A small boat on the Persian Gulf crept closer to an Iraqi oil terminal as Petty Officer 3rd Class Nathan Bruckenthal kept a tight gaze from his position on the USS Firebolt coastal patrol ship.

It was Bruckenthal's second deployment to the Middle East, and his experience had given him a keen eye for suspicious watercraft. He and other coalition sailors attempted to investigate the boat when a suicide bomber aboard detonated explosives.

On that day in April 2004, Bruckethal and two U.S. sailors were killed.

To honor the Coast Guardsman's memory, his service commissioned its 28th fast response cutter in his name during a Wednesday ceremony in Alexandria, Va. The 154-foot cutter, manned by 24 crew members, will be stationed in Atlantic Beach, N.C., and patrol the coast from South Carolina to New Jersey.

“This is the first fast response cutter that's honoring a hero from this millennium,” said Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Karl Schultz.

Bruckenthal was the first Coast Guard member killed in action since the Vietnam War.

The commissioning ceremony celebrated the life and service of Bruckenthal. The ceremony was attended by his widow Pattie, and 13-year-old daughter Harper. Bruckenthal never had a chance to meet his daughter. She was born during his deployment. “He loved being in the Coast Guard,” said Noabeth Bruckenthal, sister of the fallen Coast Guardsman. “He really felt like he was making a difference, especially when they would go underway. And he volunteered for the second tour in Iraq. His pride was just tremendous.”

Bruckenthal, who enlisted in the Coast Guard in 1999, was assigned to a tactical law enforcement detachment.
On April 24, 2004, he and six other coalition sailors attempted to board and investigate the small sailboat near the Iraqi Khawr Al Amaya Oil Terminal. Because of his foresight to investigate, military leaders credit Bruckenthal with saving countless other lives.

Bruckenthal, for his efforts to stop the suicide bomber, was awarded the Bronze Star with V.

The Coast Guard plans to build 58 fast response cutters, each named for an enlisted Coast Guard hero.

Fast response cutters, which are replacing the Coast Guard's 110-foot Island-Class patrol boats, feature advanced communication capabilities, allowing shipmates to have direct contact with aircraft. They can reach speeds of 28 knots and the ability to stay at sea for up to five days, depending on fuel capacity, food rations and weather conditions.

The Bruckenthal crew will be involved in a wide range of missions, including law enforcement and security.

When the Bruckenthal family first saw the cutter, they cried and felt overwhelming pride, Noabeth Bruckenthal said.

“His legacy is carried on and honored,” she said. “I think he'd be swelling with pride. He would be completely humbled by this and honored and most importantly, he'd be heartened that so many friends and family came out to honor him.”

Amanda Dolasinski is MOAA's staff writer. She can be reached at amandad@moaa.org. Follow her on Twitter @AmandaMOAA.