The identities of three US soldiers found dead in Lithuania have been revealed as Dante Taitano, 21, Edvin Franco, 25, and Jose Duenez, 25. The fourth and final body, which has not been named, was also found, bringing an end to the search according to US military officials.
The body of the last missing soldier was discovered on Tuesday, concluding a week-long search for the four service members whose armored vehicle was recovered from a swampy training area.
A solidarity rally outside the US Embassy saw hundreds of people, including politicians, soldiers, and civilians, gather to pay their respects to the fallen servicemen.
During the gathering, Kara C. McDonald, the US Ambassador to Lithuania, expressed her gratitude for the country’s support during the search. She emphasized the strong and heartfelt alliance between the two nations.
“We feel that we are one of your own, and that is an expression of alliance. And we are so grateful for that alliance. Thank you so much for the capabilities you have brought to bear.”, she said.
“Thank you so very, very much for coming out tonight to express your solidarity with these families, to express your solidarity with the troops who are working so hard at the site.”
The soldiers were on a tactical training exercise when they and their vehicle went missing.
The first three bodies were found on Monday when US, Polish, and Lithuanian rescuers extracted their armored vehicle from a peat bog at a training ground in Pabradė, near the Belarus border. The fourth soldier’s body was found near the submerged vehicle using excavators.