Three American soldiers who went missing in Lithuania were found dead on Monday following a six-day search involving U.S., Lithuanian, and Polish forces. A fourth soldier remains missing.
“Three U.S. Army soldiers assigned to 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division were found deceased in Lithuania today, March 31,” U.S. Army Europe and Africa (USAREUR-AF) said in a statement. The identities of the soldiers were not disclosed.
The cause of death has not been revealed, and an investigation by the U.S. Army and Lithuanian authorities is ongoing to determine the cause of the incident.
The soldiers went missing in the early hours of March 25 in their M88A2 Hercules armored recovery vehicle, while conducting a mission to repair and tow an immobilized tactical vehicle near Pabradė. The following day, the M88 Hercules was discovered in a peat bog and was “assessed to be around four meters below the water’s surface and encased in about two meters of mud.”
The army said search and rescue operations continue for the fourth soldier. “U.S. Navy divers are conducting a grid search, and are also using ground penetrating radar and Lithuanian recovery dogs to assist in the search,” USAREUR-AF said in a post on X.
#WeWillNotRest pic.twitter.com/Fyt3yUT5RD
— U.S. Army Europe and Africa (@USArmyEURAF) March 31, 2025
“The Soldiers we have lost in this tragedy were not just Soldiers – they were a part of our family,” Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division, said. “Our hearts are heavy with a sorrow that echoes across the whole Marne Division, both forward and at home.”
“Today is a very sad and tragic day. The loss of these soldiers weighs heavy on me, the hearts of all the Task Force Iron service members and the 3rd Infantry Division. Our hearts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of these brave soldiers,” Maj. Gen. Curtis Taylor, commander of Task Force Iron and the 1st Armored Division said.
Taylor thanked all those involved in the recovery. He further said: “The search and recovery efforts are not complete – they will continue until we bring all of our soldiers home.”
In a post on X that tagged President Donald Trump, Lithuania’s President Gitanas Nausėda expressed the country’s sorrow over the soldiers’ deaths, saying: “Lithuania mourns together with the American nation. Please accept my heartfelt condolences, as well as those of the Lithuanian people, to you, the loved ones of those who lost their lives, and all the people of the United States of America. During this difficult time, our thoughts and prayers are with you.”
It is with deep sadness and sorrow that I received the news of the tragic loss of three U.S. soldiers during a US-led training exercise in Lithuania. The search and rescue operation will continue until the fourth soldier is found.@realDonaldTrump, Lithuania mourns together with… pic.twitter.com/2477rTQwZJ
— Gitanas Nausėda (@GitanasNauseda) March 31, 2025
