What is a Higgins boat?

CMSgt Mike Esser — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 13:21:34 -0400

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=R7mW_0YwE84

The Landing Craft, Vehicle, Personnel (LCVP) or Higgins boat was a landing craft used extensively in amphibious landings in World War II. The craft was desig...

Response by SGT Hector Rojas, AIGA, SHA made Jun 6 at 2015 1:24 PM

SGT Hector Rojas, AIGA, SHA — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 13:24:47 -0400

The funny thing is, the majority of US soldiers that landed on D Day used British boats, the LCA.

The Higgins were used in Europe but to a much smaller scale than in the Pacific landings.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Jun 6 at 2015 1:24 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 13:24:47 -0400

Similar to the Mosquito bomber the British used, the Higgins landing craft's major component was plywood.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 6 at 2015 1:25 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 13:25:30 -0400

I read many of the troops riding the Higgins Boats became sea sick.

Response by SPC David S. made Jun 6 at 2015 1:37 PM

SPC David S. — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 13:37:51 -0400

Being that I grew up around New Orleans yes - I think any one from that area knows that boat.

Response by LTC Bink Romanick made Jun 6 at 2015 2:10 PM

LTC Bink Romanick — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 14:10:23 -0400

LCVP the first ones were wood.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Jun 6 at 2015 3:26 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 15:26:41 -0400

Indeed I do, CMSgt Mike Esser! It's an LCVP. My father served as the engineering officer (LTJG) aboard USS LST-78 in WWII. This ship carried two LCVPs, although later variants carried four. In the photo you'll see USS LST-78 to the far left and LCVP-78-1 is across the open bow doors of USS LST-78. Photo taken c. 1945, likely at Tinian or Saipan.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jun 6 at 2015 3:30 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 15:30:43 -0400

I got to visit the museum some years ago. Awesome history.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 6 at 2015 5:18 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 17:18:56 -0400

Yes ....

Response by PO1 John Meyer, CPC made Jun 6 at 2015 5:21 PM

PO1 John Meyer, CPC — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 17:21:27 -0400

Yep. I saw one at the WW II museum in New Orleans. In fact, that's the museum that's shown at the end of this video. I had my retirement ceremony right next to that Higgins Boat!

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Jun 6 at 2015 8:02 PM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 20:02:46 -0400

That's amazing.

Response by SGT Jeremiah B. made Jun 6 at 2015 8:13 PM

SGT Jeremiah B. — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 20:13:13 -0400

My grandfather piloted one in WWII. He never said a word about it until I joined the Army. After that, I found out he only discussed the war with other vets and I was "in the club." I still remember him telling me about how the Japanese artillery would zero in on you - "One round would land in front of you, one behind. The third would land next to you. Don't be there when the fourth round comes." He bailed in the shallows on one landing right before his boat got hammered and was stuck on the beach with the Marines for a good bit trying not to get his ass shot off.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Jun 6 at 2015 9:13 PM

Capt Seid Waddell — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 21:13:41 -0400

They were made here in Louisville.