Oscar Nygren

General Oscar Eugène Nygren (26 September 1872 – 12 January 1960) was a Swedish Army officer. Nygren's military career spanned over four decades, marked by a series of senior appointments. Beginning as a second lieutenant in the Hälsinge Regiment in 1892, he underwent extensive training, including attending the Royal Swedish Army Staff College and serving as a cadet at the General Staff. Nygren steadily ascended the ranks, reaching the positions of major, Vice Chief of the Military Office of the Ministry of Land Defence, and lieutenant colonel at the General Staff.

His noteworthy roles included leading the Royal Swedish Army Staff College and serving as the Chief of the Military Office of the Ministry of Land Defence. Nygren also contributed to various international committees as a military expert and chaired a pension insurance company. Upon retiring in 1937, he achieved the highest rank of general in his military career. During World War II, he was called back into service as the commander of the newly formed 2nd Army Corps, holding leadership positions in Upper Norrland and West Sweden, showcasing his contributions to the military and international committees.

Early life Nygren was born on 26 September 1872 in Gävle, Sweden, the son of Richard Nygren, a city broker, and his wife Thekla (née Engelmark).

Career

Military career Nygren was commissioned as an officer 1892 and was assigned as a second lieutenant to Hälsinge Regiment (I 14) the same year. He studied at the Royal Swedish Army Staff College from 1896 to 1898 and was a cadet at the General Staff from 1898 to 1901. Nygren became a lieutenant at the General Staff in 1902 and was promoted to captain in 1904. He was adjutant to the head of the Ministry of Land Defence from 1907 to 1910 and was transferred to Hälsinge Regiment (I 14) in 1909. Nygren was major at the General Staff in 1912 and was appointed Chief of Staff in the III Army Division in 1912. Back in Sweden he became colonel in the General Staff in 1919. He was appointed Chief of the Military Office of the Ministry of Land Defence in 1919 conducted a study trip to the Italian Front in 1922. In 1939, when World War II broke out, Nygren was appointed commander of the newly formed 2nd Army Corps in Upper Norrland and in 1940 he became commanding officer of the same in West Sweden. Nygren left the position in August 1941. He was the father of Colonel (1906–1982).

Death Nygren died on 12 January 1960 in Stockholm and was buried in Norra begravningsplatsen in Stockholm.

Dates of rank 11 November 1892 – Underlöjtnant 7 August 1896 – Lieutenant 2nd Class 9 November 1900 – Lieutenant 1st Class 31 December 1904 – Captain 20 November 1909 – Captain 1st Class 10 January 1913 – Major 17 December 1915 – Lieutenant colonel 16 July 1919 – Colonel 22 November 1929 – Major general 1 July 1936 – Lieutenant general 1 October 1937 – General

Awards and decorations

Swedish

Landstorm Gold Medal (Landstorm-guldmedalj)