Coast Guard suffers first combat death since Vietnam

Coast Guard suffers first combat death since Vietnam    The U.S. Coast Guard reported its first death in Operation Iraqi Freedom, the agency’s first since the Vietnam War.
   Nathan B. Bruckenthal, damage controlman third class, died of injuries resulting from an explosion on a small boat he and six other coalition sailors attempted to board near the Iraqi Khawr Al Amaya Oil Terminal Saturday. Two Navy sailors were also killed.
   Coast Guard boatswain third class Joseph T. Ruggiero, is recovering from wounds at a hospital in Kuwait, the agency said in a statement Monday.
   It’s believed that the bomb-laden boat was intended for the oil terminal when it was intercepted by the coalition sailors.
   About 300 Coast Guard personnel are assigned to Operation Iraqi Freedom from four 110-foot cutters, a port security unit and two law enforcement detachments.