James L. Day Middle School

James. L. Day Middle School is named after Major General James Lewis Day, USMC. Major General Day was awarded the Medal of Honor on January 20, 1998, more than 50 years after he was recommended for the Medal. The paperwork recommending him was lost in the chaos of the battlefield, to be found by a retired Marine in 1980. Still, it took 18 years for the paperwork to reach the appropriate officials and the honor bestowed upon Major General Day.

In addition to the Medal of Honor, Major General Day received 31 other military decorations including three Silver Stars, a Bronze Star, six Purple Hearts, and two Navy Commendation Medals. To read more about Major General James L. Day, go to the California Center for Military History, State Military Reserve.

Day Middle School was built in 1999, in the northern section of Temecula, off of Margarita and N.General Kearny Roads. DMS currently houses approximately 1000 students. In 2007, DMS was recognized by the California Department of Education as a California Distinguished School.