Ohio National Guard Sergeant Died 13 Days After Second Tour

National Guard sergeant dies 13 days after returning home from second tour in Afghanistan
Parents seek answers
Beacon Journal
By Jim Carney staff writer
Published: January 8, 2014

SPRINGFIELD TWP.: Nicholas “Nick” Westfall walked at 8 months, rode a dirt bike at age 3, caught a 9-foot shark when he was 10 and shot a deer with a crossbow at age 11.

Always a go-getter, he loved being outdoors and he “absolutely loved” being in the Army, his mother said. So after two tours in the Middle East and talk of moving from the Ohio Army National Guard to active duty, Westfall’s death has left his parents stunned and searching for answers “to a lot of questions.”

Only 13 days after coming home from his second tour in Afghanistan, Westfall, 23, was found dead in his Akron apartment Dec. 29. The Summit County Medical Examiner said the cause of death is undetermined, pending toxicology tests.

Bill and Karyn Westfall said their son will be buried with full military honors at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Rittman at 2 p.m. Friday. He had just been promoted to sergeant.
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