Master Sergeant Clayton was a veteran of World War II. In Korea, he was a member of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. He suffered a heart attack and was evacuated to the 34th Medical Battalion Clearing Company in South Korea where he died on 13 July 1950.

Clayton was awarded the Combat Infantryman's Badge, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation, the Republic of Korea War Service Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.