A day earlier, the remains of his three companions – all members of the same armored brigade – were found in a submerged recovery vehicle.
In a statement, U.S. Army Europe and Africa confirmed that the fourth serviceman, assigned to the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, was located on April 1.
The other three bodies had been retrieved from a peat bog on Monday. They had disappeared at dawn on March 25, during a nighttime mission operating an M88 Hercules recovery vehicle.
Major General Christopher Norrie of U.S. Army Europe and Africa said the incident has cast “devastating” sorrow upon the military community. Lieutenant General Charles Costanza described the ordeal as a “tragic accident,” praising the multinational teams from Lithuania, Poland, and Estonia who collaborated in the search.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt acknowledged the fourth casualty during a briefing, adding that President Donald Trump and his administration were extending their prayers to the families of those lost.
Lithuanian Defense Minister Dovile Szakalienė said the search stage had formally ended and that the site is now being cleared.
The Lithuanian Armed Forces noted that an entire temporary “military town” had been established in the forest near Pabradė to support the massive search effort. Crews will analyze the operation’s processes to consolidate lessons learned.
The M88 Hercules, discovered submerged in about four meters of water plus two meters of mud, was hauled from the bog early on Monday. Approximately 50 Polish troops – including sappers, divers, and reconnaissance engineers – assisted in the recovery. Investigations by U.S. Army officials continue into the circumstances leading to the soldiers’ deaths.
(jh)
Source: PAP, DW, Reuters