First US Marine dies in operations against ISIL

A US Marine has become the first casualty of America’s military operations in Iraq and Syria against terrorist group ISIL.

Corporal Jordan Spears was presumed lost at sea, following an air accident over the northern Gulf last Wednesday.

The 21-year-old Marine, from Memphis, Indiana, was on board the V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft when it lost power shortly after taking off to the USS Makin Island navy boat, the US Navy said yesterday.

The plane descended into the surface of the ocean, appearing to crash as Spears bailed from the aircraft and fell into the sea.

A second crewman flying with Spears eventually regained control of the tilt-rotor aircraft and landed it back on board the Makin Island ship.

The other crewman was recovered and is in a stable condition, but Corporal Spears was nowhere to be found.

A search and rescue operation was called off on Thursday and the Navy said he was presumed dead. No body was found.

The Navy and US Marine Corps are investigating the cause of the mishap.