U.S. Navy Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 2nd Class (SEAL) Nicholas Spehar died Aug. 6, 2011, in Wardak Province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when his helicopter was shot down. The 24-year-old, of St. Paul, Minnesota, was assigned to a West Coast-based Naval Special Warfare unit and served during Operation Enduring Freedom. Spehar is survived by his parents, Patrick and Annette; and siblings, Luke, Jacob and Lisa, and Marie Mielke.