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Subscribe to RSSA U.S .Navy SEAL is being praised as a fallen hero after he died during the rescue of an American doctor kidnapped by the Taliban in Afghanistan. NBC's Atia Abawi reports.
Updated at 12:01 p.m. ET: The Pentagon on Monday identified the U.S. Navy SEAL who was killed in the rescue of an American doctor in Afghanistan as a highly-decorated 10-year veteran from Pennsylvania.
U.S. Navy
Navy Seal Nicolas D. Checque
Twenty-eight-year-old Petty Officer 1st Class Nicolas D. Checque, of Monroeville, died Sunday of combat-related injuries sustained while supporting operations in Afghanistan, the Pentagon said in a release.
Checque was assigned to an East Coast-based Naval Special Warfare command, the statement said. Checque had been awarded the Bronze Star, among many other commendations, the release said.
The rescue operation was launched when coalition forces reported that Dr. Dilip Joseph was in imminent danger.
Joseph, who worked with the non-profit Morning Star Development of Colorado Springs, was kidnapped Wednesday along with two Afghan staff members -- one is part of the medical team, the other part of the support team. Joseph has been the non-profit’s medical adviser for three years.
Morning Star said the team of three had been returning from a visit to one of its rural medical clinics when the kidnappers stopped their vehicle. The three were then taken to a mountainous area about 50 miles from the Pakistan border, Morning Star said.
Related: Kidnapped American rescued from Taliban, coalition says
Contact between the hostages, their captors and the non-profit's crisis management team started immediately, according to a statement on Morning Star's website. On Saturday evening, two of the hostages were released. The two men then made their way out of the area and were taken to a police station.
At least six people were reported killed in the operation to rescue Joseph, the third hostage. It is unclear whether that number includes the American soldier. Morning Star said the two staff members were released earlier.
In a statement Sunday evening, President Barack Obama said: “Yesterday, our special operators in Afghanistan rescued an American citizen in a mission that was characteristic of the extraordinary courage, skill and patriotism that our troops show every day.”
Two Taliban leaders were reportedly taken into custody.
Defense Secretary Leon Panetta issued a statement Sunday evening commending the U.S. Special Operations that carried out the raid. He said he was deeply saddened by the SEAL’s death.
“I also want to extend my condolences to his family, teammates and friends,” Panetta said
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More than ten years after the beginning of the war, Afghanistan faces external pressure to reform as well as ongoing internal conflicts.
Jim Miklaszewski is the chief Pentagon correspondent for NBC News.
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Leave a Comment:
As much as it may not seem important....
it's important. the man EARNED it.
I thought Muslims were all about peace and love / is that why they have run all the Christians out of every Muslim country?
Sorry folks, This bloody do gooder doctor, got a good man killed. I'm sorry, when fools like this doctor desides, I'm going to save lives in afganstan or pakastan, etc, etc. They should have to sign a waiver staying I don't want theUSA sending troops in after me. Never have been able to figure out why this type of person feels he has to leave the country to give is time and skill? Don't we have people that need medical help and can't afford it right here in our country. Hope the good doctor is happy with his choice.
It is a shame that a Seal lost his life saving the life of someone who never should have been there to begin with. American or not, if you go into a hostile area and are not on official military duty then you do so at your own risk. This doctor was not there saving American lives but he sure enough is the reason that one was lost. Whomever issued the order for a Seal team to go rescue this doctor needs to be stripped of their command because they are unfit.
Both the Dr and the SEAL were men of great personal convictions, and both were doing what their beliefs and convictions led them to do. Americans should NOT fear to travel anywhere in the world regardless of their purpose, and our military exists to ensure that their freedoms are NOT denied and that they are never forgotten by their nation. THIS is the lesson of this event, and NOT some of the vitrolic BS many of you are spewing out. There are worse things to die for than trying to rescue a fellow American in trouble, and for those of you that don't get THAT, I feel sorry for you! Enough said.
JP, sorry old mighty one. God help us poor individuals that can't see the vision that you do. How about kissing my ... As far as an american military putting his life on the line, they do it every day. However, this doctor made a very poor decision and caused the life of this seal. May the doctor rot in He........
Congratulations on a job well done and RIP my fallen brother in arms.
leave the gun, take the cannoli
I spent 30 years in the navy, was never attack while at sea and can't remember my skipper going off like you. As we know, Bronze star in your line is more political motivated than action based.
Thank god the president got out alive! After killing Bin Laden he was taking quite a risk going back in.
Right on, I can't believe the libs are not on here yet praising Big Bad O for "rescuing" the doc.
LOL!
This world makes me sad.
So sad for this man's family & friends. God rest his soul and support his loved ones. He's an angel now!
At ease Sailor...and Fairwinds!
Like so many of you posting here, I don't know what motivates that doctor, and I'm hesitant to theorize what's in the heart and mind of a navy seal, though their motivations are a bit more universally known. When the doctors being in Afghanistan is criticized I imagine a child, or young woman that he may have treated and may have otherwise suffered in the midst of what is unfortunately a backwards and often uncivilized society. Should the innocent and persecuted be left to languish because they live around the world and are victims of a medieval culture? Those able to give aid and comfort should stay home because its dangerous and evil men might do them harm? None on these boards knows the affects the doctor may have had on the upcoming generation not yet imbued with fundamentalism, but the potential for positive influence does not exist if everybody says no sacrifice is worth it. I find it incomprehensible that the term " do gooder" for some, is a label of admonishment, a negative connotation; to do good is stupid. Our culture has its backward moments as well.
Although I am apprehensive to do so, I will speculate about the possible mindset of a navy seal on a rescue mission. This is what he does. I find it doubtful he would think that this doctors life wasn't worth the effort or sacrifice as a number of you have indicated. These men walk a higher ground, for you and me, and for doctors and humanitarians who contribute in dangerous places for, hopefully, the betterment of mankind. The enemy is responsible for this mans death, not the doctor. And in the process of this rescue our operators took the battle to the enemy, as they would have anyway, hostage situation or not, and dealt them a definitive defeat, capturing Taliban leaders and killing terrorists. Doing their job, a job they love. If we could ask the slain operator if he'd like to withdraw from the fight because he knew he wouldn't be returning, I highly doubt he'd say yes.
Some answer to a higher calling. My condolences to this mans family and salute his duty and sacrifice. He and the doctor endeavored to do something more than many of these negative minded posters will ever think of doing.
A Doctor's life is worth more than a servicemans--yep, some things will never change. My thoughts are with the Seal and his family.
May his soul Rest in Peace. GOD Bless his Soul. Such Soldiers are the True Heroes of the USA. He risked his life to save others. GOD Bless the SEALS. GOD Bless the Americans. GOD BLESS THE USA.
Kevin Valentine Moraes
Mira Road (Thane)
Those that believe that, Morning Star Development of Colorado Springs is not a CIA operative I have a bridge I would like top interest you in. Look at their website and the dirth of information there. Read between the lines. Nice cover for those that are imbeciles.
In August 2011, 22 SEALS were killed in a chopper crash in Afghanistan. Seems like this administration is going through SEALS like there is no tomorrow. And for the SEAL just recently killed in action, there is no tomorrow. Condolences to the family and all who will miss him. A brave hero.
A true hero knows no bounds of heroism. It is a commitment of the mind and soul that makes him risk his life for another, no matter what the consequences might be. This man was a true hero. God bless America and all who served and serve. And God bless this man and the Navy seals.
To me, true heroes are those who regularly go "above and beyond the call of duty" while they themselves just consider it as just their jobs and never even considering themselves as heroes!
SEALS represent the U.S. Navy's contribution to the U.S.'s Special Operations Forces. Therefore, they are 'sailors' not 'soldiers'. Condolences to the sailor's family.
Not true ! They are a highly trained technical operations unit that does it all.My wifes nephew is the one who pulled John Jr, out of the Atlantic but they do so much more. They are the most highly trained in all fazes of warfare. Sea ,Ground ,and air.
Austerity, the proper term of address for a member of the Navy is "Sailor". A "Soldier" is in the Army. Being a SEAL denotes graduation from a specialized school, and "Sailors", "Marines", and "Coast Gaurdsmen" have all achieved the right to be called a "SEAL".
My wifes nephew had comindations and written letters of thank you from the Kennedy family. He had job offers for $200,000 before he ever left the seals.
Psy is grateful to the Taliban for killing another Yankee. Kill those American bitches Dads, Uncles, Nephews, Daughters. Kill all Americans. Tell Obama thank you for promoting Psy's work and message. How appropriate this commander-in-chief hosts this 'thing' for Christmas.
Tell us all about how Psy economically apologizes and don't allow any of us to comment about him NBC.
I think your doctor needs to change your medications.
Really? My meds? The same day as the Psy controversy is unveiled, we find one of our Seals killed by the Taliban. You don't think there's something kind of @!$%#ed up in not being able to comment on the Psy story - but we can comment on this one?
Tell me you don't think that is fawked up. Send this South Korean flake home packin.
THERodney - you can comment on anything you like. Cooking tips, wedding announcement, dog shows etc.
What exactly is the PSY controversy? His video has gotten almost a billion hits on YouTube. Gangnam Style.
Jim, maybe it's his hate america spew. You do realize that he hates america, don't you?
I don't think THERodney hates America. He is just a little misguided.
I got $20 once for finding my neighbors dog.
Here's a question for you. Was this guy just a Dr.? Or was he something more? Seems that the US Govt. acted very quickly to make a rescue. They knew alot of info to find him, get the team together, plan and rehearse the rescue and then put it into action in just 5 days. What told them he was in imminent danger? In other cases of civilians who were taken, intermediaries were used to negotiate their freedom. Why the urgency with the "Dr."?
I am glad he is safe, no matter who he is, but saddened by the loss of a Navy Seal.
Who knows?
sometmes those rescues move very quickly. the bad guys move the hostages from place to place to keep them from getting located. once they get intel on where they think they are, they normally have to act very quickly before they are moved again. sometimes they go in without much rehersal.
In an earlier article I read that they did rehearse. I assume that the Taliban realized they must move him, that is why I am curious as to how our guys knew where he was so quickly.
My son served 3 tours in Iraq. My nephew is in Afganistan and haven't heard from him since he was deployed. I love the kid and sure hope he makes it through it without loss of limb or mind or life. I pray for him every day.
@ Austerity Never Works. . .
Pray? Thanks for nothing.
When you tell someone you are praying for them, it is the same as saying "I'm not going to do anything for you, but I want you to THINK I'm doing something for you." It's very disingenious and dishonest.
Why don't you send your nephew a care package instead or a hand-written letter, telling him how you feel about him? He would probably appreciate that a lot more than prayers to YOUR god who has nothing better to do than listen to YOUR prayers out of the prayers of 7.5 billion people and bend the laws of physics He set up just to mettle in human affairs and protect YOUR nephew.
Or, if that sounds ridiculous enough, maybe your god just doesn't exist. Your nephew does exist. Show him some support.
Just sayin'.
What happened to the n in son? LOL
As you probably can see Typing is not a great skill of mine. I call it pokin and hopin, somewhat like I play pool.
Another new tactic by the Taliban to put our best people in harms way. This makes absolutely no sense that in order to save one person we have to sacrifice another. Our leaders need to rethink this mission and figure out a way to leave this godforsaken country. Prayers to the SEAL and his family-his service and sacrifice will not be forgotten. What will it take to get our people out of this country for good? This is Obama's war now and not George W's.
This should have been nobodies war. A terrible secretary of state and a president that didn't like to read his breifs started this mess and the deaths of thousands. Here we started this mess now you figure it out. C Rice new in early August of 2011.
If you look at this incident as if the Dr was some type of covert operative, it makes much more sense to send in a SEAL team. I know I may be way off and there is no way to know for sure. The Taliban may have taken him because they suspected him. (Whether he was or not)
All we can do is guess.