The body of a fourth American soldier has been found at the Pabradė training ground in eastern Lithuania, the US Army Command Europe and Africa announced on Tuesday evening.
“The fourth U.S. Army Soldier assigned to 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division was found deceased near Pabradė, Lithuania the afternoon of April 1,” the statement said on Tuesday.
The soldier’s identity has not been disclosed pending notification of relatives.
“First and foremost, we offer condolences to the loved ones of our soldiers,” said Gen. Christopher Donahue, commander of US Army Europe and Africa. “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 – and 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.”
During the seven-day rescue operation, a joint allied team worked day and night to find the missing soldiers, according to the report.
The US military is investigating the cause of the incident and further details will be made public as circumstances allow.
Three of the four US soldiers missing at the training ground were found on Monday after an M88 Hercules armoured carrier was pulled out of a swamp.
The four US troops and an armoured carrier disappeared last Tuesday during a training exercise in eastern Lithuania. The search and rescue operation lasted almost a week. It involved Lithuanian and US troops, as well as Polish and Estonian soldiers, officials and civilians.
Identities of three soldiers released
The US Army’s 3rd Infantry Division has released the identities of three of the deceased soldiers: Edwin Franco, 25, from California, Dante Taitano, 21, from Guam, and Jose Duenez, 25, from Illinois.
The identity of the fourth soldier, whose body was retrieved on Tuesday, has been withheld until the family is notified, according to the statement.
“This loss is simply devastating,” it quotes Major General Christopher Norrie, the 3rd Infantry Division commanding general. “These men were honored soldiers of the Marne Division. We are wrapping our arms around the families and loved ones of our soldiers during incredibly difficult time.”
Condolensces from Lithuanian and US leaders
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda has issued a message of condolence over the death of the soldier.
“I convey my sincere condolences to the United States of America and all its people and to the soldier’s relatives and comrades. We have carried out the search operation tirelessly, feeling a great commitment to our American friends who are our staunch allies,” the Lithuanian leader said.
Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas, together with the Government of Lithuania, expressed condolences on the confirmed death of the fourth US soldier.
“We share the grief with their families and friends, fellow servicemen, and the entire American nation. We consider soldiers of Allies our brothers and sisters,” the prime minister while thanking “everyone involved in the search and rescue operation”.
Condolences have also been conveyed by the leadership of Lithuania’s national defence system.
US Secretary of Defence Pete Heghseth has also posted a message on X, thanking Lithuanian partners for the joint efforts during the search operation and expressing condolences to the soldiers' 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
Solidarity rally outside the embassy
Several hundred people gathered on Tuesday afternoon outside the US Embassy in Vilnius on Tuesday to pay respects to the American soldiers who drowned during the training exercise at Pabradė.
US Ambassador Kara McDonald told the crowd that such actions are an expression of the NATO alliance.
“I look around, I see this crowd and I am literally stunned. Thank you very, very much for coming tonight to express solidarity. [...] We are very grateful,” she said.
Among those present were politicians, Lithuanian and German soldiers, members of the Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union. Most came with flowers, candles and US flags.
Body found in the swamp near the tank
Speaking at a media conference on Tuesday night, Lieutenant General Remigijus Baltrėnas, Chief of Defence Staff of the Lithuanian Armed Forces, told reporters that the fourth body was discovered in the swamp near the site of the armoured vehicle.
“At the end of the day, very close to the place where the armoured vehicle was found, using excavators, very slowly, little by little, the body was found,” he said.
According to Baltrėnas, it was “50-percent miracle” and focused efforts that helped find the body.
He refused to comment on the reasons that led to the deaths of the four Americans, saying the investigation was being conducted by the US.
“The investigation into what really happened and what the causes were is being conducted by the US and once that investigation is concluded, it will be their decision whether to share the results or not,” he underlined.
According to the chief of Defence Staff, the equipment used during the operation is to be removed from the Pabradė training ground on Wednesday.
“What will happen tomorrow is that we will first remove all the equipment that is no longer needed and we will draw up a management plan, working with other state institutions,” Baltrėnas said.
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