Multiple US Soldiers Found Dead After Armored Recovery Vehicle Sank in Lithuania

Three US soldiers have been found dead after their armored recovery vehicle sank in a Lithuanian swamp during a training mission, with search efforts continuing for the fourth missing service member.

Key Takeaways

Three of four missing US Army soldiers from the 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division were found deceased after their M88 Hercules recovery vehicle sank in a swamp near Pabradė, Lithuania.
The vehicle was recovered from approximately 15 feet of water and thick mud after a six-day operation involving U.S., Lithuanian, and Polish forces.
The incident occurred on March 25 during a mission to repair and tow an immobilized tactical vehicle; search efforts continue for the fourth soldier.
Recovery operations were complicated by unstable ground conditions, requiring specialized equipment including cranes, slurry pumps, and ground-penetrating radar.

Tragic Discovery in Lithuanian Training Ground

US Army officials confirmed that three soldiers assigned to the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division were found deceased in Lithuania on March 31. The soldiers went missing on March 25 while operating an M88A2 Hercules armored recovery vehicle during a mission to repair and tow an immobilized tactical vehicle. The search continues for the fourth soldier who remains missing in the swampy terrain of the General Silvestras Žukauskas training ground near Pabradė.

The recovery operation faced significant challenges due to the vehicle’s location in what officials described as a peat bog with extremely unstable ground. The M88 Hercules, a 70-ton armored recovery vehicle, was submerged in approximately 15 feet of water and thick, clay-like mud, making the extraction process highly complex. Lithuanian Defense Minister Dovile Sakaliene provided insight into what might have happened, noting, “Most likely, the M88 drove into the swamp” and then “may have just gone diagonally to the bottom.”

3 missing US soldiers found dead in Lithuania, search continues for 4th soldier https://t.co/oLQ983xd2m

— Yahoo News (@YahooNews) March 31, 2025

Multinational Recovery Effort

The six-day recovery operation represented a substantial multinational effort. US Navy divers worked through difficult conditions to attach steel cables to the submerged vehicle. The Polish Armed Forces contributed additional equipment, supplies, and approximately 150 personnel to assist in the operation. Lithuanian forces provided extensive support, including helicopters, aircraft, and heavy equipment necessary to stabilize the surrounding area.

The recovery teams employed a large-capacity slurry pump, multiple cranes, and tons of gravel to create stable platforms from which to operate. After securing the vehicle with steel cables, crews spent two hours carefully hoisting the M88 from the swamp. Lithuanian officials confirmed the vehicle was successfully pulled ashore at 4:40 a.m. on March 31, allowing investigators to begin their work at the scene.

Continuing Search and Investigation

While three soldiers have been located, search teams continue their systematic approach to locate the fourth missing service member. Officials are utilizing ground-penetrating radar and other specialized equipment to search the surrounding area. Hundreds of Lithuanian and U.S. soldiers and rescuers remain actively involved in these ongoing efforts, despite the challenging conditions presented by the swamp’s water, thick mud, and unstable ground.

The cause of the accident remains under investigation by both Lithuanian Military Police and US investigators. The identities of the deceased soldiers are being withheld pending notification of next of kin. The soldiers were deployed to Lithuania as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve and were stationed at Fort Stewart, Georgia. In response to the incident, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda expressed condolences and solidarity with the United States, highlighting the strong alliance between the two nations during this difficult time.