Melrose High School Permanent Scholarship Fund

THE LIEUTENANT JAMES GABLE DUNTON MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP which you have received this year was first established in 1964 by his parents, Mr. & Mrs, Lewis W. Dunton, Jr; his wife, Mrs, Brenda Pettee Dunton [M.H.S.’58’]; other relatives, friends, and high school classmates.

Jim graduated with honors from Melrose High School in 1958, and went on with his formal education. He graduated from Harvard College, cum laude, in 1962. Upon graduation he was commissioned Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army, being cited as a Distinguished Military Graduate from the R.0.T.C. He was immediately ordered to active duty in the Army, earned his paratrooper wings in ‘Airborne’ training,and was ordered to Vietnam, where on December 8, 1964, he gave his life in action, in the service of his country.

At graduation in June, 1958, Jim was Salutatorian of his class. At the conclusion of his commencement address, he made reference to something very Important to all graduates of Melrose High School, not only then, but every year since:

“For many years, members of the graduating classes at Melrose High School have benefited from the generous and devoted efforts of [those] who have provided scholarship funds for advanced education and training …… All of us feel a sense of gratitude to those whose dedicated effort makes possible the continuation of this scholarship system. Perhaps someday it may be our privilege as adults to help perpetuate this system for the good of future generations of graduates; for we, this graduating class of 1958, fully realize to what end our parents, teachers, and friends have been guiding us. We intend to keep America strong and to preserve forever her prestige and high honor, her position as the world’s greatest haven of peace, democracy, and freedom. We, the class of 1958 at Melrose High School cheerfully accept the great challenges of this hour.”

Therefore, this scholarship that has been awarded to you this year is a living tribute to James G. Dunton ’58 and to those ideals he expressed in his commencement address.

Lieutenant James Gable Dunton Biography