The Melrose Messenger

Honoring Melrose Soldiers Killed in Vietnam

From the Melrose Historical Commission

This year marks the 50th year since the end of the Vietnam War. For each of the first eleven days of November, culminating with Veteran’s Day, we will be honoring one of the Melrose soldiers who died in the line of duty during that conflict.

Lt. James G. Dunton

Lt. James G. Dunton was salutatorian of the Melrose High School Class of 1958, where he attended school with his twin brother Lewis. After high school, James would attend and graduate from Harvard University in 1962. Lt. Dunton served in the Army as a paratrooper having trained at Ft. Hood, Texas and at Ft. Benning, Virginia.

Lt. Dunton was killed along with two others during a pre-dawn raid at an outpost 125 miles south of Saigon on December 8th, 1964. He was the first man from Melrose to be killed in action in Vietnam. He left behind his wife of two years, Brenda, who lived on Upham Street and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Dunton who lived on Howard Street.

MSgt. Harold H. Hirtle

Master Sergeant(MSgt) Harold H. Hirtle grew up in Roxbury, but would move to Melrose as an adult. Long before heading to Vietnam with the Air Force, Harold served in the Korean War.

Four months into his deployment in Vietnam, on October 3, 1966, MSgt Hirtle would die of a heart attack at the age of 35 while serving as a Supply Services Superintendent in Quang Nam. He left behind his wife of 12 years, Marion.

Cpl Michael A. DeProfio

Cpl Michael A. DeProfio spent his early childhood in Melrose, attending schools in the city before moving to Saugus graduating from Saugus High School. After high school, Michael would join the Marines in 1965. He had planned to go to college after his time in the service.

During his time in Vietnam, Cpl DeProfio would often write home maintaining a cheerful attitude in his letters. Cpl DeProfio was killed by a land mine on April 17, 1967 while on patrol near DaNang.

Major Gardner Brewer

Major Gardner Brewer, known affectionately as “Gard” or “Brew,” was born on May 16, 1934. He was active in sports throughout high school, excelling in football, basketball, and track. His high school yearbook described him as “usually conservative but possessing a rare gaiety,” a reflection of his strong character and lively spirit. Gard attended Dartmouth College for one year before transferring to the U.S. Naval Academy, where he graduated in 1957. Upon graduation, he entered the U.S. Air Force and began his distinguished military career.

Gard returned to the Naval Academy chapel to marry his wife, Nancy, a place that held special meaning for him. Together, they built a life in Melrose, raising three children — Jennifer, Peter, and Suzanne — on First Street.

In July of 1967, Gard deployed to Vietnam and was assigned to the 20th Tactical Air Support Squadron. He served as a Forward Air Controller with the Korean Marines, flying low-altitude missions in a Cessna O-2 to locate and mark enemy targets for future airstrikes. This role was one of the most dangerous in the Vietnam War, requiring immense skill and courage. Tragically, Gard was shot down by ground fire in Quang Ngai on September 14, 1967, as he was returning to base from a mission. He was just 33 years old when he made the ultimate sacrifice for his country.

Major Gardner Brewer’s life and service are honored at Arlington National Cemetery, where he rests among countless other heroes. His memory lives on in the hearts of his family and all who knew him, a testament to his bravery, dedication, and love for his country.

PFC Richard Louis Norton

PFC Richard Louis Norton grew up on Clifford Street in Melrose. He attended Melrose High, then joined the Marine Corps where he trained as a rifleman.

He served on the front lines in Quang Tri Province, South Vietnam, participating in daily combat patrols and missions. This would often include hiking through the jungle for days at a time, patrolling for enemy activity, and engaging in direct combat. On December 15, 1967, PFC Norton was killed in action by an explosive device at the age of 19.

He left behind his parents, George and Iona Norton, two brothers in the service, William and James Norton, and a sister, Elaine Ferrari.

PFC David Andrew Bingham

Private First-Class David Andrew Bingham was born in Melrose on October 20, 1948. After graduating from Melrose High School in 1966, he made the noble decision to serve his country by enlisting in the United States Marine Corps. He completed his training as a recruit at Parris Island, Platoon 280, and officially became a U.S. Marine on August 3, 1967. Shortly thereafter, David began his tour in Vietnam in November of the same year.

Tragically, David lost his life in the line of duty on January 22, 1968, in the Quang Tri province of South Vietnam. This occurred during the Tet Offensive at Con Thien, in a battle at the “Hill of Angels.” His death was attributed to hostile action. The Tet Offensive was a significant turning point in the Vietnam War, and David’s bravery during this critical time earned him the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the Vietnam Campaign Medal. These honors reflect his courage, dedication, and the ultimate sacrifice he made for his country.

In December of 1969, a memorial was dedicated at Lincoln Elementary School in Melrose, where David was an alumnus, to honor his service and sacrifice. The basketball court at the school was also named in David’s honor, ensuring that his memory continues to inspire future generations.

LCpl Stephen Sullivan

Born in 1947, Marine Lance Corporal Stephen Sullivan was the son of Stephen T Sullivan and Louise E. (Murphy) Sullivan of 134 Tremont St and the brother of Michael and Christine. Sullivan joined the Marines just two months after he graduated Melrose High School in 1965 where he excelled as an athlete, participating in baseball, basketball, football and wrestling. He made the decision to enlist when only a junior in high school.

LCpl Sullivan served for nearly two years in Vietnam as a member of 1St Marine Division, 3rd Battalion, 27th Marines, I Company. Choosing to return to Vietnam for another tour after a short visit home in February 1968, he would have been discharged in August of that year. Tragically, he perished May 28, 1968. L Cpl Sullivan was only 21 years old when he died while out on patron in a small village in the Mekong Delta area of southern Vietnam, a victim of a North Vietnam Army sniper.

1968 was the deadliest year of the Vietnam War, with over 16,000 soldiers and sailors lost in combat that year. LCpl Sullivan is buried in the Veteran’s section of Wyoming Cemetery.

SP5 Thomas John Brennan

SP5 Thomas John Brennan lived near Baxter Street and graduated from Melrose High. Just four months later he joined the US Army just as the Vietnam war was building up. He served as a helicopter crew chief working with the 192nd Assault Helicopter Company. This entailed ensuring the helicopter's maintenance, and serving as a door gunner during missions. This role often put him in direct danger while supporting infantry units.

On June 18, 1968, at age 19, SP5 Brennan was killed in action when his helicopter went down in Lam Dong Province, South Vietnam.

Corporal Scott Frederick Andresen

Corporal Scott Frederick Andresen was born on February 21, 1949 and grew up in Melrose, graduating high school in 1967. Before joining the army in 1968, Scott was a member of the Melrose Fish and Game Club and the Jr. Rifle Club. He also worked at Melrose Wakefield Hospital. Once in the army, Scott became a paratrooper in Co. C. in the 2nd Battalion, 5th Air Cavalry Division. He was part of Airborne Special Forces and the elite Green Berets. He was killed on May 13th, 1969 during a counter offensive near Tay Ninh, Vietnam after just arriving in the country two weeks prior.

Cpl Andresen was 20 years old at the time of his death, the only child of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Andresen of Larrabee Street. He would posthumously receive the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.

Lieutenant Carleton Pierce Miller Jr

Lieutenant Carleton Pierce Miller Jr was born June 23, 1944. The son of Carleton and Cynthia Miller, he was raised in Melrose at 169 Beech Ave. along with his sisters Cynthia, Judith, and Susan. During their childhood, the family enjoyed their summers on Little Neck, Ipswich, where Carleton was once honored for saving a drowning boy’s life and beloved by many local children who he taught to swim as recreation director. He was graduated from Melrose High School in 1962 and UMass in 1967. Although he was exempt from the draft due to a childhood illness, Carleton fought to be able to enlist. With the support of Melrose Mayor Sullivan and Senator Ted Kennedy, his dream was fulfilled when he was accepted into the Navy’s flight program in Pensacola in 1968.

In the early hours of January 6, 1971, while flying as a navigator in an F-4 Phantom II, his pilot attempted to land unsuccessfully aboard the USS Ranger in the South China Sea off the coast of North Vietnam. As their aircraft fell into the sea, both pilot and navigator ejected. The pilot was rescued but Lieutenant Carleton Pierce Miller Jr. was never recovered and is still officially listed as Missing in Action. He left behind his wife Judith and two-year old daughter Wendy. The Miller POW/MIA Chair of Honor is located in Melrose City Hall in his memory to honor his service and that of all members of the armed services who are Missing in Action or served as Prisoners of War.

SSgt. Kenneth Warren Ellis

Staff Sergeant (SSgt) Kenneth Warren Ellis grew up on Laurel Street in Melrose. In addition to his schooling, Kenneth was a chaplain in the Melrose Chapter, Order of DeMolay. He also worked at Melrose Drug on Main Street.

Kenneth originally joined the Army in November of 1965 and would complete training in Virginia and at Ft. Dix in New Jersey. SSgt Ellis would go on to spend 37 months in Vietnam over four tours of duty. In 1970, he received the Bronze Star for meritorious service as a squad leader in Company B, 19th Engineer Battalion.

SSgt Ellis was killed on September 26th, 1971 during a mine clearing mission outside of Hue, Vietnam while on his fourth tour of duty. He left behind his parents, Carlton and Winnifred Ellis, and his sister Joan Ellis.

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Originally Published November 1st-11th, 2025