The United States Armed Forces confirmed on Tuesday (April 1) the recovery of the remains of the fourth and final soldier who went missing during a training exercise in Lithuania. The soldiers belonged to the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team of the U.S. Army’s 3rd Infantry Division.
The accident occurred on March 25, when the soldiers were on a mission to repair and tow a disabled tactical vehicle. During the operation, the M88A2 “Hercules” Armored Recovery Vehicle sank into a swamp. All four soldiers on board died.
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The tragedy sparked grief in both the United States and Lithuania. The U.S. President, Secretary of Defense, and the White House issued statements of condolence, while the Lithuanian government and public expressed solidarity and support for the recovery mission.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth spoke publicly about the incident:
“Today I was informed of the recovery of the remains of the fourth and final missing soldier. I want to extend my deepest condolences to the families of all four soldiers who lost their lives. Our hearts are heavy across the Department of Defense. We are deeply grateful to our brave servicemembers who made this difficult recovery possible, as well as to our Lithuanian hosts who worked alongside them. The operation was conducted with urgency, determination, and deep respect for the fallen. We will never forget these soldiers — and our prayers are with their families.”
The recovery operation mobilized teams from both countries and was carried out under challenging conditions, with strong commitment and respect for the victims.
Source: X @SecDef / @LTU_Army / @USArmyEURAF. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
