World War II Honoree

John Marvin Nygard

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Iron River, Michigan

Honored By

Paul W. Masuga

Relationship

Nephew

He was sworn into the United States Marine Corps prior to graduating from Iron River High School and trained in California and Florida Naval Air Stations, completing his flight training at Cecil Field, Florida. During WWII, he served his country as a Marine dive bomber in the Pacific. He completed 50 missions over enemy territory, receiving numerous medals and citations (including an Air Medal) and was wounded on a raid on Clark field in the Philippine Islands. The war ended as he was training for a night fighting squadron in preparation for the invasion of Japan.