Coast Guardsman Laid to Rest in Arlington National Cemetery

Coast Guardsmen carry casket of Petty Officer Nathan Bruckenthal to the grave.

WASHINGTON – Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Nathan B. Bruckenthal was buried with full military honors May 7, 2004, at Arlington National Cemetery.  Bruckenthal, a 24 year-old damage controlman from Smithtown, N.Y., died from injuries sustained while defending the Iraqi Khawr Al Amaya Oil Terminal April 24.

“Nathan Bruckenthal was an outstanding Coast Guardsman who exemplified our core values of honor, respect and devotion to duty,” said Adm. Thomas H. Collins, commandant of the Coast Guard.  “His life, so accomplished and full of promise, was cut short defending our nation, his fellow service members, and the Iraqi people.  We shall not forget his sacrifice.”

Bruckenthal, the first Coast Guardsman killed in combat since the Vietnam War, was assigned to Tactical Law Enforcement Team South in Miami, Fla., and deployed with Coast Guard Patrol Forces Southwest Asia aboard the USS Firebolt. 

This was Bruckenthal’s second deployment to the Arabian Gulf for Operation Iraqi Freedom.  He received the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and the Combat Action Ribbon following his first deployment and was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart and the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal.