Col Charles W

Col Charles W. Stark, USAF

5 May 1912-14 October 2006

Charles W. Stark served in the Army Air Corps, the Army Air Forces and the United States Air Force from 12 June 1937 until his retirement on 31 July 1961. Subsequently, Col Stark lived in Mexico until finally moving to Olympia, WA in 1993. He lived there until he died peacefully on 14 October 2006.

Charlie Stark was born in Asbury Park, NJ, to LtCol Charles W. Stark, Sr., and Elizabeth Sutton Stark. He was educated through high school in Trenton, NJ and then attended the Major Stanton Preparatory School, Cornwall, NY for a year, before entering the United States Military Academy in June 1933. His father was active in the NJ National Guard, following WWI service in the 44^th Division. During a National Guard summer camp, at Sea Girt, NJ, Charlie Stark had his first airplane flight. He sat on his father’s lap in the front cockpit of a JN4 Jenny flown by Charles Lindbergh. In the tent next to his father’s was Col H. Norman Schwarzkopf, founder of the NJ State Police and lead investigator of the kidnapping of Lindbergh’s son. Schwarzkopf later recommended Charlie Stark for the US Military Academy, along with Gill Robb Wilson, WWI pilot and long-time aviation leader in NJ and the United States, as well as a Stark family friend.

During four years at the USMA, Charles “Bumps” Stark was a member of E Company. He gained a reputation for desire and tenacity of purpose. His trait of making lasting friendships was recognized early, as was his ability to make those under his command feel that their interests are his, also, “indispensable qualities of the successful Army Officer.” Upon graduation and commissioning on 12 June 1937 as a Second Lieutenant, Infantry, Charlie Stark proceeded to Lackland and Kelly Fields, Texas, for flight training as a member of Class 38-C.

His first duty assignment, in 1939, was as a pilot with the 1^st Pursuit Group, Selfridge Field, MI. In September 1940, as a young captain, Stark took command of the Air Corps’ first P-40 unit, the 36^th Pursuit Squadron. The 36^th was one of three units assigned to the 8^th Pursuit Group, which Stark would command (as the 8^th Fighter Bomber Wing) during the Korean War.

From Selfridge, Capt Stark moved to Morris Field, NC, where he served as the Deputy Commander, 56^th Fighter Group. In NC, he later advised civil defense officials in the Wilmington filter center. There, he was of great help in establishing communications facilities and procedures, work the was recognized by a letter of commendation sent directly to Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson by Bryce P. Beard, Chairman for National Defense of the American Legion and president of the NC Association of Broadcasters.

During 1942, then-Major Stark saw the need for an easy tool to teach and promote aircraft identification. Noticing the prevalence of playing cards, he approached the president of the U.S. Playing Card Company about producing a deck of aircraft ID cards. The work was commended by the Assistant Chief of Staff, 3^rd Air Force.

From 1941, LtCol Stark was deeply involved with the fighter force, while assigned as Officer in Charge, Fighter Development, Orlando AB, FL. Over the next two years, he flew a variety of aircraft as part of his job. During that time, he spent extensive time at Farmingdale, Long Island, New York, working with the Republic Aircraft Co. on the P-47 Thunderbolt fighter. That experience proved valuable when, in 1944, he was finally sent overseas to fly combat missions in North Africa and Italy.

Col Stark deployed to the combat theater at the controls of a Martin B-26C medium bomber, in February 1944. He and his crew delivered the airplane via the then-standard route through South America and Liberia. Once in theater, he was initially assigned to the XII Support Command and then took command of the Italy-based 79^th Fighter Group, on 4 April 1944. That tour was cut short when he had to ditch his P-47 just off the Italian coast, after ground fire disabled the engine on 7 May 1944. Three days after the ditching, an Italian patrol commanded by a German noncommissioned officer picked him up. He was transported to Germany for interrogation at the Luftwaffe Interrogation Center, Oberursel, Germany before going to the Dulag Luft Transient Camp at Wetzlar, Germany.

Due to the efforts of Luftwaffe interrogator, Hans Scharff, Stark was appointed Senior Allied Commander of Dulag Luft. Over the next 14 months, Stark’s efforts were key to maintaining the welfare of the prisoners. In later years, columnist Drew Pearson alleged that Stark had been to close to his captors. Happily, an investigation by the Air Force Office of Special Investigations and the Department of Justice found nothing to substantiate the allegations, and Stark was cleared of all doubt, allowing him to continue with a distinguished career.

Dulag Luft was overrun by Allied forces, in March 1945. Soon after, Col Stark returned to the United States and to Orlando AB, where he was assigned as Chief, Fighter Branch-Aircraft Division. Only a few months later, he was reassigned to Stewart Field, NY, where he was deputy base commander of the 2002^nd Base Unit. Subsequently, was reassigned to HQ 1^st AF, at Ft Slocum, NY, with duty as an instructor with the 1208^th Fighter Group, NJ National Guard. Back to P-47s! In December 1947, Col Stark was transferred to the newly-formed United States Air Force.

At this point, professional military education caught up with him, sending him on 15 Jul 48 to Air War College, Maxwell AFB, AL. In February 1949, the Drew Pearson accusation caused the Air Force to remove him from AWC. Until November 1949, Stark was the commander of the 3800^th Maintenance and Supply Group, at Maxwell. With favorable resolution of the Drew Pearson issues, Stark resumed AWC, finishing in July 1950, just in time to depart for another war.

Col Stark rejoined his old outfit, the 8^th Fighter Bomber Wing, assigned for flying to the 36^th Fighter Squadron. Initially based at Itazuke AB, Japan, the unit soon deployed to Pohang, Korea, designated the 6131^st Fighter Wing. Over the next five months, the wing redeployed three times, to Suwon and Kimpo, Korea and then back to Itazuke. In the process, it resumed the 8^th Fighter Bomber Wing identity. Throughout these moves, Col Stark led the wing in continued combat activity, operating as far north as fields near Pyongyang. The 8^th also converted to F-51s and then back to F-80 jet fighters.

Stark’s service with the 8^th concluded in April 1951, when he was assigned as commander of the 6160^th Air Base Wing, Itazuke AB, Japan. In November, he moved to command of the 6015^th Operations Wing, which post he held until taking command of the 43^rd Air Division (Defense) in March 1952.

Col Stark’s tenure with the 43^rd Air Division brought great improvements to the air defense structure in western Japan. Under the 43^rd were numerous isolated radar sites on islands around Honshu. Col Stark frequently visited those sites, using aircraft ranging from the F-80 to float-equipped L-5 and L-20 aircraft. His performance, especially his excellent relations with Japanese counterparts and local civic officials, drew the highest praise direct to the Department of State from Owen Zurhellen, the US Consul in Fukuoka.

August 1953 saw Col Stark’s return to the continental United States, to Kelly AFB, TX. He served as the Director, Special Weapons, San Antonio Air Materiel Area, until 30 June 1956. Under his command, the directorate provided outstanding service and effectiveness in managing the logistics of the Air Force Special Weapons Program. Following this assignment, Col Stark moved across the base to take command of the 1708^th Ferrying Wing.

The 1708^th was responsible for delivery of all types of aircraft across the world. Under Stark’s leadership, the unit developed two new air routes, one for fighters to Europe and another to move twin-engine bombers to the Far East. The 1708^th ferried more than 6,000 airplanes for customers including the Department of Defense, NATO nations and the Mutual Defense Assistance Program. This activity offered Col Stark many opportunities to fly a wide variety of aircraft, one which he thoroughly enjoyed.

After leaving the 1708^th, Col Stark spent two years in Japanese Language training at the Foreign Service Institute, before moving to his final active duty assignment, at Travis AFB, CA. There, he became deputy commander of the 1501^st Air Transport Wing, Military Air Transport Service, on 16 June 1958. He held that position until his retirement on 31 July 1961. During that time, he became qualified in the Douglas C-133 heavy transport, in which he made several airlift trips to the Pacific region. He also had an opportunity to fly the Lockheed F-104 Starfighter during that period.

During his military career, Col Charles Stark accrued 7,034:50 flying hours in 106 different aircraft types. These ranged from the P-26, P-36 and P-40 through the P-47, P-51, C-119 and the C-133. He flew the P-63, the F-86, F-100 and F-102, as well as time in the British Lancaster bomber, the Seafire and Mosquito and numerous US Navy fighters. He is credited with 50 combat hours in WWII and 86 hours Korea. His combat missions officially are 32 WWII (20 in P-40, 12 in P-47); 86 in Korea (40 in F-51 and P-80, 46 in cargo types).

Col Stark’s military decorations include:

Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters (OLC) First award 6 Dec 50 covering period 15 Jul 44-27 Mar 45, recognizing Col Stark’s outstanding service as Senior Allied Officer, Dulag Luft Transient Camp, Wetzlar, Germany. First OLC was awarded for outstanding service from 25 Jul 50 to 6 Apr 51, while commanding the 6131^st Fighter Wing at Suwon and Kimpo AB, Korea and the 8^th Fighter Bomber Wing, Itazuke AB, Japan. Second OLC was for service as commander, 43^rd Air Division, in the period 2 Nov 51-16 Dec 52, during which time Col Stark organized an extensive, complete air defense system in Japan.

Distinguished Flying Cross with one OLC. First DFC awarded 11 Jul 44 for extraordinary achievement while leading a 16-plane formation attacking enemy communications lines near Fabro, Italy. First OLC awarded for aerial combat on 27 Jan 51, while leading a flight of four F-80 against enemy warehouses at Chunchon, Korea. All pilots delivered napalm directly on target and Col Stark remained behind to strafe enemy positions.

Air Medal with three OLC. First award 6 Apr 44 for leading a P-47 formation attacking an enemy command post at Castellnorato, Italy. 2^nd OLC for period 27 Jul 50-24 Sep 50, while flying combat in Korea.

Air Force Commendation Medal. Awarded on 7 Aug 56 for service as Director, Special Weapons, San Antonio Air Materiel Area, Kelly AFB, TX in the period 5 Aug 53-30 Jun 56.

Presidential Unit Citation with two bronze service stars. Awarded to 8^th Fighter Bomber Wing. Stars for service in UN Defensive, 27 Jun 50-15 Sep 50 and UN Offensive, 16 Sep 50-2 Nov 50.

Air Force Outstanding Unit Award. Awarded 7 Jan 58 to 1708^th Ferrying Wing for exceptionally meritorious service of national and international significance in the period 1 Nov 55-31 Oct 56.

Prisoner of War Medal

American Defense Service Medal

American Campaign Medal

European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign with one bronze service star

World War II Victory Medal

Army of Occupation Medal (Japan)

National Defense Service Medal

Korean Service Medal with four bronze service stars. Awarded for service during the Korean War.

Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with one silver and one bronze OLC

United Nations Service Medal

Republic of Korea Service Medal

Upon his retirement, Col Stark moved to Montemorelos, Mexico. There, he leased a home from the family of one of his coworkers at the Special Weapons depot, where he lived until 1993, when he moved to Olympia, WA. In Mexico, Col Stark continued some flying, including qualifying for a Mexican private pilot license. He engaged in orange ranching, assisted in numerous ways with the Seventh Day Adventist Hospital in Monterrey and was involved with the Instituto Polytecnico, in Monterrey. He made many friends, wherever he went, and maintained close contact with them, both by mail and periodic visits to Mexico.

Among Col Stark’s greatest qualities was his clear, detailed recollection of the people with whom he had flown or worked, during his entire life. He could cite specific experiences, name those involved and the events that transpired. To know him was to know a person who had first-hand contact with dozens of people who were otherwise known only as characters in a history. He continued to add to that list of friends, throughout his life. He will be missed by a host of people.

Col Stark leaves behind his two daughters, Elizabeth Stark and Courtenay Stark, son Charles W. Stark, III, granddaughters Lisa Owen, Seana Katz and Chloe Stark, grandson Jeremy Stark and great-granddaughter Sophie Katz., .

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