Bodies of 3 U.S. Soldiers Recovered After Vehicle Sinks in Peat Bog; 1 Still Missing

A training exercise turned into tragedy last week as three U.S. Army soldiers were found dead after their armored vehicle sank into a peat bog in Lithuania. The search continues for a fourth missing soldier, as military teams work tirelessly to recover all of their fallen brothers.

The soldiers, part of the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, had been operating an M88A2 Hercules armored recovery vehicle early Tuesday morning when the incident occurred. They were assisting in towing an immobilized tactical vehicle when the ground beneath them gave way swallowing the 63-ton machine in a soft, unstable wetland.

After nearly a week of intensive recovery operations, U.S. Navy divers located the vehicle approximately four meters underwater, entombed in two meters of thick mud. The effort to retrieve both the vehicle and the remains of the soldiers required extraordinary measures, with assistance from Lithuanian allies who contributed heavy machinery, technical personnel, and hundreds of tons of gravel to reinforce the bog.

A post from the U.S. Army’s official account read simply, “Together we will bring our Soldiers home.”

Maj. Gen. Curtis Taylor, commander of Task Force Iron, expressed sorrow and gratitude “Today is a very sad and tragic day. The loss of these Soldiers weighs heavy on me, the hearts of all Task Force Iron service members, and the 3rd Infantry Division... I’d like to personally commend the heroic efforts of the search parties, and especially our Lithuanian allies.”

Key facts about the recovery effort:

• The M88A2 Hercules, built for recovering disabled tanks and heavy vehicles, weighs over 60 tons

• Divers and ground crews battled mud, water, and shifting terrain during the six-day search

• The soldiers' identities have not yet been released as families are still being notified

• Despite early reports from NATO suggesting all four soldiers had perished, the U.S. has confirmed only three deaths so far

This tragedy underscores the dangerous conditions our service members face even during training missions. It also highlights the critical importance of strong military alliances, as Lithuania’s swift and committed response showed a deep respect for our troops and the U.S.–NATO partnership.

As the recovery continues, one thing remains clear these men will not be forgotten. The determination to bring all of them home is unwavering.

May God comfort their families, and may America never forget the price our soldiers pay even in times of so-called peace.

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