MAJOR DARREN BALDWIN LEGACY FOUNDATION
In loving memory of a son, brother, friend, soldier, husband, and American hero
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I, send me.”
Isaiah 6:8
Major Darren Ryan Baldwin was born in Chicago, IL and raised in Worthington, OH. He graduated from Worthington Kilbourne High School in 1993 and went on to graduate from The United States Military Academy in 1998.
His first assignment was as a Field Artillery Officer in Giessen, Germany, during which he was sent into combat in Kosovo as part of Task Force Falcon. Following his deployment, Darren continued his military training in the Special Forces Officer Qualification School in Fort Bragg, NC. He was selected to serve in the U.S. Army Special Forces in 2003 as a Green Beret officer.
He completed three deployments in Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He experienced traumatic brain injuries in 2005 while on his second deployment to Iraq. He returned to Iraq for his third deployment in January 2006. Following his last deployment to Iraq, Major Baldwin went on to serve as aide de camp to the U.S. Army Special Forces commanding general at Fort Bragg, NC. During his tour of service there, he traveled to many countries, meeting and working with many great personnel. After completing his tour, Darren served as a commander of a Special Mission Unit.
Major Baldwin was a Purple Heart medal recipient for his war-related injuries, and also received a Bronze Star medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, a Meritorious Service Medal, two Army Commendation medals, one Army Achievement Medal, two National Defense Service medals, one Kosovo Campaign with Bronze Service Star, one Iraq Campaign Medal, one Global War On Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, one Global War On Terrorism Service Medal, one Army Service Ribbon, three Overseas Service Ribbons, and one Combat Infantryman Badge.
The traumatic brain injuries sustained in combat caused irreversible neurotrauma, which deteriorated his daily life, making it very difficult to walk, care for himself, and maintain work responsibilities. However, in lieu of his life-altering injuries, Major Baldwin remained a beacon of faith, hope, and strength to all who knew him. Major Baldwin passed away peacefully on December 23, 2021 with his loving and devoted wife, Bianca, at his side.
On September 14, 2023 with full military honors, Major Baldwin’s remains were laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery. Major Baldwin now rests in eternal peace with his military brothers and sisters in the most hallowed burial ground of our nation's fallen. His grave site can be found in Section 53 Site 2949.
THE MAJOR DARREN R. BALDWIN SCHOLARSHIP
To honor Major Baldwin’s legacy, Darren’s family members have established the Major Darren Baldwin Legacy Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charity to annually provide scholarships to two qualified seniors of Worthington Kilbourne High School. The Scholarship’s purpose is to inspire a generation of Worthington Kilbourne High School seniors to emulate Major Baldwin’s persona of striving to excel in studies, athletics, peer friendships, and leadership roles indicative of a young patriotic citizen of our great nation.
