Staff Sergeant Clifford R. Totten was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism on 3 July 1966 while serving as artillery forward observer for a two squad patrol near Thang Doc. When his patrol received intense hostile fire from an estimated company of Viet Cong, a portion of the patrol was overrun and the remainder surrounded. Observing that he was about to be overrun himself, Sergeant Totten, with complete disregard for his safety, called in an uninterrupted barrage of artillery fire on his own position for a period of three hours. When his platoon leader was killed, Sergeant Totten immediately assumed command of the remaining men and organized a tight defensive perimeter. When their ammunition was expended, Sergeant Totten and one of his comrades dashed onto the battlefield to collect more. On five occasions during the repeated attacks on the perimeter, Sergeant Totten fearlessly picked up Viet Cong grenades and threw them back at the fanatical insurgents. A sixth hostile grenade exploded and wounded him in the arm. When reinforcements arrived, he pointed out the location of his men as well as nearby Viet Cong emplacement. Sergeant Totten Left the Area only after his seriously wounded comrades had been safely evacuated.

SSG. Totten joined the Legion of Valor in 1975.