Gilbert Crosby Paine was born in New York in 1922 to parents Ernest and Louis Paine. He had three older siblings: Arnold, Elizabeth and Caleb. During his high school years, he attended the Hill School in Pennsylvania. He went on to Harvard and was a member of the class of 1945. He joined the Navy and was assigned to the USS Callaghan. More data will have to be collected about that transition.
When the Callaghan was sunk by a Kamikazi, he and 46 enlisted men perished. He was awarded the Silver Star for his actions during the sinking in helping to rescue injured personnel.
The medal group includes his officially engraved Type 2 Navy Purple Heart, officially engraved Navy Silver Star, Victory medal, Asia-Pacific medal and American Campaign medal. They are mounted in a glass covered case as done by the family.
This group of medals has been retained by the family over the years.
