Wing Commander John Robert Baldwin, DSO & Bar, DFC & Bar, AFC (16 July 1918 – missing in action 15 March 1952) was a Royal Air Force fighter pilot and the top scoring fighter ace flying the Hawker Typhoon exclusively during the Second World War.
He went missing during secondment service with the United States Air Force in the Korean War and was presumed killed.
Beginning as ground crew with the RAFVR at the start of the Second World War, he served in France during 1940 and spent the 'Blitz' period on bomb disposal duties.
Postwar research indicates that these may have included Leutnant Wenzel, reported as missing, and Unteroffiziere Marquardt and Budde, who were both captured.
He was awarded a Bar to his DFC and destroyed three Fw 190s and a Caudron Goeland (utility passenger aircraft) during January 1944.
The subsequent court of enquiry identified the fault as lying entirely with the Navy; the officer arranging the minesweeping had not informed others of the area of operations.
During the last days of the war in Europe, he was commanding the Wing in operations against enemy shipping in the Baltic Sea.
He then led a team of four pilots from the RAF Central Fighter Establishment on attachment to the USAF in Korea.
He was posted missing, presumed killed, in March 1952 during the Korean War flying a North American F-86 Sabre.
[6] This officer has participated in numerous sorties, invariably displaying great courage and operational efficiency.
On another occasion, during a sortie over Belgium, he damaged four locomotives.Squadron Leader Baldwin is a keen, skilful and determined fighter.
Much of the great success achieved can be attributed to Squadron Leader Baldwin's superb leadership, fine tactical ability and iron determination.
His sterling qualities were amply demonstrated in January, 1944, when he led an attack on a force of some 30 Focke-Wulf 190s, 9 of which were shot down, Squadron Leader Baldwin being responsible for 2 of the successes.