Fourth US soldier missing in Lithuania found dead
Search operation (Photo: Valdemar Doveiko/EPA)
A fourth American soldier who had been unaccounted for during a training exercise last week was discovered deceased in Lithuania on the afternoon of April 1, as reported by the US Army Europe and Africa Command.
He was a member of the 1st Armored Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, U.S. Army. The name of the deceased is being withheld until his family has been officially informed.
“Words cannot capture the level of support our Lithuanian allies have extended to us. We have depended on them, and together with our Polish and Estonian partners – as well as our sailors, airmen, and engineers – they have enabled us to locate and return our soldiers,” stated General Christopher Donahue, commander of US Army Europe and Africa.
The soldier’s remains were found following a search conducted by hundreds of rescuers from the U.S. Army and U.S. Navy, alongside personnel from the Armed Forces of Poland, Lithuania, Estonia, and various Lithuanian civilian organizations.
The U.S. military is actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident. Further updates will be shared as new details emerge, according to the U.S. Army Europe and Africa Command.
“We are committed to supporting the families and loved ones of our service members during this profoundly challenging time. It is now crucial to bring them home,” remarked 3rd Infantry Division Commander Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie.
On March 31, three American soldiers who had been missing during training in Lithuania were also located deceased.
- On March 26, 2025, the US Embassy in Lithuania announced the disappearance of four American soldiers during exercises near the Belarus border.
- The soldiers vanished alongside their tracked vehicle, which was subsequently found in a swamp.
- On March 28, the Lithuanian president expressed hope for a “miracle” in the search operation for the missing American soldiers.
- On March 31, a submerged armored vehicle belonging to the four missing U.S. servicemen was retrieved from a swamp at the Pabrads training ground in Lithuania, while the search for the soldiers was still ongoing.
