Compton served in World War I. He commanded the patrol boat USS Nirvana and served as assistant navigating officer on the transport ship USS Mallory.[1] He attained the rank of lieutenant in the U.S. Naval Reserve and attained the rank of lieutenant commander with the New Jersey Naval Militia.[2][3] He served in the coding section of naval communications in Washington, D.C., until 1920.[1] He continued to take part in training until resigning from the Reserve on July 1, 1932.[2][3] He commanded the USS Eagle 48 and the 26th Fleet Division of the Reserve.[3] He successfully campaigned to have the Navy armory moved to Perth Amboy.[3]
Compton moved to Metuchen, New Jersey, and started an automobile and real estate business. He had a garage on Middlesex Avenue in Metuchen.[3] He was a Democrat and served three terms on the Metuchen Council up until 1929.[3] He was then elected to the Middlesex CountyBoard of Chosen Freeholders and led the finance department. He was chairman of the board for one year.[3] In 1932, when Democrats took control of the Metuchen Council, he initiated reforms in the municipal government to reduce the number of departments to three.[3] In 1934, he became state director of emergency relief. In 1936, he became assistant state relief administrator of the Works Progress Administration.[3]
In 1936, Compton became special assistant to Charles Edison, the Assistant Secretary of the Navy.[2][3] He served as Assistant Secretary of the Navy from February 9, 1940 to February 13, 1941, under Edison, who was now Secretary of the Navy.[2][4] He then served as financial commissioner of New Jersey under governor Charles Edison.[4] He served an executive role on the National Shipbuilders Council.[4]
Personal life
Compton married Beatrice Vincent of Perth Amboy. They had two children, James and Camille.[3] He lived on Robins Place in Metuchen.[4] He was a member of the Sons of the Revolution and the Fugle Hummer Post of the American Legion in Metuchen.[3]
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