He went overboard on Feb. 7, and a multi-service search was suspended on Feb. 10 after 72 hours without finding him.
- Search efforts involved five U.S. Navy ships, a rigid-hull inflatable boat, surface rescue swimmers, and 10 aircraft from the Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force.
- The Marine Corps says the circumstances of the overboard incident remain under investigation, as leaders offered condolences to Oforah’s family and unit.
- USS Iwo Jima has been operating in the Caribbean with the 22nd MEU, and prior reporting noted the ship held captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro before his transfer to the United States.