Lance Corporal Armando Ortiz Canseco, a 21-year-old Marine from Richfield, Minnesota, was declared dead Saturday after going missing from the USS Anchorage off the coast of Southern California, according to military officials.
Background
Ortiz Canseco was assigned aboard the USS Anchorage during training operations with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit and the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group when he disappeared, CBS8 reported. He had earned the title of US Marine in June 2023 with Platoon 3210, India Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, according to USNI News.
The young marine was a recipient of the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon and the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, military records show.
His family gathered Sunday night at Oak Grove Lutheran Church in Richfield for an emotional candlelight vigil, praying for his safe return. The church shared the family's anguish in a Facebook post.
"The Marines say Lance Corporal Armando Ortiz Canseco, a Richfield son, is lost at sea but they are giving few details," the church wrote. "The family wants Armando home."
The Investigation
Military authorities were alerted when Ortiz Canseco was reported missing shortly after 1 a.m. Thursday. The US Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Air Force launched an extensive search and rescue operation that lasted more than 43 hours.
Search crews covered approximately 2,400 square miles using three surface ships and 12 aircraft before transitioning from rescue to recovery efforts Saturday after no trace of the missing marine was found.
Capt. Gary A. Harrington, commodore of Amphibious Squadron 7, offered condolences in a statement. "The amphibious Navy exists to fight alongside the Marine Corps, and a loss to the Marine Corps family is a loss to our own," he said. "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."
The circumstances surrounding his disappearance remain under investigation by military authorities.
Key Takeaways
- Lance Corporal Armando Ortiz Canseco, 21, was declared dead Saturday after going missing from the USS Anchorage off Southern California
- The Minnesota native had served in the Marine Corps since June 2023 and was assigned to the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit
- Search operations lasted over 43 hours covering approximately 2,400 square miles using three surface ships and 12 aircraft
- His family held a candlelight vigil at Oak Grove Lutheran Church in Richfield, Minnesota on Sunday night demanding answers from military officials
What's Next
Military investigators continue examining the circumstances surrounding Ortiz Canseco's disappearance. Recovery operations remain ongoing as authorities work to locate the missing marine. The Marine Corps has not released additional details about what led to his disappearance or what happened during the incident.