John "Honest John" and Pearl C. Compton , July 8, 2010 and February 17, 2012

In his interview with Alicia Martin-Cowger on July 8, 2010, John Compton, along with his wife Pearl Compton, offered his memories of his career as a firefighter with the Boise Fire Department. Compton’s career with BFD followed his two-year service during World War II in the Pacific and the occupation of Japan, where he saw action on the island of Jolo in the Philippines. He was injured and was awarded a Purple Heart. Following the war, Compton returned to his hometown and was hired by BFD in 1947 where he worked on the lines until his retirement in 1972. He spoke on the following topics: his memories of World War II, recruitment and training of new firefighters, life in the firehouse, his wife and family, his reasons for entering the fire service, his dyslexia and its impact on his career, medical calls and major fires, learning how to combat fire, firehouse pranks and rivalries, his involvement in the union, the leadership of fire chiefs, changes in equipment and safety, particularly masks, and his father Vernard Compton who joined the fire department in 1941. In addition, Pearl Compton spoke about life as a fireman’s wife, its challenges, and her observations of her husband and his career.