Eldon Eugene Nygaard is a Republican member of the South Dakota Senate, representing the 17th district since 2006. Nygaard was elected to the South Dakota Senate in the 2010 general election. South Dakota Senator, Republican, District 17. Vice chairman Commerce & Energy Committee, Member of the Judiciary Committee, and Taxation Committee. Date of birth 1946 University of Nebraska at Omaha Bachelor's degree in Business-1972; Marquette University Law School, Juris Doctor-1976. Retired Political Science Professor, USD; Retired CW-4 Army Aviator, 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 āVā d