Oral History Interview with Erick Nygaard, August 1, 2012 Page: 8

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Erick Nygaard. Nygaard joined the Navy in December of 1941. He joined the Civilian Pilot Training program and describes this experience and flying a Piper Cub. He provides some description of his pilot training. He was commissioned in February of 1944 and was sent to Hawaii and served as a replacement pilot for the carriers in the Pacific. He served as a fighter pilot in Halsey’s Third Fleet aboard 3 carriers including the USS Intrepid (CV-11), the USS Hancock (CV-19), and the USS Ticonderoga (CV-14). He provides some detail of his experiences in the Battle of the Philippine Sea. While aboard the Hancock, Nygaard describes the carrier being hit by a kamikaze. He became a shellback and describes his initiation. He remained in the Active Reserve until 1955.