Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 2nd Class (SEAL) Nicholas P. Spehar, 24, of Saint Paul, Minn., was assigned to a West Coast-based Naval Special Warfare unit. He died Aug. 6 in Wardak province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when his CH-47 Chinook helicopter crashed. When Nicholas said he was going to do something, you could take him at his word. The 2005 graduate of Chisago Lakes High School was a "quiet leader," a star in academics and three sports during his time at the school along Minnesota's eastern border, said Principal Dave Ertl. "Nick was an active young man, and if he said he was going to do something, he did it," Ertl said. "I could see him as a Navy SEAL and giving 110 percent to serve his country." Craig Swanberg of Chisago City said the Spehar kids played football with his own children. "The whole family is a down-to-earth group, nice, everyday, salt-of-the-earth people," Swanberg said. "Nick was a big kid, a powerlifter, who was not as soft spoken as his brothers." Spehar played football and baseball for Chisago Lakes, starred on the swimming team and was an academic letter winner. "He gave 100 percent in high school," Ertl said. "And he gave 100 percent to our country. Nick grew up in Chisago City, entering the Navy in March of 2007. After completing Navy Boot Camp, SO2 Spehar graduated Basic Underwater Demolition / SEAL (BUD/s) Training and SEAL Qualification Training with Class 267. Upon checking into SEAL Team FIVE, SO2 Spehar deployed to the Philippines in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He earned the coveted position of Honor Man in both Naval Special Warfare Lead Breacher and Naval Special Warfare Sniper School. SO2 Spehar then deployed to Yemen in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and immediately upon his return, volunteered for deployment to Afghanistan. On August 6, 2011, SO2 Spehar was tragically killed in action while conducting combat operations in Wardak Province, Afghanistan. SO2 Spehar was an exceptional United States Navy SEAL; he was a leader by example, a tireless worker, and an elite warrior. SO2 Spehar had previously been awarded an Army Achievement Medal and a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal. Nicholas led his life with dedication and integrity. He had a deep love for his family and his devotion to his parents and siblings was unparalleled. Nicholas had a deep Catholic faith. Nicholas is survived by his parents Patrick and Annette, sister Marie (Anthony) Mielke, brothers, Luke and Jacob, and sister Lisa.
Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 2nd Class (SEAL) Nicholas P. Spehar, 24, of Saint Paul, Minn., was assigned to a West Coast-based Naval Special Warfare unit. He died Aug. 6 in Wardak province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when his CH-47 Chinook helicopter crashed. When Nicholas said he was going to do something, you could take him at his word. The 2005 graduate of Chisago Lakes High School was a "quiet leader," a star in academics and three sports during his time at the school along Minnesota's eastern border, said Principal Dave Ertl. "Nick was an active young man, and if he said he was going to do something, he did it," Ertl said. "I could see him as a Navy SEAL and giving 110 percent to serve his country." Craig Swanberg of Chisago City said the Spehar kids played football with his own children. "The whole family is a down-to-earth group, nice, everyday, salt-of-the-earth people," Swanberg said. "Nick was a big kid, a powerlifter, who was not as soft spoken as his brothers." Spehar played football and baseball for Chisago Lakes, starred on the swimming team and was an academic letter winner. "He gave 100 percent in high school," Ertl said. "And he gave 100 percent to our country. Nick grew up in Chisago City, entering the Navy in March of 2007. After completing Navy Boot Camp, SO2 Spehar graduated Basic Underwater Demolition / SEAL (BUD/s) Training and SEAL Qualification Training with Class 267. Upon checking into SEAL Team FIVE, SO2 Spehar deployed to the Philippines in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He earned the coveted position of Honor Man in both Naval Special Warfare Lead Breacher and Naval Special Warfare Sniper School. SO2 Spehar then deployed to Yemen in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and immediately upon his return, volunteered for deployment to Afghanistan. On August 6, 2011, SO2 Spehar was tragically killed in action while conducting combat operations in Wardak Province, Afghanistan. SO2 Spehar was an exceptional United States Navy SEAL; he was a leader by example, a tireless worker, and an elite warrior. SO2 Spehar had previously been awarded an Army Achievement Medal and a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal. Nicholas led his life with dedication and integrity. He had a deep love for his family and his devotion to his parents and siblings was unparalleled. Nicholas had a deep Catholic faith. Nicholas is survived by his parents Patrick and Annette, sister Marie (Anthony) Mielke, brothers, Luke and Jacob, and sister Lisa.
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