Richard G. Cliff Jr.

Fallen Hero’s Hometown and State: Mount Pleasant, SC

Branch of Service: U.S. Army

Rank: Captain

Captain Richard “Richie” G. Cliff, Jr. deployed with 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. This was his third deployment in support of the Global War on Terror and his first deployment to Afghanistan. He was killed when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device while conducting a combat reconnaissance patrol near Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

Commissioned through Appalachian State University’s U.S. Army ROTC program in 2002, Cliff was a natural leader – Captain of his Wando High School Wrestling Team and Captain of the App State ROTC Ranger Challenge Team. He graduated from the Special Forces Qualification Course and earned his Green Beret in 2008. Richie loved surfing and hitting the slopes with his brother, Eddie. He had an amazing sense of humor and loved to play practical jokes on his friends.

Richie was home with his wife, Stacy, for the birth of their son, Richard Sanders Cliff, on August 4, 2008, and then he deployed to Afghanistan one week later. He was such a proud father and was the happiest he had ever been while holding his baby boy. Richie lived life to the fullest, he loved with all his heart, and he had an amazing smile and infectious laugh that his family and friends will never forget.

Age: 29

Date of Death: September 29, 2008