The most recent entries are on the main Guestbook
page, |
which can be accessed through the link below. |
| Name: |
Jim Hawks - 09/29/99 20:36:10 |
| Comments: |
Correction for my comments made 9/28/99. I transferred off
the Florence Nightingale AP-70 in November of 1945. We were in Portland Oregon,
just before Thanksgiving, having brought a ship full of high point Army guys
back from Japan. Also I forgot to ask if you were able to get a Gray Marine
Diesel, 225hp I think, for the PA33-21? Again WELL DONE and I hope to visit
next Summer. |
| Name: |
Jim Hawks - 09/28/99 21:25:27 |
| Comments: |
Served on the Florence Nightingale AP-70. One of about 150
guys assigned to the ship We had two LCM's and about 23 LCVP'. I was an MoMM
in the second boat division until I was transfered off in Nov. 1946. Hope
to get down to your boat. Don't forget to mention that the boat was used
to tow surf boards. Great Job. Well Done to all of you. |
| Name: |
Steve Kupecky - 09/28/99 14:57:50 |
| Comments: |
I am enjoying your website and the history of the Higgins
boat. I hope to get to the D-Day museum one of these days. |
| Name: |
KURT D. SWANSON - 09/28/99 11:11:51 |
| Comments: |
MY FATHER HERBERT A. SWANSON A.K.A. SWEDE (SWEDEN) PROUDLY
SERVED ON THE USS ROCKBRIDGE APA 228 AND IS A PLANK HOLDER. USS ROCKBRIDGE
WON A BATTLE STAR AT JIMA. I AM SURE HE WILL ENJOY THIS WEB SITE. |
| Name: |
Roger Caillouet - 09/27/99 15:23:52 |
| Comments: |
I think this is an excellent way to pay tribute to Mr. Higgins
and what he did for the war effort and New Orleans. |
| Name: |
Christy Schexnayder - 09/27/99 10:40:17 |
| Comments: |
My grandfather worked at Higgins during war-wish he were
here to visit museum when it opens |
| Name: |
Kent F. Marcel - 09/27/99 8:36:49 |
| Comments: |
Great job! Keep up the good work! Because of your devoted
efforts, many people will enjoy and learn from this tremendous project!
OUTSTANDING!!!! |
| Name: |
Louis B. (Lou) Miller - 09/25/99 14:17:37 |
| Comments: |
I was an engineer on an LCPV serving on the USS Starr AKA
67 at Iwo Jima and Okinawa after receiving training on Diesel engines at
the Navy diesel school at Richmond, Va and LCVP training at Ft. Pierce, Fl
Navy Amphibious Base. I am also coordinator for the USS Starr Reunion Assn.
We will meet next at Newport, RI in October 2000. |
| Name: |
Paul Holland - 09/25/99 8:29:18 |
| Comments: |
Very good web page. |
| Name: |
Anthony I. Madere, Jr. - 09/24/99 21:54:52 |
| Comments: |
Thanks for bringing the past into the present and future. |
| Name: |
Steve Faris - 09/23/99 22:41:09 |
| Comments: |
Very,very nice. I'm a big fan! |
| Name: |
Ted Visnich - 09/22/99 23:40:47 |
| Comments: |
Ran a higgins in ww2 in the south pacific.You could not sink
these boats even if you tried. After the war no one wanted to carry the boats
back home so we were told to take them out and sink them. We lowered the
ramps and crashed into the sides of one another and it took us a good 8 hrs
to finally complete the job.The ship I was on was the USS LaGrange APA 124 |
| Name: |
Jonathan McFarland - 09/22/99 15:24:55 |
| Comments: |
Hi I am doing a History Day project over Higgins Industries
effect on World War II and this site is really helpful. |
| Name: |
James H Edwards - 09/22/99 15:00:26 |
| Comments: |
I was on LST28 and am now a crew member of the LST391 (RODOS)we
hope to return from Greece shortly. You guys did a great job.
Did Ron Maranto do much work (ha)?
James Edwards Rt. 1 Box 259A1 Canton, TX 75103
|
| Name: |
Barb Lahnen - 09/22/99 14:12:56 |
| Comments: |
My husband and I are model builders and have been trying
to come up with detail info on the LCVP. This site has helped us a lot and
with any luck thru the e-mail I will be able to find the last details. Good
luck with the new museum and I hope to be able to visit it soon. |
| Name: |
Kristopher Higgins - 09/20/99 17:42:50 |
| Comments: |
Enjoyed your site. |
| Name: |
Wanda Baird - 09/18/99 23:09:11 |
| Comments: |
My father was aboard several LCVP during World War ll and
I was so glad to find out some info about these crafts. He had been
trying to locate information about these LCVP's for quite some tiime.
Great site!!! |
| Name: |
Hal Bootz - 09/18/99 08:40:35 |
| Comments: |
9/18/99-I just finished reviewing Stephen Ambrose's book
"D-Day June 6th. 1944" for the Evansville IN Culture Club. Part of
my pass out for the occasion was the complete story of the Higgins Boat Project
as told on your web site. I hope to see PA33-21 next June. |
| Name: |
Everett Bonner, Jr. - 09/17/99 14:16:33 |
| Comments: |
I am the grandson of B.J. Roberts, U.S.M.C.. It was an honor
to see his picture on the webpage. He would have been so proud to know that
it was displayed for the whole world to see. He spoke very highly about the
boat project and the wonderful people that he met there. It made his last
years some of the best of his life. Thanks for keeping his memory alive,
and thanks for the flowers and prayers. Everett J. Bonner, Jr. |
| Name: |
Robert Drake Bob Drake - 09/11/99 18:40:56 |
| Comments: |
The Higgins Boat project is absolutely great. I wish I could
have been a part of it. The boats were indestructable when treated right
and used properly. We as boat crews were trained in this aspect at Ft. Pierce
ATB in Florida. I was an engineer on LCVP 13 attached to the USS Lenoir AKA
74. The Higgins Boat Project gets a 4.0 in my book. Thanks to everyone involved. |
| Name: |
Hugues ELIARD (FRANCE) - 09/10/99 07:31:42 |
| Comments: |
With all my admiration, receive my sincere congratulations!
Almost feel jealous going through your project now coming to its end. Currently
in contact with Jimmy Duckworth regarding a similar project here in France.
Signed:H.ELIARD |
| Name: |
carl e ashley - 09/08/99 18:29:19 |
| Comments: |
I been read about Higgins boat and saw a short TV progam
on PBS I found it very enlighten. |
| Name: |
William Bass - 09/08/99 17:34:02 |
| Comments: |
Outstanding project! I look forward to seeing PA33-21 on
display at the museum. |
| Name: |
ed kemp - 09/07/99 18:30:44 |
| Comments: |
Was a lcvp boat coxswin during ww2 served on the uss noble
apa 218....glad to see the boat getting it's due.... |
| Name: |
Tim Kelley - 09/03/99 11:40:32 |
| Comments: |
WOW! This is an awesome project and a worthy one. We, The
Restoration Crew of PT309, salute your efforts. Any boat built by Higgins
is worthy of honor and respect. We are restoring the only combat veteran
PT Boat left intact. We hope to make a run to see our Sister Higgins built
boat as soon as possible. Please check out our web site at
www.pt-309.org and see our work. Thank
you for helping to preserve history. We know it is a labor of love for these
fine boats. GOOD LUCK! Tim Kelley, Supply Officer, PT 309. |
| Name: |
malisa wetmore & barry hagen - 08/29/99 22:18:10 |
| Comments: |
My great-uncle, William C. Phelps, helped to make the original
Higgins boats. He is also actively involved in this project. We are
looking forward to sharing the dedication with him and others in November. |
| Name: |
Lyndon Greaney - 08/29/99 17:24:53 |
| Comments: |
Good work: I only know of one of the boats
that exists in the Long Beach,Calif area. It is called (GOTCHA) It had 17`added
to the front and made a nice boat. The man who had it converted in late 40
or early 50`s , has since passed away , He loved that boat and
lived on it until he died. Good luck with project |
| Name: |
John Hartsock - 08/23/99 09:45:53 |
| Comments: |
Congratulations gentlemen on seeing this project through.
It's a wonderful project. |
| Name: |
John P. Collins - 08/23/99 6:17:38 |
| Comments: |
Good job. My father's WWII outfit, Hdqtrs Co. Boat Battalion
534th Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment is holding a reunion in Atlanta this
fall, Sep 23, 24 and 25th. I'll make them aware of this effort.
Let me know if there is anything else you would like to share with them. |
| Name: |
BOB MADDEN - 08/19/99 22:22:32 |
| Comments: |
I WAS A COXSWAIN OF A LCVP ABOARD THE L.S.T. 708, WHICH WAS
A SIX DAVIT SHIP. LOGGED MANY MILES IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC. NEVER
HAD A PROBLEM WITH MY HIGGINS BOAT. |
| Name: |
Thomas J. Harris - 08/17/99 12:32:28 |
| Comments: |
I served 18 months on the USS Walworth County, LST 1164,
from Sept. 1963 to March 1964. While on deployment to Panama Canal,
for six months, we lost one of our LCVP's practicing landings on the Pacific
side. The 18 foot tide rise caught the boat in a rip, and pounded to
pieces before the other boats could get a line on it. After the tide
change, only the keel, engine, skeg, and prop could be found. I only
saw the aftermath.
Thanks for the memories.
|
| Name: |
Larry Smith - 08/16/99 14:58:33 |
| Comments: |
It was a fasinating trip just looking at the photos and wish
I were able and could have been there helping.... |
| Name: |
Patrick Burke - 08/07/99 20:26:06 |
| Comments: |
Thank you for preserving/rebuilding this very important aspect
of World War II history...not many people realize what significance this
boat had in the scope of the conflict. |
| Name: |
Jay Sullivan - 08/05/99 20:13:31 |
| Comments: |
I lived near the Industrial Canal during WW II and rode my
bicycle down to Higgins Industries to watch the boats being tested before
shipping. Two of my uncles worked there until they too went to war.
Nice web site! |
| Name: |
R Taylor - 08/04/99 17:05:09 |
| Comments: |
ATB-Ft. Pierce vets might like the new book WORLD WAR II
IN FORT PIERCE (Arcadia Press, $18.99). This 128- page pictorial history
shows where and how thousands of Higgins boat crews were trained. To order
call 1-888-313-BOOK. |
| Name: |
Russell - 07/26/99 16:54:50 |
| Comments: |
I just stumbled across your "The Higgins Boat" website, and
was pleasantly surprised. My father - a veteran of 7 amphibious assaults
in the Pacific - drove an LCVP on a few occasions. |
| Name: |
Keith Staton - 07/24/99 19:22:12 |
| Comments: |
Stephen Ambrose's books are as moving as 'private
ryan'was. i hope to visit the museum next year! from tangier sound,
chesapeake bay. |
| Name: |
larry hanneken - 07/22/99 23:08:33 |
| Comments: |
I think it was a good idea to build a new landing craft so
all could see how the troups went ashore on d-day. I understand there are
very few in existence I did see one on Utah Beach in May of this year. |
| Name: |
bryan r smith - 07/20/99 18:23:41 |
| Comments: |
hi there! as an owner of a 1949(?) higgins 23 foot sports
speedster, I was wandering around looking for higgins info, and was pleased
to see your site. thanks. |
| Name: |
P T Boats Inc. - 07/16/99 11:03:00 |
| Comments: |
Nicely done website. And thank you for putting up the link
through HNSA to PT 796. For any of your viewers who would like to know more
about the PT boats built by Higgins as well as Elcos and the boats built
for LendLease, please take a look at this organization's website:
www.geocities.com/Pentagon/6140/.
Please visit our museum in Fall River Massachusetts or come to headquarters
in Memphis. The Memphis office also houses our archives. Smooth sailing,
Alyce Guthrie Exec VP |
| Name: |
Ray Harper - 07/16/99 08:21:24 |
| Comments: |
As a Veteran LST Sailor (LST 481) of WW-II I too, have some
fond memories of the Higgins Boat. One in particular was a time when we were
to beach the ship during a Invasion in the Pacific. As was customary we dropped
the Stern Anchor several hundred yards out as we approached the Beach. This
same anchor was used to help pull us off the beach. But this time the anchor
did not hold so it was tied to the side of the LCVP and carried back out
and dropped for another try. This little boat had to struggle to stay afloat
with a 2000 pound anchor tied to it but it did and I dare say Mr Higgins
didn't have this in mind when he designed the Higgins Boat. |
| Name: |
Jerry G. Sweeten - 07/15/99 12:38:30 |
| Comments: |
I am planning a trip to see the memorial next summer, looking
forward to it. Thanks for remembering the brave men and women of WWII. |
| Name: |
Joe & Connie McIntosh - 07/14/99 19:36:53 |
| Comments: |
I lost a brother during world war II during maneuvers while
trying to get off a landing craft in Jacksonville, NC. We were told
that six marines went down as the ramp opened too soon and the marines were
carrying full back packs. My brother was only 19 and we learned that
one of the marines was only 17 years of age. I went to the local paper in
Jacksonville a few years ago and there was no mention of the tragedy.
I sat for hours reading the paper (on microfilm) for the week following the
deaths. Do you think it was human error that caused the problem or
was the craft malfunctioning. I also cannot understand why there was
nothing in the paper. If you can answer any of my questions or direct
me to the right person or agency I would appreciate it. I am only
interested in knowing what happened.
(Received originally as E-mail, on 06 JUN 1999. Posted to the guestbook
on 14 JUL)
|
| Name: |
C.D.Wright - 07/13/99 19:51:08 |
| Comments: |
I am trying to consume anything made by Higgins boat company.
Iam looking for any books or tapes on all Higgins boats .I am most interested
in smaller craft.I have a 1956 17" utility, and would enjoy seeing pix and
anything at all about the boats and the company. |
| Name: |
Paul Duckworth - 07/13/99 00:47:42 |
| Comments: |
Very interesting. I am travelling through New Orleans in
November from my home in New Zealand and would like to visit if possible.
Look forward to seeing your site first hand then. |
| Name: |
Tom Kuha - 07/12/99 17:52:08 |
| Comments: |
Thanks for the boats Mr. Higgins. |
| Name: |
james creeley - 07/11/99 15:15:53 |
| Comments: |
my grandfather was a member of the 45th thunderbirds, he
was staff sargent,Alvin C. Breza,line man.He has passed away this passed
year, and i have become the family historian(which is also my major at L.S.U.)
i have a few items that belonged to "pa" that i would like to give to the
museum. thank you James Creeley |
| Name: |
Earl - 07/10/99 23:43:57 |
| Comments: |
Great project I will try to make the commissioning I own
a ex-army t-boat made by Higgins 1953 |
| Name: |
MR. SWEENEY - 07/10/99 21:26:13 |
| Comments: |
I have the pleasure of owning a higgins boat. Im also happy
to hear that Higgins Ind. is finaly getting the recagnition they desurve.
There boats out classed all the others. |
| Name: |
Steven C. Laroe - 06/27/99 08:40:18 |
| Comments: |
Bravo Zulu well done, looking forward to next
news letter. |
| Name: |
Daniel Baudier - 06/24/99 23:31:50 |
| Comments: |
I heard about this website from a co-worker of my daughter,
James Woodward, who is one of the many volunteer boatbuilders. This
is a really wonderful project and I can't wait to see it in the museum.
My father-in-law, Milton L. Donnell, had worked on the LCVP line building
engine boxes until the plant closed. He would have loved to see this. |
| Name: |
Lou Miller - 06/22/99 08:22:43 |
| Comments: |
I was a boat engineer on LCVP's at the landings at Iwo Jima
and Okinawa while serving on the USS Starr AKA 67. I presently write the
Starr's newsletter. I would like to have information about where films
of the building and training of personnel for the operation of the LCVP at
the Higgins plant might be available for purchase or loan. Also are there
models of the LCVP available for sale? |
| Name: |
John Kochera "Coach" - 06/21/99 00:27:18 |
| Comments: |
While on active duty on the USS Cochrane DDG-21 w/ the Midway
battle group in the late 80's & early 90's, our oiler for replenishment
was the "Andrew J. Higgins". Little did I know until I came home to New Orleans
who AJH was or what the landing craft was about. After all, it was made here!
As a result, the Higgins boat will have a special place w/ me. Very impressed
w/ the web site. |
| Name: |
McInnis L. Gaetjens - 06/19/99 14:39:16 |
| Comments: |
Great Site and can't wait to see The National D-Day Opening
next summer! |
| Name: |
Richard E. Pettit - 06/19/99 12:23:02 |
| Comments: |
During my Tour in Vietnam (1969-1971) we used our LCVP to
transport the crew from the ship to several Liberty sites, and to patrol
around the ship at night. I served on the USS Satyr (ARL-23) The Satyr
is now in the Philippines and may have the LCVP's with her. Nice to see a
part of history being recreated. |
| Name: |
Mal Malloy - 06/18/99 17:11:04 |
| Comments: |
Boat Group Commander - USS RANKIN (AKA-103) 1956-58 VPs still
workhorses during my time in the "Gators". Deployed to the Med in '57 with
4 VPs modified to be minesweeping boats. |
| Name: |
Ralph E. Babcock - 06/17/99 04:09:24 |
| Comments: |
A couple of weeks ago I saw the program on "Sunday Morning"
about the Higgins boat project. I served on the the USS Monrovia, APA31
for approximately one year during 1964-65 as a HM3. My duties during
the 1Alpha drill was as the corpman in the salvage LCM. I offer the
following for the museum and display, if you feel it can be used; my dress
blue uniform that still has the shoulder patch of the the Monrovia.
I might add it was also the uniform issued in boot camp and still has the
original stencils on the items. What is the name of APA33? While
serving on the Monrovia, it was part of the Caribbean Sea Frontier duty operating
with the USS Rockbridge (don't remember the hull number). |
| Name: |
David Vaccaro - 06/15/99 19:10:10 |
| Comments: |
Being a transplanted New Orleanian, I am always fascinated
to hear new history of my beloved home town. I saw the article on "CBS
Sunday Morning". My father worked in a shipyard during the war but not at
Higgins. I am also interested in the manufacture of PBY Catalinas that
took place out on the lakefront. Good luck with your endeavor. |
| Name: |
John Buckley - 06/15/99 14:33:02 |
| Comments: |
The best site I have seen yet on landing craft. Keep up the
good work! |
| Name: |
BMC Daugherty - 05/04/99 01:14:36 |
| Comments: |
Yeah the Higgins boats helped in Korea also,i ran them during
the Korean war while in the Navy in 1951 and 52. great boats,just drop the
ramp let the troops off,make sure you are well up on the beach though or
they got mad |
| Name: |
Jim Damonte - 04/30/99 19:33:34 |
| Comments: |
A most worthwhile project. Great to see it come to fruition. |
| Name: |
Wes Robertson - 04/28/99 01:14:03 |
| Comments: |
My father's been dead for many years now, but family oral
tradition had him as a helmsman on a Higgins Boat, where he delivered and
picked up Navy Combat swimmers at Saipan. I'd always been curious as to what
a Higgins Boat was. I realize I've known all the time, I just called it a
LCVP. I think you've got a great site,good luck with your museum. |
| Name: |
Vincenzo Pinto - 04/08/99 12:03:33 |
| Comments: |
fantastico! your work deserves a TV special. Are you taking
a video about the steps of your enterprise |
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