Army releases final name of the four soldiers who died in Lithuania

The Army on Wednesday released the final name of the four soldiers who died in Lithuania last week, during a training exercise in the Baltic country.

Three soldiers were identified on Tuesday as 25-year-old Sgt. Jose Duenez of Joliet, Illinois; 25-year-old Sgt. Edvin F. Franco of Glendale, California; and 21-year-old Pfc. Dante D. Taitano of Dededo, Guam. They were all part of the Army's 3rd Infantry Division. 

Officials have identified the fourth soldier as 28-year-old Sgt. Troy S. Knutson-Collins of Battle Creek, Michigan.

“This loss is simply devastating,” Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie, 3rd Infantry Division commanding general, said in a statement reported by the Air Force Times. “These men were honored soldiers of the Marne Division. We are wrapping our arms around the families and loved ones of our soldiers during [this] incredibly difficult time.”

The soldiers were all part of a maintenance mission with an M88A2 Hercules armored vehicle to recover another Army vehicle at a nearby training area. Their vehicle was later found submerged in a peat bog.

Franco, who has been in the Army for six years, was an M1 Abrams tank system maintainer. Tatiano and Duenez were also reportedly M1 Abrams tank system maintainers, with Duenez serving more than seven years with the Army and Tatiano serving nearly two years. Tatiano was on his first deployment at the time of his death.

Knutson-Collins, who was also a M1 Abrams tank system maintainer, served in the Army for seven years. He has received 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, per Fox News.

An investigation into the incident is still ongoing.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.