A member of Navy Seal Team 6 died during a Dec. 8 mission to rescue a kidnapped physician in Afghanistan Dec. 8. The Pentagon identified the fallen sailor as Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Nicolas Checque, of Monroeville, Pa. The special operations unit launched the mission after the Taliban kidnapped the doctor, identified in media reports as Dilip Joseph, on Dec. 5. Checque was killed during the firefight that ensued as he and his comrades reached the site where Joseph was kidnapped. President Obama, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta, and NATO and U.S. commander in Afghanistan Marine Corps Gen. John R. Allen each lauded the success of the mission to free Joseph, and hailed Checque as a hero. "He gave his life for his fellow Americans, and he and his teammates remind us once more of the selfless service that allows our nation to stay strong, safe and free," Obama said.
