Tragic training accident claims lives of three American soldiers in Lithuania
- Four U.S. soldiers died in a training incident in Lithuania when their armored vehicle sank.
- The soldiers were identified as members of the 5th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment based at Fort Stewart.
- The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by military personnel during training exercises.
In Lithuania, an unfortunate incident occurred during a military training exercise leading to the death of four U.S. soldiers when their M88 armored vehicle sank in a swamp. The search efforts revealed the bodies of the soldiers, identified as 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. The fourth soldier's identity has not yet been disclosed. The soldiers were all serving as M1 Abrams tank system maintainers and were stationed at the 5th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment at Fort Stewart. This tragic event has sparked significant outpouring of grief and condolences from military officials and the public alike. Major General Christopher Norrie, the commanding general of the 3rd Infantry Division, voiced the depth of the loss, stating it is