Lt. Lynn "Buck" Compton

Lt. Lynn "Buck" Compton (1921-2012) has been a collegiate sports star, esteemed war veteran, detective, attorney, and judge. As a college athlete, he competed alongside legends such as Jackie Robinson. Among combat veterans, Lt. Lynn "Buck" Compton's name and autograph are recognized internationally along with Dick Winters, "Wild" Bill Guarnere, and Don Malarkey.

As a second lieutenant during World War II, he commanded the second platoon of Easy Company in the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, part of the 101st Airborne Division. He parachuted into Normandy during the early hours of D-Day, was part of the assault group that destroyed the German artillery during the battle at Brecourt Manor, fought on the line at Carentan, helped liberate Holland during Operation Market Garden, and fought in the freezing cold of the Battle of Bastogne.

As a combat veteran, he received the Silver Star for valor in the face of the enemy, the Purple Heart for being wounded while in the U.S. military; the World War II Victory Medal for active duty during World War II; the Orange Lanyard of the Royal Netherlands Army for bravery, leadership, and loyalty in the defense of the Netherlands; the Combat Infantry Badge; the American Campaign Citation; and the American Defense Medal. Compton, along with his unit, was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for extraordinary heroism against an armed enemy when holding the main line of resistance during the Battle of the Bulge.

He served as deputy district attorney for L.A. County from 1951 to 1970 and had extensive trial experience involving the prosecution of major felony cases of all types. He handled a number of high-profile cases, including the prosecution of Sirhan Sirhan for the murder of Robert F. Kennedy. In 1970, he was appointed to the California Courts of Appeal as an associate justice. Lynn died in 2012 at the age of 90.