West Vancouver police are on the lookout for a heartless thief who stole an 89-year-old war veteran’s medals one week before Remembrance Day.

Police said the priceless honours were stolen during a break-in at Dr. Murray Newman’s home on Beacon Lane early Monday afternoon.

“They not only took the medals, they took my original ribbons that I had on my uniform to designate these places and the battles I experienced,” Newman told CTV News.

The veteran, who grew up in Chicago, earned some of the medals serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

He moved to B.C. to study biology after the war ended, and over his lifetime managed to receive several of Canada’s top honours as well, including the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal.

“I have been privileged to receive a lot of medals in my life,” Newman said.

He was also awarded a Medal of Bravery for saving the life of former Lieutenant Governor David Lam, and the Order of Canada for helping found the Vancouver Aquarium in the 1950s.

He described being flown to Ottawa to receive the Order as a humbling experience.

“It’s thrilling to get that kind of recognition but it’s kind of embarrassing,” he said.

“There’s so many other people doing so many other things you don’t really feel like you deserve it.”

On Monday, Newman stepped out of the West Vancouver home, where he’s lived for more than half a century, and returned to find several of his medals missing from his study.

“I looked in these open drawers and saw,” Newman said. “I was just very surprised by that.”

Just one medal, Newman’s Order of British Columbia, was overlooked.

Const. Jeff Palmer said he’s doubtful the thief can profit much from the awards that were stolen, because their value lies in their honour.

“These medals are of far more emotional and sentimental value to this gentleman than they would be in any kind of a market,” Palmer said.

“He really deserves to have these back.”

Anyone with information on the crime or who can help return the medals to Newman is asked to call the West Vancouver Police Department at 604-925-7300.

With a report from CTV British Columbia’s Shannon Paterson