Three American soldiers were confirmed dead on Monday after crews in Lithuania recovered the M88 Hercules armored recovery vehicle they were in when it sank in a swamp last week.
Search efforts continue for a fourth soldier near Pabradė, Lithuania, according to U.S. Army Europe and Africa.
“Three U.S. Army soldiers from the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division were found deceased in Lithuania today, March 31,” the Army stated.
“The soldiers went missing on March 25 while conducting a mission to repair and tow an immobilized tactical vehicle in their M88A2 Hercules armored recovery vehicle. Their identities are being withheld until their families are notified.”
The vehicle was extracted early Monday morning after a six-day operation that required significant resources from Lithuania, the U.S. Army and Navy, and the Polish Armed Forces, along with Lithuanian government agencies.
The challenging recovery involved stabilizing the area’s unstable ground conditions to retrieve the 63-ton vehicle.
Maj Gen. Christopher Norrie, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division, expressed his sorrow, saying, “These soldiers were more than just troops—they were family.
Our hearts are heavy, and we grieve alongside their loved ones.” He also emphasized that the search is not over, adding, “We will not rest until everyone is home.”
The Army noted that Lithuania provided helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, drones, search and rescue teams, and heavy construction equipment, including excavators and slurry pumps, to aid in the recovery.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda shared his condolences on Monday, saying, “Lithuania mourns with the American nation.” He also posted on X, tagging President Donald Trump, and extended his sympathies to the families of the fallen soldiers.
Lithuanian Defense Minister Dovilė Šakalienė confirmed on Facebook that the armored vehicle was pulled ashore at 4:40 a.m., with Lithuanian Military Police and U.S. investigators continuing their work.
The soldiers were deployed in Lithuania for Operation Atlantic Resolve and were permanently stationed at Fort Stewart, Georgia.
U.S. Navy divers from Commander, Task Force 68 played a key role in the recovery, navigating thick mud and zero visibility to attach steel cables to the submerged vehicle.
During the extraction, additional dozers were needed to provide traction as the M88A2s struggled to pull the vehicle from the bog. The entire process took about two hours.
The soldiers initially went missing early Tuesday. By Wednesday, the vehicle was located in a peat bog, submerged four meters underwater and buried in two meters of mud, according to U.S. Army Europe and Africa.
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