Lieutenant Colonel Edgar D. Stark was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1927 and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant of Infantry.

He transferred to the Chemical Warfare Service in 1939, and took command of the newly-activated 3rd Chemical Battalion in 1942. The Battalion received accolades from the divisions it supported through their on-call, supporting fire.

With the invasion of mainland Italy, the 3rd Battalion received a new mission: to provide close-fire support for the 2nd Division of Moroccan Infantry, part of the French Expeditionary Corps attached to the American 5th Army. Near Cerasuolo, Italy on 12 January 1944, Lieutenant Colonel Stark met with his five company commanders to coordinate efforts of fire support for a Moroccan attack on a vital enemy position; the position was bombed by German aircraft, and Lieutenant Colonel Stark was killed.

Lieutenant Colonel Stark received the Silver Star, Purple Heart and the French Croix de Guerre with Vermeil Star. The importance of Lieutenant Colonel Stark’s leadership and service to the present-day Soldiers of the 3rd Chemical Battalion, cannot be overstated.

Lieutenant Colonel Stark’s dedication to the training and well-being of his Soldiers, and his personal courage in combat are sterling examples of what the 3rd Chemical Brigade instills through values-based training every day.