Farewell To A Hero
By Wyatt Earp | February 29, 2012
Lynn “Buck” Compton passed away on Saturday. He was 90 years old.
World War II veteran Lynn D. “Buck” Compton, whose military heroics were chronicled in the 2001 HBO miniseries “Band of Brothers,” died Saturday at his daughter’s home in Burlington, Wash., after suffering a heart attack in January. Compton, who was portrayed by Neal McDonough in the miniseries, was a first lieutenant in Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment in the Army’s 101st Airborne Division.
Compton, who was among those who parachuted into Normandy on D-Day, was part of the group that destroyed German artillery during the battle at Brecourt Manor. During his tour in World War II, Compton also took part in Holland’s Operation Market Garden and the Siege of Bastogne in Belgium. Compton was awarded a Silver Star and a Purple Heart for his service.
Regular readers know that I hold Easy Company in high regard. Compton’s death is a reminder that we are losing our WWII veterans at an alarming rate. If you know one, take a minute to say thank you – again.
Compton was played by Neal McDonough in Band of Brothers, who is now playing an awesome villain in Justified.
In later years, Compton, as a Los Angeles deputy district attorney in Los Angeles, was part of the team that prosecuted Sirhan B. Sirhan for the assassination of U.S. Sen. Robert F. Kennedy in 1968. He was later appointed as a judge on the 2nd District Court of Appeal by then-California governor Ronald Reagan.
Compton’s daughter, Syndee Compton, told the Times that her father was caught off-guard after gaining fame from the miniseries, which was based on historian Stephen E. Ambrose’s 1992 book of the same name.
“I think it probably shocked all of them,” Compton said. “I don’t think any of them in their wildest dream thought at 80 years of age they’d be getting this attention.” (H/T – Jon Brooks)
Rest is peace, sir, and know that the country thanks you for your service.
As with the passing of every member of Easy Company, there will be no more posts today.
Topics: Heroes | 11 Comments »
Great post Wyatt. Lots of love to Easy Company.
RIP – very moving Wyatt
Rest in Peace Lt Compton, thank you for your service to our nation.
And thank you Wyatt, for posting this thread.
They really are the “Greatest Generation”.
Another to add to my prayer list.
Rest in Peace Sir, you have earned it.
God Bless the American Soldier…….
RIP, Lieutenant.
One awesome dude who lived a great life. Thanks Buck & all of the Band of Brothers. AIRBORNE!
RIP to a Hero of epic proportions!
“Thanks and praise for our days
neath the sun, neath the stars, neath the sky
As we go, this we know
God is nigh.”
RIP Sir
Thank You for helping to insure all our freedoms.
Buck,
Thank you and those who severed with you for doing what you did, which in turn allowed all of us who came after to enjoy the lives that we do today. Had the greatest generation not rallied and successfully defeated the ternary in Europe the world would be a far worse place today, and at a magnitude that few could possibly imagine.
The saddest part of this is that it hasn’t received nearly the amount of atention it deserved.
Wyatt:
Geez, didn’t we lose Dick Winters not that long ago?
(And another Easy Co. screaming eagle reports to those Pearly Gates)
Sad to lose such honorable people, but God’s got one last patrol for them, I suppose.
And I hear it’s the best one they’ll take.
Good post, Wyatt.
Well done, Buck.
Roll safe.