Nick Checque was born on March 5, 1984, in Monroeville, Pennsylvania. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on February 26, 2002, and went on active duty to begin basic training on October 22, 2002. Checque completed basic training at NTC Great Lakes, Illinois, in December 2002, and then trained as an Intelligence Specialist at the Navy and Marine Corps Intelligence Training Center at Dam Neck, Virginia, from December 2002 to April 2003. He attended Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training at NAB Coronado, California, from April 2003 to February 2004, and then attended Basic Airborne training at Fort Benning, Georgia, in February and March 2004. After completing SEAL Qualification Training in August 2004, Petty Officer Checque served with SEAL Team TEN at NAB Little Creek, Virginia, from August 2004 to October 2006. His final assignment was with Naval Special Warfare Development Group at Dam Neck, Virginia, from October 2006 until he was killed in action during a rescue mission in Afghanistan on December 8, 2012. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

His Navy Cross Citation reads:

For extraordinary heroism while serving as a Hostage Rescue Force Team Member for a Joint Task Force on 8 December 2012 in Support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. The team infiltrated an enemy stronghold to rescue an American hostage from a well-armed and determined Taliban guard force. After aerial surveillance reported an active guard on the target compound, Chief Petty Officer Checque skillfully maneuvered and led the primary assault force toward the target building. In the final steps of the assault, a guard in the courtyard identified the approaching rescue force, and darted into the building. Chief Petty Officer Checque instinctively pursued and engaged a guard who peered from a doorway. Realizing the Taliban guards had been alerted and the hostage's life was in imminent danger, Chief Petty Officer Checque unhesitatingly sprinted to the door and made entry. He was engaged by the enemy at close range and mortally wounded, but his bravery and unhesitant commitment in pursuit of the target was pivotal in saving the American hostage and the ultimate success of the overall mission. By his undaunted courage, bold initiative, and complete dedication to duty, Chief Petty Officer Checque reflected the highest credit upon himself and the military service. great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.