Chukwuemeka Oforah, a 21-year-old US Marine of Nigerian descent, has been confirmed dead after falling overboard from the USS Iwo Jima in the Caribbean Sea on February 7, 2026.
The search operation, involving five ships and 10 aircraft, concluded on February 10, and his death was announced on Wednesday.
Oforah, an infantry rifleman with the 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, was deployed with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit as part of Operation Southern Spear, targeting drug-trafficking boats.
His death marks the first known American fatality in Operation Southern Spear, launched under the Trump administration.
The operation has executed 38 lethal strikes on suspected drug boats since September 2025 and played a key role in capturing Venezuelan president Nicholas Maduro.
The US Marines expressed condolences to Oforah’s family, with Col. Tom Trimble stating, “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”.
