Body of Fourth US Soldier Found in Lithuania, Ending Week-Long Search
VILNIUS COUNTY, Lithuania – The body of the fourth and final U.S. Army soldier who went missing in Lithuania last week was recovered Tuesday, bringing a somber end to a multinational search and recovery operation. The soldiers, stationed at Fort Stewart, Georgia, were operating an M88A2 Hercules armored recovery vehicle when it sank in a bog during a training exercise near the Belarus border on March 25.
The recovery effort, which involved hundreds of personnel from the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, Lithuanian Armed Forces, Polish Armed Forces, Estonian Armed Forces, and various Lithuanian government and civilian agencies, had been ongoing for seven days. The bodies of the first three soldiers were recovered on Monday.
The U.S. Army Europe and Africa confirmed the recovery. While official identification is pending notification of next of kin, the wife of one of the soldiers, Sgt. Edvin Franco, 25, identified him to news outlets. Franco, a tank mechanic, had been stationed at Fort Stewart since 2018.
International Cooperation and Advanced Technology
The challenging recovery operation required extensive digging and pumping to clear the site, as well as the deployment of dive teams. The M88 Hercules was estimated to be approximately 13 feet below the surface in a mix of mud, water, and silt.
In the final 24 hours, the mission intensified with the arrival of specialized personnel and equipment, including rescue dogs and advanced drone systems. One of the drones was equipped with ground-penetrating radar to enhance search capabilities.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda expressed his condolences and thanked those who helped find the last missing soldier under such challenging conditions.
Operation Atlantic Resolve
The soldiers were deployed to Lithuania in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve, a U.S. Army Europe and Africa mission focused on strengthening deterrence capabilities along NATO's eastern flank. U.S. units have been rotating through the Pabrade training ground, where the accident occurred, since 2019.
The M88A2 Hercules armored recovery vehicle is designed to provide maintenance support in the field, including recovery and evacuation of heavy equipment. On the morning they went missing, the soldiers were reportedly on a mission to repair and tow an immobilized tactical vehicle.
Mourning the Loss
U.S. Army Europe and Africa Commander Gen. Christopher Donahue offered condolences to the loved ones of the soldiers. "I'm immensely proud of our entire team; they have been relentless in their efforts to search and recover our Soldiers and get every capability and asset necessary to enable this effort," Donahue said.
Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie expressed the deep sorrow felt by the unit. "This past week has been devastating. Today our hearts bear the weight of an unbearable pain with the loss of our final Dogface Soldier," Norrie said, using a nickname for U.S. infantrymen. “Though we have received some closure, the world is darker without them.”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the fourth death and stated that President Donald Trump and his administration were praying for the victims and their families.
Investigation Underway
The cause of the accident is under investigation. The U.S. Army has not released further details about the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The recovery of the four soldiers brings a measure of closure to their families and the Fort Stewart community. The U.S. Army is providing support to the families during this difficult time. The names of the deceased are being withheld pending official notification of next of kin.
The incident highlights the risks associated with military training exercises, even in peacetime. The U.S. Army is committed to conducting a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the accident and prevent similar tragedies in the future.
