Grand Rapids, Mich. — A fourth U.S. Army soldier, who had been missing in Lithuania since March 25, was found dead on Tuesday, according to a statement from the U.S. Army. The soldier was later identified by his family as Troy Smith Knutson-Collins, a father of five and Battle Creek, Michigan native.
The soldier’s body was discovered following an intense, seven-day search involving military personnel and rescue teams from the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, Lithuanian Armed Forces, Polish Armed Forces, Estonian Armed Forces, and other agencies. Knutson-Collins, 26, was part of a group of four soldiers who went missing while participating in a tactical training exercise in Lithuania.
On Monday, three of the soldiers were found dead in their armored vehicle. The discovery of Knutson-Collins’ body on Tuesday marked the tragic conclusion of a week-long effort to locate the missing servicemen.
“This past week has been devastating. Today our hearts bear the weight of an unbearable pain with the loss of our final Dogface Soldier,” said Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie in a statement. “Though we have received some closure, the world is darker without them.”
Knutson-Collins was stationed at Fort Stewart, Georgia, where he had served since enlisting in 2017 at the age of 20. His family described him as a dedicated soldier who grew into a respected man over the years.
“He even grew more as a man and a man that I totally respect. He just turned out to be awesome,” said Robert Collins, the soldier’s father.
The loss of Knutson-Collins and his fellow soldiers has left their families, friends, and military community reeling. The U.S. Army has not yet released details about the circumstances surrounding the deaths but has expressed gratitude for the ongoing support from international partners involved in the search.
As the families begin to process the loss of their loved ones, the Army and the broader military community are left mourning the untimely deaths of four brave soldiers, each of whom sacrificed their lives in service to their country.
