Stark, John (1728–1822), an American military leader. He was a successful commander throughout the Revolutionary War. In the Saratoga campaign (1777), as a brigadier general he led a New England force to victory over units of General Burgoyne's army at the Battle of Bennington and then helped force the surrender of Burgoyne's entire army at Saratoga. Earlier in the war as a colonel he led contingents at Breed's (Bunker) Hill, Trenton, and Princeton. Stark was born in New Hampshire and was a farmer. He gained military experience with Rogers' Rangers in the French and Indian War.