Officials have released the identities of all four U.S. soldiers found dead in Lithuania.
The soldiers, who were discovered in an M88 armored vehicle that sank into a swamp, were all under 30 years old. 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, were all identified by officials on Tuesday.
On Wednesday, officials identified the fourth soldier as Sgt. Troy S. Knutson-Collins, 28, of Battle Creek, Michigan.
Knutson-Collins, Duenez Jr. and Franco were all posthumously promoted to the rank of staff sergeant, military officials said.
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"Although we are relieved to have found all our Dogface Soldiers, it does not make the pain of their loss any less," said Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie, 3rd Infantry Division commanding general. "We will continue to care for and support the Soldiers’ Families and loved ones as we bring them home and honor their memory."
All four men were M1 Abrams tank system maintainers. Their vehicle was discovered in a peat bog near Pabradė, Lithuania, after disappearing on March 25.
The soldiers went missing "while conducting a mission to repair and tow an immobilized tactical vehicle," according to U.S. Army Europe and Africa.
Knutson-Collins served in the Army for over seven years and was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 41st Field Artillery Regiment after arriving at Fort Stewart in 2018. A graduate of the Army Basic Leader Course, the Advanced Leaders Course, the Tracked Vehicle Recovery Operations course and the Combat Lifesaver course, he deployed to Korea in 2020.
Knutson-Collins was also a recipient of awards and decorations, including the 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.
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Duenez served in the Army for over seven years and was assigned to 5th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment at Fort Stewart, previously serving with the 1st Infantry Division at Fort Riley, Kansas. A graduate of the Army Basic Leader Course and the Tracked Vehicle Recovery Operations Course, he deployed to Germany in 2022 and Poland in 2021.
Franco served in the Army for over six years and was assigned to the 5th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment at Fort Stewart in February 2019. He also graduated from the Army Basic Leader Course and the Tracked Vehicle Recovery Operations Course and deployed to Korea in 2020, and Germany in 2022.
Taitano, the youngest of the four, had served in the Army for nearly two years and was assigned to 5th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment at Fort Stewart. It was his first deployment.
"This loss is simply devastating," Norrie said in a previous statement. "These men were honored Soldiers of the Marne Division. We are wrapping our arms around the families and loved ones of our Soldiers during incredibly difficult time."
On Tuesday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt called the tragedy "another stark reminder of the selfless sacrifice of our brave military men and women who risk their lives around the world every day to keep us safe."
"The president, the Secretary of Defense and the entire White House are praying for the victims, friends and family during this unimaginable time," she added.
Fox News Digital's Sophia Compton and Greg Norman contributed to this report.
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