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
Died	July 19, 1975(1975-07-19) (aged 46) San Antonio, Texas
Buried at	Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery
Allegiance	United States of America
Branch	United States Army
Years of service	1950 – 1975
Rank	Brigadier General
Unit	1st Cavalry Division
Commands	11th Aviation Battalion (1966 – 1967) 17th Aviation Group (1970 – 1971) Combat Developments Experimentation Command
Battles / wars	Korean War Vietnam War
Awards	Silver Star Distinguished Flying Cross Bronze Star Medal with V Air Medal with V
Memorials	Starker Functional Fitness Center, Fort Hood, Texas,[1] Starker Tennis Courts, Fort Hunter Liggett, California
Spouse	Sallie[1]
Children	Sallie, 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]