Troy Knutson Collins

Staff Sergeant, United States Army

October 19, 1996 – March 25, 2025

Age – 28

Battle Creek, MI

1^st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3^rd Infantry Division,

 Fort Stewart, GA

Died when his M88 Hercules vehicle sank during a

Training mission in Lithuania

Troy Smith Knutson-Collins was born on October 19, 1996 in Battle Creek, MI where he spent his early years.  He graduated Harper Creek High School in 2015.  Following graduation, Troy worked several local jobs and played semi-pro football before enlisting the United States Army.

He served his entire military career as a mechanic stationed at Fort Stewart, Georgia.  Knutson-Collins, an artillery mechanic, had served in the Army for more than seven years and was assigned to 1st Battalion, 41st Field Artillery Regiment.

 During his service, Troy deployed twice to Korea and was on his final deployment in Lithuania at the time of his passing.  Known for his natural mechanical abilities, Troy loved working on projects around the house in his spare time.  His hobbies included woodworking, football and PC gaming.  He was a passionate fan of the Minnesota Vikings and Dallas Cowboys.  Troy was always full of energy – loud, sarcastic, fun-loving and truly the life of the party.  Above all, he was deeply family-oriented and loving. 

“Words cannot express how deeply this loss is felt by everyone in our unit,” said Capt. Jackson Patillo, a commander in the 1st Battalion. “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.”

SSG Knutson-Collins was among 4 soldiers on a tactical training exercise when they and their vehicle were reported missing on March 25. The 63-ton armored vehicle was discovered the following day submerged in 15 feet of water of a peat bog at the expansive Gen. Silvestras Žukauskas training ground in the town of Pabradė, 6 miles west of the border with Belarus.

The recovery operation was extensive and complex, involving hundreds of U.S. troops, Lithuanian partners, emergency personnel, and specialized teams. U.S. Navy divers, recovery dogs, and drones equipped with ground-penetrating radar were brought in to locate the submerged vehicle.

Heavy machinery and tons of gravel were used to stabilize the soft terrain and after nearly a week of effort, the M88A2 was pulled from the bog.

Robert Collins remembers that his son, Troy Smith Knutson-Collins, seemed to be destined to work with machinery from a young age.

“I was thinking back and stuff when this happened the other day, and I was like ‘Man, I got a picture of him holding the wrenches and everything’ and he is a mechanic today,” he said.