The final missing U.S. soldier in Lithuania has been found dead, marking the end of a weeklong search operation that involved U.S., Polish, and Lithuanian forces. The U.S. military confirmed Tuesday that all four soldiers had perished after their armored vehicle was pulled from a swampy training area.
The Army publicly identified three of the deceased soldiers as Sgt. Jose Duenez Jr., 25, of Joliet, Illinois; Sgt. Edvin F. Franco, 25, of Glendale, California; and Pfc. Dante D. Taitano, 21, of Dededo, Guam. However, the identity of the fourth soldier was not initially released by the military as family notifications continued.
The family of Sgt. Troy Smith Knutson-Collins, of West Michigan, came forward to confirm that he was the fourth soldier. Knutson-Collins, stationed at Fort Stewart, Georgia, had served in the U.S. Army since 2017.
His father, Robert Collins, spoke about his son’s deep-rooted passion for mechanics and how he had been destined for the work he did.
“I was thinking back when this happened the other day, and I was like, ‘Man, I got a picture of him holding the wrenches and everything,’ and he is a mechanic today,” Collins said.
The soldiers were part of the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, and had gone missing during a tactical training exercise at the Gen. Silvestras Žukauskas training ground in Pabradė, Lithuania. Their M88 Hercules armored recovery vehicle became trapped in the bog, leading to the tragic loss of all four service members.
Sgt. Jose Duenez Jr. was an M1 Abrams tank system maintainer with over seven years in the Army. He had deployed to Poland in 2021 and Germany in 2022 and was assigned to the 5th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment. Capt. Madyson K. Wellens, a commander in his squadron, described him as the kind of leader who set the standard.
“Sgt. Jose Duenez will always hold a special place in our hearts. As both a leader and a soldier, he set an example every day — always the first to arrive and the last to leave, greeting every challenge with a smile and a readiness to support anyone who required assistance,” Wellens said.
Sgt. Edvin F. Franco, also an M1 Abrams tank system maintainer, had served in the Army for more than six years. He deployed to Korea in 2020 and Germany in 2022. Wellens recalled his unwavering dedication to his unit and the impact he had on those around him.
“His infectious smile and genuine joy in being with his team were matched only by the tenacity and drive. He never asked more of his soldiers than he was willing to give himself — a true testament to his character,” she said.
Knutson-Collins was a father of five, leaving behind two young children with his current wife and three daughters from a previous marriage. His family has been vocal in their grief, while also expressing gratitude for the support they have received from their community and the military.
A fundraiser has been set up on MealTrain.com to support Knutson-Collins’ children. “Tuesday night, our family was given the tragic information that the dad of these three girls is currently missing in Lithuania,” the fundraiser description reads. “This has been difficult for them. The oldest is 9 and the youngest is 3. They see their dad on breaks and over the summers & they tremendously love him. Prayers for these children.”
The Army has pledged to continue its investigation into the incident to determine the circumstances leading to the accident. In the meantime, military officials and loved ones mourn the loss of four dedicated soldiers who gave their lives while serving their country.
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