ST. LOUIS (AP) – A Marine is seeking the return of medals and other sentimental items he says were stolen from a relative’s vehicle while they stopped at St. Louis’ Gateway Arch on his way back to his Hawaii base.

Sgt. Ethan Stoeckel of Greenwood, Del., tells the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that he and his wife were visiting her relatives in Mattoon, Ill., and being driven to St. Louis’ airport before catching their flight to Hawaii.

During their brief stop at the Arch, Stoeckel says someone burglarized his sister-in-law’s truck and took the couple’s luggage.

The stolen items included two computers, photographic gear and one of Stoeckel’s uniforms. But they also included his medals and a specially made patch depicting Stoeckel with his best friend, a Texas Marine killed in action in January.

(© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)