The most recent entries are on the main Guestbook
page, |
which can be accessed through the link below. |
| Name: |
Dean La Velle - 10/31/01 16:32 |
| Comments: |
Thank you for remembering and commemorating not only the
event - World War II - but the men who fought the war, and the men who's
backbreaking work made possible the many water crossings our troops had to
endure... and the man who's organizational genius made Higgins boats a reality. |
| Name: |
Justin Bender - 10/31/01 12:07 |
| Comments: |
I think this is a really neat site and just want to say thanks
for making it possible for people like me to look at and use for projects
and just for entertainment! |
| Name: |
Harry Dunford - 10/30/01 17:15 |
| Comments: |
I served on
USS
President Jackson APA-18 from 10-44 to 1-46. We landed 25th Division
troops at Lingayen Gulf and 3rd Marine Division troops at
Iwo Jima.
The LCVP's and LCM's were the reason for our being. Our boat crews were
magnificent sailors. The President Jackson landed 1st Btn, 2nd Marines at
Tulagi, Solomon Islands on August 7, 1942 and thus became first ship to land
American troops in an American offensive. God Bless All Who Served in WW
II. God Bless America every day. |
| Name: |
Wonmoon Choi - 10/10/01 04:12:05 |
| Comments: |
Higgins Boat Project! It's a real symbol of super
fidelity. And it was a great and great Project. |
| Name: |
Al Sundin - 09/21/01 08:44:32 |
| Comments: |
I really enjoyed your page. Brings back some memories. I
was stationed on the
USS
Oglethorpe and was a assault boat coxswain on a LCVP, LCPR, and LCM.
Not real sure why, but yesterday I decided to browse the Net looking for
hits on the
Oglethorpe and
found your page. Glad I did, because it put me in touch with an old shipmate.
Thanks for your page and keep up the good work. |
| Name: |
Richard Baird - 09/16/01 07:16:13 |
| Comments: |
Dear Sirs, I have been a fan of Stephan Ambrose's literary
works for some time and heard him on C-SPAN'S book review program discussing
WWII, D-DAY, DWIGHT D.EISENHOWER, The D-DAY MUSEUM AND HIGGINS BOAT FACTORY
as well as many other things. I found your website while doing some research
and absolutely love it. I am also glad that Mr. Ambrose is the president
of your foundation. Keep up the good work because history and the people
from our nation who made it should never be forgotten. |
| Name: |
ray graglia - 09/10/01 13:21:08 |
| Comments: |
i was just down in new orleans for my late father's army
air force oufit's reunion,the 1880th aviation engineers,
china/burma/india
i was very impressed with the museum!! GREAT JOB!!! |
| Name: |
JAMES HURLEY - 09/05/01 20:33:47 |
| Comments: |
BEST SHIP EVER BUILT LST AND ALL HIGGINS BOATS LCV
ET AL |
| Name: |
Tommy Carpenter - 09/05/01 17:02:19 |
| Comments: |
England has its "finest hour" But the United States had its
"Day" on June 6th, 1944, a day that will be memorialized in history
forever. Higgins boats were a huge help in that accomplishment.
Thanks for the DDAY MUSEUM. T.C. |
| Name: |
Erin Slates - 09/05/01 11:41:45 |
| Comments: |
Very interesting! |
| Name: |
Bill Kosco - 09/04/01 16:19:37 |
| Comments: |
Served on
USS
PITT APA 223 from 12/44 to 12/45. Capt. Walter Mayer CO. Carried
77th Inf.
to Kerama Retto & ashore on Zamami Shima 3/27/45, all in Ryukyu IS. On
9/25/45 we landed
81st Inf.
Div Occupation force at Aamori, Honshu, Japan. I was a Seaman 1st Signalman
on an LCVP, "The Boat that sank Hitler & Japan." The crew of the Pitt
will visit NO 9/27 to 9/30. |
| Name: |
Wayne Pancza - 09/02/01 20:14:20 |
| Comments: |
Would love to own one! |
| Name: |
Jerry Chatwin - 08/28/01 17:50:01 |
| Comments: |
I an an avid WWII student and teacher. I have read
all of the Ambrose books, and just returned from Normandy. Keep up
the good work. |
| Name: |
virginia swager - 08/24/01 23:15:48 |
| Comments: |
I have enjoyed reading and learning about the Higgins boat
and hope to visit the museum one day. |
| Name: |
angelo di nitto - 08/24/01 17:45:23 |
| Comments: |
i was a coxswain on the lcvp that landed troops on the beach
of north africa thanks to higgins all troops were landed before our ship
uss
hugh l scott ap 43 was torped and sunk keep up the good work |
| Name: |
Joe Spielbauer - 08/23/01 21:28:41 |
| Comments: |
Was boat cox'n on
USS
ALCOR AD 34 No. 4 LCVP for 3 Months the was ship was at Okinawa
This boat was sunk at a pier while taking on a load of 25 oxygen-actalyne
bottles with the crane load and crane operater in 30 feet of water
No one got hurt thank God but it was close I ran 4 different boats,
and like the LCVP best.. |
| Name: |
Pete Greene - 08/22/01 18:22:46 |
| Comments: |
Great tribute to a great man and his great boats, and all
the brave shipmates that manned them. |
| Name: |
Bren Pevler - 08/21/01 01:11:32 |
| Comments: |
Your site is very informative and well done. Thank you for
sharing this part of history with us all. |
| Name: |
Carl Monson - 08/20/01 16:25:13 |
| Comments: |
Keep it going. Carl Monson |
| Name: |
BILL HEINRICH - 08/16/01 12:08:34 |
| Comments: |
I WAS A COXSWAIN FOR A SHORT TIME ON THE
USS
LENAWEE APA195. THE MAJORITY OF THE TIME SPENT WAS RUNNING THE BOATS
BOTH MIKES AND PAPAS FOR THE
USS
ATLANTA IX304,AN EXPERIMENTAL SHIP IN THE EARLY 1960S. ARE THERE ANY
FELLOW SHIPMATES OUT THERE? |
| Name: |
Bobby G. Milligan - 08/12/01 19:51:32 |
| Comments: |
I Served aboard the
USS
Talladega APA208 from june/62 untill jan/65. We cruised with the
USS
Bayfield many days during operations with phibron 7. As an Engineman
I spent many, many, many hours in an LCVP making landings on the west coast
and throughout the Pacific. The most memorable being off the Hawaiian Island
of Molokai where we were caught on the beach in very high surf and along
with other ships involved lost many "PAPA BOATS" LCVP's. The trade I learned
while working on the Gray Marine engines stayed with me in civilian life
untill I retired. The Higgins was a very tough boat.I am proud to know there
is a museum honoring the men and boats of the
"GATOR
NAVY". |
| Name: |
Dave West - 08/09/01 21:07:50 |
| Comments: |
I'm happy to see this project moving forward.I have experienced
what it was like to operate this fine boat.I'am also pleased to add that
a Higgins memmorial is nearing completion here in Columbus,Nebraska where,the
inventer Andrew Higgins was raised. |
| Name: |
Don Miller - 08/06/01 21:16:55 |
| Comments: |
I was a boat coxswain on
LST
1156 in 58 & 59. I plan on visiting New Orleans in Oct. I will
go and see the boat museum. |
| Name: |
Robert - 08/02/01 11:31:36 |
| Comments: |
I am 14 and this summer I went to Washington DC to compete
in a National History Day Project. I did my topic on Andrew Higgins and his
design and his boat (the Pt.boat and the higgins boat.) I learned a lot from
doing this project and I felt that there is not enough information out there
about him. |
| Name: |
Adrian Sant - 08/02/01 02:25:13 |
| Name: |
Gary V. Smith - 07/30/01 17:00:52 |
| Comments: |
To build an LCVP is indeed a worthy goal. God Bless. |
| Name: |
Joseph A. Lundy - 07/26/01 21:08:49 |
| Comments: |
I really like your website I like to study WWII so I fined
your site very enteresting. |
| Name: |
Frank Hartmann - 07/26/01 15:58:25 |
| Comments: |
Dear friends, It was a pleasure to visit your homepage.
Especially the photo gallery. The presentation of the photos is very good.
It is very hard to find pages like this. Best wishes from Germany.
Frank Hartmann
P.O.Box 500504
60394 Frankfurt - Germany
|
| Name: |
Grady Willmon - 07/26/01 14:33:47 |
| Comments: |
I served aboard the
USS
WAYNE
APA-54
for 29 months. We made Seven Invasions and Three Reinforcemnet Landings and
One Occupation Landing at Nagasaki, Japan. The Higgins Boat was the Greatest
Boat ever made. |
| Name: |
Brad Gauthreaux - 07/26/01 09:34:11 |
| Comments: |
Hey, My grandfather helped bulid some of the ships at Higgins
Ship Yard. His name was Henry Gauthreaux. He just passed away recently. |
| Name: |
George Eisenhardt - 07/23/01 22:31:19 |
| Comments: |
Great web page I served on
USS
Okaloosa APA 219 ran LCVP in Leyte Okinawa and many other Island in the
Pacific 1943 thru 1945 .Would like to hear any Okie. sailors |
| Name: |
Zoie Campbell - 07/23/01 11:05:21 |
| Name: |
Randy Watkins - 07/22/01 23:36:52 |
| Comments: |
I served as a bow hook on an LCVP crew aboard
USS
Chilton (LPA-38) from July 1965-October 1967. Proud to be a Gator
sailor. Congratulations on the Higgins Boat Project. Where can I by
a boat. I would love to restore one and use it for living history up
here in Virginia. |
| Name: |
JAMES HURLEY - 07/19/01 20:09:02 |
| Comments: |
JUST TURNED 78 YRS YESTERDAY..ENJOY COMING TO THIS SITE..MEMORIES
FADING...FEEL LIKE I WAS 19 IN LEYTE..GOOD REST THIS NIGHT AND A SOFT WIND... |
| Name: |
Mike Swift - 07/18/01 15:17:40 |
| Comments: |
My dad was a coxswain on
APA-123
Kittson last part of 44' - 45'. Unfortunately his stories are lost to
my memories. Everyone who served in WWII is a hero. To those who made the
tanks, planes, ships, and boats, made sacrifices at home to save the world,
they are heroes too. Thank you. |
| Name: |
Brad Monroe - 07/17/01 15:23:12 |
| Comments: |
I own a 1963 LCVP which use daily to transport cargo to Water
Is. This remarkable design has never let me down despite overloading, rough
seas, and sometimes no crew. Your site is a tribute to a man and his ingenuity. |
| Name: |
Jim Melanson - 07/17/01 11:57:01 |
| Comments: |
My name is Jim melanson. I am with
Defenders of
America Naval Museum out of Kemah Texas and Chief of North East Branch
in Massachusetts. I will be taking PT 305 with a crew from Rock Hall, Maryland
down to Texas via inter coastal waterway where she will be restored by the
same crew who did PT 309 for the Nimitz Museum. We also have another Higgins
boat an LCP (Eureka). Just stoppin by the site to say hi! You guys built
a rugged boat for sure. 305 and 309 are still around to prove that. Also,
305 needs to be stretched out 15 feet to make original lenghth of 78
feet. In the war she hit a mine and had her fanny blown off then too (at
least partially). Now almost 60 years later she will get the same rebuild.
Would be nice to have a set of blue prints for the keel and chine area
especially. She was cut 12 inches from the center shaft alley to make T-Boat
spec. She served as a dinner boat after the war and then she was a Buy-Boat
on the Chesapeake Bay seeding Oyster Bed! s. Now we have her. Take Care Jim
Melanson |
 |
 |
|
| Name: |
Tim McLaughlin - 07/16/01 13:25:25 |
| Comments: |
Good site! Very interesting! If any readers and
visitors to this site were ever affiliated with SLCU #14 based out of San
Diego in 1943, please email me at
Laughlin66@yahoo.com. Thanks! Tim |
| Name: |
Julius H. Esmon - 07/12/01 12:03:38 |
| Comments: |
I was a coxswain On
L.S.T.
835 I spent last 2 yrs Of war in So. Pac. When war was over was first
L.S.T. in Sasebo Jap.The Jap Gen.& Admiral signed surrender papers on
our ship next stop was nagasaki & tour of ruins courtesy of Air Force
ground troops this is A very good site |
| Name: |
Cliff Francois - 07/10/01 20:46:51 |
| Comments: |
Great!!! What an undertaking to built a complete fully
functional landing craft. I have visited the museum and enjoyed viewing
the craft. Thank you for all your hard work and dedication to this
project. |
| Name: |
BMCS D.I.Pollock - 07/09/01 09:10:28 |
| Comments: |
What a great sight! The LCVP was my first assignment as a
coxswain in 1965 aboard the
USS
Francis Marion
APA
249. Those little boats carried much more than men they carried
all that is good about the United States. I moved up to the LCM then to a
River boat In vietnam that was built on the LCM hull... Dewey Pollock, Lakeland
Florida.
Mobile
Riverine Forces of Vietnam
|
| Name: |
Buck or Courtney - 07/09/01 08:53:18 |
| Comments: |
We sure hope there is a way to get our little 12 foot cartop
into the museum and maybe even into the boatshow this year 2001 |
| Name: |
Carl Ewert - 07/08/01 14:44:13 |
| Comments: |
As a WWII Vet, I will be honored to visit the memorial for
Andrew Higgins in August at Columbus, Nebraska (my home town). It is
important to keep the memories alive. |
| Name: |
Joe lee - 07/07/01 13:23:26 |
| Comments: |
Served on the
President
Jackson
APA
18 from 1948 until late 1949. I was part of the second division.
Was coxswain on # 6 vp and also operated LCMs. Anyone remembering this ship
please reply. She was great duty. |
| Name: |
Alan R. McDaniel - 07/04/01 21:52:34 |
| Comments: |
At last a place where those of us who were too young to serve
can visit to see, feel and learn what we have heard about all our lives.
Thank you. |
| Name: |
Bill Hatcher - 07/02/01 16:22:22 |
| Comments: |
We will visit New Orleans later this year. If you have a
newsletter, catalogue, or whatever, we would like to have it. I was
involved in WWII aboard the
USS
Gilliam
APA57.
I was in the beach party. We made landings in the Higgins boat at Leyete,
PI and Luzon, PI and D-Day Okinawa April 1, 1945. We were a small class
APA. We just had LCVPs, no LCMs. Bill Hatcher |
| Name: |
Terry Thompson - 07/01/01 00:52:31 |
| Comments: |
This is my first time to your sight i have found it enjoyable
and will return to read more also i hope to visit the D-Day museum in the
future and enjoy it in person. All efforts to preserve of history for future
generations should be commended |
| Name: |
Kurt Hall - 06/29/01 20:02:51 |
| Comments: |
I am very impressed with the website and work done so far.
I am ex Navy (76 - 80). I was the ships coxswain on motor whale boats
and captains gig, but had occasion to drive the LCM's while in South
America. Most of the Navies there still use them as active units.
My deepest respect goes to the men and women of WWII. Thank you for
your sacrifices. I have scheduled a vacation to New Orleans to vist
the museum. God Bless America. |
| Name: |
Frank Higgins - 06/28/01 22:45:11 |
| Comments: |
Just checking out progress again. Higgins was my grandfather. |
| Name: |
William Collins - 06/21/01 16:49:59 |
| Comments: |
My father served abord the
USS
Cepheus AKA18 during WWII. He was a coxswain abord a LCVP. After reading
the guestbook I realized that my father never talked much about the war.
Although I am sure he would like to hear from any shipmates or reunions that
might be upcomming |
| Name: |
Elena Rudeke - 06/20/01 12:53:36 |
| Comments: |
The D. Day Museum is superb. Our thanks to Dr. Ambrose
for making his dream come true. To Mr. Higgins for his for his forsight and
most of all to each and every one who kept Freedom and the love for the country
as a first priority. |
| Name: |
Don Boggs - 06/20/01 08:00:10 |
| Comments: |
Hello, Just found your web site. My wife and I are
coming to NO on July 1, 2001 and I am looking forward to seeing your exhibit
on the Higgins boat. I am a builder of WWII ground and water vehicles
and am interested in taking photographs of your display for detail information.
I like to make the models as accurate as possible with the consideration
of what will actually be seen by a viewer. I'm hoping also, that your
store will have copies of the book written on these boats. If it has enough
photos to use as reference material, I wish to purchase one. Anyway, just
a line to say thank you to all who contributed to this museum. I enjoy
going around the country to see these museums, so I'm very glad I am going
to have this opportunity. Sincerely, |
| Name: |
Michael V. Weldon - 06/19/01 19:31:49 |
| Comments: |
This is wonderful. Thanks for making it possible to
even know about such things. |
| Name: |
issa - 06/18/01 12:12:09 |
| Comments: |
nice site, keep up the good work. |
| Name: |
Nicholas Reynolds - 06/18/01 10:55:06 |
| Comments: |
Thank you for your commitment to our great Naval History. |
| Name: |
STEVE LAMBERT - 06/17/01 07:24:58 |
| Comments: |
MY FATHER WAS A MARINE PILOT IN THE PACIFIC, MY STEP FATHER
WAS A BOMBER PILOT IN EUROPE. THANKS YOU FOR THE SACRIFICE YOU ALL MADE FOR
ME. STEVE LAMBERT USMC 65-69 |
| Name: |
Michael Brooks - 06/13/01 13:10:54 |
| Comments: |
As a Vietnam Era vet I am in awe of the task at hand of those
kids that landed on that on D-Day beach of hell. I salute them one
and all. |
| Name: |
Judy Sarver - 06/12/01 23:33:31 |
| Comments: |
Thank you for your rendering of the Higgins Boat Project.
I am from New Orleans and remember Higgins as a household word. Before
our parish had a church, we would go to Higgins and kneel on the hard floor
for mass. |
| Name: |
Charles Smith - 06/12/01 21:14:34 |
| Comments: |
Great site. Thanks for keeping up the tale of a great
American |
| Name: |
peter velter - 06/12/01 08:44:59 |
| Comments: |
since i am visitor nr. 1 to your site, i must sign the guestbook.
i was in normandy from mai 24 to 27. sadly there is not much left of the
boats (dukw's are in favour!). of course i was already aware of the eisenhower
statement (via discoverychannel). keep it up!!! greetings from holland behind
the dykes. june 12 2001. |
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| Name: |
JAMES HURLEY - 06/11/01 19:54:16 |
| Comments: |
GOD BLESS THIS FAIR LAND AND THE SEAS AROUND US..WHEN WE
WERE NEEDED WE
WENT....LST206...JIM..."SPARKS" |
| Name: |
James Harless - 06/11/01 19:23:22 |
| Comments: |
Have put many of the Higgins (LCVP's) to the rail and away
all boats. Was the Phone talker on debark 3
USS
SKAGIT
(AKA-105)
what a great experience I had. |
| Name: |
Ken Fox - 06/10/01 15:35:22 |
| Comments: |
Was a part of the amphibious communication team #1 and rode
many a higgins boat.
USS
Woodford
AKA86
is planning our 2001 reunion in New Orleans in order to see the exhibit.
It sounds tremendous. Would like to hear from anyone that Served on
XAP teams. Ken Fox, |
| Name: |
Henry H. Stone - 06/10/01 14:53:55 |
| Comments: |
I hope
Nimitz Museum
in Fredricksberg, Texas knows of this site. |
| Name: |
Garry Bruce - 06/10/01 11:57:54 |
| Comments: |
Interesting site. I'll put the Museum on my list of
places to visit. Thank you. |
| Name: |
delacroixgaetan - 06/10/01 11:20:44 |
| Comments: |
Thank you for this site, memory for our "liberty ships" ;
from Brussels, Europe
Dr G. Delacroix |
| Name: |
Vincent Lee - 06/10/01 05:31:39 |
| Comments: |
I'm surprise to be the first visiting your site. Great topic. |
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| Name: |
noah - 06/10/01 04:45:37 |
| Comments: |
from this site, it enables us to remind the unaccountable
work done by those ordinary people who did extra ordinary job that helped
the allied forces won the war. |
| Name: |
Ed Walker - 06/09/01 19:31:59 |
| Comments: |
I just recently viewed a program on cable T.V. concerning
the Higgins Boat looked up this web page. |
| Name: |
DAVID A TURNER - 06/09/01 14:09:26 |
| Comments: |
VERY INTERESTING SITE. I WILL VISIT SOON. AS A PATHFINDER
IN THE 173D AIRBORNE (1967) I AM MOST INTERESTED IN PATHFINDER RELATED ARTIFACTS.
THANKS. |
| Name: |
Don Potter - 06/09/01 14:01:48 |
| Comments: |
This is a great website - it brings back a lot of child-hood
memories. I hope to visit the museum in the not-too-distant future. |
| Name: |
Rick Allan Jones - 06/05/01 14:39:15 |
| Comments: |
This us gives a real clear idea of the importance of Higgin's
contribution to WWII. It is a great idea to have this as part of the exhibit.
I hope to visit soon. |
| Name: |
Carl Wethington - 06/03/01 11:21:13 |
| Comments: |
My hobby as a plastic scale modeler has had the additional,
and pleasant, effect of increasing my interest in military history, especially
World War II. Also, having a father who participated in the war in the Pacific,
I have become much more interested in amphibious operations. As a result,
I have developed an interest in landing craft, especially the LCVP and LST.
Hopefully, I can locate plans to help me accurately update the plastic kit
of the LCVP that was originally issued when I was a young boy. I plan to
contribute to the Higgins Boat Project. Even though my resources are limited,
I hope my small donation will enable the PA33-21 to inform many future
generations of young Americans as WWII becomes more distant. |
| Name: |
bill newbauer, navy - 06/03/01 11:01:50 |
| Comments: |
good site and good reading. i lost one at iwo, engineer,
soon boarded two more for the landings. will someone write me? have gobs
(?) of info ww2 pac and pics. also scraped on a lot of coral ! bill, 955
87 80 usnr |
| Name: |
dylan mckinnon - 05/30/01 11:23:53 |
| Name: |
Mike Higgins - 05/27/01 14:31:25 |
| Comments: |
Came across the mention of the Higgins boat by accident.
Are there any in the UK in working order that can be viewed by the public? |
| Name: |
Mike DeJarnette - 05/26/01 12:09:49 |
| Comments: |
I was aboard the
USS
Magoffin
APA
199 from 1962 to 1965 and then on the
USS
George Clymer APA 27 until the middle of 1966. I was on the deck force
on the Magoffin and in the boat group on the George Clymer. I have seen both
sides of the LCVP, in the deck force I helped to put them in the water and
load them, and in the boat group I operated them. I've spent many hours landing
on beach's and running liberty boats. I was the rigger on heavy salvage for
a while so I even helped get them out of trouble. Great boat! |
| Name: |
John D. Cina - 05/24/01 17:53:21 |
| Comments: |
I was just at the museum and have returned to CA, all I can
say was that I am still moved by the courage of these men who fought on this
day and through out the war my father entered the service at 15 and served
in the Navy until wounded. I don't know if the men of today, understand the
courage the men of this period had. The country called them and they answered
amd some gave the ultimate. I hope we never need to do this again, but I
hope if we do the people will be as brave as the men of this generation were.
We owe them everything. |
| Name: |
John W. Cunningham - 05/23/01 14:40:25 |
| Comments: |
I am very glad to see that the Higgins boats have now become
a very interesting site in your museum. I was a member of the
3rd
Engineer Amphibian Brigade during WW2 and went to training school for
LCMS at the Higgins Boat School. Our unit then went overseas to the SWPA
and made many landings going from Port Moresby in New Guinea all the way
to Borneo. Our unit Company B was attached to the Australian Army during
this campaign which was one of the last before VJ Day. |
| Name: |
kate - 05/23/01 12:22:28 |
| Comments: |
This is very awsome! |
| Name: |
liz uchtman - 05/22/01 19:10:43 |
| Comments: |
Hi. I am Liz Uchtman and I am a student in Columbus, Nebraska.
Home to Mr. Higgins. I would like to inform you that our town (Columbus)
is building a
memorial for
him. To your suprise the people who are particpating are students, me being
one of them, no older than 17 years old.And this is no small thing, we have
worked very hard on it. This is a big accomplishment for us. Plus a lot of
us have met the Higgins family, me being one of them.
Please keep in contact with me and i could give you more information on this
wonderful project.
Thanks,
Liz Uchtman
Columbus, Nebraska |
| Name: |
Inez - 05/22/01 11:47:42 |
| Comments: |
I worked for Higgins aircraft from 1942 to 1944 my name is
Inez I worked in the inspection dept. in the maganflux dept. I am trying
to find out if there is still some of the workers that I worked with
in that dept. would love to just talk about old times I am 83 and still remember
working in New Orleans during the war. |
| Name: |
Jack D Spruiell - 05/22/01 04:19:27 |
| Comments: |
I was a LCVP coxswain on the
USS
Warhawk (see USS Warhawk Yahoo) WWII. I am very interested in the Higgins
boats. The Warhawk made landings at Saipan, Guam, Leyte and Luzon. Was hit
by a suicide boat resulting in 61 deaths.The ship was repaired and returned
to duty. |
| Name: |
Justin Ball - 05/20/01 10:40:31 |
| Comments: |
this is the best world war II history site |
| Name: |
heath,m. and b. - 05/09/01 21:16:38 |
| Comments: |
we are working on a national history fair exhibit on the
higgins boat as a frontier in world war ii. we are interviewing veterans
who rode, drove or saw the LCVP and Higgins Industry workers or knowledge
of that. our email is
haymalbren@aol.com. our project is
due the 1st of June. Please contact us if we can call to interview you. |
| Name: |
Robert Delp - 05/04/01 20:11:50 |
| Comments: |
I was stationed at Coronado Amphibious base in 1944. A couple
hundred LCVP'S went out each day from San Diego bay past Point Loma to practice
landings along the Silver Strand from a ship called the Mustang. I was an
engineer on one of them. |
| Name: |
Ed. Heuer - 04/27/01 10:32:34 |
| Comments: |
Enlisted in the navy 1-12-43 with my brother . I served on
the
USS
Alhena
AKA-9
in the pacific and took my LCVP coxswain training out from the destroyer
base at San Diego. Served with landings at Bougainsville & Saipan and
before and after that made many trips to bring supplies to a number of the
islands. MY SECOND SHIP WAS
USS
STEVENSON DD-645. We were with the group for the invasions of
IWO JIMA
and
OKINAWA
AT SEA FOR 65 DAYS WITHOUT SEEING LAND WITH FAST CARRIER GROUP. We had a
typhoon and 90 ft. waves to plow . We lost the captains gig, [BOAT] . Since
I had service on the Higgins boats I WAS USED TO BRINGING LIBERTY PARTIES
AND SPECIAL TRIPS ASHORE AND TO OTHER SHIPS . I HAVE FOND MEMORIES OF THE
HIGGINS BOATS. |
| Name: |
Carl Sorensen - 04/25/01 19:33:13 |
| Comments: |
I was an assault boat coxswain on the
USS
Oglethorpe AKA-100, 1960-63 and operated one of those scows. What a sturdy
craft, though they were very difficult to handle in rough seas or tight places.
I do have fond(?) memories. |
| Name: |
Ronald Fenn - 04/24/01 16:53:31 |
| Comments: |
I was a bowhook on an LCVP with the
USS
Telfair
APA-210
in the early sixties. Enjoyed the ride. Like your site. |
| Name: |
neil p. bottley - 04/24/01 14:04:40 |
| Comments: |
I served in the sw pacific - 453rd engineers - from sydney
to townsville, milne bay, goodenough, finchaven, los negros-admirality, wakde,
sarmi, leyte and mindoro.
anybody on my route? |
| Name: |
Edwin H. Goodloe, Jr. - 04/23/01 19:05:57 |
| Comments: |
Having been a boat engineer on an LCVP aboard an LST in the
USN(1946-48), I know these boats well. I have a high regard for this craft;
it served our military well. Being a native of Louisiana, I am proud that
my state contributed in such a major way to our victories in both WWII and
the Korean War(conflict?) in which I also served (1950-51). As a diesel machinist
in the USNR, I was called to active duty and assigned to re-commission vessels
mothballed at San Diego Naval Yards to be dispatched to Korea.
It has been my extreme pleasure to read Mr. Stephen Ambrose's historical
writings. I have HIGH praise for him for his efforts in bringing about this
museum in New Orleans, which I hope to visit soon. Without him this would
never have been chronicaled and documented, therefore, would have resulted
in the loss to our great nation of this very important part of our history.
My most sincere THANKS! |
| Name: |
Inez - 04/22/01 17:35:29 |
| Comments: |
Found this interesting trying to find information for my
grandmother who worked for higgins aircraft in 1943 she is 83 years old |
| Name: |
james hurley - 04/21/01 19:26:08 |
| Comments: |
JUST READING ALL GREAT COMMENTS..WEAR MY
LST
206 HAT..MET YOUNG LAD THIS DAY IN SEA BEES..TOLD HIM I AM LEFT OVER
CAN NOT JOIN RESERVE AT 78...MAYBE |
| Name: |
Don Patterson - 04/20/01 18:48:35 |
| Comments: |
Served Aboard the
USS
Thomas Jefferson APA30 from 1942 to 1945 we carried 33 Higgins boats
and made landings of North Africa, Sicily, Salerno, Normandy, Southern France,
Okinawa, and the occupation of Sasebo Naval Base in Japan. Thank you for
letting the people know the important part the LCVP played in the victory.
Don Patterson (cox) |
| Name: |
M. Billhimer - 04/16/01 14:10:25 |
| Name: |
Herbert Henry Briley - 04/14/01 18:23:11 |
| Comments: |
My ride to
Peleliu was like taking
a Streetcar to hell. Y1c H.H. Briley, 73rd. Naval Construction Bn. -But what
a helluva Streetcar! |
| Name: |
mark koth - 04/14/01 12:09:30 |
| Comments: |
I saw your boat in the may issue of Ohio Motorist magazine.
It looked very interesting so I logged on to take a look. Nice job done,
good luck with your project. |
| Name: |
Jonathan Stevens - 04/06/01 16:02:07 |
| Comments: |
Excellent project! I have a website on Tarawa where many
Higgins boats were used:
"Tarawa
on the Web" . I am looking for anyone who was there and who would be
interested in contributing to my website. |
| Name: |
frank poirrier - 04/03/01 07:37:10 |
| Comments: |
good job,god bless our vet"s |
| Name: |
alfred v nyegaard - 04/02/01 19:42:59 |
| Comments: |
EX W.W. 2 NAVY MAN. L.S.M. LANDING CRAFT. JUST CAME ACROSS
THIS SITE. I HAVE BEEN ABOARD THE HIGGINS BOAT MANY TIMES.[A LONG TIME AGO] |
| Name: |
D Terry - 04/02/01 14:55:59 |
| Comments: |
My uncle's eyes glowed when I told him about the program
I saw on the History Channel. He landed on one of the Higgins Boats.
Needless to say, we are looking forward to visiting the museum this July
while in New Orleans.
We're both looking forward to it. |
| Name: |
John C. Evans - 03/31/01 23:03:19 |
| Comments: |
I and two friends are planning a trip to your museum during
June 2001. I enjoyed the photo album and detailed description of the boat
design and capabilities. I saw many of these boats in news reels when I was
a child but didn't realize how unique they were. Regards, John C. Evans |
| Name: |
John McCaffrey II - 03/31/01 12:12:57 |
| Comments: |
It is great to see so many people interested in Andrew Higgins
and his historic inventions. IKE couldn't of said it any better when he stated,
"Higgins won the war for us." |
| Name: |
HANS WEISS - 03/29/01 14:21:40 |
| Comments: |
SERVED ON
APA
8 USS WM. P BIDDLE 1945 HAD A LOT OF RIDES IN THE LCVPS WILL BE SURE
TO DROP IN WHEN I GET TO NEW ORLEANS KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK |
| Name: |
Stub Priefert - 03/28/01 21:27:32 |
| Comments: |
I made an initial landing on
Basilian
Island in the Pacific in WWII on a Higgins boat. I enjoyed seeing the
Higgins reproduction at the D Day Museum. |
| Name: |
J. Mark Wade - 03/27/01 09:01:18 |
| Comments: |
My Father, Garland H. Wade was on of the first boats ashore
during the battle of
Guadalcanal.
For his participation in this and other actions he earned the citations I
will list at the end of this document. I am 45 years old, and not until recently
did I know that my father had earned medals. He has never talked about his
experience until recently, and he would not approve of me saying anything
that would bring attention to him or what he did. He is very humble. He trained
on Lake Ponchatrain (misspelled i'm sure) in higgins boats before the war
started. He told me he used to talk to Mr. Higgins in the factory. I would
love to connect with someone who could help me find shipmates or buddies
he trained with. I know it would mean a lot to him, and he would never attempt
to find out himself. I can give anyone who contacts me more information as
to ship name/specific activities etc.
3 - bronzes stars
2 - presidential unit citations
Arabic Numeral 1
Something else I can't remember |
|
|
|
| Name: |
Raymond Johnson - 03/23/01 15:58:51 |
| Comments: |
Great web site. I was in the Navy from 1972 to 1975. I was
assigned to Assault Craft Unit One out of Coronado Ca. I was a engineman
on a LCM8, I did two tours of the south pacific. I made many trips to and
from LPD's and the beach. I hope to get to visit the museum some day.
Question? Do you plan on building a PT boat? |
| Name: |
Robert L. Raborn - 03/23/01 06:49:16 |
| Comments: |
Hello:
I was on the
USS
LST 692 during the Korean War and we carried 4 LCVPs. We would open the
LST bow doors out in the harbor and go swimming. We would use the LCVPs to
stand watch for sharks, and as a motor boat to pull a sailor behind on a
water ski (we used the floorboard from the LCVP as the "water ski").
Send me your email address and I'll send you back some pics of the crew swimming
amid LCVPs in Wonsan harbor. We had just finished landing seabees on Yo Do
Island to build a dirt airstrip (Operation Crippled Chick) and had been under
fire from enemy shore batteries. Captain Remick thought that was a bit too
much, so when we got to "safety" (????) on the other side of the island we
went swimming. And, I have the pics to prove it (haha) |
| Name: |
ken hendricksen - 03/19/01 09:40:05 |
| Name: |
kriss - 03/14/01 18:03:42 |
| Comments: |
good web site! i really do enjoy all of it....although i
would like to see more information with the boat and how it actually "helped"
us win the war! other than that, its a great web site and certainly has been
helpful with my assignment! thanks again- kriss |
| Name: |
keith a mcgough - 03/13/01 22:02:05 |
| Comments: |
plan to go to museum in april 2001. proud of fellow louisiana
citizen. god bless america!! |
| Name: |
Elliott Dubreuil - 03/13/01 01:12:04 |
| Comments: |
Looking forward to my first visit to your museum. |
| Name: |
ETIPPINS - 03/09/01 20:07:04 |
| Comments: |
seeing this display, reminds me that I have a few items that
I would like to donate to the Museum in reconization of those who made the
D Day landing...I did not land till the 6th of Aug 44 but all the evidence
of that terrible day were still there to see.. |
| Name: |
Al Phillips - 03/04/01 23:05:41 |
| Comments: |
Higgins was one of many unsung heros of WW11. Everyone should
read the books by Stephen Ambrose on World War II. A person can get the real
story of what people like Higgins did for the war effort. |
| Name: |
Howard Nye - 03/03/01 16:29:15 |
| Comments: |
My outfit, the 96th div, trained in Higgins boats for landings
in the Pacific. How-ever for the Leyte P.I. landing, we went ashore in amtracks.
For the Okinawa landing, we did go ashore in LCVPs. |
| Name: |
Michael Jessen - 02/26/01 20:04:02 |
| Comments: |
A grateful Thank You to all of the Veterans who were willing
to sacrifice their lives for my freedom. You are the best America has to
offer and as a grandson of a Navy officer who was on board a ship off the
coast of Normandy on June 6, 1944, I am forever indebted to your patriotism.
God Bless you all...
-Michael Jessen |
| Name: |
fred mcgowan - 02/26/01 13:14:07 |
| Comments: |
Having landed on Omaha Beach in one of your boats, am
interested in anything you have |
| Name: |
Capt. C.W. Andersen USN (Ret) - 02/24/01 14:04:49 |
| Comments: |
The Coxswains driving the boats were the bravest of all.
They are rarely mentioned as the reason the landings were made. |
| Name: |
Adrian Sant - 02/21/01 15:15:07 |
| Comments: |
What can I say....Fantastic!
Adrian Sant
1st Inf Div Living History group
United Kingdom |
| Name: |
Walter B Wilkison - 02/21/01 12:50:15 |
| Comments: |
My nick name is Wilky and I was on the 735 during WWII and
drove a Higgins Boat (South Pacific). Good Luck on the Project! Although,
I am in a wheelchair now, I still would like to visit the boat when it is
restored. My Captains name was Oldas. Walter Burnell Wilkison New Braunfels,
Texas (formally of Lawtey, Florida) |
| Name: |
Kevin Kavanaugh - 02/21/01 10:15:54 |
| Comments: |
What a wonderful website. Thanks to all who participated
in re-creating this boat. My father served supporting such crafts as these
in the U.S. Navy during D-Day on a troop support tender. Thank you so much
for honoring his memory and all who fought this great and honorable battle.
God bless you all. |
| Name: |
Carruth C. Higgins - 02/20/01 11:23:42 |
| Comments: |
Andrew Higgins was my Great Grandfather. I am 21 and can't
imagine what it was like to charge off of LCVP landing craft into enemy fire
on the Normandy beaches. I take great interest in learning the accomplishments,
and achievments of such an impactful man (Andrew Jachson Higgins) on our
society and the countries status in the world today. I thank all involved
in the war, projects, interests and foundations which have found it inclusive,
and made it possible to honor the young men, and forces, which are responsible
for this growing and great nation today.
With utmost respect,
Carruth C. Higgins |
| Name: |
William Greitz - 02/19/01 12:16:57 |
| Comments: |
As a World War Two veteran, and as a former amphibious sailor,
I was quite pleased with this project. Thank You for your efforts. |
| Name: |
Tommy F. Wood - 02/17/01 15:14:13 |
| Comments: |
I was formerly a member of the Army Transportation Corps |
| Name: |
Dave Archer - 02/17/01 13:37:04 |
| Comments: |
I was do the "walking" for my dad who does not use a computer.
He is writing an account of the assault on Anguar from the
USS
Pierce and recalls the Higgins Boats they used. I found another Guest
from the Pierce through your guest book. Thanks a bunch. |
| Name: |
A. Douglas Stewart - 02/16/01 18:13:21 |
| Comments: |
Served aboard
USS
Jerauld APA 174 as a boat group officer in the Pacific. Did this bring
back memories! Any old shipmates out there? |
| Name: |
Mara Duffey - 02/15/01 12:01:14 |
| Comments: |
I really enjoyed looking at your web-page. I am a junior
in high school and right now we are doing a poster project on wars. And I
decided to look here for more information. I thank you for doing this page.
Sincerely, Mara Duf |
| Name: |
Frank Caron - 02/14/01 19:37:43 |
| Comments: |
We are looking forward to visiting the museum |
| Name: |
Jill Higgins - 02/14/01 12:15:30 |
| Comments: |
This is a nice site, the boat had an awesome name. |
| Name: |
Chase Swaim - 02/12/01 19:09:00 |
| Comments: |
The Higgins boat was truly the invention that won the war
for the U.S. This site is a perfect resource to refer to for a History project. |
| Name: |
Carl J. Pertuit - 02/06/01 15:08:36 |
| Comments: |
My dad (Joe Pertuit) worked at the Higgins' boatyard during
WWII, so it was great visiting the D-Day museum and seeing the Higgins room.
Keep up the expansion of this historical event and good luck. |
| Name: |
Kaye E. Stabler - 02/05/01 11:51:28 |
| Comments: |
Having just gotten back from a visit to the D Day Museum
in New Orleans, your web site was a good expansion on what I had found out
about these remarkable craft. |
| Name: |
Charles A . Ray - 02/03/01 12:56:00 |
| Comments: |
A great site; keep it up. Planning visit Higgins in March
01. Served Dest Escort 419 51-54; IC2; Searching for Cory Schambers, SN2
from Miami, FL. (Mobile, Al.) |
| Name: |
Mark Toft - 02/02/01 03:52:16 |
| Comments: |
I signed this guestbook last August (2000) and because of
that have found 2 new shipmates of my father, who served aboard
APA-46,
the USS Knox. Anyone interested in tracking down shipmates from their
own ships, or research of photos, motion pictures, log books - email me.
I have had some success with this.
Dad was at Saipan, Tinian, Manus, Noumea, Lingayen Gulf, Leyte Gulf, Iwo
Jima, Portland, Long Beach, Great Lakes, Little Creek and Fort Pierce. |
| Name: |
Robert E. Vedomske - 02/01/01 20:11:46 |
| Comments: |
So far I liked what I saw I was a gunner on one Of the higgins
Landing crafts and took My training for them at Fort Pierce Fla. Keep up
the good work. |
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