Three U.S. Army soldiers have been found dead after their vehicle sank in a peat bog during a training exercise in Lithuania. The incident took place last week when four soldiers from the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, went missing early Tuesday morning while driving an armored recovery vehicle. They were on a mission to repair and tow another vehicle when their M88A2 Hercules got stuck.
The search for the soldiers began immediately, but it took six days to recover the vehicle, which was found submerged four meters underwater and buried in two meters of mud. The recovery operation was challenging due to the unstable ground conditions. U.S. Navy divers, along with heavy construction equipment and technical experts, worked tirelessly to bring the 63-ton vehicle to the surface. The effort required significant resources from Lithuania, highlighting the cooperation between the U.S. military and its allies.
As the search continued, the identities of the deceased soldiers were withheld pending notification of their families. Maj. Gen. Curtis Taylor, commander of Task Force Iron, expressed deep sorrow over the loss, stating that the tragedy weighs heavily on the hearts of all service members in the division. He praised the heroic efforts of the search teams and acknowledged the vital support from Lithuanian forces.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte had earlier indicated that all four soldiers were presumed dead, but the U.S. Army did not confirm this until Monday morning. The search for the fourth soldier continues as recovery operations remain a priority for the military. The loss of these soldiers is a somber reminder of the risks faced during training exercises, and the military community is rallying together to support their families during this difficult time.