The public is invited to a May 14 memorial tribute to Maj(R) Darren Baldwin, who at age 46 died Dec. 23, 2021, from injuries he had sustained in Iraq in 2005. The event will be held at 10:30 a.m. at Worthington Christian Church, 8145 N. High St.
Darren was born in Chicago, IL, raised in Worthington, Ohio where he graduated from Worthington Kilbourne High School in 1993. He graduated from the United States Military Academy, West Point, NY in 1998 with a bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering.
He was first commissioned as a Field Artillery Officer and was stationed in 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 at Fort Bragg, NC and was selected to serve in the US Army Special Forces in 2003. He served three tours in Iraq, one in Kosovo and traveled to many other countries while serving as the aide de camp to the US Army Special Forces commanding general at Fort Bragg, NC. He was awarded the Bronze Star (2OLC) and the Purple Heart for injuries received in Iraq.
Darren died from Traumatic Brain Injury which he sustained from two IED explosions while serving as a team leader with 10th Special Forces Group in Operation Iraqi Freedom on his second deployment in 2005. Doctors were amazed he lived as long as he did. He far exceeded their expectations.
Darren’s mother, Fran Wesseling, and her husband have devoted their lives to veterans. Fran founded the Green Beret Foundation Greater Cincinnati Chapter. The organization works to cover medical expenses that the VA and insurance companies fall short of coverage for injured veterans. Fran is a member of the Board of Directors and has raised over $1.7 million for The Green Beret Foundation.
