On this day in 2004 DC3 Nathan Bruckenthal and two U.S. Navy sailors, PO1 Michael Pernaselli and PO2 Christopher Watts, were killed when a suicide bomber detonated explosives concealed in a small boat they intercepted as it approached the Khawr Al Amaya Oil Terminal off the coast of Iraq. By preventing the explosive laden vessel from reaching its intended target they effectively alerted other forces in the area to what was a well coordinated attack on Iraq’s oil terminals and prevented further loss of life and irreparable damages.