Charles Cread Baldwin (born April 7, 1947) is a former Chief of Chaplains of the United States Air Force.
Biography A native of New Haven, Connecticut, Baldwin is an ordained Southern Baptist pastor. He is a graduate of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Baldwin is married to Anne, with whom he has three children and nine grandchildren. Baldwin was the first, and to date the only Air Force Chief of Chaplains who had been a rated air force pilot.
Career Baldwin graduated from United States Air Force Academy in 1969. He would go on to serve in the Vietnam War and the Gulf War. Baldwin served as an Air Force pilot before attending seminary and changing career fields to chaplain. He flew the EC-121 Warning Star, then later, the HH-53 "Super Jolly" as a rescue helicopter pilot. Other assignments he held include serving at Headquarters, United States Air Forces in Europe and North American Aerospace Defense Command. Baldwin served as Deputy Chief of Chaplains of the United States Air Force from 2001 to 2004, when he became Chief of Chaplains with the rank of major general. His retirement was effective as of July 1, 2008.
Awards and military decorations
BadgeAir Force Christian Chaplain BadgeBadgeUS Air Force Basic Aviator Badge1st RowAir Force Distinguished Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf clusterLegion of Merit with oak leaf clusterDistinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf clusterBronze Star Medal2nd RowMeritorious Service Medal with silver oak leaf clusterAir Medal with three oak leaf clustersAir Force Commendation MedalAir Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor device and oak leaf cluster3rd RowAir Force Organizational Excellence AwardNational Defense Service Medal with two bronze service starsArmed Forces Expeditionary MedalVietnam Service Medal with three service stars4th RowSouthwest Asia Service Medal with two service starsGlobal War on Terrorism Service MedalHumanitarian Service MedalAir Force Overseas Ribbon - Short with two oak leaf clusters5th RowAir Force Overseas Ribbon - LongAir Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with silver and three bronze oak leaf clustersSmall Arms Expert Marksmanship RibbonAir Force Training Ribbon with oak leaf cluster6th RowVietnam Gallantry Cross Unit CitationVietnam Campaign MedalKuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia)Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)BadgeBasic Parachutist Badge
References