I Marine Expeditionary Force has identified the Marine who was lost at sea off the USS Anchorage during training as Lance Cpl. Armando Ortiz Canseco, 21, of Minnesota. (U.S. Marine Corps)
I Marine Expeditionary Force has identified the Marine who was lost at sea off the USS Anchorage during training as Lance Cpl. Armando Ortiz Canseco, 21, of Minnesota.
Ortiz Canseco was declared dead Saturday. He had been reported missing from the amphibious transport dock ship on the morning of June 25. The Navy and Marine Corps launched “an extensive search and rescue operation,” according to the I MEF headquarters at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif.
The lifesaving search for Ortiz Canseco concluded Friday, after which operations were focused on trying to recover his remains.
At the time of his death, Ortiz Canseco was temporarily assigned aboard USS Anchorage in preparation for integrated training between the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit and Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group.
“On behalf of the Marines and Sailors of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, I extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Lance Cpl. Ortiz Canseco,” said Col. Richard Alvarez, the commanding officer of the 13th MEU. “He earned the title of United States Marine and served his country with honor and commitment. We mourn alongside his family, and we remain committed to bringing him home.”
The cause of the incident is under investigation.
The Marines said Ortiz Canseco enlisted in the service on April 3, 2023, and had his initial training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego.
Following recruit training, Ortiz Canseco attended the School of Infantry - West and completed the Infantry Marine Course, becoming a 0311 Rifleman.
Ortiz Canseco was then assigned to 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, at Camp Pendleton, before transferring to 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment.
“The loss of Lance Cpl. Ortiz Canseco is felt deeply across our entire Navy-Marine Corps team,” said Capt. Gary A. Harrington, the commodore of Amphibious Squadron 7. “The amphibious Navy exists to fight alongside the Marine Corps, and a loss to the Marine Corps family is a loss to our own. We are a resilient force, and we continue to stand shoulder-to-shoulder in support of Lance Cpl. Ortiz Canseco’s loved ones and our ongoing recovery operations.”
