Guestbook - Page 2

Guestbook - Page 2

The most recent entries are on the main Guestbook page,

which can be accessed through the link below.

Name:

(None Given) - 12/31/1999 17:15:40

E-Mail:

(None Given)

Comments:

Great Site. I own the M/V Carina T 516, a Higgins built T Boat. (1954) Best of Luck!

Name:

Randy Haynes - 12/31/99 15:06:34

E-Mail:

rwhaynes@csehy.com

Comments:

Thank you for being so heavily involved in the D-Day Museum. We must pass on to our children the true meaning of freedom and what it costs. We all pray that we will never face another Hitler, but we must be prepared to pay that ultimate price if called upon.

Name:

j.e. mccarthy, momm 1/c, uss lci 685, south pacific - 12/31/99 14:51:46

E-Mail:

(None Given)

Comments:

your water bugs were the hubahuba amphibious craft of the south pacific. they did every thing and did it well. thanks. j.e.mcc.

Name:

Harry Dunford - 12/30/99 16:28:46

E-Mail:

trixdunfo18@hotmail.com

Comments:

Hello Sir, I served on USS President Jackson (APA-18) from October, 1944 to January 1946. We landed 25th Infantry Division at Lingayen Gulf, Philippines in January, 1945 and the 3rd Marine Division at Iwo Jima in February, 1945. Needless to say, we had a full complement of LCVPs and LCMS. The President Jackson also landed the 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines at Tulagi, Solomon Islands on August 7, 1942 and thus became the first ship to launch an American offensive in WWII. She later was in many battles in the Solomons and made the initial landing at Guam. There were four ships known as the Unholy Fours, the Jackson, Adams, Hayes and Crescent City. I understand the Unholy Four Association has had two LCVP's one PA 18, Jackson, and PA 19, Adams at or near Fort Pierce, Florida. These were in good condition several years ago. I would like information if these LCVPs are still in existence and where they are. There will be a first class museum in Lexington, Missouri by 2004 called Ike Skelton Museum of American Armed Forces. It would be wonderful to obtain one or both of these boats for display at that time. Harry Dunford 2408 South St. Lexington, MO 64067 660-259-3416

Name:

William L Stephens - 12/30/99 13:51:17

E-Mail:

mingusbill@pahrump.net

Comments:

To whom it may concern: You are going a wonderful job with the Museum of WW-II. I am so lucky that I never had to be in on a invasion. I was with the 34th Red Bull Division in Italy from Pantano, Cassino, Anzio, Rome right up to Florence. Thank God I never had to be in on a invasion. It was very hard for me to see the movie Saving Private Ryan. So real. You are going a great job. I have went though all your site. Real great. Try to keep up the wonderful work.

Name:

William L Stephens - 12/30/99 12:21:22

E-Mail:

mingusbill@pahrump.net

Comments:

I am hoping that I will be able to be there in June. As I see it now you are going a great job of making the Museum. I am 76 years young. With 34th Red Bull Division all though Italy in 1943 and 1944. Keep up the great work. It was very hard for me to see the movie of Saving Private Ryan. So real. I was very lucky that I never had to be in on a invasion.

Name:

Mike Moore - 12/30/99 03:00:00

E-Mail:

_lonerngr@excite.com

Comments:

I'm very pleased that this effort is coming to fruition while some of the veterans are still alive to appreciate it. Keep it up.

Name:

Justin T. Yanosick - 12/27/99 18:42:16

E-Mail:

JTY684@planetguide.accesscom.net

Comments:

looking for info on LCVPs
very helpful

Name:

Judy Hokanson - 12/27/99 23:12:09

E-Mail:

hokanson@rochelle.net

Comments:

I was just a baby when this war was going on. After seeing Saving Private Ryan, I'm so moved by the sacrifice that our men and women made for each of us to have the freedom that we have. My most heartfelt THANK YOU to each one who served our country. God Bless You!

Name:

Robert G. (Bob) Huet - 12/27/99 22:20:01

E-Mail:

bhuet@datasync.com

Comments:

This project is really a great one. My dad, George Huet, was with Higgins Industries as head of the Navel Architect and Marine Engineering Department. This project brings back many memories of conversations with my dad about Higgins, boats, and WWII.

Name:

Jack L. Jackson - 12/27/99 13:28:34

E-Mail:

SWABBIE@WCOIL.COM

Comments:

Was Engineman on LCPR on the USS OKANOGAN APA 220 fom l949 to l952. Invasion Inchon, Wonson etc 4 Battle Stars. Great ship. I was on LCVP's and LCM'S also.

Name:

john a lee - 12/26/99 20:16:26

E-Mail:

msdeltacowboy@yahoo.com

Comments:

Great project - Hope to be involved in D-Day Opening.

john a lee
greenwood, ms

Name:

Brent A. Sprague - 12/23/99 15:04:24

E-Mail:

ba_sprague@yahoo.com

Comments:

Very cool....

Also, I would like inquire about the image on your home page.

Name:

Tony Minichiello - 12/22/99 07:49:52

E-Mail:

campgordonjohnston@excitemail.com

Comments:

Planning an article on Amphibious craft for our March 2000 newsletter: "The Amphibian". Would appreciate any input you might want to add.

Most of our WWII members trained at Camp Gordon Johnston in Carrabelle, FL during WWII. They went on to fight in Europe, N. Africa, Italy and the Pacific. Many operated harborcraft as well as amphibious vehicles and LCV's, LCM's and LCI's.

God Bless your efforts!

Name:

Neil Hever - 12/21/99 16:55:36

E-Mail:

wdiyfm@enter.net

Comments:

I would be interested in hearing from anyone who recalls meeting up with my uncle Navy Coxswain Ed Bradshcw on the LCVP APA 192 USS Rutland.

Specifically, I am looking for photos of Ed and his LCVP. His most memorable engagement was at Red Beach #2 on Iwo Jima with the Marines. I don't have any combat photos of Ed or his ship. I know this is a shot in the dark but I thought it was worth a try. Please respond to the e-mail listed or by calling 610-694-8100 ext.3

Name:

Tim Parker - 12/20/99 18:41:09

E-Mail:

(None Given)

Comments:

Great work, guys!!! Cant wait to see it in the museum!

Name:

Richard L. Lemoine - 12/19/99 19:18:22

E-Mail:

dick@kricket.net

Comments:

As a grateful citizen and a WWII history buff, I am so proud that my home state is the location for this wonderful museum which honors Andrew Jackson Higgins and those wonderful men and women of the U S Armed Forces who sacraficed so much and enabled my generation to enjoy the benifits of their profound contrubution.

Name:

MATT GEMPLER - 12/19/99 18:13:51

E-Mail:

(None Given)

Comments:

Im in grate interist of wwII. Im so glad other people take enterets in it too.

Name:

Bill Slack - 12/17/99 23:23:48

E-Mail:

weslack@home.com

Comments:

Was pointed toward the site by Dr. James Green with whom I served on the Bayfield. I was the Combat Cargo Officer '64-'66 and was very familiar with the LCVP's and LCM's. Great to see the museum getting going. Also understand there is to be a reunion for all former Bayfield crew next year in Las Vegas. I intend to get there.

Name:

LARRY FRITZ - 12/16/99 11:24:41

E-Mail:

LFRITZ2549@planetguide.accesscom.net

Comments:

VERY INTERESTING WOULD LIKE BETTER VIEW OF FINISHED CRAFT AND THE DIMENSIONS.
SURE DID NOT LOOK BIG ENOUGH FOR 36 MEN. DID THE ORIGINAL HIGGINS BOATS HAVE TWIN MACHINE GUNS

Name:

Antonio M. Pabon - 12/13/99 15:03:28

E-Mail:

james_bond_33051@yahoo.com

Comments:

Thank God for American Engenuity and the American soldier. My Famuly and I would not be here be it the effort in WWII by the allies. Thank You!

Name:

John Domingue - 12/10/99 16:58:43

E-Mail:

jedia@worldnet.att.net

Comments:

Am anxious to see this WW2 landing craft! Got any info on the WW2 "water buffalo"? (Betio, Tarawa, November 1943?)

Name:

JOHN KURTH - 12/08/99 15:33:14

E-Mail:

john.kurth@yale.edu

Comments:

was on Monrovia APA31 '52-'53 a div boat eng'r.
Building scratch model of 31, r.c 1/8' scale with all boats. Wish I could get to the Museum.

Name:

Glenn C. Friedly - 12/08/99 10:25:23

E-Mail:

gfriedly@sprynet.com

Comments:

In 1944 and '45 I was flying on a B-17 in the 7th ERS on Okinawa. Below our bomb bay we carried a molded plywood boat built by Higgins. On a rescue mission this boat was dropped from the B-17 and supported by three parachutes until it landed on the water.

Are there any records, specifications or photos available of this Higgins vessel?

Thanks for your help.

Name:

Chuck Prine - 12/08/99 08:12:27

E-Mail:

cdprine38@yahoo.com

Comments:

I enjoyed looking at the site. My dad run a higgins boat in WWII, in the South Pacific

Name:

b-wick - 12/07/99 18:23:15

E-Mail:

Lungoo@cs.net

Comments:

I've watched the movie Saving Private Ryan and learned of your museum from the video. I am coming to Orleans Feb. 6th, 2000 to run in the marathon and am going to visit your museum.

Name:

robert f mitchell - 12/06/99 12:12:36

E-Mail:

rfmitchjr.@aol.com

Comments:

I was stationed at Higgins City Park plant in the summer of 1943 with the Amphibious Engineer Detachment. My job was to ship LCVPs to the Southwest Pacific knocked down in crates. We could not get deck space due to fighter plane priorities.

Name:

Al Joellenbeck - 12/05/99 19:50:23

E-Mail:

jolnbk@compu-type.net

Comments:

For anyone wishing to see a history of the USS Bayfield, APA-33, go to http://www.uss-salem.org/danfs/amphib/apa33.htm

Name:

Norma Williams - 12/04/99 21:28:50

E-Mail:

npcw@ticnet.com

Comments:

I just finished watching Saving Private Ryan on video today and got your website from the movie. I have enjoyed looking at your website and will look at it again. It is very interesting.

Name:

Allan Joellenbeck - 12/04/99 20:46:04

E-Mail:

jolnbk@compu-type.net

Comments:

I served on the USS Bayfield, APA-33 as a radio operator from 1951-1955 and participated in many lcvp landings in and around Korea and Japan. They were a great boat, thanks to A. J. Higgins. Thanks also to all that participated in the building of PA33-21. I'm envious that I didn't help.

Name:

R. Farmer - 12/01/99 11:07:43

E-Mail:

rfarmer@gs.verio.net

Comments:

Long overdue..partial payment for a debt we owe including my dad who was a pathfinder with the FSSF.

Name:

Terry Miller - 11/29/99 13:00:54

E-Mail:

temiller@eatel.net

Comments:

Excellent project you are undertaking there. Along with the relatives of mine who participated in a military role in Italy and France, there were more who worked at the plant and Avondale shipyard.

If you have need of any 3D computer animated simulation, please let me know. I would be willing to donate some time for the effort.

Terry Miller
ImagiMation
http://www.im3d.com

Name:

George Edmonston Jr. - 11/28/99 09:02:34

E-Mail:

edmonstg@ucs.orst.edu

Comments:

Served on USS Bayfield from 1966/67 as RM3. Thanks to all involved on the project for honoring Bayfield by numbering the new boat "PA-33." Makes me feel very proud of the "Mighty B."

Name:

MKCM P.W.Evans USCG - 11/27/99 18:25:14

E-Mail:

pwe@ezy.net

Comments:

Very good, small boat easy to work on, of course it will get you wet also your personall and cargo.
Rebuilt two LCVP while station on the CG Courier W410
Rodes, Greece

Name:

John Blossey - 11/27/99 09:54:55

E-Mail:

lincoln_county@hotmail.com

Comments:

hello i took and bought saving private ryan and it had a little flyer in side and i always wanted to see what my grandfather went throught when he was over their fighting in the war now i know what he went through and i like the site and i hope to go to the museum in new orleans , LA thank you.

Name:

Erik Rodam - 11/27/99 05:51:32

E-Mail:

rodamrodam@hotmail.com

Comments:

Interesting site. I was doing my military service on a former german E-boat in 1956-57 as an engineer.

Name:

JAMES E DOUGHAN - 11/26/99 21:51:44

E-Mail:

jdoughan@efn.org

Comments:

Very nice home page and a great boat

Name:

Dave Hawk - 11/26/99 11:44:47

E-Mail:

hawkeye@gbasin.net

Comments:

I served aboard USS Bayfield 1960-63 I was Coxswains on many of the LVCP's and Mike boats.
I have great memories from hitting the beach in LCVP.
I learned the craft at Philbase Coronado, California it was a 30 day class of hitting beach and backing off, hitting beach backing off. Fun days I will remember always. Dave Hawk BM3 USS Bayfield APA-33.

Name:

stephen boyd - 11/26/99 03:50:19

E-Mail:

www.grehota@aol.com

Comments:

i seen one of these in panama city converted into a houseboat. any way i can get the dimensions and detailed pictures of one? ww2 nut thinking of building a remote control. i am glad you built one because it will probably be the only real one i get to see. keep up the good work

Name:

Ronald L. Rinehart - 11/25/99 20:27:22

E-Mail:

captainron@prodigy.net

Comments:

My father, William L. Rinehart, worked at the plant in the 1940's.

Name:

Don Cooper - 11/25/99 17:36:57

E-Mail:

helmsman@msn.com

Comments:

Eisenhower was right!

Name:

WILLIAM JUDSON BARDEN - 11/25/99 17:33:26

E-Mail:

JKBARDEN@WEBTV.NET

Comments:

I SERVED A RDSN,RD-3,RD-2 ON THE USS CAVALIER APA-37,THE USS BAYFIELD APA-33 AND CLOSED OUT MY HITCH ABOARD THE USS DIACHENKO APD-123 IN 1963. DOES ANYONE REMEMBER WHEN WE SUNK THE HIGGINGS BOAT AT BUCKNER BAY, OKINAWA IN THE SPRING OF 62 ? SURE WERE SOME RED FACES OVER THAT ONE.

Name:

Donald F Beach - 11/25/99 09:03:57

E-Mail:

dbeach@ucnsb.net

Comments:

Being a coxswain 0n LCVP #6-assigned to Lst494 & with a great crew. Justin Bluto--Bob Fike--Ugene Spiker & O W Sutton. Our LCVP was A great workhorse & never let us down.

Name:

Norman Higgins - 11/25/99 08:49:11

E-Mail:

higpen@flash.net

Comments:

I saw the Modern Marvels show.

There are a lot of Andrew Jackson Higgins in my family, dating back to 1820. I'm wondering if he may be part of our family tree.

Do you have any lineage information on Mr. Higgins?
If so, I would appreciate anything that you can share.

Name:

MAJ R. J. Murphy, USAR - 11/21/99 16:57:43

E-Mail:

(None Given)

Comments:

Mr. Higgins contribution to WWII and amphibious warfare in general are unquestionable. This country owes him a debt that can never be repaid. His role in the invasion of Europe is still the subject of interest and study within the military profession. RJM

Name:

Jerry Larsen - 11/18/99 08:14:59

E-Mail:

jerryjan@earthlink.net

Comments:

This is a marvelous project and deserving of support. I was serving on the U.S.S. Bayfield (APA-33), WHICH WAS serving as a task unit flagship within TG 77.6, in the mid-60s when we conducted the first opposed amphibious assult since Korea, Operation Starlight, and later Operation Pirranha in Vietnam, in 1965. Along with LCMs, the LCVPs were the principal landing craft used in these major landings. The techniques for circling the boats and using them in waves had not really changed from WWII.

Jerry Larsen (ex-COM Officer, COMPHIBRON 7)

Name:

Nick Longworth - 11/11/99 23:53:58

E-Mail:

NLongw2069@AOL.com

Comments:

What other exibits will you have? Will you have any dioramas of the beach landings? I think this is a great museum. It lets the men of that great generation know that they are appreciated by the young generation of the 90's. Thank you to all the men who has served.

Name:

Dino Panicacci - 11/09/99 16:06:57

E-Mail:

dinop@moonlink.net

Comments:

Good luck.

Name:

Dave Tremper - 11/09/99 05:50:47

E-Mail:

david_tremper@gasonics.com

Comments:

I'm enjoying what I'm seeing on this site. Keep up the great work. Hope to be in New Orleans for 6/6/00... Dave in CT

Name:

Charles Asprion - 11/08/99 19:14:33

E-Mail:

cjtheasp@gte.net

Comments:

A great job guys, you all deserve some special recognition.

Name:

ROCKY CASH - 11/08/99 09:21:51

E-Mail:

rmnncash@kanokla.net

Comments:

I love this country, I thank you for what you are doing and I hope to get to see your boat some day.

Name:

Gordon Brightsen, Captain, USAF (retired) - 11/07/99 12:46:10

E-Mail:

brightsen_gordon@bah.com

Comments:

To the men who saved the free world.

Thanks for what you did 55 years ago and thanks for building this wonderful boat. I'll bring my kids to see it.

Gordon Brightsen, Captain, USAF (retired)

Name:

George L. Brewer - 11/06/99 13:11:53

E-Mail:

twobruz@metrolink.net

Comments:

The U.S.S. Bayfield, APA33, was probably built to carry Higgins boats. From March of '50 to April 53,while I was aboard, our boats invaded Inchon, Korea and evacuated soldiers and marines from Hungnam.We found out that with some slight modifications, you could live aboard that great boat for a few days. GO NAVY GO HIGGINS BOAT.

Name:

Michael J. Odette - 11/01/99 14:49:22

E-Mail:

odettelaw@aol.com

Comments:

My father, Robert J. Odette, SM2, USS Dickens, APA 161, trained and served in the Higgins boats of the Dickens at Iwo Jima. They lost most of their boats during the landings of elements of the 28th Regt, 5th Marine Div on Iwo green beach, 2-19-45. There are 1 or 2 existing and operational Higgins boats being used by the Mackinaw Island municipal authority to haul bulk good and garbage to and from St. Ignace on the mainland. You might want to consider one of these in a pinch. After the Iwo work, the Dickens returned to Saipan with wounded, survivors of the sunken BISMARCK SEA, and picked up a new complement of Higgins boats which she used soon after at the Okinawa landings.

Name:

Vic Nadurak - 10/29/99 21:04:59

E-Mail:

Vic_Nadurak@bc.sympatico.ca

Comments:

I am presently working a LCVP as a commercial transport for construction goods, divers and kayakers in the Gulf Islands of British Columbia. It was wonderful to see your project and photos. Good Luck with a great boat. CHEERS...

Name:

Sam Rubin - 10/26/99 23:55:59

E-Mail:

samrubin@wa.freei.net

Comments:

Was on APA 199 Magoffin and as signalman I was assigned to the lcvp used for man overboard situations and made several trips out in one. Also aboard LSM 348 and made many trips in them going for mail in San Diego. Glad I never had to make a real landing in one.

Name:

John Rinehart - 10/26/99 21:10:22

E-Mail:

procard@gateway.net

Comments:

We are hoping to be in New Orleans in June, our father William Rinehart was a part of the Higgins Boats. I remember see the old company news papers. I still have some of my dads baseball & bowling days with Higgins. Thanks for letting us see what our father was involved with in his youth. Thanks, John

Name:

Roy Amburgey - 10/26/99 16:34:43

E-Mail:

doroy@jps.net

Comments:

The first boats that I operated were LCPs (Solid bow), with gasoline engines,(Hall Scott), off the USS American Legion(APA17). We trained marines in New Zealand. My LCP was swamped & sunk at Piakarika (probably misspelled) with loss of a few men. Made the first landing at Guadalcanal. Was transferred to APD7(USS Talbot, a converted WW1 four stack DD). Changed to Gray Marine diesel engines with personnel ramps(LCPRs) & made landings all the way to Okinawa. Those boats would take many bullets without sinking.

Name:

Tom Snedeker - 10/26/99 08:00:56

E-Mail:

tom_snedeker@mail.bankone.com

Comments:

Congatulations !!! Looking forward to the ride and to the 6th.

Name:

Roy White - 10/26/99 01:12:56

E-Mail:

Raptorman20@aol.com

Comments:

I operated off of the U.S.S. Henrico (APA-45) from 1965 to 1970. I would like to get in touch with some old shipmates if possible. Thanks, Roy White.

Name:

Douglas Graham - 10/22/99 15:19:48

E-Mail:

dgraham@bu.edu

Comments:

I enjoyed looking at your photo collection, it's nice to see the hard work and pride the people building the boat put into it. I can't wait to see the exhibit.

Name:

David E. Baird - 10/18/99 10:04:53

E-Mail:

exlst446@sprintmail.com

Comments:

Very impressive!!! I hope that we can do as well with the LST 391.

Name:

J.D. Green - 10/14/99 17:06:31

E-Mail:

jdgreen@bayou.com

Comments:

Served on USS Bayfield (APA-33) 1965-1966

Name:

bill wollenhaupt - 10/11/99 10:52:08

E-Mail:

woll@ecentral.com

Comments:

I drove one of these great boats in the early 50's. I was aboard the USS VERMILLION AKA 107. I sure wish in my old age I could drive one of those boats again. It was one of the great times of my life that I would not trade for all the money in the world.

GO NAVY!!!!!!

Bill

Name:

Jerry Lopez - 10/09/99 13:49:09

E-Mail:

jlopez-auburndale@worldnet.att.net

Comments:

Served on the USS Magoffin APA-199 (1964-1965) and I am a member of the Veterans association. We have a web site at: http://home.att.net/~jlopez-auburndale/GUESTBK.HTM

I will add link to your excellent site.

Jerry Lopez

Name:

Francis W. Pereira - 10/07/99 10:42:08

E-Mail:

WillP195@aol.com

Comments:

I had training, & was assigned to an L.C.S.(R) on the invasion of Guam. It was 36 ft. long, had armor plating, twin 50 calibre machine guns, three 30 calibre machine guns, & 72 rockets. I have not seen any info on this craft. Any info on this landing craft?

Name:

Brent McClearen - 10/04/99 21:31:48

E-Mail:

brent@multipro.com

Comments:

GREAT JOB! I hope your projects go well!

Name:

Schulz, John A. - 10/01/99 11:17:24

E-Mail:

apa33@juno.com

Comments:

As a member of the crew of the USCG Manned USS Bayfield APA33, which participated in the Normandy, Southern France, Iwo Jima and Okinawa Landings, I was well aware of the important role the Higgins boat played in the overall war effort.

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