Soldiers went missing during a training recovery mission six miles from the Belarusian border.
The US military has identified Staff Sergeant. 28-year-old Troy S. Knutson Collins of Battle Creek, Michigan, is the fourth soldier who died in a training accident in Lithuania.
The other three soldiers who died in the accident were previously identified as sergeants. Jose Duenes Jr., 25, of Joliet, Illinois. Sergeant. Edvin F. Franco, 25, and PFC of Glendale, California. Dante D. Titano, 21, of Dededo, Guam.
Knutson-Collins, Duenez and Franco were all promoted to Staff Sergeant after their deaths, the Army said.
The soldiers were part of the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team of the 1st Infantry Division, which went missing during the recovery mission on March 25th, operating the M88A2 Hercules vehicle at the Sylvestosuras training ground in Pablod, about six miles west of the Belaru border.
The 63-ton armored vehicle was found to be soaked in 15 feet of peat marsh the day after it was reported missing. The Army said the terrain made it difficult to recover.
The bodies of Duenes, Franco and Titano were recovered Monday after rescuers successfully removed the vehicle from the swamp.
“We are relieved we have found all the Dog Face soldiers, but that doesn’t reduce the pain of their losses that much,” said Major General Christopher Norley, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division.
“We will continue to take them home and respect their memories, so we will continue to care for and support the soldiers’ families and loved ones.”
Knutson-Collins served as an artillery member in the Army for over seven years and was assigned to the 41st Battalion, 41st Battalion. He arrived at Fort Stewart in February 2018 and had previously been deployed to Korea in 2020.
“We can’t put into words how deeply this loss feels for everyone in our unit. Sergeant Staff. Troy Collins was an exceptional friend to all of us and an irreplaceable member of the entire Fox family that we really miss.”
Lt. Colonel Eric Buckner, commander of the 1st Battalion and 41st Battalion Artillery Regiment added: “The pain from this loss is insurmountable. Sergeant Staff. Nutsson Collins was loved throughout our unit.
The other three soldiers who died were assigned to the 5th Squadron of the 5th Cavalry Regiment.
In a previous Army statement, Colonel Madison K. Wellence described Duenes as “a quiet definition of expert” and Franco as “a infectious smile and a genuine joy.”
This image combination shows the Army PFC from the left. Dante D. Titano, 21, of Dededo, Guam. Army Sgt. Edvin F. Franco, 25, of Glendale, California; Army Sgt. Jose Duenes Jr., 25, Joliet, Illinois. Army Staff Sergeant. Troy S. Knutson Collins, 28, of Battle Creek, Michigan; They were killed in a training accident near Pabrado, Lithuania in March 2025. Department of Defense via the AP
Colonel Matthew Rand thought Titano was a “team spark” “who had a smile on his face regardless of his environment or work.”
A formal departure ceremony is scheduled for Thursday in the capital of Lithuania, Vilnius, with the highest Lithuanian officials and military leaders expected to be present. The soldier’s ruins are eventually transported to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware.
