The U.S. Department of Defense revealed the name Monday of a Navy SEAL killed in action over the weekend.
The Navy SEAL was identified as Petty Officer 1st Class Nicolas D. Checque, 28, of Monroeville, Pa., according to a statement from the defense department.
Checque, who was assigned to an East Coast-based Naval Special Warfare unit, was killed after he sustained "combat-related injuries" during a rescue mission near Kabul, Afghanistan.
U.S. News and World Report reported that the coalition force of U.S. and Afghan troops successfully rescued Dr. Dilip Joseph from Taliban insurgents, following his capture last Wednesday.
Joseph was kidnapped Dec. 5 while returning from a visit to a medical clinic in Afghanistan's Kabul Province, according to MSN Now.
It had been previously reported that Cheque was a member of the famous Navy SEAL unit known as SEAL Team Six, which participated in the May 2011 operation that resulted in the death of al-Quaida terrorist network leader Osama bin Laden.
However, the Navy has only released that Cheque was part of an "East Coast-based Naval Special Warfare unit," and declined to release any more information regarding his unit.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette attempted to contact a family member of Cheque's, but a man who answered the phone at a family member's house in Washington County declined comment.
"The family has asked that everybody respect their privacy at this time of grief and they do not wish to be contacted," the man, who would not identify himself, told the Post-Gazette.
In a statement issued to the BBC News by Morning Star Development, Dr Joseph's aid organization, his family expressed gratitude for the soldier's heroism and "for the bravery of all involved in the mission".
In a statement, President Obama said, "[Checque] gave his life for his fellow Americans ... selfless service that allows our nation to stay strong, safe and free."
A Facebook tribute page titled "Tribute Page For Petty Officer 1st Class Nicolas D. Checque - SEAL" has been set up in honor of Cheque has drawn 2,169 "likes" as of Monday night, and comments from around the country paying tribute to the fallen Pennsylvania soldier.
"Rest in peace. May God bless your family at this difficult time," wrote Linda Sauers Mills.
"Rip Nicholas...Hero!!!!!! I will keep your family in my prayers," posted Sue Loudon.
Kirk A. Stine wrote, "Unbelievable-May God Bless his family. Such loss. He will be honored. I am praying for his family through this sacrifice and hardship. Words cannot explain. I didn't know Nicolas, but I am grateful for his service. Thank you Nicolas!"
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