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SEAL Team Six Member Killed in Raid to Free Dr. Dilip Joseph
A member of the special operations force SEAL Team Six, the unit that killed Osama bin Laden in May 2011, lost his life in a successful effort to free American doctor Dilip Joseph (pictured below) from the Taliban in the eastern Kabul Province of Afghanistan, reports ABC News.
The SEAL Team Six member was not identified, but he reportedly died today from wounds that happened during the daring rescue.
Dr. Joseph and two colleagues were kidnapped by armed men on Dec. 5, while returning from a visit to a rural medical clinic in Afghanistan.
The three hostages, employed by Morning Star Development in Colorado Springs, Colorado, were taken to an area about 50 miles from the Pakistan border.
On Saturday, two of the three hostages were released, but Dr. Joseph remained in captivity.
According to a military press release, Gen. John R. Allen, the commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan, ordered the rescue mission when "intelligence showed that Joseph was in imminent danger of injury or death."
Dr. Joseph was rescued in good condition but was beaten by his captors, a U.S. Department of Defense official told ABC News.
Morning Star Development released a statement that said in part: "Morning Star Development does state categorically that we paid no ransom, money or other consideration to the captors or anyone else to secure the release of these hostages."
Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said in a statement today: "I was deeply saddened to learn that a U.S. service member was killed in the operation, and I also want to extend my condolences to his family, teammates and friends."
"The special operators who conducted this raid knew they were putting their lives on the line to free a fellow American from the enemy's grip. They put the safety of another American ahead of their own, as so many of our brave warriors do every day and every night. In this fallen hero, and all of our special operators, Americans see the highest ideals of citizenship, sacrifice and service upheld. The torch of freedom burns brighter because of them."
President Obama added: "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."
"Tragically, we lost one of our special operators in this effort. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, just as we must always honor our troops and military families. 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."
Dr. Dilip Joseph:
Editor's Note: The SEAL Team Six member who died from wounds sustained during the rescue of Dr. Joseph has been identified as Petty Officer 1st Class Nicolas Checque, 28, of Monroeville, Pennsylvania, reports ABC News.
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Comments
Yeah! How dare the American
Yeah! How dare the American Military spend time and effort to try and save the life of an American citizen! Our military should be killing people, not saving them!
What's with all these crazy people living in countries where there are wars are occurring? Don't they know there's a war on? Then there's these weird folks trying to offer aid to those people at medical clinics - don't they know there's a war on over there?
When wars are going on, the only people that should still be in that country are the soldiers - everyone else is just asking for it!
I have many relatives in the
I have many relatives in the military and who have careers as first responders. If makes me furious when American civilians willingly put themselves in danger then expect others to risk their lives to save them. If this Dr Joseph Dilip doesn't turn out to be an undercover spy or agent for the US military, everyone involved in this "rescue" should have their collective asses kicked hard. We do not take our trained military personnel and risk them because well-meaning civilians insist on going to war zones. At least when self-centered civilians get lost mountain climbing or hang gliding the families of any First Responded who gets hurt or killed saving their lives has the option of hauling their ass before a court & suing them. We expect the military to investigate why a highly trained, decorated American Seal's life was traded for this civilian.
Howdy, Gem. From a United
Howdy, Gem. From a United States Marine to you. Get Bent.
I'd dearly love to see you say that to one of the SEALs that went on that rescue mission. Moreover, I'd like to see you kick one of their asses. Or try. Wonder what one of those SEALs would do to you for that.
You know why EMTs, Fire Fighters, and Police exist? They exist to help those in need. I notice in the wording you say "...families of any First Responder....has the option of hauling their ass before a court...". Not the First Responder but the family. So basically you reserve the right to litigate against a victim of accident or hostile action? Get bent.
There won't be an investigation. Do you know why? If not, let me tell you why: Because the United States Armed Services exists to defend and protect Americans. If something goes wrong we don't endorse the idea of suing. The family of this SEAL will be compensated financially, he had a life insurance policy. This doctor was on a humanitarian aid mission, extending the talents of his craft to people in need. He's not worthy of protection from hostiles? An American shouldn't be able to rely on us? An American shouldn't be able to rely on me, a US Marine, or my Brothers and Sisters, to save him when hostiles attack, capture, detain, and threaten his survival?
In short you ask us, the United States Armed Forces to sit idly by while hostile forces, enemies of America, threaten and perhaps kill an American? A doctor doing humanitarian work?
You s*^t, go ask your relatives in the military if they would knowingly sit back while an American was held hostage and threatened with death, if they would sit back and allow a civilian doctor practicing his trade for those in need to be killed when they had the power to stop it.
Don't ever cross THIS Marine's path in this life or the next.