Army identifies 3 American soldiers that died in Lithuanian swamp: ‘Simply devastating’
Officials have released the identities of three of the four U.S. soldiers found dead in Lithuania.
The soldiers, who were found in an M88 armored vehicle that sank into a swamp, were all under the age of 25. Sgt. Jose Duenez, Jr., 25, of Joliet, Illinois; Sgt. Edvin F. Franco, 25, of Glendale, California; and Pfc. Dante D. Taitano, 21, of Dededo, Guam, were all identified by officials on Tuesday.
A fourth soldier was found on Tuesday, but his identity has not yet been released.
“This loss is simply devastating,” Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie, the 3rd Infantry Division commanding general, said in a statement.
3 AMERICAN SOLDIERS DECEASED AFTER US ARMORED VEHICLE PULLED FROM LITHUANIAN SWAMP
“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.”
Recovery efforts for the four missing U.S. soldiers near the spot where their Hercules armored vehicle was found submerged at a training range in Pabrade, north of the capital Vilnius, Lithuania on Thursday, March 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Mindaugas Kulbis)
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