Robert Lanoue Baldwin

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Air Force Cross (Posthumously) to Robert Lanoue Baldwin (0-09184374), Major, U.S. 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, SEVENTH Air Force, 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.