Army identifies 3 American soldiers who died in Lithuanian swamp: ‘Simply devastating’
WASHINGTON – Officials have released the idenтιтies of three of the four U.S. soldiers found ᴅᴇᴀᴅ in Lithuania.
The soldiers, who were discovered in an M88 armored vehicle that sank into a swamp, were all 25 or younger. 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 idenтιтy has not yet been released.
All three men were M1 Abrams tank system maintainers. Their vehicle was discovered in a peat bog near Pabradė, Lithuania, after disappearing on March 25.
The soldiers went missing “while conducting a mission to repair and tow an immobilized tactical vehicle,” according to U.S. Army Europe and Africa.
Duenez served in the Army for over seven years and was ᴀssigned to 5th Sqn., 7th Cav. Regt at Fort Stewart, previously serving with the 1st Infantry Division at Fort Riley, Kansas. A graduate of the Army Basic Leader Course and the Tracked Vehicle Recovery Operations Course, he deployed to Germany in 2022 and Poland in 2021.
Franco served in the Army for over six years and was ᴀssigned to the 5th Sqn., 7th Cav. Regt. at Fort Stewart in February 2019. He also graduated from the Army Basic Leader Course and the Tracked Vehicle Recovery Operations Course and deployed to Korea in 2020, and Germany in 2022.
Taitano, the youngest of the three, had served in the Army for nearly two years and was ᴀssigned to 5th Sqn., 7th Cav. Regt. at Fort Stewart. It was his first deployment.
“This loss is simply devastating,” Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie, the 3rd Infantry Division commanding general, said in a statement. “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.”
On Tuesday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt called the tragedy “another stark reminder of the selfless sacrifice of our brave military men and women who risk their lives around the world every day to keep us safe.”
“The president, the Secretary of Defense and the entire White House are praying for the victims, friends and family during this unimaginable time,” she added.
✓ Ryan Mitchell
WASHINGTON – Officials have released the idenтιтies of three of the four U.S. soldiers found ᴅᴇᴀᴅ in Lithuania. The soldiers, who were discovered in an M88 armored vehicle that sank into…