Robert Lanoue Baldwin
Major, U.S. Air Force

On 31 March 1967, Major Robert Lanoue Baldwin was serving as a UH-1 pilot in E Flight, 20th Special Operations Squadron, 14th Special Operations Wing, in action in the Republic of Vietnam during the Vietnam War.

On that date, Maj Baldwin volunteered to pilot his unarmed helicopter to evacuate severely wounded American ground troops under heavy hostile fire. Despite intense and accurately directed automatic weapons fire that severely damaged his aircraft and inflicted serious wounds upon Maj Baldwin, he successfully delivered ammunition and water to the beleaguered ground forces and began the rescue of wounded personnel. Devastating ground fire struck Maj Baldwin's aircraft again, causing it to crash. Ignoring his own serious wounds, Maj Baldwin attempted to save the other wounded until he lost consciousness prevented any further action. Maj Baldwin’s extraordinary heroism and superb airmanship that day earned him the U.S. Air Force's second highest award for valor, the Air Force Cross.

Major Baldwin succumbed to the wounds sustained in this action. The other members of the crew survived the crash without further injury and were rescued by the ground team.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Air Force Cross
Bronze Star Medal
Purple Heart
Air Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal
Presidential Unit Citation
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor Device
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal with 3 Bronze Stars
Air Force Longevity Service Award with 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
Air Force Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Senior Pilot Badge

Air Force Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Title 10, Section 8742, United States Code, takes pride in presenting the Air Force Cross (Posthumously) to Major Robert Lanoue Baldwin, United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as a UH-1 pilot in E Flight, 20th Special Operations Squadron, 14th Special Operations Wing, in action in the Republic of Vietnam on 31 March 1967. On that date, Major Baldwin volunteered to pilot his unarmed helicopter to evacuate severely wounded American ground troops under heavy hostile fire. Despite intense and accurately directed automatic weapons fire which severely damaged his aircraft and inflicted serious wounds upon his person, Major Baldwin, with undaunted determination, indomitable courage, and professional skill, successfully delivered ammunition and water to the beleaguered ground forces and began rescue of wounded personnel. Again devastating ground fire struck his aircraft, causing it to crash. Disregarding his own serious wounds, Major Baldwin attempted to save the other wounded until his loss of consciousness prevented any further action. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of hostile forces, Major Baldwin reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

Burial

Major Robert Lanoue Baldwin is buried at the Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego, San Diego County, CA, In Section I, Site 24.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/3385905/robert-lanoue-baldwin