The U.S. Army confirms the death of a fourth soldier in a training accident in Lithuania, amidst ongoing investigations into the cause.
Fourth U.S. Soldier Found Dead in Lithuania After Training Mission Tragedy
Fourth U.S. Soldier Found Dead in Lithuania After Training Mission Tragedy
An international recovery effort leads to the discovery of a soldier, following the tragic sinking of an armored vehicle.
The body of a fourth U.S. Army soldier was discovered on Tuesday in Lithuania, just days after three other soldiers were found dead following the sinking of their armored vehicle during a training mission. The U.S. military reported that the soldiers were part of the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, and went missing on March 25, after their M88A2 Hercules vehicle, a 70-ton military tow truck, sank in a bog near the border with Belarus.
Initially, the soldiers had been dispatched to extract another Army vehicle when they likely veered off-road and became trapped in the muddy terrain, trapping them inside as the vehicle sank. The recovery operation, which spanned several days, involved extensive resources and personnel from Lithuania, Poland, Estonia, and the U.S. – including engineers, divers, and drones with ground-penetrating radar.
The U.S. Army has not disclosed the specific location where the fourth soldier was found, but noted that recovery efforts began soon after the vehicle was located on March 26. General Christopher Donahue, commander of U.S. Army Europe and Africa, praised the collaborative global effort in locating the soldiers. He expressed gratitude for the support from Lithuanian, Polish, and Estonian military forces.
In a statement following the tragic discovery, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda extended his condolences to the families of the deceased soldiers and acknowledged the collective efforts that facilitated the search and recovery under such difficult conditions. Amid rising concerns about NATO’s strength, officials highlighted the importance of international cooperation in these trying times, especially as they reaffirm ties between allies in light of evolving geopolitical landscapes.
Initially, the soldiers had been dispatched to extract another Army vehicle when they likely veered off-road and became trapped in the muddy terrain, trapping them inside as the vehicle sank. The recovery operation, which spanned several days, involved extensive resources and personnel from Lithuania, Poland, Estonia, and the U.S. – including engineers, divers, and drones with ground-penetrating radar.
The U.S. Army has not disclosed the specific location where the fourth soldier was found, but noted that recovery efforts began soon after the vehicle was located on March 26. General Christopher Donahue, commander of U.S. Army Europe and Africa, praised the collaborative global effort in locating the soldiers. He expressed gratitude for the support from Lithuanian, Polish, and Estonian military forces.
In a statement following the tragic discovery, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda extended his condolences to the families of the deceased soldiers and acknowledged the collective efforts that facilitated the search and recovery under such difficult conditions. Amid rising concerns about NATO’s strength, officials highlighted the importance of international cooperation in these trying times, especially as they reaffirm ties between allies in light of evolving geopolitical landscapes.
