Bach, Sverre O.

Person

Staff Only

Dates

Existence: January 3, 1923

Biography

Sverre Bach was born in a small town in eastern North Dakota. He served on Intrepid in 1944 as an F6F pilot in VF- 6 before volunteering to go to VBF-17 aboard Hornet. Bach was aboard Intrepid when the ship was struck by a torpedo at Truk, and he flew numerous missions during the war. After the war ended he continued his career in the Navy, serving a total of 32 years and rising to the rank of captain. Some of the positions he held were: flight instructor in Pensacola, Assistant CIC Officer aboard USS Valley Forge, squadron commander of VA-106, and Air Boss on USS Independence. Bach then served in BUPERS and the National War College, before commanding the USS Denebola, working at the Joint Staff, and commanding the USS Guadalcanal. He returned to the National War College for three more years before retiring in 1974.

Chronology:

July 3, 1942
: Start Date of Military Service
January 1944
: Start Date of Service Aboard Intrepid
February 1944
: End Date of Service Aboard Intrepid
June 30, 1974
: End Date of Military Service

Race/Ethnicity

Caucasian (Nordic)

Found in 1 Collection or Record:

Sverre O. Bach Oral History

Item

Identifier: OHP 018

Scope and Contents Sverre Bach served aboard Intrepid as an F6F pilot in VF-6 during World War II, in 1944. Bach began his interview by discussing his family history and stating that he followed in the footsteps of his two older brothers who were naval aviators. He then described the various stages of flight training, the aircraft he flew, and the lessons he learned. Bach then discussed his training in the F4F Wildcat and explained the differences between the American F4F and the Japanese “Zero.” He also...

Dates: August 17, 2013

Found in: Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum Online Archives / Sverre O. Bach Oral History