Cpt. Richard G. Cliff, Jr. a 1997 Wando High School graduate and son of Rich and Julie Cliff died in military action last week while on patrol in the Helmand province of Afghanistan while conducting a combat reconnaissance patrol in support of combat operations.

He served with Company B, 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne). He deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in September, 2008, as a member of the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force Afghanistan.

Capt. Richard G. Cliff Jr., 29 years old, was born in Charleston in 1979.

His love for the Lowcountry was evident in his hobbies which included swimming and surfing off Folly Beach with his brother, Eddie.

He graduated from Wando High School in June 1997, boasting the honor of team captain of the wrestling team. Appalachian State University was his next stop.

He participated in ROTC as well as wrestling, but the glimpse at life as a military man was what truly intrigued him. He was eventually commissioned in the Army, participating in training in Washington state.

Richie began his service in the first brigade and was sent to Iraq. But just before he deployed, he and Stacy Wagoner were united in marriage.

Richie completed two tours in Iraq and deservingly received four Army Commendation

medals:  the Army Achievement Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Parachutist Badge, as well as several others.

Before being deployed for a third mission in 2006, he was honored to be invited to participate in the Special Forces Qualification Course which qualified him as  Green Beret in July.

Stacy announced that they were expecting their first child. He was allowed to stay behind to witness the birth of his son “Little Richie.”

Richie deployed for a third stint in Operation enduring Freedom on September 11.

Tragically, Richie’s unit, the 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group, was on combat reconnaissance patrol near Yakhchal, in the Helmand province of Afghanistan, when their vehicle hit an improvised explosive device. Richie and two other soldiers were killed.

Lucy Beckham, Wando High School principal, knew Richie and his family well. Richie’s mother Julie was a long time teacher at Wando.

“Rich Cliff was a leader here,” she said. “He was an outstanding young man. His mother Julie Cliff was a longtime teacher at Wando. She was named Teacher of the Year and was a leader in the science department. He was captain of the wrestling team,” Beckham remembered.

“This whole event is just horribly tragic and we’re broken hearted for the family. We’re very appreciative for his sacrifice for this country and know he was just doing what he wanted to do. Based on what his mother always said, military service was something he was very passionate about.”

Hometown hero

“Richie loved the outdoors and the physical and mental challenges the Army gave him,” said mother Julie.

“He made so many friends during his time in the Army - from Belgium to California. In fact his best friend was allowed to leave Afghanistan to be here for Richie’s funeral service.”

Richie was commissioned in June, 2002, after graduating from Appalachian State University in Boone, NC. At Appalachian State Richie was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity and ROTC. He began his military career at Ft. Benning, GA, where he completed the Infantry Officer Basic Course. His first assignment was Ft. Lewis, Washington, where he was a platoon leader with the 5th Battalion 20th Infantry Stryker Brigade Combat Team.

He deployed with them to Iraq in 2003, and again in 2006, as a company executive officer.

But before he left, he and Stacy planned a wedding in two weeks time. They were married August 31, 2003.

Cliff then went to Ft. Benning, GA where he completed the Maneuver Captains Career Course. He began the Special Forces Qualification Course June, 2007, and earned the coveted Green Beret in July, 2008.

His son Richard Sanders Cliff was born Sept. 4, 2008. He deployed for his third tour just days later on September 11. He was to return sometime after the first of the year.

Richie the Lowcountry boy

In his spare time Richie was an avid surfer with his favorite local spot being Folly Beach. He traveled to Costa Rica and Hawaii to scuba dive and surf as well as numerous spots up and down the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. He especially enjoyed his boat, and wakeboarding with friends, as well as hitting the slopes with his brother, Eddie. Richie also climbed to the summit of Mt. Rainier in Washington state while stationed at Ft. Lewis.

His mother Julie came across his kindergarten prophesy from the Little Learner’s Lodge. It said “Most Likely to Become a Mountain Climber.”

One of Eddie’s fondest memories of Cliff is surfing. “Every time he came home we always made a point to go surfing at Folly. We grew up surfing together,” he said.

The pair are only 16 months apart in age and Eddie was the Best Man in Richie’s wedding. “We were pretty close,” said Eddie. “He was a fun loving guy and he loved to play pranks. And he had an infectious laugh,” Eddie said.

“I think what I will miss the most about him is hanging out with him and telling stories and laughing.”

Richie’s wife sat with her best friend, her sister, her mother-in-law and Richie’s cousin Monday afternoon. They described her husband as a man who was genuine, fun loving, true, friendly and loyal.

“He and our son Eddie are every mother’s dream,” Julie said. “Both of our boys live life to the fullest. Richie loved  the adventure of life and loved the challenge life gave him.”

Stacy said he had an amazing sense of humor, and Julie remembers him as mischievous and fun.

Eddie is proud of his brother.

“He was definitely doing what he wanted to be doing and he thought what he was doing was making a difference - as did my entire family. We all supported him 100 percent and we all felt he was doing the right thing.”

Julie and her husband Cliff are thankful to the East Cooper community and everyone at Wando High School.

“We just want the Mount Pleasant community to know how incredibly awesome they have been to our family,” Julie said. “People we don’t even know, perfect strangers, have contacted us, written cards and left baskets of flowers with American flags at the end of the driveway.”

In fact the family of Staff Sgt. Matthew Taylor, of Summerville, who was killed by hostile small arms fire Sept. 21 while on patrol in Baghdad,  sent a card to the family expressing their condolences.

Bill Daniels placed a flashing marquee on Hwy. 17 paying tribute to Richie and American flags lined the highway and neighborhoods in honor of his service and his memory.

“We found out Monday that Richie had been killed,” Julie explained, “and left for North Carolina on Tuesday to be with Stacy and the baby. We came home Wednesday and saw that markee that Bill Daniels put up and both Rich and I lost it,” she said. “We were just so blown away by the gesture.”

Julie said the family is overwhelmed by the outpouring of care and support from neighbors and friends.

“We’ve heard from people we hadn’t seen in 25 years,” she said. “We just really want the community to know how much that means that they care so much about our precious child. The patriotic sentiments are wonderful. So many people understand the sacrifice he made and there are just no words in the English language to say how thankful we are for what everyone has said and done.”

Julie closed by saying that Richie loved life and took advantage of every moment life gave to him.

Cliff is survived by his wife, Stacy Wagoner Cliff, his infant son, Richard Sanders Cliff, his parents Julie and Rich Cliff, Sr.; and a brother, Eddie Cliff, all of Mount Pleasant, SC; along with numerous extended family members and close friends. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that memorial donations may be made to the Special Forces Association, PO Box 41436, Fayetteville, NC 28309, which assist the families of fallen soldiers. Also a trust has been set up for the benefit of Richie’s son. Donations can be made to Stacy Cliff FBO Richard Sanders Cliff, c/o Yadkin Valley Bank, PO Box 1865, West Jefferson, NC 28694.

The funeral service was held Wednesday at Mount Pleasant Presbyterian Church with a burial with full military honors at Live Oak Memorial Gardens.

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