Bodies of 4 US Soldiers Found in Bog After Armored Vehicle Sinks

Four U.S. Army soldiers who vanished during a training mission in Lithuania have been found dead, according to military officials. Their armored recovery vehicle sank in a peat bog near the border with Belarus, sparking a large-scale search that lasted nearly a week.

Trapped Beneath 15 Feet of Mud and Water

The soldiers were taking part in a mission to repair and tow a broken-down vehicle when their 63-ton M88A2 Hercules recovery vehicle went missing. They were last seen on March 25, 2025, during tactical training at the Pabradė training ground, a site near Lithuania's eastern border.

The vehicle was located the following day, submerged in thick mud and deep water. According to the Army's Europe and Africa Command, the conditions around the bog made the recovery extremely difficult. The area was covered with at least 15 feet of water, clay-like mud, and silt.

Final Soldier Found After Weeklong Effort

After days of effort from hundreds of U.S. and allied personnel, the vehicle was finally brought to the surface early on March 31, 2025. The bodies of three soldiers were recovered that day. The fourth was found the next morning, marking an unsettling end to a tragic accident.

"This past week has been devastating," said Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division, according to USA TODAY. "Though we have received some closure, the world is darker without them."

Honoring the Lives Lost

All four soldiers were part of the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, based out of Fort Stewart, Georgia. They had deployed to Lithuania in January 2025 as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve, a NATO mission supporting training and cooperation with allied nations.

The soldiers were identified by the Army as Sgt. Jose Duenez Jr., 25, of Joliet, Illinois; Sgt. Edvin F. Franco, 25, of Glendale, California; Pfc. Dante D. Taitano, 21, of Dededo, Guam; and Sgt. Troy S. Knutson-Collins, 28, of Battle Creek, Michigan. According to CBS News, Duenez, Franco, and Knutson-Collins were all posthumously promoted to the rank of staff sergeant.

Their commanders remembered the four as valued members of the team, per CBS News:

• Capt. Madyson K. Wellens said Duenez met "every challenge with a smile and a readiness to support anyone who required assistance."
• Wellens remembered Franco, saying, "Edvin was a friend whose influence touched so many."
• Capt. Matthew Lund described Taitano as someone who "constantly brought the team together with his charisma and laughter."
• Capt. Jackson Patillo, commander of Foxtrot Company, 1st Bn., 41st FAR, called Knutson-Collins "an exceptional friend to all of us and an irreplaceable member to our entire Fox family that we will truly miss."

Support From Allies and the White House

The rescue operation involved troops from the U.S. Army and Navy, as well as the armed forces of Lithuania, Poland, and Estonia. Civilian agencies from Lithuania also provided help.

"I can't say enough about the support our Lithuanian Allies have provided us," said Gen. Christopher Donahue, commander of U.S. Army Europe and Africa, as reported by CBS News. "This is a tragic event, but it reinforces what it means to have Allies and friends."

At the White House, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt expressed condolences during a briefing, saying, "The president, the secretary of defense and the entire White House are praying for the victims, friends and family during this unimaginable time," as reported by USA TODAY.

References: All 4 U.S. soldiers who went missing in Lithuania found dead, Army says | 4th missing US Army soldier found dead in Lithuania