"Petty Officer 1st Class Nicolas D. Checque, 28, of Monroeville, Pa., died of combat related injuries suffered Dec. 8, while supporting operations near Kabul, Afghanistan," the Pentagon said in a release. "Checque was assigned to an East Coast-based Naval Special Warfare unit."
Petty Officer Checque had been awarded the Bronze Star, among many other commendations, the release said.
Petty Officer 1st Class Nicolas D. Checque
He was killed by a single gunshot wound to the head, according to Lt. Cmdr. David McKinney of Naval Special Warfare Command Public Affairs in San Diego.
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," said the man, who would not identify himself.
Petty Officer Checque was a 2002 graduate of Norwin High School, where he was on the wrestling team.