Stark, John, 1728-1822, American Revolutionary soldier, b. Londonderry, N.H. He fought in the French and Indian Wars. At the start of the Revolution he distinguished himself at Bunker Hill, and he served in the Quebec campaign and with George Washington at Princeton and Trenton (1776-77). He went home in 1777, disgruntled over some promotions, but later in the year took the field as a commander of the New Hampshire militia in the Saratoga campaign. When General Burgoyne sent a detachment to take the colonial stores at Bennington (now in Vermont), Stark met and repulsed it. The battle of Bennington contributed to Burgoyne's discomfiture at Saratoga. For this service Stark received appointment as brigadier general from the Congress.

Stark, Harold Raynsford, 1880-1972, American admiral, b. Wilkes-Barre, Pa. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, he was commissioned (1905) an ensign in the navy. After service in World War I, he filled several important naval administrative posts. In 1939, Stark was made admiral and appointed chief of naval operations. Removed (1942) from this position after the attack on Pearl Harbor, he commanded (1942-45) U.S. naval forces in Europe in World War II and retired from active duty in 1946. Although the final years of his career were clouded by the Pearl Harbor disaster, Stark was absolved of any responsibility by presidential and congressional investigating committees.

(born Aug. 28, 1728, Londonderry, N.H.—died May 8, 1822, Manchester, N.H., U.S.) American Revolutionary officer. He served in the French and Indian War with Robert Rogers's Rangers (1754–59). In the American Revolution he fought at the Battle of Bunker Hill and in New Jersey. He commanded the militia that defeated the British at the Battle of Bennington, Vt. Promoted to brigadier general of the Continental Army, he helped force the British surrender at the Battle of Saratoga and then served in Rhode Island. In 1780 he was a member of the court-martial that condemned Maj. John André, who had spied for the British. In 1783 he was made a major general.

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(born Aug. 28, 1728, Londonderry, N.H.—died May 8, 1822, Manchester, N.H., U.S.) American Revolutionary officer. He served in the French and Indian War with Robert Rogers's Rangers (1754–59). In the American Revolution he fought at the Battle of Bunker Hill and in New Jersey. He commanded the militia that defeated the British at the Battle of Bennington, Vt. Promoted to brigadier general of the Continental Army, he helped force the British surrender at the Battle of Saratoga and then served in Rhode Island. In 1780 he was a member of the court-martial that condemned Maj. John André, who had spied for the British. In 1783 he was made a major general.

Learn more about Stark, John with a free trial on Britannica.com.