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<p><em>Clifford Joseph “Cliff” Fralen</em> was born on October 15, 1932 in Yonkers, NY, the son of Clifford B. Fralen and Mabel (Nelson) Fralen. A younger sister, Beverly, completed the family. He and his family moved to Brooklyn, NY, where he attended St. Johns Parochial School and moved on to graduate from Bishop Laughlin Memorial High School. While waiting for his appointment to West Point, Cliff completed a year of study at Queens College of New York.</p>
<p>On July 3, 1951, Cliff arrived at the West Point train station and began his journey with the Class of 1955. Loving sports, he eagerly participated in wrestling and lacrosse as a competitor and coach. Always proud of his Brooklyn roots, he established a lasting bond with fellow Brooklynites at the Academy.</p>
<p>Always an excellent student, Cliff excelled in academics and was wearing stars by yearling year. He met Jean Holzheimer at a dance in Queens that summer. After many happy weekends dating at West Point, they married at the West Point Catholic Chapel on June 11, 1955. </p>
<p>Upon commissioning in the Field Artillery as a second lieutenant, Cliff and Jean began their incredible 20-year military adventure. He served in many duty stations throughout the United States and overseas. He started his career at Fort Riley, KS and, following the battery officer course at Fort Sill, OK, deployed overseas for a year in Korea. He was chosen for advanced civil schooling and earned a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from John Hopkins University. Cliff was recognized for his work in physics, and for the next three years he taught in West Point’s Department of ES&GS. Teaching cadets and coaching the Plebe WrestlingTeam were some of the most rewarding years of his career. Following his assignment as an instructor, Cliff went on to Germany to serve as a battery commander in an 8-inch Howitzer battalion. Returning to the States he completed assignments at Fort McClellan, AL and Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, KS. From 1968 to 1969, Cliff deployed to Vietnam, serving as the 25th ID G-2 in Cu Chi, Saigon, and then to DC to the Office of Research and Development at the Pentagon. Cliff’s last military assignment was as the professor of military studies at Northeastern University in Boston.</p>
<p>Cliff retired in 1975 and accepted the physical plant director position at Northeastern University. He oversaw all day-to-day operations of the facilities, including operations budgets, selection of architectural services, and construction and renovations around the campus. He led the design and construction of the Snell Library and Henderson Boathouse, along with many other projects during his 17 years. He found his years at Northeastern, at a time of significant changes at the university, very rewarding.</p>
<p>During his last assignment, Cliff settled with Jean in their house in Chelmsford, MA. They now had four children, three boys and a girl.</p>
<p>The boys continued Cliff’s military legacy by serving in the Army and Navy, and their daughter pursued her love of horses. Cliff and Jean’s family expanded to 10 grandchildren and continued growing with their many great-grandchildren.</p>
<p>Throughout his career in the Army, at Northeastern, and into retirement, Cliff enjoyed a variety of interests and hobbies, all of which he shared with his children. While at Fort Sill, he discovered his love for upland hunting and fishing. To the enjoyment of his family, he became an accomplished cook. The hours he and Jean spent in the garden were many of his happiest. Always an avid reader, Cliff was never without the next book to read.</p>
<p>Cliff will be remembered for numerous reasons, most noticeably as always prioritizing his family and for his unwavering affection toward Jean, his beloved wife of six decades. </p>
<p>True greatness lies in the unwavering commitment to duty, devotion to honor, and love for one’s country.</p>
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