Chapter Eternal

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Richard G.Cliff, Jr.
(Appalachian State, Iota Psi ’98)

Capt. Richard G. Cliff, Jr., 29, was killed on Sept. 29, 2008 while conducting a combat reconnaissance patrol in the vicinity of Yakhchal, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, in support of combat operations while serving with Company B, 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne).

He deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Sept. 2008 as a member of the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force – Afghanistan. This was his third deployment in support of the Global War onTerror and first deployment to Afghanistan. He was a Special Forces Operational Detachment- Alpha team commander.

Cliff was commissioned in June 2002 after graduation from Appalachian State University. After a variety of infantry positions in the Army, he began the Special Forces Qualification Course in June 2007 and earned the coveted “Green Beret” in July 2008.

Cliff’s military education included the Maneuver Captains Career Course, Infantry Officer Basic Course, Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course, Basic Airborne Course, Ranger Course, and Special Forces Qualification Course.

His awards and decorations include four Army Commendation Medals (one for valor), the Army Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War onTerrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Expert Infantryman Badge, the Parachutist Badge, Ranger Tab and the Special Forces Tab.
Cliff is survived by his wife, Stacy, and son, Richard, of Sanford, North Carolina; mother, Julie Cliff, and father, Richard Cliff, Sr.; and brother Eddie Cliff, all of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina