THE WALL OF FACES

My name is Kaila Thompson, Daughter of Cynthia Baldwin. I am Laurence Dean Baldwin's Granddaughter. I have never gotten the pleasure of having my grandfather in my life, unfortunately he was killed in Vietnam when my mother was just 8 years old. I've heard lots of stories of him and had many dreams about him. He was a great man and served his country with honor. He took his job in the military very seriously and loved it. When he was killed in 1969 he was a captain in the Armed Forces and had 2 daughters, my mother and her little sister Rebecca. He was a great solider who died for our country and our freedom. He will never be forgotten. I thank everyone for their kind words and admiration. I know he is in heaven looking upon us knowing that we will always be safe and in the care of he and the other angels, and also the almighty Lord Jesus and his father God. It is nice to come to these websites and know after he perished he is and will always be loved. Rest in peace and I love you grandpa. My mother and three sisters love you and admire you always!
Love, your granddaughter Kaila Rae

I did not know CPTO3 Larry Baldwin but I served with the 25th Infantry Division from 1969-70. I salute your Service and Sacrifice. May you find the peace of the Lord and your family and friends as well.

If I should die, and leave you here awhile, be not like others, sore undone, who keep long vigils by the silent dust, and weep...for MY sake, turn again to life, and smile...Nerving thy heart, and trembling hand to do something to comfort other hearts than thine...Complete these dear, unfinished tasks of mine...and I, perchnace, may therein comfort you.

Capt. Larry D. Baldwin is interred at Los Osos Valley Memorial Park in Los Osos, CA. His grave is in the Garden of Peace, plot B, space 94.

Capt. Larry D. Baldwin was born in Hayes, KS on June 15, 1938. His family moved to California when he was very young, and his father took a job with PG&E, eventually settling in San Luis Obispo. As a child he attended the Old Mission School during his elementary and junior high years. His father’s job forced the family to move frequently, and by his senior year in high school he was living in Salinas, CA where he graduated from Palma Catholic High School in 1956. After high school Capt. Baldwin attended classes at the University of San Francisco, later returning to San Luis Obispo where he was married in 1960. He enrolled at Cuesta College, then transferred to Cal Poly where he graduated in 1963 with a degree in social science. He earned money while in college by driving a bus for San Luis Obispo High School. At Cal Poly he participated in the ROTC program. Upon his graduation he was commissioned a second lieutenant in field artillery and was assigned to gunnery school at Ft. Sill, OK. He was first deployed to Vietnam in September 1965. Capt. Baldwin served two tours in Vietnam. He earned a Bronze Star on his first tour and the Army Commendation Medal and Air Medal on his second tour while serving with HHB, 7th Battalion, 11th Artillery, 25th Infantry Division. Two months into his second tour, on March 22, 1969, Capt. Baldwin was killed when the observation helicopter he was an artillery observer in was brought down by small arms fire. He was 30 years-old. He was survived by a wife and two small children. Capt. Baldwin is buried at Los Osos Valley Memorial Park in Los Osos, CA.