North Huntingdon , Pennsylvania ( CNN ) -- Focused , determined and dedicated : that 's how friends and neighbors describe Nicolas Checque , the Navy SEAL killed during the successful rescue of an American doctor kidnapped in Afghanistan . They say when the petty officer first class died , Checque was living the life he had always wanted . As far back as middle school , he knew he wanted to join the Navy 's special forces . `` He loved it , '' said high school classmate Anthony Troisi . `` In seventh grade , eighth grade , he knew what he wanted to do with his life : he wanted to be a Navy SEAL . '' Read more : U.S. citizen rescued from the Taliban in Afghanistan . He was driven and goal-oriented , according to Stephanie Stewart , who usually rode the school bus with Checque to Norwin High School . `` He knew exactly how to get where he wanted , '' she said . Growing up here , Checque kept a short , military-style haircut , and even got Lasik eye surgery -- mainly to make sure there was nothing that could disqualify him from becoming a commando , according to Troisi . In addition to his classes , the young man focused on wrestling and fitness , which friends say he saw as a way to prepare for the physically demanding role Checque was striving for . `` He was a team leader , '' said Michael Choby , who graduated a year ahead . `` Not a superstar , but a leader in the room -- and at matches , too . '' Send memories or messages . At the end of an exhausting wrestling practice , Checque was still ready to swim laps , Choby said -- another type of training that could help lead to a career as a commando . Troisi described him as mentally tough , but reserved , at matches . `` He would beat a guy up -- and then walk off like it was just his job , '' he said . Checque was a four-year honors student , said his physics teacher Doug Knipple , but rather than go to college , he chose to go straight into the Navy . At Norwin on Tuesday morning , students , faculty and staff observed a moment of silence . Choby , who now works as the assistant principal at the school they both attended , says Checque 's accomplishments can serve as an example for today 's students . `` He did n't just have a dream , and wish it happened , or hope it happened . He worked , worked , worked -- and he achieved amazing things for himself , '' he said . Home and Away : Coalition casualties in Afghanistan and Iraq . In addition to winning a coveted slot in the elite special warfare unit known as SEAL Team Six , Checque , 28 , received a number of commendations , including the Bronze Star . But when the Monroeville resident visited home in recent years , he did not talk about his assignments or his missions , said former neighbor Kim Victor . After al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was killed by American commandos in Pakistan , old high school friends joked about how Checque was probably involved . Now , Troisi said , they know the truth : Checque actually did serve in the very unit from which the soldiers on that high-stakes mission were selected . ( The Pentagon has not disclosed whether Checque was on the bin Laden mission ) The International Security Assistance Force said Taliban insurgents kidnapped the rescued U.S. doctor . Two local officials identified the kidnappers as smugglers . `` He died doing what he loved , '' former neighbor Kim Victor said of Checque . `` Not that that makes it any easier . '' Checque 's remains were returned to U.S. soil at Dover Air Force Base on Monday , as officials ranging from President Barack Obama to the rescued doctor 's employer thanked him for his sacrifice . `` He gave his life for all of us , '' said Josh Behun , another Pennsylvania friend of Cheque 's from school . `` Protecting freedom , and standing up for those who could n't stand up for themselves -- as he always had . '' Home and Away : Iraq and Afghanistan War Casualties . CNN 's Adam S. Levine contributed to this report .
As a youth , De Checque focused on sports , fitness . He wrestled for high school teams in Pennsylvania . Navy SEAL died in Afghanistan rescue mission .