The U.S. Army confirmed Tuesday that the fourth soldier who went missing during a training mission near the Lithuania-Belarus border had been found dead, concluding a seven-day recovery effort.
In a news release, the U.S. Army Europe and Africa (USAREUR-AF) said the final soldier’s remains were located near Pabradė on Tuesday, one day after the bodies of the other three were recovered. His identity was not disclosed pending family notification.
According to USAREUR-AF, the fourth soldier was located following a search involving hundreds of rescue workers from the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, Lithuanian Armed Forces, Polish Armed Forces, Estonian Armed Forces, and various other Lithuanian government and civilian agencies.
The soldiers, assigned to the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, Georgia, went missing while conducting a tactical recovery operation on March 25. Their M88A2 Hercules armored recovery vehicle, which sank into a peat bog, was later found submerged under approximately 15 feet of water, mud, and silt.
USAREUR-AF earlier identified the three deceased soldiers as Sgt. Jose Duenez Jr., 25, of Joliet, Illinois; Sgt. Edvin F. Franco, 25, of Glendale, California; and Pfc. Dante D. Taitano, 21, of Dededo, Guam. The Army is actively investigating the circumstances surrounding their deaths.
“This past week has been devastating. Today our hearts bear the weight of an unbearable pain with the loss of our final Dogface Soldier,” said Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie, 3rd Infantry Division commanding general. “Though we have received some closure, the world is darker without them.”
“We cannot thank our allies and fellow service members enough, especially the Lithuanians, who spared no resources in support of this mission. Together, we delivered on our promise to never leave a fallen comrade,” Maj. Gen. Curtis Taylor, commanding general, 1st Armored Division said.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth also expressed his gratitude to all those involved in the rescue operations.
“We are deeply grateful to our brave service members who enabled this difficult recovery and to our Lithuanian hosts who labored alongside them. The recovery was conducted with urgency, resolve and deep respect for the fallen. We will never forget these soldiers — and our prayers are with their families.”
Today, I was informed that the remains of the fourth and final missing U.S. Army Soldier from the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division were recovered in Lithuania. I want to personally extend my deepest condolences to the families of all four fallen Soldiers.…
— Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth (@SecDef) April 1, 2025
Meanwhile, hundreds gathered outside the U.S. Embassy in Vilnius to pay tribute to the fallen soldiers. Lithuania has announced that a farewell ceremony will take place in Vilnius on Thursday to honor them.
🇺🇸🇱🇹 Thank You, Lithuania. 🇱🇹🇺🇸
In the face of tragedy, we have seen the true meaning of Allies and friends. As we mourn the loss of our four Soldiers, we want to express our deepest gratitude to our Lithuanian Allies for their tireless efforts to bring our Soldiers home.
Your… pic.twitter.com/fbvZsTRXuC
— U.S. Embassy Vilnius (@USEmbVilnius) April 2, 2025
While the Department of Defense has not yet specified a date for the repatriation of the remains, the military confirmed that Lithuania will continue to provide support throughout the process of bringing the soldiers home.
Lithuania continues to support us as we bring our Soldiers home. #MesStovimeVieningi #WeStandTogether #StoimyRamieWRamie #MeSeisameÜhtsena https://t.co/4VYYv2z1RR
— U.S. Army Europe and Africa (@USArmyEURAF) April 2, 2025
