The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Rear Admiral Robert B. Baldwin (NSN: 0-389336), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from April 1969 to December 1970, while serving with the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations as Director, Aviation Programs Division and subsequently as Director, Aviation Plans and Requirements Division. A competent, dynamic, and resourceful leader, Rear Admiral Baldwin demonstrated knowledge of all facets of the planning, programming and budgeting functions supporting Naval Aviation. As Director, Aviation Programs Division, he supervised his staff during a period when the planning, programming, and budgeting systems underwent major reorganization. This transition, aggravated by dynamic changes and instability induced by severe budgetary and force reductions, demanded far-reaching program decisions. He developed and justified two Naval Aviation budgets and achieved a balance in the Office of the Secretary of Defense-direction installation realignment which was of optimum benefit to Naval Aviation. As Director, Aviation Plans and Requirements Division, Rear Admiral Baldwin was responsible for a wide variety of programs vital to Naval Aviation. He remained knowledgeable of all details in order to reach forthright, convincing advice to the Secretary of Defense and the Congress and minimized the effects of progressively lower budget levels. Concentrating special effort on Landing Force aviation, he strengthened the bond between Navy and Marine Aviation and, as a result, paved the way for Marine Aviation to again join the carrier force. During the period 2 October to 6 November 1970, Rear Admiral Baldwin served as a member of the Chief of Naval Operations Organizational Review Panel. His unusual foresight, organizational ability, and capability for rendering unbiased judgments were manifested by his substantial, innovative, and sensible contributions to the reorganization. By his superb leadership, exemplary performance, and inspiring devotion to duty, Rear Admiral Baldwin contributed significantly to the present and future combat readiness of the Naval Force, thereby upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Rear Admiral Robert B. Baldwin (NSN: 0-389336), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander Carrier Division SIX from January 1971 to June 1972. Under Rear Admiral Baldwin’s aggressive and imaginative leadership, new employment concepts were developed and implemented which blended the capabilities of attack and anti-submarine warfare air wing components into a most effective combat unit capable of countering the full threat spectrum. Rear Admiral Baldwin’s aggressive and imaginative leadership, new employment concepts were developed and implemented which blended the capabilities of attack and anti-submarine warfare air wing components into a most effective combat unit capable of countering the full threat spectrum. Rear Admiral Baldwin’s innovative approach to material problems and his ability to focus corrective action on them resulted in improved systems availability and mission performance of aircraft weapons systems. The complete and thorough documentation of the CV (Multi-mission Aircraft Carrier) Concept Evaluation compiled under his direction forms the principal empirical data base for future development and implementation of the CV concept. By his outstanding leadership, judgment, and inspiring devotion to duty throughout, Rear Admiral Baldwin upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.