A Marine from Minnesota who was lost at sea off the coast of Southern California during training operations has been declared dead.

Lance Cpl. Armando Ortiz Canseco, 21, was declared dead on Saturday after being reported missing from the USS Anchorage on Thursday morning, according to the Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF).

“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, commanding officer of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit. “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 declaration followed active search-and-rescue operations, which then transitioned into recovery operations, MEF says.

According to officials, Ortiz Canseco enlisted in the Marine Corps in April 2023 and in June of that year, he earned the title of U.S. Marine with Platoon 3210, India Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion.

After recruit training, he attended the School of Infantry – West and completed the Infantry Marine Course, becoming a 0311 Rifleman. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment at Camp Pendleton, California, before transferring to 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment.

He was most recently assigned aboard the Anchorage in preparation for integrated training between the 13th MEU and Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, Marine officials say.

Ortiz Canseco’s awards include the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.

“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.”

MEF said that the circumstances surrounding the incident are still under investigation.

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