The  President of the  United States  takes  pleasure  in presenting the  DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS to

for service as set forth in the following

              CITATION:

                   "For  heroism and  extraordinary  achievement  in  aerial  flight while  serving  as  a  Pilot  with Marine Medium Helicopter  Squadron  364,  Marine  Aircraft  Group Sixteen,  First Marine Aircraft Wing  in  connection with combat operations  against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam.  On
9 April 1969, First Lieutenant Baldwin launched as  Aircraft Commander of a CH-46 transport  helicopter assigned  the emergency  evacuation of  a seri- ously  wounded  Marine from an  area northeast of  An Hoa.   Arriving over the  designated  location,  he was  informed  that  he would be  vulnerable to intense  enemy  fire  from  two directions and,  although he lacked  adequate armed  aircraft  support,  he elected  to attempt  the  evacuation.   Fearlessly commencing  his  approach  to  the  landing  zone,  he  came  under a heavy volume of  small  arms  and  automatic  weapons  fire and  quickly  regained altitude  to  permit  the accompanying armed  UH-1E helicopter to complete firing runs on  hostile  emplacements.   Advised by  the patrol  leader on the ground  that  enemy  fire  in  the  area was still  too  intense  to continue  the mission,  First Lieutenant Baldwin,  thinking only of the critical condition of the casualty,  nevertheless boldly  commenced a second  approach to the site and,  although  he   again  encountered  hostile  fire,   skillfully  executed   a  series  of evasive  maneuvers  and lande in proximity to the injured Marine. During the period of  time that he was  on the ground,  he was under contin- uous  fire but resolutely  remained in his  dangerously exposed position until the  embarkation  was  completed.  Then,  displaying  superb airmanship, he expeditiously  departed  the  dangerous  area  and  proceeded  to  a  medical facility  at  DaNang.   His  heroic and  determined actions  inspired  all  who observed  him  and  saved   the  life  of  a  fellow  Marine.   First  Lieutenant Baldwin's courage, superior aeronautical ability and unwavering devotion to duty  in the face of grave  personal danger  contributed  significantly  to  the accomplishment  of the vital  mission and were in  keeping with  the highest  traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service."