Members of Commander, Task Force (CTF) 68, a U.S. Navy dive team, arrive on site to assess diving operations in support of efforts to find four U.S. soldiers in a submerged M88 Hercules recovery vehicle at a training site near Pabradė, Lithuania, March 29, 2025. (US Army Photo)
WIESBADEN, Germany — The U.S. Army confirmed today the loss of three soldiers from the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, who were found dead inside their vehicle in Lithuania. The soldiers had been missing since March 25, when their M88A2 Hercules armored recovery vehicle submerged in a peat bog during a mission. The recovery operation continues for a fourth soldier who remains missing.
The incident occurred early on March 25 as the soldiers were attempting to repair and tow an immobilized tactical vehicle. Their vehicle was found the next day, submerged in a body of water. Intensive search and recovery efforts ensued, involving U.S. and Lithuanian armed forces, along with Polish military personnel and other Lithuanian government and civilian agencies.
After a challenging six-day recovery operation, the 63-ton vehicle was extracted from the bog on March 31. The operation was hindered by difficult terrain, requiring substantial resources and collaboration between multiple nations. U.S. Navy divers from Commander, Task Force 68 played a critical role in the recovery, navigating through zero visibility conditions to attach steel cables for the extraction.
As the search continues for the fourth soldier, the recovery team has transitioned to using ground-penetrating radar, provided by Lithuanian experts, to conduct a systematic search of the area.
The identities of the deceased soldiers are being withheld pending notification of next of kin. This loss has deeply affected all involved, underscoring the dangers faced by military personnel even in non-combat situations.
