US Soldier’s Last Text
- A search and recovery operation is underway at the Pabrade training area in Lithuania for four U.S.soldiers who went missing on Tuesday.
- An American television station, 11 Alive, spoke with his wife, Georgia Franco, who is grappling with the uncertainty surrounding her husband's disappearance.
- Franco recounted receiving the news that her husband was missing.
Search Continues for Missing U.S. Soldiers in Lithuanian Swamp; Wife Speaks Out
Table of Contents
- Search Continues for Missing U.S. Soldiers in Lithuanian Swamp; Wife Speaks Out
- Search Continues for Missing U.S. Soldiers in Lithuania: A Q&A
- What Happened to the Missing U.S. Soldiers in Lithuania?
- Where and When Did the Incident Occur?
- What is the Current Status of the Search and recovery Operation?
- Who Are the Missing Soldiers?
- What Was Sgt. Franco’s Role in the Mission?
- What Challenges Are Facing the Recovery Efforts?
- How Have Authorities Responded to the Incident?
- What is the Role of NATO in this Situation?
- What are the Family’s Concerns?
- Key Facts About the Missing U.S. Soldiers
Published: 2025-03-28
A search and recovery operation is underway at the Pabrade training area in Lithuania for four U.S.soldiers who went missing on Tuesday. The incident has drawn international attention as authorities work to locate the missing personnel. According to the Army, the soldiers were on a training mission when their heavy vehicle sank in a swamp in eastern Lithuania, near the border with Belarus.
One of the missing soldiers has been identified as Sgt. Edwin Ben Franco. An American television station, 11 Alive, spoke with his wife, Georgia Franco, who is grappling with the uncertainty surrounding her husband’s disappearance. The couple had a son in October.
Mrs. Franco recounted receiving the news that her husband was missing. She stated that the soldiers were not initially part of the training mission but were dispatched to assist with a recovery effort involving another vehicle.
He told me we would go on a rescue mission and they do it all the time as he worked directly with the M88, which is essentially like a military evacuator. He sent me a text message at around 7:14 local time that they almost reached people and then silence.
Georgia Franco, wife of Sgt. Edwin Ben Franco
She became concerned when she didn’t receive his usual morning message.
Despite what’s going on, he always sent me a text message, ‘good morning’.
Georgia Franco, wife of Sgt. Edwin Ben Franco
Mrs. Franco described the circumstances as she understood them, noting the challenges of the recovery operation.
they are still disappearing at the moment. They found a car but can’t get it out for the time being. They may not see the water they were approaching. Because they didn’t see it, they entered her.
Georgia Franco, wife of Sgt. Edwin Ben franco
She also expressed concern about the mission’s execution.
I think they didn’t have to be alone there. M88s never go to the mission alone, but they sent them alone.
Georgia Franco, wife of Sgt. Edwin Ben Franco
Sgt. Franco is a tank mechanic who joined the Army in 2018. This deployment to Lithuania was his first mission.
NATO Secretary-General mark Rutte initially stated that the four U.S. soldiers who went missing during the training exercise in Lithuania had died. Though, NATO is clarifying those comments, stating that the search for the missing soldiers is ongoing.The soldiers are members of the 1st Armored Brigade Combat team, 3rd Infantry Division, based at Fort Stewart, Georgia.
Search Continues for Missing U.S. Soldiers in Lithuania: A Q&A
What Happened to the Missing U.S. Soldiers in Lithuania?
Four U.S. soldiers went missing during a training exercise in Lithuania near the border with belarus.Their heavy vehicle sank in a swampy area at the Pabrade training area. The soldiers were part of a recovery operation, according to Sgt. Franco’s wife.
Where and When Did the Incident Occur?
The incident occurred on Tuesday in the Pabrade training area in eastern Lithuania.
What is the Current Status of the Search and recovery Operation?
A search and recovery operation is ongoing as of March 28, 2025. Authorities are working to locate the missing personnel. One of the primary challenges is draining the swampy area to access the submerged vehicle.
Who Are the Missing Soldiers?
One of the missing soldiers has been identified as Sgt. Edwin Ben Franco, a tank mechanic who joined the Army in 2018. This deployment to Lithuania was his first mission. The other soldiers’ names are not listed.
What Was Sgt. Franco’s Role in the Mission?
Sgt. Franco was dispatched to assist with a recovery effort involving another vehicle. He worked directly with the M88, a military evacuator.
What Challenges Are Facing the Recovery Efforts?
The primary challenge is the swampy terrain, which has made it difficult to access and remove the submerged vehicle. As of the last report, the vehicle had been found, but the team was unable to extract.
U.S.and Lithuanian troops and authorities are working together on the search and recovery operation. NATO Secretary-General mark Rutte initially stated that the soldiers had died but later clarified that the search is ongoing.
What is the Role of NATO in this Situation?
NATO is involved and is providing support to the search and recovery efforts. The soldiers are members of the 1st Armored Brigade Combat team,3rd Infantry Division,based at Fort Stewart,Georgia.
What are the Family’s Concerns?
Sgt. Franco’s wife, Georgia Franco, is understandably distraught and is grappling with the uncertainty surrounding her husband’s disappearance. She is concerned about the mission’s execution and the solo dispatch of the team.
Key Facts About the Missing U.S. Soldiers
| Detail | Facts |
| ——————- | ————————————————— |
| Number of Soldiers | Four |
| Location | Pabrade Training Area, Lithuania |
| Incident Date | Tuesday |
| identified Soldier | Sgt.edwin Ben Franco |
| Unit | 1st Armored Brigade Combat team, 3rd Infantry Division |
| Mission | Recovery effort |
| Current Status | Search and recovery in progress |