A 21-year-old U.S. Marine, Chukwuemeka E. Oforah, has been declared dead after reportedly falling overboard in the Caribbean Sea. Oforah, an infantry rifleman from Florida, was reported missing on the evening of February 7. After an intensive 72-hour search and rescue mission, the United States Marine Corps confirmed on February 10 that he could not be found.

Military officials said the exact circumstances surrounding the incident are still under investigation. In a statement, Colonel Tom Trimble expressed deep sorrow, noting that the entire Navy-Marine Corps team is grieving alongside Oforah’s family. He described the young Marine’s service as dedicated and said his loss is deeply felt across the force.

The large-scale search effort involved multiple branches of the U.S. military. According to reports, five U.S. Navy ships, a rigid-hull inflatable boat, and 10 aircraft from the Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force participated in the operation. Despite the coordinated response, rescue teams were unable to recover him.

The incident occurred during activities linked to Operation Southern Spear, a military and surveillance campaign focused on disrupting transnational criminal maritime networks, particularly those connected to drug trafficking. The mission has reportedly led to the interception of several suspected vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific regions. Oforah’s passing has drawn condolences from both military personnel and members of the public.