He had played for the UCLA baseball team, where he was as an All-American catcher, and then for the UCLA football team that competed in the Rose Bowl on January 1, 1943. Most army units thought they were the best, but for its accomplishments and contributions to the war, the airborne infantry truly stood out.īuck Compton was born in Los Angeles on December 31, 1921. Training such soldiers was seen to be more challenging, since sudden penetration into enemy territory involved a great deal of physical and mental preparation.Īn issue of LIFE magazine featured the paratroopers, stating that you had to be the best to become a part of this elite group. Unlike regular infantry units, paratroopers were dropped behind enemy lines, running the risk of being immediately surrounded and killed by the enemy. The use of airborne infantry was still at the experimental stages during World War II. He fought for justice not only in the battlefield, but in the courtroom as well. ComptonĪfter his career in the Army ended, Compton devoted his life to public service. HBO’s epic Band of Brothers mini-series, which featured Neal McDonough as Lt. The unit was awarded with the Presidential Unit Citation for holding the main line of resistance during Hitler’s last counteroffensive in the Battle of the Bulge. Compton, played by actor Neal McDonough, was a highly esteemed officer in Easy Company, part of the famed "Screaming Eagles" of the 101st Airborne. ![]() ![]() Lynn "Buck" Compton will surely ring a bell. If you are familiar with the epic mini-series "Band of Brothers", an HBO screenplay based on the novel written by acclaimed military historian Stephen Ambrose, then the name Lt. Afterwards, he became a prosecutor, and helped convict Sirhan Sirhan for the murder of Robert Kennedy. As part of the elite paratroopers, Compton fought in the most famous battles of the war. Lynn "Buck" Compton, a highly esteemed officer in the 101st Airborne during World War II. This article gives us a glimpse of the war experience and public service career of Lt. The skills, work ethics, and discipline that war veterans have learned as soldiers would inevitably translate to success in the real world. They represent what war veterans are capable of. Their military training has molded them to stay tough despite the pressure of maintaining the nation’s stability as the leader of the American people. presidents – George Washington, Theodore Roosevelt, Dwight Eisenhower, and John Kennedy – were war veterans. Lynn “Buck” Compton: Above and Beyond By Rolando C. He was in ROTC at UCLA and became an active serviceman in February 1943.Ĭompton is survived by two daughters and four grandchildren. He was a basketball and football star at UCLA, playing in the 1943 Rose Bowl. ![]() Lynn Compton was born in Los Angeles on Dec. Governor Ronald Reagan appointed Compton to California’s 2nd District Court of Appeals in 1970, where he was known for his conservative views. Kennedy at the Ambassador Hotel on June 5, 1968, just as the senator learned he had won the California Democratic presidential primary. His most famous case was the successful prosecution of Sirhan Sirhan for the assassination of Robert F. We’re celebrating longevity more than anything.”Ĭompton won a Purple Heart and a Silver Star for his service.Īfter World War II, Compton joined the Los Angeles Police Department and attended Loyola Law School at night. “We didn’t expect anything more than those other guys. Compton said he was flattered and embarrassed by the attention. ![]() The actor said he spoke with Compton for hours on end during filming to get the details right and he was so impressed by the man that he nicknamed his son Morgan “Buck.” McDonough and three other stars of the show attended Compton’s 90th birthday party in January.Īfter the mini-series the still-living veterans of Easy Company became mini-celebrities in their own right. Compton was winningly portrayed by Neal McDonough ( Boomtown, Justified) as a good soldier and inspiring leader.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |