Fourth Missing U.S. Soldier Discovered Dead in Lithuania: What We Know So Far

The search for the fourth U.S. Army soldier missing in Lithuania has come to a tragic conclusion. Military officials confirmed that the soldier’s body was discovered on Tuesday afternoon, following a week-long search effort across difficult terrain. This soldier, whose identity has not yet been disclosed, was the last of four to be found after the others were recovered on Monday. All four were part of the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, which had been conducting training exercises when their M88A2 Hercules armored recovery vehicle became submerged in a peat bog on March 25.

The recovery operation involved hundreds of personnel from the U.S., Lithuania, Poland, and Estonia, utilizing specialized equipment to navigate the challenging landscape. The U.S. Army, alongside Lithuanian authorities, is currently investigating the incident.

Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie expressed profound sorrow over the loss, stating, “Today our hearts bear the weight of an unbearable pain with the loss of our final Dogface Soldier.” The unit had been stationed at Fort Stewart, Georgia, and was in Lithuania to support Operation Atlantic Resolve, aimed at strengthening deterrence alongside international allies. This somber event underscores the risks faced during military training and operations abroad.