demons: If you’re familiar with the mini-series Band of Brothers, then the name Lt. Lynn “Buck” Compton should ring a bell. During the war, Compton was an officer of the 101st Airborne—the Screaming Eagles—a unit that was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation and took some of the highest US casualties of the war. Born in Los Angeles 31 December 1921, he was a gifted athlete from even a young age. When he enrolled into college at UCLA, he not only played on the basketball team but also became an All-American catcher and then played in the Rose Bowl 1 January 1943. Just over a month of competing in the Rose Bowl Compton attended OCS and underwent jump school at Fort Benning. In December 1943, as a second lieutenant, he was assigned to Easy Company, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne. Described by Harvard graduate David Webster as “a friendly and genial man who was everyone’s favorite,” Compton was well-liked by the men. He gambled with his men and spent time getting to know them, sharing stories about sports and college life. He made friends. He saw himself as a fellow soldier, not as an officer.After the war, Compton declined offers to play professional baseball, choosing instead to study law at Loyola University. He became a detective for the LAPD in 1947, a post he held until 1951. After the stint as a detective he worked in the DA’s office for the twenty years before being promoted to Chief Deputy District Attorney. In 1968, Compton was lead prosecutor for the Sirhan Sirhan, the assassin of Robert Kennedy. In 1970 after his involvement in the case, Compton was assigned as an Associate Justice of the California Court of Appeals by then Governor Ronald Reagan. If combat is the true test of someone’s character then Lynn Compton passed all tests. He survived the toughest battles of the Second World War, showing firmness and strategic thinking during critical moments—things that blended over into civilian life and made him as successful as he had been in the Airborne. Lt. Lynn “Buck” Compton passed away 26 February 2012.

demons:

If you’re familiar with the mini-series Band of Brothers, then the name Lt. Lynn “Buck” Compton should ring a bell. During the war, Compton was an officer of the 101st Airborne—the Screaming Eagles—a unit that was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation and took some of the highest US casualties of the war.

Born in Los Angeles 31 December 1921, he was a gifted athlete from even a young age. When he enrolled into college at UCLA, he not only played on the basketball team but also became an All-American catcher and then played in the Rose Bowl 1 January 1943. Just over a month of competing in the Rose Bowl Compton attended OCS and underwent jump school at Fort Benning.

In December 1943, as a second lieutenant, he was assigned to Easy Company, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne. Described by Harvard graduate David Webster as “a friendly and genial man who was everyone’s favorite,” Compton was well-liked by the men. He gambled with his men and spent time getting to know them, sharing stories about sports and college life. He made friends. He saw himself as a fellow soldier, not as an officer.

After the war, Compton declined offers to play professional baseball, choosing instead to study law at Loyola University. He became a detective for the LAPD in 1947, a post he held until 1951. After the stint as a detective he worked in the DA’s office for the twenty years before being promoted to Chief Deputy District Attorney.

In 1968, Compton was lead prosecutor for the Sirhan Sirhan, the assassin of Robert Kennedy. In 1970 after his involvement in the case, Compton was assigned as an Associate Justice of the California Court of Appeals by then Governor Ronald Reagan.

If combat is the true test of someone’s character then Lynn Compton passed all tests. He survived the toughest battles of the Second World War, showing firmness and strategic thinking during critical moments—things that blended over into civilian life and made him as successful as he had been in the Airborne.

Lt. Lynn “Buck” Compton passed away 26 February 2012.