'We will never forget them': Lithuania honors Fort Stewart soldiers killed during training mission
On Thursday, a farewell ceremony was held in Lithuania to honor the four U.S. Army soldiers killed during a training mission.
Updated: 6:40 PM EDT Apr 3, 2025
'We will never forget them': Lithuania honors Fort Stewart soldiers killed during training mission
On Thursday, a farewell ceremony was held in Lithuania to honor the four U.S. Army soldiers killed during a training mission.
Updated: 6:40 PM EDT Apr 3, 2025
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GOOD AFTERNOON, I'M RILEY MILLER. HERE ARE YOUR FACTS - FIRST - AT - 4. RIGHT NOW WE'RE LEARNING MORE ABOUT THESE FORT STEWART SOLDIERS... WHO LOST THEIR LIVES IN A TRAINING MISSION IN LITHUANIA. THE U-S ARMY IDENTIFYING THEM AFTER RECOVERING THEIR BODIES.. ONE WEEK AFTER THEY WENT MISSING. WJCL 22 NEWS AJ SISSON REPORTS WITH WHAT WE KNOW.. ABOUT THESE MEN WE NOW KNOW THE NAMES OF ALL THE 3RD INFANTRY DIVISION SOLDIERS WHO TRAGICALLY LOST THEIR LIFE IN A TRAINING MISSION IN LITHUANIA ... AFTER THE UNITED STATES ARMY PUBLICLY IDENTIFIED THE FOURTH ... AND FINAL SOLDIER ... STAFF SERGEANT TROY S. KNUTSON- COLLINS ... WHO WAS 28 YEARS OLD ... FROM BATTLE CREEK MICHIGAN ... SERVED FOR OVER 7 YEARS IN THE ARMY ... PREVIOUSLY SERVING IN KOREA IN 2020 ... HE DIED ALONGSIDE STAFF SERGEANT JOSE DUENEZ JR. .... STAFF SERGEANT EDVIN F. FRANCO ... AND PRIVATE FIRST CLASS DANTE D. TAITANO ... THE U-S ARMY SAYS DUENEZ ... FRANCO ... AND KNUTSON- COLLINS WERE POSTHUMOUSLY PROMOTED TO STAFF SERGEANT ... COMMANDING GENERAL OF THE 3RD INFANTRY DIVISION ... CHRISTOPHER NORRIE ... SAID THEY WILL CONTINUE TO CARE FOR THEIR FAMILIES ... ADDING: "ALTHOUGH WE ARE RELIEVED TO HAVE FOUND ALL OUR DOGFACE SOLDIERS, IT DOES NOT MAKE THE PAIN OF THEIR LOSS ANY LESS." VO FORT STEWART OFFICIALS SAY THE SOLDIERS ARE EXPECTED TO BE ON U-S SOIL BY FRIDAY ... BUT NO LATER THAN THE WEEKEND ... AT 11 A-M IN LITHUANIA ... 4 A-M EASTERN TIME ... IN VILNIUS ... THE CAPITAL OF LITHUANIA ... THE LITHUANIAN MINISTRY OF DEFENSE WILL HOST A FAREWELL CEREMONY FOR THE U-S SOLDIERS ... THAT THEY ALSO CONSIDERED THEIR OWN ..
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'We will never forget them': Lithuania honors Fort Stewart soldiers killed during training mission
On Thursday, a farewell ceremony was held in Lithuania to honor the four U.S. Army soldiers killed during a training mission.
Updated: 6:40 PM EDT Apr 3, 2025
Download the WJCL App for breaking news alerts: Apple, Google Play On Thursday, a farewell ceremony was held in Lithuania to honor the four U.S. Army soldiers killed during a training mission.The Lithuanian Ministry of Defense shared images on X of crowds lining the streets as hearses were parked nearby."Today, Lithuania honoured and bid farewell to the four US soldiers who tragically lost their lives in Pabradė. We will never forget them," the tweet read. "The people of Lithuania prayed relentlessly for their fate, as we feel profound solidarity and regard American soldiers as our own."The soldiers' bodies will return to the U.S. in the coming days. The investigation into the accident could last for as much as a year.Deceased Soldiers:SSgt. Jose Duenez, Jr., 25, from Joliet, IllinoisSSgt. Edvin F. Franco, 25, from Glendale, CaliforniaPfc. Dante D. Taitano, 21, from Dededo, GuamSSgt. Troy S. Knutson-Collins, 28, from Battle Creek, Mich. All were members of the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division.Background:The Soldiers were operating an M88A2 Hercules recovery vehicle during a mission in support of scheduled training.The incident took place near Pabradė, Lithuania, during Operation Atlantic Resolve. They were reported missing March 25 and confirmed deceased Monday after their vehicle was recovered from a peat bog in Lithuania.MORE COVERAGE White House press secretary comments on Fort Stewart soldiers killed in LithuaniaWhat is the M88A2 Hercules, the U.S. military vehicle at the center of Lithuania recovery mission? Details on the Soldiers:SSgt. Jose Duenez, Jr.:Role: M1 Abrams tank system maintainer with over 7 years of service.Assignments: Fort Stewart (since February 2022), previously served with the 1st Infantry Division at Fort Riley, Kansas.Deployments: Poland (2021), Germany (2022).Awards: Army Commendation Medal (with oak leaf cluster), Army Achievement Medal (with two oak leaf clusters), and others.Legacy: Remembered as a dedicated leader and "silent professional" who inspired his team.SSgt. Edvin F. Franco:Role: M1 Abrams tank system maintainer with over 6 years of service.Assignments: Fort Stewart (since February 2019).Deployments: Korea (2020), Germany (2022).Awards: Army Commendation Medal (with oak leaf cluster), Army Achievement Medal (with oak leaf cluster), and others.Legacy: Known for his infectious smile, tenacity, and dedication to his team.Pfc. Dante D. Taitano:Role: M1 Abrams tank system maintainer with nearly 2 years of service.Assignments: Fort Stewart (since October 2023).Deployments: This was his first deployment.Awards: Army Commendation Medal.Legacy: Remembered for his charisma, laughter, and ability to bring his team together.SSgt. Troy S. Knutson-Collins:Role: Artillery mechanic with over 7 years of service.Assignments: Fort Stewart (since February 2018).Deployments: Korea (2020).Awards: Army Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster, Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and Master Technician Badge.Legacy: Remembered for being an "exceptional friend to all."Duenez, Franco and Knutson-Collins have all been posthumously promoted to the rank of staff sergeant. Context:The 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team deployed in January 2025 as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve, a nine-month NATO mission to support Allies and partners in Europe.Approximately 3,500 Soldiers from the brigade are stationed across Poland and the Baltic states. Below video: White House press secretary comments on U.S. soldiers killed in Lithuania
Download the WJCL App for breaking news alerts: Apple, Google Play
On Thursday, a farewell ceremony was held in Lithuania to honor the four U.S. Army soldiers killed during a training mission.
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The Lithuanian Ministry of Defense shared images on X of crowds lining the streets as hearses were parked nearby.
"Today, Lithuania honoured and bid farewell to the four US soldiers who tragically lost their lives in Pabradė. We will never forget them," the tweet read.
"The people of Lithuania prayed relentlessly for their fate, as we feel profound solidarity and regard American soldiers as our own."
The soldiers' bodies will return to the U.S. in the coming days. The investigation into the accident could last for as much as a year.
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- Deceased Soldiers:
- SSgt. Jose Duenez, Jr., 25, from Joliet, Illinois
- SSgt. Edvin F. Franco, 25, from Glendale, California
- Pfc. Dante D. Taitano, 21, from Dededo, Guam
- SSgt. Troy S. Knutson-Collins, 28, from Battle Creek, Mich.
- All were members of the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division.
Background:
- The Soldiers were operating an M88A2 Hercules recovery vehicle during a mission in support of scheduled training.
- The incident took place near Pabradė, Lithuania, during Operation Atlantic Resolve.
- They were reported missing March 25 and confirmed deceased Monday after their vehicle was recovered from a peat bog in Lithuania.
MORE COVERAGE
- White House press secretary comments on Fort Stewart soldiers killed in Lithuania
- What is the M88A2 Hercules, the U.S. military vehicle at the center of Lithuania recovery mission?
Details on the Soldiers:
SSgt. Jose Duenez, Jr.:
- Role: M1 Abrams tank system maintainer with over 7 years of service.
- Assignments: Fort Stewart (since February 2022), previously served with the 1st Infantry Division at Fort Riley, Kansas.
- Deployments: Poland (2021), Germany (2022).
- Awards: Army Commendation Medal (with oak leaf cluster), Army Achievement Medal (with two oak leaf clusters), and others.
- Legacy: Remembered as a dedicated leader and "silent professional" who inspired his team.
SSgt. Edvin F. Franco:
- Role: M1 Abrams tank system maintainer with over 6 years of service.
- Assignments: Fort Stewart (since February 2019).
- Deployments: Korea (2020), Germany (2022).
- Awards: Army Commendation Medal (with oak leaf cluster), Army Achievement Medal (with oak leaf cluster), and others.
- Legacy: Known for his infectious smile, tenacity, and dedication to his team.
Pfc. Dante D. Taitano:
- Role: M1 Abrams tank system maintainer with nearly 2 years of service.
- Assignments: Fort Stewart (since October 2023).
- Deployments: This was his first deployment.
- Awards: Army Commendation Medal.
- Legacy: Remembered for his charisma, laughter, and ability to bring his team together.
SSgt. Troy S. Knutson-Collins:
- Role: Artillery mechanic with over 7 years of service.
- Assignments: Fort Stewart (since February 2018).
- Deployments: Korea (2020).
- Awards: Army Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster, Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and Master Technician Badge.
- Legacy: Remembered for being an "exceptional friend to all."
Duenez, Franco and Knutson-Collins have all been posthumously promoted to the rank of staff sergeant.
Context:
- The 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team deployed in January 2025 as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve, a nine-month NATO mission to support Allies and partners in Europe.
- Approximately 3,500 Soldiers from the brigade are stationed across Poland and the Baltic states.
Below video: White House press secretary comments on U.S. soldiers killed in Lithuania