Three U.S. Army soldiers were declared dead on Monday after search and recovery crews retrieved the M88 Hercules armored recovery vehicle that was found submerged in swamp water near Pabradė, Lithuania, last week.
In a Monday press release, U.S. Army Europe and Africa announced, “Three U.S. Army soldiers assigned to 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division were found deceased in Lithuania today, March 31.”
U.S. Army Europe and Africa explained that the names of the soldiers were being “withheld pending notification of next of kin” and noted that the soldiers “went missing in the early morning hours of March 25 in their M88A2 Hercules armored recovery vehicle while conducting a mission to repair and tow an immobilized tactical vehicle.”
Monday’s press release confirmed that the M88A2 Hercules armored recovery vehicle was “removed from the peat bog” early in the morning following a six-day recovery effort that involved hundreds of members of the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, Lithuanian Armed Forces, and Polish Armed Forces, in addition to other Lithuanian government officials and civilian agencies.
U.S. Army officials noted that the recovery effort was very difficult due to the “engineering challenge of recovering the 63-ton-vehicle from an area surrounded by unstable ground conditions.”
READ MORE: Video/Pics: Search for missing soldiers continues after vehicle found ‘submerged’ in water
Addressing the loss of the three U.S. soldiers, Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie, commanding general of the 3rd Infantry Division, said, “The soldiers we have lost in this tragedy were not just soldiers — they were a part of our family. Our hearts are heavy with a sorrow that echoes across the whole Marne Division, both forward and at home. We stand in grief with the families and loved ones of these extraordinary ‘Dogface Soldiers’ during this unimaginable time.”
In Monday’s press release, U.S. Army Europe and Africa confirmed that recovery efforts remain ongoing for the fourth missing soldier in Lithuania.
“The search isn’t finished until everyone is home,” Norrie said. “Words cannot express our gratitude to those still working around the clock during these extensive search and recovery efforts and your unwavering commitment not to rest until all are found.”
Prior to the confirmation of the three deceased U.S. soldiers, Lithuanian Defense Minister Dovilė Šakalienė issued a statement obtained by The Associated Press, saying, “The armored vehicle was pulled ashore at 4:40 a.m., the towing operation is complete, Lithuanian Military Police and US investigators continue their work.”
Following the confirmation of the three deceased soldiers, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda released a statement expressing “deep sadness and sorrow” over the loss of the soldiers in last week’s training exercise.
Tagging President Donald Trump in his post, the Lithuanian president added, “Lithuania mourns together with the American nation. Please accept my heartfelt condolences, as well as those of the Lithuanian people, to you, the loved ones of those who lost their lives, and all the people of the United States of America.”
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