Beach-based SEAL killed in Afghanistan

Virginia Beach, Va. (WAVY) - A Virginia Beach-based SEAL was killed during a rescue operation in Afghanistan last weekend.

Petty Officer 1st Class Nicolas D. Checque, 28, died of combat related injuries Dec. 8. 

Checque was reportedly serving in a mission to rescue an American doctor kidnapped by the Taliban.

Checque, a highly-decorated combat veteran, was assigned to SEAL Team 6. It is not known if Checque was part of the team that killed Osama bin Laden. Checque, who enlisted in the Navy in October of 2002, was the recipient of the following awards and decorations:

• Bronze Star Medal w/Combat 'V'
• Joint Service Commendation Medal w/Combat 'V'
• Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal w/Combat 'V'
• Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal
• Combat Action Ribbon (2)
• Good Conduct Medal
• National Defense Service Medal
• Iraq Campaign Medal
• Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
• Sea Service Deployment Ribbon

WAVY.com stopped by Checque's Virginia Beach home Monday, but no one was home. He attended high school just east of Pittsburgh.