Battle Creek soldier killed in U.S. Army training accident in Lithuania
The Army has identified the fourth soldier who died during a training in Lithuania as a 28-year-old man from Battle Creek.
'Although we are relieved to have found all our Dogface Soldiers, it does not make the pain of their loss any less,' said Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie, 3rd Inf. Div. commanding general. 'We will continue to care for and support the Soldiers' Families and loved ones as we bring them home and honor their memory.'
The soldier was identified as Staff Sgt. Troy S. Knutson-Collins.
Knutson-Collins, Jose Duenez Jr., 25, of Joliet, Illinois and Edvin Franco, 25 of Glendale, California, were all posthumously promoted to the rank of staff sergeant. Pfc. Dante D. Taitano, 21, of Dededo, Guam, also died in the training.
Their M88A2 Hercules was reported missing March 25 during a recovery mission in support of regularly scheduled training at Pabradė, Lithuania. Three soldiers and the vehicle was dug out of a peat bog Monday by U.S., Polish and Lithuanian armed forces. The Army said the fourth soldier was recovered Tuesday.
'Words cannot express how deeply this loss is felt by everyone in our unit,' said Capt. Jackson Patillo, commander, Foxtrot Company, 1st Bn., 41st FAR. 'Staff Sgt. Troy Collins was an exceptional friend to all of us and an irreplaceable member to our entire Fox family that we will truly miss.'
Knutson-Collins was an artillery mechanic with more than seven years in the Army. He arrived at Fort Stewart, Georgia in February 2018 and was assigned to 1st Battalion, 41st Field Artillery Regiment.
According to the Army, Knutson-Collins graduated from the Army Basic Leader Course, the Advanced Leaders Course, the Tracked Vehicle Recovery Operations course, and the Combat Lifesaver course. He deployed to Korea in 2020.
His awards include the Army Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster, Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and Master Technician Badge.
'The pain we feel from this loss is insurmountable,' said Lt. Col. Erick Buckner, 1st Bn., 41st FAR commander. 'Staff Sgt. Knutson-Collins was well loved throughout our unit and a brother to all. He was an expert, an incredibly talented mechanic and a warrior. We will never forget his dedication to his unit, his family and his country.'
This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Battle Creek soldier dies in U.S. Army training accident in Lithuania
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