Eldon Eugene Nygaard is an American politician who served as a member of both houses of the South Dakota Legislature.
Eldon Nygaard was born April 17, 1946, in Viborg, South Dakota and raised on a farm near that city.
[1] He flew more than 1000 combat missions in Vietnam and was shot down four times from 1967 to 1968; Awards and Decorations include: Distinguish Flying Cross (2) in the Republic of Vietnam, Purple Heart, 32 awards of the Air Medal, 1 Air Medal with “V” device, 3 awards of the Army Commendation Meal, 2 with “V” device, 1 Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, Presidential Unit Citation, Valorous Unit Citation, Meritorious Unit Citation.
[6] In 2010, Democratic incumbent Ben Nesselhuf vacated his seat and ran for South Dakota Secretary of State.
Shortly after his election to the state senate as a Democrat, Nygaard joined the Republican Party.