[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 56 (Tuesday, May 3, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E849-E850]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 TRIBUTE TO SGT. DON MALARKEY, LT. LYNN ``BUCK'' COMPTON, AND VANCE DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GREG WALDEN

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 3, 2005

  Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, colleagues, I rise today to convey 
my deepest appreciation to Sgt. Don Malarkey, Lt. Lynn ``Buck'' Compton 
and Vance Day, on the occasion of their trip to our Nation's Capital to 
share their stories, talents and leadership qualities with the Congress 
this evening.
  Don Malarkey and Buck Compton are highly decorated veterans of World 
War II. They served with the 101st Airborne Division's Easy Company 
throughout the Allied advance toward victory. Their distinguished 
service and that of their company were memorialized in Stephen 
Ambrose's Band of Brothers and the riveting Band of Brothers mini-
series in which they were featured prominently.
  From their dramatic parachute drop behind enemy lines to secure 
German positions and reduce resistance to the amphibious D-Day 
invasion, to action in Holland, Bastogne, Germany, Austria and 
eventually Hitler's Eagle's Nest, they showed courage under fire, 
perseverance, personal sacrifice and compassion in the heat of battle. 
Both Don and Buck served with distinction during the war, and have 
lived extraordinary lives out of the service as well.
  I'm proud to claim Don Malarkey as a born and bred Oregonian. Born in 
Astoria in 1921, he volunteered for the ``Parachute Troops'' after the 
bombing of Pearl Harbor. He was an original member of Easy Company and 
served more consecutive days of combat than any other member of his 
unit. During his service he received a number of decorations including 
the Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster and Good Conduct Medal. After 
leaving the service, Don went on to become one of the youngest elected 
county commissioners in Oregon's history. He later worked as a real 
estate consultant and broker and became a renowned lecturer who has 
spoken at the United States Military Academy at West Point and numerous 
locations in North America and Europe. He now resides in Salem, Oregon, 
with his wife Irene.
  Buck Compton was born in Los Angeles and attended UCLA where he 
played catcher on the baseball team with Jackie Robinson and was a 
starting guard in the 1943 Rose Bowl game. He was commissioned as a 2nd 
Lieutenant out of UCLA's ROTC program and went on to jump school at Ft. 
Benning, GA. He earned a Silver Star for bravery on D-Day for his role 
in the successful destruction of four 105 mm cannons, a Purple Heart 
after sustaining an injury in Holland, the America Defense Medal and 
World War II Victory Medal. After the war, Buck completed his law 
degree at UCLA then went to work in the Los Angeles County prosecutor's 
office where he convicted Robert Kennedy's assassin, Sirhan Sirhan. In 
1970, Governor Ronald Reagan appointed him to the California Court of 
Appeals where he served until his retirement in 1990. He now lives in 
Mt. Vernon, Washington near his two daughters and their families where 
he provides weekly policy and political commentary on local radio.
  In addition to the decorations already mentioned, both Don and Buck 
were awarded the Combat Infantry Badge; Presidential Citation with Oak 
Leaf Cluster; European, African, Mid-Eastern Campaign Medal and the 
American Campaign Citation.
  Mr. Speaker, Don and Buck forged a fast and enduring friendship that 
helped them through day after day of combat and has kept them in close 
contact ever since. In fact, when Buck was injured by a German round, 
Don led the effort to drag him to the back of a tank and off the 
battlefield. Their continuing friendship is a testament to the 
adventures they shared and I'm pleased to welcome them today.
  I am also pleased to welcome their friend and mine, Vance Day, from 
my home state of Oregon. Vance has long been a friend with whom I've 
worked on many political issues of importance in the State. He is a 
former news reporter and historian who now is a partner at a law firm 
in Salem. It was Vance who first approached me about sponsoring this 
event, and I thank him for moderating the presentation today as he has 
at similar events around the country. In fact, due to his diligence, 
similar presentations are being held at the Heritage Foundation, Family 
Resource Council, and the White House during their trip to Washington, 
D.C.
  It is truly fitting that we are here with Don, Buck and Vance at this 
time, just days before the 60th Anniversary of the Allied victory in 
Europe, a day we are able to celebrate only because of the sacrifices 
made by men like Don, Buck and countless others of ``The Greatest 
Generation'' who stood in the face of

[[Page E850]]

tyranny to preserve the liberties we all hold dear. We owe them a 
profound debt of gratitude.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to have helped bring these three gentlemen to 
Capitol Hill today. Don, Buck and Vance, thank you so much for sharing 
your time, your experience and your stories with us today.

                          ____________________