Fourth US soldier found dead after 63-ton tank sunk in swamp in Lithuania sparking six day rescue mission
A FOURTH US soldier’s body has been found after a NATO drill squad went missing in Lithuania.
The military personnel were inside a M88A2 Hercules vehicle at Pabrade training ground, close to the border with Putin ally Belarus, when they suddenly vanished.
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The other three soldiers, identified as Jose Duenez, Jr., 25, Edvin Franco, 25 and Dante Taitano, 21, were later found dead in a peat bog along with their vehicle on Monday.
The fourth soldier was found dead on Tuesday – but has not yet been named.
Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie said that the loss was “simply devastating”.
He said: “These men were honoured Soldiers of the Marne Division.
“We are wrapping our arms around the families and loved ones of our Soldiers during incredibly difficult time.”
One of the soldier’s uncles confirmed his nephew was identified as one of the four dead personnel.
Willy Flores said: “Unfortunately, Dante was one of the ones that they identified as one of the three recovered.
“Three bodies recovered, and so we just now have to put our nephew to rest.”
US Army Europe and Africa said in a statement after the first three soldiers were found that the search effort involved hundreds of rescue workers from the US Army and Navy as well as Lithuanian, Polish and Estonian Armed Forces.
Maj Gen Christopher Norrie said in the statement: “This past week has been devastating.
“Today our hearts bear the weight of an unbearable pain… the world is darker without them.”
Lt Gen Charles Costanza described the incident as a “tragic accident” but added that it was “humbling to watch the incredible recovery team from different commands, countries and continents come together”.
The Army did not specify where exactly the fourth soldier was found, but are still investigating the incident.
The team were working near the border with Belarus when they found the US soldier’s body.
The discovery also came after recovery dogs from Lithuania and neighbouring Estonia joined the search effort, authorities said.
The dogs were placed in a US Navy inflatable boat with the hope of picking up any scents from below the surface of the bog.
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A memorial was also set up for US soldiers who died at the Pabrade training ground on Tuesday.
NATO soldiers from across Europe and locals brought candles and flowers outside the US embassy in Vilnius, Lithuania, to pay their respects.
The previous recovery of the Hercules vehicle on Monday was an agonising ordeal, which saw fleets of armoured vehicles clearing the bog and dragging the submerged tank out.
The M88A2 Hercules is one of the largest military vehicles used by the US Armed Forces.
It is designed to recover damaged tanks and other vehicles from battlefields.
Two more M88A2 Hercules as well as additional bulldozers were needed to drag the colossal vehicle out of the peat bog on Monday.
The six-day recovery mission involved teams working “day and night”, according to the statement.
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Major General Curtis Taylor, commander of Task Force Iron and the 1st Armored Division, said after the three were found: “I’d like to personally commend the heroic efforts of the search parties, and especially our Lithuanian allies who were instrumental in the recovery efforts.
“Their courage and commitment to this operation will always be remembered and demonstrates the strong relationship between our countries.
“However, search and recovery efforts are not complete – they will continue until we bring all of our soldiers home.”
The soldiers had been deployed to Lithuania as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve, in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
They vanished while on a mission to repair and tow back another armoured vehicle last Tuesday.
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