Clifford L. Baldwin Jr., USMC

Clifford Linn Baldwin, Jr

Clifford Linn Baldwin, Jr. was born on August 16, 1945, the morning after V-J (Victory over Japan) Day. In April of 1964, after graduating from Tech High School in Omaha, Nebraska, Cliff proudly joined the Marine Corps. He left for MCRD (Marine Corps Recruit Depot) in San Diego, California on August 7, 1964.After Basics at MCRD, he graduated from the Tracked Vehicle Repairman, Tank Course 4-65, at Del Mar, Camp Pendleton, California. He was then assigned to the 2nd Tank Battalion at Camp LeJeune, North Carolina for 11 months before being deployed to Vietnam.

He served with the 3rd Tank Battalion, B Co., where he was stationed north of Da Nang from March 1966 to April 1967. Ironically, after being born on V J Day, he spent his 21st Birthday in a Fox Hole in Vietnam, "smelling someone else's feet." Though it was rare to advance quickly in rank in the Marine Corps during those times, Cliff advanced from PFC in Boot Camp to Sergeant E5 while in Vietnam in just 2 ½ years after joining.

While on leave, before shipping out to Vietnam, Cliff became engaged to his high school sweetheart, Linda Jensen, on February 14, 1966. They were married on May 20, 1967, shortly after Cliff returned home from Vietnam. Cliff was then stationed at Camp Pendleton, California with the 5th Marine Division, until he was Honorably Discharged on August 6, 1968. They returned to Omaha, Nebraska, where they lived out the rest of their lives together.

Cliff worked for Omaha Public Power District (OPPD) for 35 years. He always said, "He started out sweeping the Turbine Floor and ended up running it." Because of his training and experience in the Marine Corps, he had two years taken off the Machinist Apprenticeship Program. He then advanced until he "ran the Turbine Floor," as the Machinist Supervisor over Central Maintenance. He had a very strong work ethic, and always gave more than 100%.

Cliff and Linda were Blessed with four children: Katherine, Laura, Jacqueline and Clifford III. Cliff loved his wife and family 'unconditionally'. He never wavered from that. He enjoyed his fishing trips to Minnesota with his family and friends. He loved working around the house, his yard was always the nicest one around. The neighbors knew they could depend on Cliff whenever they needed a hot water heater replaced, any other home repairs done, or a car that needed to be worked on. He loved working on his cars; like his 1967 & 2005 Mustangs, and his 1985 Oldsmobile 442. They always ran like a fine-tuned watch and were as shiny as a new penny. His garage was always open for his kids, grandkids, family and friends.

Cliff was a lifetime member of the VFW and VVA.

Cliff died on April 26, 2022, from Alzheimer's, less than a month prior to Cliff & Linda's 55th Wedding Anniversary. The inscriptions on Cliff's tombstone, chosen by his children, say it all...

"A Good Man
Deeply Loved"