'They took 20 years of his life': San Angelo veteran's medals, memorabilia stolen

Alana Edgin, San Angelo Standard-Times
·2 min read
Clayton La Rue, a 20-year Air Force veteran from San Angelo, had military memorabilia stolen from his home on Jan. 25, 2022.
Clayton La Rue, a 20-year Air Force veteran from San Angelo, had military memorabilia stolen from his home on Jan. 25, 2022.

SAN ANGELO — A break-in has left a San Angelo Air Force veteran of 20 years heartbroken after decades of medals and memories were stolen from his home on Tuesday, Jan. 25.

Clayton La Rue, a Goodfellow Air Force Base Master Sergeant who retired in 2013, posted an open letter to the intruder on Facebook. In the letter, he mentioned the tools were "easily replaceable," but the "military gear you stole from me is much more significant; it can never be truly replaced."

That gear included uniforms and memorabilia from his stations across the U.S., Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, South Korea and Afghanistan.

"You took everything I had hauled around for month after month over there while I served my country, each and every step filled with sweat and pain," Clayton stated in the letter. "I think the nail in the coffin was stealing my medals. You stole all of my military memorabilia when it meant literally nothing to you and it meant the world to me."

Others are reading: Chadbourne Tavern to hold fundraiser for family devastated by house fire

The items included:

  • Three USAF bags.

  • 10-12 pairs of Green and black socks, some regular but most for extreme cold weather.

  • Nine Desert Combat Uniforms.

  • Three Battle Dress Uniforms in green and black camouflage.

  • Three Army Combat Uniforms, worn in Afghanistan.

  • Numerous waterproof, steel-toe boots in black and brown.

  • Mix of gloves, belts, buckles, hats, shirts and rain gear.

  • DeWalt Toolbag

  • Lowes Toolbox with mix of tools.

The medals included:

  • Meritorious Service Medal

  • Commendation Medal

  • Air Force Achievement Medal

  • Army Achievement Medal

  • Afghanistan Campaign Medal

  • National Defense Service Medal

  • Longevity Medal

  • Good Conduct Medal

  • Outstanding Unit Medal

"You stole 20 years of my life right out of my garage," he stated. "You didn’t spend year after year doing what is right, what is honorable and what is noble while defending your country. Instead, you spend 2-3 minutes in my garage stealing and ripping away some of the proudest moments of my life."

Selena La Rue, Clayton's sister, mentioned the impact the theft had on her brother.

"He spent half his life in the military ... it is so important to him and who he is," she said. "He's my hero, and seeing him like this, I want to fix this. I want him to get his stuff back. If's not fair what happened to him. They took 20 years of his life."

Others are reading: Ballinger man facing possible death penalty after new charge filed in San Angelo homicide

The La Rue family asked that anyone who sees these items contact San Angelo Police Department.

"If anyone knows anything, sees anything, please contact the local police," Selena said. "(These items) mean the world to him and nothing to the thief."

People can contact the police at 325-657-4315.

Alana Edgin is a journalist covering Crime and Courts in West Texas. Send her a news tip at aedgin@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on San Angelo Standard-Times: San Angelo veteran loses medals, uniforms in burglary