WHEREAS, Lynn D. "Buck" Compton served his nation with courage and valor in World War II, having joined the United States Army in early 1943, and receiving an assignment to the 2nd platoon of Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division; and
     WHEREAS, His heroic actions in defense of our country were recounted in the book "Band of Brothers" by Stephen Ambrose and later visualized on the screen in the critically acclaimed television miniseries of the same name, produced by Tom Hanks and starring Neil McDonough as Second Lieutenant Compton; and
     WHEREAS, On June 6, 1944, as part of the Allied D-Day Invasion of Hitler's Fortress Europe, Airborne divisions dropped into Normandy, with Second Lieutenant Compton and other paratroopers from Easy Company parachuted behind enemy lines under perilous conditions; and
     WHEREAS, In the face of overwhelming opposition, Second Lieutenant Compton and other soldiers relied upon superior tactics in assaulting a German battery, disabling four 105mm guns and routing the enemy, for which Second Lieutenant Compton was awarded the Silver Star, and eventually promoted to First Lieutenant; and
     WHEREAS, In September 1944, First Lieutenant Compton served with American and British Allies in Operation Market Garden, in which First Lieutenant Compton was wounded; and
     WHEREAS, First Lieutenant Compton, awarded the Purple Heart, returned to his unit in time for the Battle of the Bulge, beginning in late 1944, and later left Easy Company for another assignment, having bravely served his country and the cause of liberty; and
     WHEREAS, Buck Compton returned to civilian life after World War II, married and raised two children, attended law school, successfully prosecuted Sirhan Sirhan for the murder of Robert F. Kennedy, and served twenty years as a judge on the California Court of Appeals following an appointment by Governor Ronald Reagan;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate officially honor and thank Lynn D. "Buck" Compton for his accomplished and continuing life of sacrifice and dedicated service in the defense and betterment of a grateful nation.