From Easy Company to the Courtroom: The Remarkable Life of Lynn 'Buck' Compton
He was born in Los Angeles, California, on the 31st of December 1921. As a child he appeared as an extra in films, and he later went to UCLA, where his talent as an athlete stood out. He played baseball and football one of his teammates was Jackie Robinson. But like so many of his generation, the Second World War changed everything.
After training as an officer, Compton joined Easy Company of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division. He went overseas in 1943 and fought in some of the most famous campaigns of the war. During the Battle of Normandy, he took part in the assault on the guns at Brécourt Manor, an action that helped protect the landings on Utah Beach. For his bravery he received the Silver Star. He also fought in Operation Market Garden, where he was wounded and was awarded the Purple Heart. He returned to the front in time for the Battle of the Bulge, where he struggled through the terrible winter fighting around Bastogne before being evacuated out with severe trench foot. His wartime decorations also included the Bronze Star, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Presidential Unit Citation, campaign medals for American and European service, the World War II Victory Medal, the Army of Occupation Medal, the Parachutist Badge, and later French and Belgian honours including the Croix de Guerre, Liberation Medal, and Belgium’s World War II Service Medal.
After the war, he worked with the Los Angeles Police Department, became a prosecutor, helped lead the case against Sirhan Sirhan, and later served as a judge on the California Court of Appeal. He also remained in the Air Force Reserve, eventually retiring as a lieutenant colonel. He died in 2012, at the age of 96.
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