Community Unites in Mourning for Four American Soldiers in Lithuania

Vilnius, Lithuania – April 3, 2025

Lithuanians gathered in a show of solidarity and grief on Thursday as they commemorated the lives of four U.S. soldiers who tragically lost their lives during a training exercise in the Baltic nation. The solemn farewell ceremony took place at Cathedral Square in Vilnius, where President Gitanas Nausėda, alongside other political and religious dignitaries, paid their respects.

As hearses carrying the soldiers' bodies made their way to Vilnius airport, they were met with a sea of mourners, many in tears. President Nausėda emphasized the deep emotional connection Lithuania shares with this loss, reflecting on the nation's challenging history. "For us, it is more than a duty; it is an emotion," he stated. "We have experienced trials in our history, and therefore we understand well what loss is, what death is, what honorable duty is."

Schoolchildren, accompanied by their teachers, participated in the ceremony, proudly waving Lithuanian and U.S. flags in honor of the fallen soldiers. Justin Boyd, principal of the American International School in Vilnius, expressed the significance of the event, stating, "It's important for us to give dignity to the fallen and to let the families know that we are with them and we support them in this time."

The soldiers, identified as Staff Sgt. Troy S. Knutson-Collins, 28, of Battle Creek, Michigan; Staff Sgt. Jose Duenez Jr., 25, of Joliet, Illinois; Staff Sgt. Edvin F. Franco, 25, of Glendale, California; and Pfc. Dante D. Taitano, 21, of Dededo, Guam, were part of the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division. They had been conducting tactical training exercises when their vehicle went missing in an area known for its treacherous terrain.

Search efforts involving Lithuanian, Polish, and U.S. soldiers began a week ago at the Gen. Silvestras Žukauskas training ground in Pabradė, approximately six miles from the Belarus border. Tragically, the soldiers' M88 Hercules armored vehicle was pulled from a peat bog earlier this week, leading to the recovery of the last body on Tuesday.

As the community mourns the soldiers, local residents reflected on the tragic nature of the accident. A mourner from Pabradė expressed sorrow for the young men, acknowledging the dangers present in the area where they lost their lives.

Approximately 3,500 soldiers from the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team had been deployed to Poland and the Baltic states in January as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve, which aims to support NATO allies and partners following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. In the wake of this tragedy, the heartfelt tribute by Lithuanians serves as a poignant reminder of the bonds formed between nations and the sacrifices made in the name of duty and alliance.