The U.S. Army has confirmed the recovery of a fourth Soldier assigned to the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, who was found deceased near Pabradė, Lithuania, on the afternoon of April 1. The Soldier’s identity is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
General Christopher Donahue, commander of U.S. Army Europe and Africa, expressed deep sorrow over the incident. “First and foremost, we offer condolences to the loved ones of our Soldiers. I can’t say enough about the support our Lithuanian Allies have provided us. We have leaned on them, and they, alongside our Polish and Estonian Allies, as well as our own Sailors, Airmen, and experts from the Corps of Engineers, have enabled us to find and bring home our Soldiers. This is a tragic event, but it reinforces what it means to have Allies and friends.”
The tragedy began in the early morning hours of March 25, when four Soldiers went missing. By March 31, the first three Soldiers and their M88A2 Hercules armored recovery vehicle had been recovered from a peat bog. The search efforts continued until April 1, when the fourth and final Soldier was found.
Reflecting on the somber moment, Major General Christopher Norrie, commanding general of the 3rd Infantry Division, stated, “This past week has been devastating. Today our hearts bear the weight of an unbearable pain with the loss of our final Dogface Soldier. Though we have received some closure, the world is darker without them.”
The extensive recovery operation 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. Major General Curtis Taylor, commanding general of the 1st Armored Division, commended the international effort. “We are incredibly relieved that we were able to bring this recovery to an end and bring closure to all the Families, friends, and teammates of our Soldiers. We cannot thank our Allies and fellow service members enough, especially the Lithuanians, who spared no resource in support of this mission. Together, we delivered on our promise to never leave a fallen comrade.”
The mission to find and recover the missing Soldiers spanned seven days, with personnel working around the clock. Lieutenant General Charles Costanza, commanding general of V Corps, acknowledged the unity and dedication of the multinational teams. “As the fourth and final Soldier has been recovered from this tragic accident, we will continue to mourn their loss as we work to quickly return our Dogface Soldiers home to their families. It has been truly amazing and very humbling to watch the incredible recovery team from different commands, countries, and continents come together and give everything to recover our Soldiers. Thank you, Lithuania, Poland, Estonia, the U.S. Navy, and the Army Corps of Engineers. We are forever grateful.”
The Soldier was deployed to Lithuania as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve, a mission designed to provide credible ground deterrence alongside U.S. Allies and partners. The Soldier was permanently stationed at Fort Stewart, Georgia.
General Donahue praised the relentless efforts of the recovery teams. “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.”
The U.S. Army has launched an investigation into the cause of the accident and will provide updates as more information becomes available.
“We continue to stand by the Families and loved ones through this incredibly difficult time,” said Norrie. “Now, it’s time to bring them home.”
For further information, visit the official U.S. Army Europe and Africa recovery website at europeafrica.army.mil/Newsroom/Soldiers-in-Lithuania or contact U.S. Army Europe and Africa Public Affairs at media@army.mil.
