US Soldier's Remains Found in Lithuania After Week-Long Search

Officials announced Tuesday that the body of a fourth missing American soldier has been recovered in Lithuania, bringing an end to a week-long search. This follows the discovery of the bodies of three other missing servicemembers a day earlier.

Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie, 3rd Inf. Div. commanding general, said: "This past week has been devastating. Today our hearts bear the weight of an unbearable pain with the loss of our final Dogface Soldier... Though we have received some closure, the world is darker without them."

The four soldiers, assigned to the 1st Armored Brigade and Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, went missing on March 25 while on a scheduled mission to recover an immobilized tactical vehicle.

Lt. Gen. Charles Costanza, commanding general, V Corps, said: "As the fourth and final Soldier has been recovered from this tragic accident, we will continue to mourn their loss as we work to quickly return our Dog Face Soldiers home to their families... It has been truly amazing and very humbling to watch the incredible recovery team from different commands, countries and continents come together and give everything to recover our Soldiers. Thank you, Lithuania, Poland, Estonia, the U.S. Navy and the Army Corps of Engineers. We are forever grateful."

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt also paid tribute to the victims' families, saying: "This is another stark reminder of the selfless sacrifice of our brave military men and women who risk their lives around the world every day to keep us safe... God bless them."

The soldiers were deployed to Lithuania as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve and were permanently stationed at Fort Stewart in Georgia.