Tragic Discovery: Bodies of Three Missing US Soldiers Located in Lithuania

The bodies of three US soldiers who had gone missing for six days during military exercises in Lithuania have been discovered in a swampy area near Pabradė, according to official confirmation from the US Army. Rescue operations are still in progress as teams search for a fourth soldier. Maj Gen Christopher Norrie expressed his condolences, stating, "The soldiers we have lost in this tragedy were not just soldiers - they were a part of our family."

The soldiers were reported missing on March 25 while working on an M88A2 Hercules recovery vehicle, designed for towing and repairing damaged military vehicles. Their vehicle was located submerged in a bog near Belarus, prompting a massive search and rescue effort involving the US Army, Navy, and local Lithuanian and Polish forces. Extracting the vehicle proved challenging; divers faced poor visibility and heavy mud. Additional equipment, including bulldozers and excavators, was enlisted to assist in the recovery operation.

A memorial service was held in Vilnius, attended by soldiers and military leaders, where Lithuania’s President Gitanas Nausėda extended heartfelt condolences to the American people and the families of the deceased. The soldiers were part of the 1st Armoured Brigade Combat Team from Georgia, stationed in Lithuania as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve, a response to heightened regional tensions following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. An investigation into the incident is ongoing.