Updated: April 1, 2025
The search for four US Army soldiers missing in Lithuania concluded in tragedy as the fourth and final soldier was found deceased near Pabrade on the afternoon of April 1, 2025. This devastating outcome follows the discovery of three other soldiers earlier this week, all part of the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, who went missing during a training exercise last week.
“The fourth US Army Soldier assigned to 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division was found deceased near Pabrade, Lithuania the afternoon of April 1,” stated the US Army Europe and Africa’s public affairs office in an official release. While no additional details about the cause of death were provided, the incident underscores the risks faced by military personnel even during routine operations.
A Tragic Loss During Training
The soldiers were reported missing near the General Silvestras Žukauskas Training Ground in Pabrade, a town close to Lithuania’s border with Belarus. The group had been engaged in a tactical training exercise when their M88 Hercules armored vehicle became submerged in a swampy peat bog. After a six-day multinational recovery effort involving U.S., Lithuanian, and Polish forces, the bodies of three soldiers were recovered on March 31, with the fourth soldier’s remains located the following day.
For more details on the initial recovery operation, visit the Associated Press coverage. To explore related military news, check out additional reports at Planet Today’s search page.
Global Response and Condolences
The incident has drawn condolences from leaders worldwide, including Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda, who expressed solidarity with the American people. The US Army has reiterated its commitment to supporting the soldiers’ families during this difficult time, with identities withheld pending family notifications.
This tragic event serves as a somber reminder of the inherent dangers in military training, even in allied nations like Lithuania, a NATO member hosting rotational US troops. As investigations continue, the focus remains on honoring the fallen soldiers and ensuring the safety of future operations.
