While listed in the Casualty Database as Navy, Nathan B. Bruckenthal actually served in the U.S. Coast Guard. Bruckenthal was the first Coast Guard member killed in action since the Vietnam War and for his actions he was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V”.
Service: NAVY
Component: ACTIVE DUTY
Name: BRUCKENTHAL, NATHAN B
Rank: DC3
Pay Grade: E04
Date of Death: 2004/04/25
Age: 24
Gender: MALE
Home of Record City: SMITHTOWN
Home of Record State: NY
Home of Record Country: US
Unit: LEDET 403
Incident Geographic Code: 6R
Casualty Geographic Code: 6R
Casualty Country: ARABIAN SEA
Casualty Release:
Burial Location:
Arlington National Cemetery
Section 60, Site 7978
Memorial Videos:
Obituary:
BRUCKENTHAL, NATHAN B., DC3, USCG of Dania Beach, FL, on Saturday, April 24, 2004, at Armed Forces Hospital, Kuwait City. Beloved husband of Patricia Bruckenthal; son of Laurie Bruckenthal Bullock of Ashburn, VA and Eric Bruckenthal of Northport, NY; stepson of Pat Bruckenthal; brother of Noabeth Bruckenthal of Ashburn, VA, Matthew and Michael Bruckenthal, both of Northport, NY; grandson of Elaine and Rudy Bruckenthal of Queens, NY. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m., with a memorial service to be held at 7 p.m., on Thursday, May 6, 2004, at ADAMS-GREEN FUNERAL HOME, 721 Elden St., Herndon, VA. Graveside service will be held on Friday, May 7, 11 a.m. at Arlington National Cemetery with Military Honors. (Friends please gather at the Administration Building at 10:30 a.m.) In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Nathan Bruckenthal Memorial Fund, 39 Schooner Rd., Northport, NY 11768.
Bronze Star Medal Citation:
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” (Posthumously) to Damage Controlman Third Class Nathan B. Bruckenthal, United States Coast Guard, for heroic achievement in connection with combat operations against the enemy while serving as Boarding Officer with U.S.S. FIREBOLT (PC-10) and the United States Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment 403 during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM on 24 April 2004. While patrolling the security zone around the Al Basra Oil Terminal in Iraqi territorial waters, Petty Officer Bruckenthal detected a small, unidentified dhow proceeding towards the Oil Terminal. After maneuvering the tram to screen the oil terminal, Petty Officer Bruckenthal approached the dhow to investigate its actions. As the boarding team drew alongside the dhow, the attacker on board the vessel, realizing he had been discovered, detonated explosives packed on board, mortally wounding Petty Officer Bruckenthal. The explosion alerted all in the area to an ongoing coordinated attack, allowing security forces to destroy two additional explosive laden vessels, thereby preventing massive casualties, irreversible environmental damage, and the destruction of the Iraqi peoples’ major economic lifelines. By his zealous initiative, courageous actions and exceptional dedication to duty, Petty Officer Bruckenthal reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Coast Guard and the United States Naval Service.
U.S. Coast Guard Reservist magazine (May 2004)
The May 2004 edition of the magazine describes the incident when Petty Officer Nathan Bruckenthal, assigned to USCG Tactical Law Enforcement Team (TACLET) South and embarked on the USS Firebolt, along with two U.S. Navy sailors, were killed while intercepting a waterborne suicide attack on the Khawr Al Amaya Oil Terminal off the coast of Iraq in the northern Persian Gulf. Abu-Musab al-Zarqawi of al-Qaeda in Iraq claimed responsibility for the attack.
“In the early evening hours of April 24, a dhow (a lateen-rigged Arabian vessel) approached an oil terminal in the Persian Gulf. Bruckenthal, trained as both a boarding team member and boarding officer, was accompanied by one other Coast Guardsman and five sailors from the United States Navy. The group boarded a rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB), taking off in pursuit. As the crew was poised to board the dhow, an explosion was detonated. Two Navy petty officers also died as a result of the waterborne attack: PO1 Michael J. Pernaselli, 27, of Monroe, N.Y., and PO2 Christopher E. Watts, 28, of Knoxville, Tenn. Injured were three Navy sailors and BM3 Joseph T. Ruggiero, USCG, 23, from Revere, Mass., who received the Purple Heart.”
Connecticut State Wall of Honor:
Nathan Bruckenthal – Age 24
Coast Guard Petty Officer 3
Ridgefield
(2004 – Iraq)
Petty Officer Bruckenthal could always be counted on to lighten the mood during a long mission with a joke or a funny story.
His rapport with his peers led him to be selected for an elite training assignment with the Coast Guard’s Tactical Law Enforcement Team, and he planned to follow his father in becoming a police officer after leaving the military.
“He was a public servant from when he was a little boy,” said his mother, Lauri Bullock. “He always wanted to be on the fire department. He wanted to be a policeman just like his Dad. His stepdad was an officer in the Army and he wanted to emulate them and grow up to be those kind of men – strong and brave and faithful and honorable.”
Bruckenthal died April 24, 2004 from injuries sustained during an attack by suicide bombers in small boats loaded with explosives at an Iraqi oil terminal that he and his team from the USS Firebolt were defending.
He was the first Coast Guardsman killed in combat since the Vietnam War and was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, and the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal.