040503-C-7087B-006.jpgNORTH ARABIAN GULF (MAY 3, 2004)-Damage Controlman 2nd Class John Fox, 25, from Laurinburg, N.C., remains vigilant while on watch aboard USS Firebolt (PC 10) during a patrolof. Fox is a member of U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) 403 from Miami, Fla., On April 24, two Navy Sailors from the Firebolt and a Coast Guardsman, Damage Controlman 3rd Class Nathan Bruckenthal, 24, were killed when a vessel they were attempting to board exploded, overturning their Rigid Hull Inflatable boat. Four other service members, including Coast Guard Boatswain's Mate 3rd Class Joe Ruggiero, 23, from Revere, Mass., were injured in the attack. The boarding team's actions prevented an attack against the Khawr Al Amaya oil terminal. DC3 Bruckenthal was the first Coast Guardsman to die in combat since the Vietnam War. Both Bruckenthal and Ruggiero served in LEDET 403. Coast Guard LEDETs frequently deploy aboard U.S. Navy ships and specialize in boardings and vessel inspections. USCG photo by PA1 Matthew Belson
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