Lynn Compton
Lynn Compton | |
|---|---|
Lynn Compton in his uniform during World War II | |
| Associate Justice of the California Court of Appeal, Second District, Division Two | |
| In office June 15, 1970 – August 31, 1990 | |
| Appointed by | Ronald Reagan |
| Preceded by | Donald Wright |
| Succeeded by | Michael G. Nott |
| Chief Deputy District Attorney of Los Angeles County | |
| In office 1964–1970 | |
| Appointed by | Evelle J. Younger |
| Los Angeles Deputy District Attorney | |
| In office 1951–1966 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Lynn Davis Compton December 31, 1921 |
| Died | February 25, 2012 (aged 90) |
| Spouse | Donna |
| Children | 2 daughters |
| Awards | |
| Website | Court of Appeal website |
| Nickname | Buck |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | United States Army United States Air Force Reserve |
| Years of service | 1943–1945 (U.S. Army) 1947–1970 (U.S. Air Force Reserve) |
| Rank | First Lieutenant (U.S. Army) Lieutenant Colonel (U.S. Air Force Reserve) |
| Unit | E Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Police career | |
| Department | Los Angeles Police Department |
| Service years | 1947 - 1951 |
| Rank | Detective |
Lynn Davis "Buck" Compton (December 31, 1921 – February 25, 2012) was an American jurist, law enforcement officer, and United States Army officer during World War II, serving as a paratrooper in "Easy Company" of the 506th Infantry Regiment within the 101st Airborne Division.
After the war, he joined the Los Angeles Police Department and later the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office, where he rose to the position of chief deputy district attorney. He acted as the lead prosecutor in the trial of Sirhan Sirhan for the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy. He was eventually appointed as an associate justice on the California Court of Appeal.
Compton's World War II exploits were depicted in the 1992 book Band of Brothers by historian Stephen E. Ambrose, and the 2001 HBO miniseries of the same name, in which Compton was portrayed by Neal McDonough.