Honoring the Heroes: Military identifies all 4 Fort Stewart soldiers killed in Lithuania
The 3rd Infantry Division has identified the four U.S. Army soldiers killed during a training exercise in Lithuania.
Updated: 6:41 PM EDT Apr 3, 2025
Honoring the Heroes: Military identifies all 4 Fort Stewart soldiers killed in Lithuania
The 3rd Infantry Division has identified the four U.S. Army soldiers killed during a training exercise in Lithuania.
Updated: 6:41 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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Honoring the Heroes: Military identifies all 4 Fort Stewart soldiers killed in Lithuania
The 3rd Infantry Division has identified the four U.S. Army soldiers killed during a training exercise in Lithuania.
Updated: 6:41 PM EDT Apr 3, 2025
On Tuesday, the 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart identified three of the four soldiers killed during a training exercise in Lithuania.The fourth soldier was identified Wednesday.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 COVERAGESearch crews recover body of fourth missing Fort Stewart soldier in LithuaniaWhite 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.Statements from Leadership:Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie (3rd Infantry Division Commanding General):Expressed deep sorrow and gratitude for the Soldiers' service.Emphasized the division's support for the families and loved ones.Lt. Col. Michael Hefti (Commander, 5th Sqn., 7th Cav. Regt.):Highlighted the Soldiers' exceptional skills and their irreplaceable contributions to the unit.Committed to honoring their legacy.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
On Tuesday, the 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart identified three of the four soldiers killed during a training exercise in Lithuania.
The fourth soldier was identified Wednesday.
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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
- Search crews recover body of fourth missing Fort Stewart soldier in Lithuania
- 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.
Statements from Leadership:
- Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie (3rd Infantry Division Commanding General):
- Expressed deep sorrow and gratitude for the Soldiers' service.
- Emphasized the division's support for the families and loved ones.
- Lt. Col. Michael Hefti (Commander, 5th Sqn., 7th Cav. Regt.):
- Highlighted the Soldiers' exceptional skills and their irreplaceable contributions to the unit.
- Committed to honoring their legacy.
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