Four American Soldiers Found Dead in Lithuania After Vehicle Accident

PABRADĖ, Lithuania — Four U.S. soldiers were declared dead after their armored vehicle sank in a swamp during a military training exercise. The soldiers, part of the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division, were discovered on Monday, April 1, nearly a week after the accident occurred on March 25.

Officials identified the soldiers 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. All four were recognized as M1 Abrams tank system maintainers.

“Although we are relieved to have found all our Dogface Soldiers, it does not make the pain of their loss any less,” said Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie, commanding general of the 3rd Infantry Division. “We will continue to care for and support the soldiers’ families and loved ones as we bring them home and honor their memory.”

The soldiers were assigned to the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, stationed at Fort Stewart, Georgia. They went missing while attempting to repair and tow an immobilized tactical vehicle, according to U.S. Army Europe and Africa.

The recovery operation was complex, involving around 200 personnel from the U.S., Polish, Estonian, and Lithuanian armed forces. Experts utilized drones, search dogs, divers, and ground-penetrating radar to locate the submerged vehicle, which had sunk approximately 15 feet into a peat bog.

“This loss is simply devastating,” Norrie added in a previous statement. “These men were honored Soldiers of the Marne Division. We are wrapping our arms around the families and loved ones of our Soldiers during this incredibly difficult time.”

White House Press Secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, referred to the incident as “another stark reminder of the selfless sacrifice of our brave military men and women who risk their lives around the world every day to keep us safe.”

Knutson-Collins had served for over seven years and was trained in multiple military courses. He had previously deployed to Korea in 2020. Duenez and Franco had each served for over six years, undertaking deployments to Germany and Poland.

Taitano, the youngest, had served for nearly two years and was on his first deployment. Knutson-Collins, Duenez, and Franco were all posthumously promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant.

The cause of the accident remains under investigation, with military authorities looking into what led to the vehicle’s sinking. In the meantime, GoFundMe campaigns have been launched for the families of Duenez and Franco, both of whom were young fathers. Collins, the final soldier identified, is survived by five children.