Veteran of 3 wars, 85, dies in home invasion

DAYTON — Homicide detectives are looking for the person or persons who brutally attacked an 85-year-old decorated veteran who survived three wars only to be killed inside his home.

U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. (Ret.) North E. Woodall was found bloodied and unconscious by a neighbor about 11:30 p.m. Monday, July 27, at 1028 Walton Ave. after an apparent home invasion, police said.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The front door to the home was kicked in, and Woodall was found on the floor near the door, Lt. Brian Johns said.

He died from blunt-force trauma to the head, Montgomery County Coroner’s Office director Ken Betz said Tuesday.

Detective Sgt. Gary White said it’s unclear if Woodall was hit in the head by an intruder or fell during the struggle.

It is also unclear what, if anything, was taken from his home, but White said they are certain Woodall is a homicide victim.

Woodall served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam before retiring as an E-9 sergeant major, U.S. Army Special Forces , also known as a Green Beret.

The recipient of two Silver Stars , Woodall had just returned in late June from an Honor Flight trip to Washington, D.C., where he and other veterans traveled in an RV to visit war memorials.

“He was a quiet guy and kind of kept to himself,” said John Fleeger, who drove the RV . “I remember he couldn’t find his suit when we got to the hotel and he really wanted to wear his suit to see the memorial.”

Woodall’s daughter-in-law said she took him food last week and he was in good spirits.

Police said Woodall’s home was burglarized once before in the last five years, but he was not hurt .

He is the city’s 26th homicide this year. Anyone with information about his death should call 333-COPS.

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