Final U.S. Soldier Recovered from Sunken Military Vehicle in Lithuania Identified

The U.S. Army has confirmed the identity of Staff Sgt. Troy S. Knutson-Collins, 28, from Battle Creek, Michigan, was the fourth and final soldier retrieved from an M88A2 Hercules recovery vehicle submerged in a Lithuanian swamp on March 25. A tragic accident took place during a routine training exercise, resulting in the loss of four soldiers from the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, Fort Stewart, Georgia. The remains of Knutson-Collins were found following a week-long multinational search operation that included hundreds of soldiers, sailors, and civilians from the U.S. and Lithuania, along with a Navy dive team from Spain.

The other three soldiers previously mentioned are Staff Sgt. Jose Duenez Jr., 25, from Joliet, Illinois; Staff Sgt. Edvin F. Franco, 25, from Glendale, California; and Pfc. Dante D. Taitano, 21, from Dededo, Guam. During the exercise, the M88A2, a tank-like tow vehicle, sank beneath 15 feet of mud and water, leading to a thorough recovery operation that involved support from Lithuanian and Polish personnel.

“While we are grateful to have located all our Dogface Soldiers, it does not diminish the sorrow of their loss,” stated Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie, commanding general of the 3rd Infantry Division. “We will persist in our commitment to care for and support the families and loved ones of the soldiers as we bring them home and pay tribute to their memory.”

Knutson-Collins, who had been with the 3rd Infantry Division since 2018, was posthumously promoted to staff sergeant, alongside Duenez and Franco. His military record featured deployments to Korea in 2020 and training in leadership, vehicle recovery operations, and combat lifesaving. His accolades comprised the Army Commendation Medal adorned with an oak leaf cluster, the Army Good Conduct Medal, and the Master Technician Badge.

Robert Collins, his father, conveyed his appreciation for the recovery effort, saying, “I want to thank them.” The heartbreaking loss of these four soldiers highlights the dangers that service members encounter, even in training exercises, as their families, comrades, and the Army grieve their sacrifice.

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