FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: Lynn D "Buck" Compton ~ March 12, 2012

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[Kathy in Alaska]

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~ Hall of Heroes ~

Lynn D. "Buck" Compton

Info from here.

           

Lynn Davis "Buck" Compton (December 31, 1921 – February 25, 2012) was a California Court of Appeals judge who served as the lead prosecutor in Sirhan Sirhan's trial for the murder of Robert F. Kennedy. From 1946-1951, Compton served with the Los Angeles Police Department. During World War II, he was a commissioned officer with Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, in the 101st Airborne Division of the United States Army. Compton was portrayed in the HBO miniseries Band of Brothers by Neal McDonough.

Compton was a star athlete at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), being named an all-conference catcher and All-American selection in 1942. Among his baseball teammates was Jackie Robinson. He majored in physical education, with a minor in education. He joined the Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity in 1940. He also played with the UCLA football team in the 1943 Rose Bowl Game on January 1, 1943; in which the Georgia Bulldogs beat the UCLA Bruins by a score of 9-0.

At UCLA, Compton also participated in ROTC under Cadet Commander John Singlaub. In December 1943, he joined the Army and was assigned to Company E of the 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment in the 101st Airborne Division prior to Operation Overlord. During the company's action at Brécourt Manor, Compton and others, under the leadership of Lieutenant Richard Winters, assaulted a German battery of four 105 mm howitzers firing on Utah Beach, disabling the guns and routing the enemy. Compton was awarded the Silver Star for his action in disabling the guns. Episode two ("Day of Days") of the HBO miniseries Band of Brothers depicts this assault.

Later in 1944, Compton was shot in the posterior while participating in Operation Market Garden, the Allies' ill-fated attempt to seize a number of bridges in Holland and cross the Rhine River into Germany. After a partial recovery, he returned to Easy Company in time for the month-long siege in the frozen Ardennes that became known as the Battle of the Bulge. In January 1945, Compton left Easy Company for another assignment.

According to Band of Brothers, though ostensibly evacuated for severe trench foot, his transfer was due in part to combat fatigue, culminating when Compton witnessed two of his closest friends, Joseph Toye and William Guarnere, being badly maimed by artillery fire resulting in each losing his right leg.

In 1946 he turned down an offer to play minor league baseball, choosing instead to concentrate on a career in law. Compton married Donna Newman in October 1947 and the couple adopted two children. He attended Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, joined the Los Angeles Police Department in 1946 and became a detective in the Central Burglary Division. He left the LAPD for the District Attorney's office in 1951 as a deputy district attorney, and was promoted in 1964 to chief deputy district attorney. During his time with the District Attorney's office, he successfully prosecuted Sirhan Sirhan for the murder of Robert F. Kennedy. In 1970, Governor Ronald Reagan appointed him an Associate Justice of the California Court of Appeal. He retired from the bench in 1990 and resided in the state of Washington until his death.

Compton's memoirs, entitled Call of Duty: My Life before, during and after the Band of Brothers and written with Marcus Brotherton, were published by Berkeley Publishing on May 6, 2008. A celebration of Compton's 90th birthday was held in January 2012 with nearly 200 in attendance including Band of Brothers actors Michael Cudlitz, James Madio, Neal McDonough, and Richard Speight Jr. McDonough developed a friendship with Compton while making the miniseries and kept in touch afterwards. McDonough's son Morgan is nicknamed "Little Buck" in honor of Compton.

In January 2012 Compton suffered a heart attack. On February 25, 2012 he died at a daughter's home in Burlington, Washington. His wife Donna having died previously in 1994, Compton was survived by two daughters and four grandchildren.

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[Kathy in Alaska]

WOOHOO!!! Good for you, ML...a day off! ((HUGS))

Did you and Linda do anything exciting to celebrate?

[left that other site]

We washed the car!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, mountainlion...Ballad of The Green Berets works for me. Thanks for the video.

[mountainlion]

My Brother and a Cousin were both Airborne.

God Bless

[naturalman1975]

Here in Australia, under certain circumstances, it is normal for a veteran to wear his medals - most commonly on days like ANZAC Day or Remembrance Day when we remember and honour those who have served and died. When I was at school, these days used to be astonishing for me - it was the 1960s and most of my teachers were middle-aged men, who to us were just our teachers. It was astounding to realise that the not-very likeable man who taught mathematics had a Distinguished Flying Cross and an Air Force Cross for heroics actions that began with the Battle of Britain and ended with deep reconnaisance flights in the dying days of the European War. That the very effeminate Music Master had served in three different theatres. Virtually all of them had served in some capacity or other which really drove home to those of us born after the War, just how widespread it really had been.

Reading the Compton story reminded me of this. A distinguished career in peace, following on from sterling service in war. So many men - and some women too - went off to fight and serve their country. Then came home and continued to work for it for its benefit in a different way.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Mayor, and thanks for today’s sustenance for body and soul. ((HUGS))

Hope The Mayor family had a nice, relaxing weekend.

[Nifster]

Thanks for this post. While I enjoyed his interviews that were interspersed with Band of Brothers and the mini-series itself, I had no idea of how much this hero gave us all. The Greatest Generation has so much to teach those of us who benefit from their selflessness.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Mac...*HUGS*...hope you had a restful weekend.

Heroes for sure....

I've been moving and rearranging computer stuff, externals, and trying to find everything again. Still trying to make a couple things work again.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Fiji....go UCLA!!

Thanks for adding a bit more information about this hero.

[ConorMacNessa]

I'm afraid it wasn't a very restful weekend, Kathy. Worked a nine hour day yesterday then woke up today feeling fatigued. After church I went to Sam's Club for some essentials - by the time I got home from that I was totally wiped out. I see the cardiologist tomorrow afternoon - may have to schedule an appointment with my PCP - I've developed heavy nasal congestion over the weekend.

I hope everything is going well with you.



Nos genuflectitur ad non princeps sed Princeps Pacem!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

[ConorMacNessa]

SUPPORT OUR TROOPS!

Tattoo

Must retire – the 0500 Reveille approaches relentlessly – the bugler already mounts the parapet. Will chat with you all on the morrow.

Good night, God bless you, and God bless the United States of America!

Godspeed our Troops around the Globe – especially those in harm’s way – by virtue of their service and sacrifice we continue to live in Freedom!

Nos genuflectitur ad non princeps sed Princeps Pacem!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Sarge, ((HUGS))...in your new house.

Nice dinner after walking the dog. Sounds like a tasty repast.

Have fun at the VFW tomorrow.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Aloha, Hawaii...((HUGS))...a sunny weekend? Any visitors?

A beautiful sunny, blue sky weekend here. Been watching 3 guys next door...I think they were there to clear the roof, but their ladder wouldn’t reach the roof. They just left.

[luvie]

You have found a lovely life and I am so happy for you! :)

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, Mac, for the Missing Man Setting as we remember those who have given their all that we may gather safe and secure.

[luvie]

What a full life this hero lived and always in honor and protection of the country he swore to serve. *Salute*

Thanks, Galz! (((hugs)))

[The Mayor]

Thanks Kathy, we had a good weekend. Today was a beautiful day with temps in the 50’s.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Our thanks to your brother and cousin for their service to our country.

[Kathy in Alaska]

G'Day, naturalman...I'm glad that you had the opportunity to see that your teachers were men of substance, men willing to give their all if necessary.

Thanks for being such a good ally, always.

[Kathy in Alaska]

God Bless you good, Mac. Good night and rest well. Thanks for helping honor our troops, past and present. Thank you for your service to our country.