3 Fort Stewart soldiers found deceased in Lithuania identified
FORT STEWART, Ga. (WSAV) — The 3rd Infantry Division has identified three of the four soldiers who were found dead after being reported missing in Pabradė, Lithuania.
The soldiers are 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 is being withheld pending confirmation of notification of next of kin.
Duenez Jr. was a M1 Abrams tank system maintainer with over seven years in the Army. He arrived at Fort Stewart in February 2022 and was assigned to 5th Sqn., 7th Cav. Regt.
Duenez previously served with the 1st Infantry Division at Fort Riley and was a graduate of the Army Basic Leader Course and the Tracked Vehicle Recovery Operations course.
He previously deployed to Poland in 2021 and Germany in 2022, officials said. His awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster, Army Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Army Good Conduct Medal and National Defense Service Medal.
'We remember Jose not just for what he has done for the unit, but for the way he made us feel inspired to give our best each day. His legacy is a personal reminder of the leader we all aspire to be. He will forever be a part of the Diesel Family,' Capt. Madyson K. Wellens, Diesel Forward Support Troop commander, 5th Sqn., 7th Cav. Regt said.
Franco was a M1 Abrams tank system maintainer who served in the Army for over six years. After his completion of initial entry training at Fort Benning, Franco was assigned to 5th Sqn., 7th Cav. Regt. at Fort Stewart in February 2019.
He was a graduate of the Army Basic Leader Course and the Tracked Vehicle Recovery Operations course. He deployed to Korea in 2020 and Germany in 2022.
His awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster, Army Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal and Global War on Terror Service Medal.
'Words cannot fully express our gratitude for the impact he made, but we will honor his memory every day, remembering how his remarkable spirit touched our lives in countless ways. He will forever be a part of the Diesel Family,' said Wellens.
This was Taitano's first deployment. Taitano was a M1 Abrams tank system maintainer who served in the Army for nearly two years.
He arrived at Fort Stewart in October 2023 following his initial entry training at Fort Benning and he was assigned to 5th Sqn., 7th Cav. Regt. at Fort Stewart in October 2023. He graduated the Tracked Vehicle Recovery Operations course, and his awards include the Army Commendation Medal.
'Pfc. Dante Taitano will always be remembered as the spark of the team. He wore a smile on his face no matter the environment or task and constantly brought the team together with his charisma and laughter,' said Cpt. Matthew Lund, Darkhorse Troop commander, 5th Sqn., 7th Cav. Regt.
Lt. Col. Michael Hefti, Commander, 5th Sqn., 7th Cav. Regt., 1st ABCT said, 'This is an immense loss for all our Soldiers. Sergeants Duenez, Franco, and Pfc. Taitano were more than just members of our unit, they were family, and we loved them. Their legacy as Dogface Soldiers will live on forever in our hearts and every time we share stories and memories, their legacy will continue to live on.'
There are several GoFundMe's set up for the soldier's families. There is a GoFundMe for Taitano's family in Guam, to cover travel costs to his service, expenses and other financial burdens, the page said.
There is also GoFundMe in memory of Duenez for his wife and young child.
You can also donate to a joint donation page for Franco's wife and 6-month other and Duenez's wife and 2-year-old. According to the GoFundMe, the organizer would like anyone interested in providing restaurant gift cards, grocery runs or meals to the families to reach out to her.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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