Three of the four Georgian Fort Stewart men who were reported missing during a training objective in Lithuania were identified by the U.S. war on Tuesday. They were found dead this year.
They are Sgt. Sgt. Joe Duenez Jr., 25, of Joliet, Illinois. Glendale, California resident Edvin F. Franco, 25, and Pfc. Dededo, Guam’s Dante D. Taitano, age 21,
All three were maintenance personnel for the M1 Abrams tank structure and were members of the 3rd Infantry Division’s 1st Brigade at Fort Stewart, close to the coast of Georgia. The fourth man, who was discovered dead on Tuesday, has not yet been identified by the military.
On March 25, they were reported missing. The four were driving an M88A2 Hercules armoured vehicle and were attempting to retrieve another military car close to Pabrada, a town in eastern Lithuania. Eventually, it was discovered that the M88A2 was submerged in dirt and was covered in mud. On Monday, it was taken out.
” This damage is basically devastating,” said Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie, the commanding general of the 3rd Infantry Division. These people were Marne Division men who were honoured. In this very challenging time, we are wrapping our arms around the people and loved ones of our men.
Prior to joining the 1st Infantry Division at Fort Riley, Kansas, Duenez served with the. He was sent to Germany in 2022 and Poland in 2021. His honors and accessories include the Army Commendation Medal with an oak leaves grouping, the Army Achievement Medal with two elm plant regions, the Army Good Conduct Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal.
He” set an example every day as both a president and a man, often greeting each problem with a smile and a readiness to assist anyone who needed support,” said Capt. With Duenez’s unit, Madyson Wellens, a regiment captain, commands. He was” the concept of a silent professional,” he said.
Duenez’s mother-in-law launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for his home.
On the charity website, Chicago-based Miriam Quiroz wrote in Spanish,” Ironically, my daughter lost her husband.” ” Aexemplary man and the love of her life.” He left a girl who was 18 months old behind. Kindly, as I approach these very challenging times for my daughter, I ask that you give us whatever your heart desires. I’m forever grateful to you. A man who sacrificed his life to fight for his state.
Franco spent more than six years in the army. He will travel to Germany in 2022 and Korea in 2020. His honors and accessories include the Army Commendation Medal with oak leaves grouping, Army Achievement Medal with oak leaves cluster, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
Only his perseverance and drive could match his infectious smile and real pleasure in being with his team. He always asked more of his men than he was willing to give himself, which is a testament to his personality, Wellens said. More than an extraordinary head and man, Edvin was a friend whose influence left a lasting impression on so many.
Franco’s parents, Edvin Rene Franco, told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution last week that he had a dream about “being somebody,” gaining valuable skills, starting a family, and having a family since he was a child. Franco was the first to marry and purchase a home in the group of his two sisters. Franco and his wife gave birth to a boy five months ago.
For the Franco and Duenez people, a GoFundMe campaign has been established, and for the entire family, which includes four people.
The Army Commendation Medal is one of Taitano’s prizes. His second rollout was this.
” Pfc. Dante Taitano will always be regarded as the team’s driving force. No matter what the situation or activity, he always had a smile on his face and always had a charismatic and humorous attitude to bring the team up, he said. A army captain with the unit, Matthew Lund.
His relatives in Guam has been supported by a GoFundMe campaign that has been established.
According to the GoFundMe website,” He was seriously committed to serving his country and was admired for his courage, generosity, and unwavering dedication.”
In January 2025, about 3,500 members of the same regiment will be stationed across Poland and the European region on a nine-month movement. Their implementation is a part of Operation Atlantic Resolve, a support system for NATO supporters in Europe. Since 2022, the brigade has been rotating through Europe twice.
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The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 2025.
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