Joseph B. Starker

Brigadier General Joseph B. Starker (29 January 1929 – 19 July 1975) was a United States Army aviator who served in the conflicts in Korea and Vietnam. He commanded the 11th Combat Aviation Battalion, 17th Aviation Group, and Combat Developments Experimentation Command. He was struck and killed by a drunk driver[2] while serving as the Assistant Division Commander, 1st Cavalry Division.

Brigadier General

Joseph B. Starker
Born(1929-01-29)January 29, 1929
DiedJuly 19, 1975(1975-07-19) (aged 46)
San Antonio, Texas
Buried at
Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery
AllegianceUnited States of America
Service/branch United States Army
Years of service1950 – 1975
RankBrigadier General
Unit1st Cavalry Division
Commands held
  • 11th Aviation Battalion (1966 – 1967)
  • 17th Aviation Group (1970 – 1971)
  • Combat Developments Experimentation Command
Battles/warsKorean War
Vietnam War
Awards
MemorialsStarker Functional Fitness Center, Fort Hood, Texas,[1]
Starker Tennis Courts, Fort Hunter Liggett, California
Spouse(s)Sallie[1]
ChildrenSallie, Susan

Army aviator

As a member of the Howze Board, Starker helped develop the concept of the Air Cavalry Combat Brigade. Later, he was key in the design, organization and testing of the Air Cavalry Combat Brigade.[2] General William E. DePuy, then commander of the 1st Infantry Division, wanted to assign aviation elements to support ground infantry units fighting in Vietnam. Starker's 11th Aviation Battalion was assigned as the test vehicle of this new fighting concept; initially with one assault helicopter company assigned to each U.S. brigade.[3]

Awards

During Brigadier General Starker's distinguished career, he earned the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal with Valor device and the Air Medal with Valor device.[4]

References
  1. US Army, Fort Hood, Texas (16 September 1976). New gym named for late BG Starker, Fort Hood Sentinel. Retrieved 6 May 2017.
  2. Army Aviation Association of America. Brigadier General Joseph B. Starker. Retrieved 6 May 2017.
  3. Lieutenant General Tolson, John J. Vietnam Studies - AIRMOBILITY - 1961-1971. Pickle Partners Publishing.
  4. Armored Sentinel (7 July 1972). Starker Named New MASSTER Chief of Staff, Temple, Texas. Retrieved 6 May 2017
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