Abstract: A recessed compression latch is provided. It has a housing with a recessed well and an aperture, a handle with a pivot end, a shaft pivotally attached to the pivot end of the handle, a shaft housing that fits into and is retained in the aperture in the housing, and a biasing device. The biasing device applies a biasing force that tends to move the shaft out of the shaft housing and biases the handle to an opened position, where the handle extends out of the recessed well, and a closed position, where the handle is folded down into the recessed well. When the handle is in its closed position, the shaft is drawn inwardly towards the housing, and when the handle is in its opened position, the handle will extend out of the recessed well and the shaft will be moved outwardly from the housing, and wherein the handle can only be moved to its closed position when the shaft is in a predetermined rotational alignment relative to the housing.