FORT STEWART, Georgia —
The 3rd Infantry Division has identified the fourth Soldier from the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team who went missing while operating an M88A2 Hercules during a recovery mission in support of regularly scheduled training at Pabradė, Lithuania.
The deceased is Staff Sgt. Troy S. Knutson-Collins, 28, of Battle Creek, Michigan.
“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.”
Knutson-Collins, Jose Duenez Jr., and Edvin Franco were all posthumously promoted to the rank of staff sergeant.
Knutson-Collins was an artillery mechanic with over seven years in the Army. He arrived at Fort Stewart in February 2018 and was assigned to 1st Battalion, 41st Field Artillery Regiment.
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 and decorations 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.
“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.”
The 3rd ID continues to provide resources to the Families and Soldiers to support their mental and emotional wellbeing.
“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.”
For further information and queries, contact U.S. Army Europe and Africa Public Affairs at media@army.mil.