Police search for suspects in fatal attack on WWII veteran

Police in Spokane, Wash., were investigating a fatal attack on an 88-year-old World War II veteran, "a tough old bird," outside an Eagles Lodge. Police said they were searching for two attackers -- described as black males, ages 16-19, both wearing dark clothing -- in the death of Delbert Belton, who was assaulted Wednesday, The (Spokane) Spokesman-Review reported Thursday. Belton, called "Shorty," by friends, fought in the Battle of Okinawa in 1945, said friend Ted Denison. "He was a tough old bird, I'll tell you that," he said. Police said in a release they responded to a call of an assault at the Eagles Lodge Wednesday night. When they arrived, they found Belton in his car with serious head wounds. He was taken to an area hospital where he died Thursday. Belton was waiting at the Eagle Lodge for a female friend because he didn't want her to enter the club alone, said Lillian Duncan, another longtime friend. "He was so awesome," she said. "Anybody that didn't get to know him missed out on a wonderful angel in their life." Police said they believe the attack was random.