Lynn 'Buck' Compton

Biography

Lynn Davis “Buck” Compton (December 31, 1921 – February 25, 2012) was an American Army officer, law enforcement officer, prosecutor, and judge. During World War II, he served as a first lieutenant with Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division.

Compton studied at UCLA, where he played both football and baseball alongside Jackie Robinson. He participated in the university’s ROTC program and entered the U.S. Army in 1943, completing officer training before volunteering for the airborne forces. He joined Easy Company in England in December 1943 and became assistant platoon leader of 2nd Platoon.

On D-Day, June 6, 1944, Compton participated in the...