A fourth U.S. soldier was located in Lithuania following a tragic accident involving an armored vehicle.
Fourth U.S. Soldier Found Dead in Lithuania Amid Training Mission Tragedy
Fourth U.S. Soldier Found Dead in Lithuania Amid Training Mission Tragedy
Tragic end to a training mission as recovery efforts reveal a fourth soldier's remains.
April 1, 2025, 12:46 p.m. ET
In a somber update from abroad, the U.S. military confirmed the discovery of a fourth soldier’s body in Lithuania on Tuesday. This tragic development follows the earlier recoveries of three other soldiers who were reported missing after their armored vehicle sank in a bog during a training exercise.
The soldiers, all part of the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, lost contact on March 25 while they were sent out to recover another military vehicle using an M88A2 Hercules, a 70-ton armored vehicle designed for recovery operations. Preliminary investigations suggest they may have veered off the road into the bog, becoming trapped as the vehicle submerged.
An extensive international search effort involving personnel from Lithuania, the U.S., Poland, and Estonia commenced shortly after the soldiers were reported missing, with recovery teams uncovering the vehicle on March 26. The complex nature of the recovery operation had required the use of heavy equipment, divers, search dogs, and drones utilizing ground-penetrating radar to aid in the retrieval process.
Details regarding the specific location of the fourth soldier's body remain undisclosed. The training exercise took place near Pabrade, a city situated close to the border with Belarus.
General Christopher Donahue, commander of U.S. Army Europe and Africa, acknowledged the critical support from Lithuania and other allied nations in the recovery efforts. “We have leaned on them, and they, alongside our Polish and Estonian allies — and our own sailors, airmen, and experts from the Corps of Engineers — have enabled us to find and bring home our soldiers,” he stated.
In addressing the tragedy, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda conveyed heartfelt condolences to the U.S. for the loss. His social media statement expressed solidarity with the soldiers’ families, emphasizing the profound impact of the international alliance amid growing concerns over NATO's strength in contentious geopolitical times.
As the recovery efforts conclude, both the U.S. military and Lithuanian officials continue to assess the implications and causes of this unfortunate incident, ensuring thorough investigation and support for those affected.
In a somber update from abroad, the U.S. military confirmed the discovery of a fourth soldier’s body in Lithuania on Tuesday. This tragic development follows the earlier recoveries of three other soldiers who were reported missing after their armored vehicle sank in a bog during a training exercise.
The soldiers, all part of the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, lost contact on March 25 while they were sent out to recover another military vehicle using an M88A2 Hercules, a 70-ton armored vehicle designed for recovery operations. Preliminary investigations suggest they may have veered off the road into the bog, becoming trapped as the vehicle submerged.
An extensive international search effort involving personnel from Lithuania, the U.S., Poland, and Estonia commenced shortly after the soldiers were reported missing, with recovery teams uncovering the vehicle on March 26. The complex nature of the recovery operation had required the use of heavy equipment, divers, search dogs, and drones utilizing ground-penetrating radar to aid in the retrieval process.
Details regarding the specific location of the fourth soldier's body remain undisclosed. The training exercise took place near Pabrade, a city situated close to the border with Belarus.
General Christopher Donahue, commander of U.S. Army Europe and Africa, acknowledged the critical support from Lithuania and other allied nations in the recovery efforts. “We have leaned on them, and they, alongside our Polish and Estonian allies — and our own sailors, airmen, and experts from the Corps of Engineers — have enabled us to find and bring home our soldiers,” he stated.
In addressing the tragedy, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda conveyed heartfelt condolences to the U.S. for the loss. His social media statement expressed solidarity with the soldiers’ families, emphasizing the profound impact of the international alliance amid growing concerns over NATO's strength in contentious geopolitical times.
As the recovery efforts conclude, both the U.S. military and Lithuanian officials continue to assess the implications and causes of this unfortunate incident, ensuring thorough investigation and support for those affected.
