Coast Guard Petty Officer 3 Nathan Bruckenthal

Coast Guard Petty Officer Third Class Nathan Brandt Bruckenthal, 24, of Smithtown, New York, was a damage controlman and boarding officer assigned to Tactical Law Enforcement Team South, Law Enforcement Detachment 403, embarked aboard USS Firebolt. He died on April 24, 2004, from wounds sustained when a suicide boat exploded as his boarding team intercepted it near the Khawr Al Amaya Oil Terminal in the northern Persian Gulf.

PO3 Bruckenthal was born in Stony Brook, New York, and lived in New York, Hawaii, Virginia and Connecticut while growing up. He attended Ridgefield High School, played football and later volunteered with the Ridgefield Fire Department. He enlisted in the Coast Guard in 1999, attended Damage Controlman “A” School and was assigned to Station Neah Bay, Washington. He later joined TACLET South and completed two Persian Gulf deployments.

PO3 Bruckenthal was remembered for his courage and generosity. His mother said, “He was a public servant from when he was a little boy,” adding that he wanted to become a firefighter or police officer.

PO3 Bruckenthal was survived by his wife who was pregnant with their first child.