Three U.S. Army soldiers were discovered dead on Monday after their armored vehicle was recovered from a swampy area in Lithuania, while search efforts continue for a fourth missing soldier.
The soldiers, members of the First Brigade, Third Infantry Division, disappeared last Tuesday during a training exercise near Pabrade, eastern Lithuania. Their M88 Hercules armored vehicle was found submerged in approximately 15 feet of water on Wednesday.
After a complex six-day recovery operation involving hundreds of U.S., Polish, and Lithuanian personnel, the 70-ton vehicle was finally pulled from the bog early Monday morning. The operation required extensive resources, including excavators, pumps, construction equipment, and U.S. Navy divers who worked in zero-visibility conditions.
"We stand in grief with the families and loved ones of these extraordinary 'Dogface Soldiers' during this unimaginable time," said Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie, 3rd Infantry Division commander.
The incident occurred at the General Silvestras Žukauskas training ground, approximately 6 miles from the Belarus border. Lithuanian armed forces provided substantial support, including military helicopters, aircraft, unmanned aerial systems, and search and rescue personnel.
The identities of the deceased soldiers are being withheld pending family notifications. U.S. Navy dive teams are now using radar to search the area for the fourth missing soldier.
Both U.S. Army and Lithuanian authorities have launched investigations to determine the cause of the incident.