A tragic training accident in Lithuania has claimed the lives of four U.S. soldiers, including a young sergeant from Glendale. Sgt. Edvin F. Franco, 25, was among those who perished in the incident involving an M88 Hercules armored vehicle. The soldiers were part of the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, undertaking a recovery mission when they were reported missing. Following a relentless week-long search through rigorous terrain, their vehicle was located submerged in a bog at the Gen. Silvestras Žukauskas training ground.
Franco, honored for his service and recognized for his personable character, had been stationed at Fort Stewart in Hinesville, Georgia. He was remembered by his widow, Georgia Franco, who, in an interview with NBC Los Angeles, spoke of Franco's passion for his role as a father to their child, born just months before his deployment. "He was, he's such a good dad," she recounted, adding that "He loved him. I mean, I couldn't have handpicked somebody else to be a father. From the moment, we had him, he was in love."
According to a report from ABC7, the other identified soldiers were Sgt. Jose Duenez, Jr., 25, of Joliet, Illinois, Pfc. Dante D. Taitano, 21, of Dededo, Guam, and Staff Sgt. Troy S. Knutson-Collins, 28, from Battle Creek, Michigan. Knutson-Collins, Duenez Jr, and Franco were posthumously promoted to the rank of staff sergeant. The exhaustive search for these soldiers spanned through thick forests and swampy areas, necessitating the use of heavy machinery and the support of military counterparts from Lithuania, Poland, Estonia, as well as U.S. Navy divers.
In a show of solidarity and grieving, the Monrovia Unified School District, where Franco was an alumnus, expressed its condolences. "Edvin's dedication to service and his sacrifice for our country will never be forgotten," said Superintendent Paula Hart Rodas, as quoted by ABC7. Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie shared a poignant statement about the weight of their loss, saying, "Though we have received some closure, the world is darker without them." GoFundMe campaigns have been organized to support the families of the deceased soldiers, aiding them as they navigate through this traumatic period.
The partnership and effort among nations in the search and recovery operation were underscored by Gen. Christopher Donahue, commander of U.S. Army Europe and Africa, who highlighted the quintessential nature of alliances in times of crisis. The tragedy has put into perspective the inherent risks of military training exercises while also reinforcing the bonds formed between allied forces.
