The most recent entries are on the main Guestbook
page, |
which can be accessed through the link below. |
| Name: |
matt vanoli - 03/28/00 21:50:04 |
| Comments: |
very interesting information |
| Name: |
Ross Jones - 03/28/00 18:22:52 |
| Comments: |
Thank you for putting together such a wonderful resource
on WW2 history. I look forward to sharing this website with my 4 year old
son when he gets older and can appreciate the details of your work.
We can never replace the lives lost in WWII or add to their glory, but I'm
thankful to know the quality of tools this country gave them to fight with
and the courage God gave them to complete the mission.
May He also continue to bless you in your work. |
| Name: |
SHMitchell - 03/27/00 02:45:27 |
| Comments: |
very good will be back |
| Name: |
dan dumestre - 03/26/00 17:09:48 |
| Comments: |
keep up the great work. my dad rode one into Iwo Jima
with the 31th C.B.'s |
| Name: |
MKCM Keith Livingstone, USCG - 03/21/00 10:13:26 |
| Comments: |
Glad to see the project was a success!! What a great
accomplishment for all who were involved. I'm glad that I was able to have
somewhat a small part in the project. My hat's off to LT Duckworth! |
| Name: |
Jim Moonshower - 03/20/00 20:16:42 |
| Comments: |
Great project, will be sending in a contribution. Have read
Stephen Ambose's books and enjoyed them immensly. |
| Name: |
Rich Higgins - 03/19/00 09:25:08 |
| Comments: |
Sent a copy of this to my son Andrew who is currently in
the middle of the Indian Ocean in the US Navy. We are originally from Boston.
His email is ahiggins@cwnetdg.io
|
| Name: |
Ray Harper - 03/18/00 16:54:48 |
| Comments: |
I was aboard LST 481 for 2 years (1944 - 1946) and I can
tell you first hand that the Higgins Boat was very active in all of the Invasions
that we were on in the South Pacific. We could not have done without them. |
| Name: |
rick - 03/18/00 16:20:42 |
| Comments: |
awesome...thanks for sharing this with the world..alberta
canada |
| Name: |
Earl E. Arnold - 03/18/00 07:27:13 |
| Comments: |
LST 647 coxswain, looking for others in the Asiatic-Pacific
Campaign, 1944-46. Involved in the invasion of the Kerma-Rettas, I E Shima,
Okinawa. The Higgins boat was a a great and very strong boat--I wore out
two of them! I was the acting chaplain which only enhanced the chances of
success on that Higgins boat, right? Contact, please! |
| Name: |
Albert Rivette - 03/17/00 02:45:01 |
| Comments: |
I am a lifetime friend of Lt. Duckworth's father of 65 years.
I am proud of Lt Duckworth's contrubition to the Higgins boat project. I
am a vet. of 9 years In the US. Navy, and I like to see that someone is
interested in preserving history. |
| Name: |
Mike Weber - 03/16/00 21:39:13 |
| Comments: |
Very good and informative article.Brings back memories of
my father and his friends talking about climbing down the cargo nets and
dropping down into HIGGINS BOAT. |
| Name: |
Gloria L. Segura - 03/16/00 18:34:33 |
| Comments: |
Excellent write ups re Higgins boats. My husband's uncle
drove (steered) one during several landings. We have long been interested
in the boats. Au revoir |
| Name: |
Wilburn W. Norwood - 03/15/00 19:50:13 |
| Comments: |
Served on LST 130, 1943-1946. We carried 2 LCVPs.
I was coxswain, spent many hours on Higgins Boat.
Invasion Saipan, transported troops to beach,
took wounded to Hospital ship, made smoke, picked
up mail and payroll from PBY, used as tugboat,
carried anchor. It was a real work horse. |
| Name: |
R Jagers - 03/14/00 15:50:59 |
| Comments: |
I hope to attend the opening of the D-Day Museum. I have
participated in 4 landings. B Jagers LST 351 |
| Name: |
Gavin Higgins - 03/14/00 02:02:27 |
| Comments: |
I was most impressed to learn of the Higgins boat by searching
the web. I was even more excited to find that the designer was also of Irish
descent which I am also.
It would be interesting to find out if we were perhaps distant relatives. |
| Name: |
matt vanoli - 03/13/00 23:38:15 |
| Comments: |
I never heard of Andrew Higgins before, but I am doing my
history research paper on him. Please let me know where I can find info about
him. Thanks. |
| Name: |
Mike - 03/10/00 23:57:42 |
| Comments: |
Your webpage is very well done, thank you for all of the
time you've invested in doing such a first-rate job on it, and good luck
with the project! I saw in one of these veteran's website guestbooks a comment
about a new WWII novel,"The Triumph and the Glory". Curious, I got a copy
from amazon.com, read it, and was quite impressed. Like that other fellow,
I always appreciate hearing about a good book, so I'm passing on the word
whenever I visit a military website. But more to the point, I just wanted
to let you know I was here and like what you've done with your webpage. Keep
up the good work, it IS appreciated! |
| Name: |
John Lee - 03/09/00 19:45:22 |
| Comments: |
I was a wet-behind-the ears 18 year old enlistee in the Navy.
I was assigned to LST 690 and my first assignment was bow hookman on an LCVP.
It was sheer excitement for a kid. Later on I became a cook-striker and finally
was Ship's Cook. We saw action in the Mediterranean and the Asiatic-South
Pacific theaters. Even at 73 years I can recognize the sound of a Gray-Marine
diesel engine instantly. That was the sound of WW2 for me. Thanks for the
workhorse, the LCVP. J.C. Lee, US LST 690-1944-1946 |
| Name: |
genamae - 03/09/00 12:45:48 |
| Comments: |
its very interesting. |
| Name: |
Ron Servin - 03/08/00 17:32:07 |
| Comments: |
Interesting site. I was a boat cox'n for our LCVP (Papa)
boat. I served aboard the USS POLK COUNTY LST 1084. VIETNAM,1967-1969. A
very interesting site indeed. |
| Name: |
David - 03/08/00 10:32:34 |
| Comments: |
i like you site. i just love higins boats cause i am so amazed
and interested in world war 2 cause once i saw saving private ryan i just
want to learn more about this. i just want you to send me some pics and all
about world war 2. well, i gotta go so bye. |
| Name: |
Fred R. Castagna - 03/05/00 16:31:47 |
| Comments: |
I worked at the Industrial Canal yard for Higgins from 1944-1946.
I eventually became the Chief Coordinator of the Yard. It would be nice to
hear from any other old timers out there who may have worked in the same
area. Good luck with the project, I hope to make it to opening day. |
| Name: |
edward j. kennedy - 03/03/00 19:39:36 |
| Comments: |
i was one of the crew, lcvp 15 uss calvert apa 32 1950-1951 |
| Name: |
Dan - 02/28/00 17:34:24 |
| Comments: |
Interesting site. |
| Name: |
george evans - 02/28/00 11:41:30 |
| Comments: |
stephen ambrose hits the nail on the head stressing the
importance of the higgins boat on such a crucial day |
| Name: |
Walter Heimert - 02/28/00 09:50:38 |
| Comments: |
Having read countless books on WW11 and visited Normandy
, Berchasgarten. Eagles Nest, Lintz Aus. Mauthausen concentration camp. and
many other historical sites of WWII Before I take off this summer for another
trip to the Continent I would like to expand my knowledge of these sites
as much as possible.Also I would like to know if there are any discussion
groups via the WEB that i could get some imput. The more I learn the more
questions I have. |
| Name: |
Chuck Lutz - 02/25/00 16:23:24 |
| Comments: |
Well Done! I remember in the '60's there was a row of LCVP's
sunk as a breakwater in Richardson Bay next to highway 101 in Sausalito.
They must have been left over at the yards there where the Liberty or Victory
ships were built. Too bad no one had the foresight to keep a couple for
posterity. They finally sank below the surface in the bay mud, but I remember
the top of the ramp, the gun tubs and the wheel sticking out of the water
for years. |
| Name: |
Larry J.(Irish)McMahon - 02/22/00 13:29:02 |
| Comments: |
I was on an LCM with the 3rd.ESB....Then transfered to the
2ESB and I ran an LCVP. Oct. 17th, 1944 I was the 50 cal. Machine Gunner
on the LCPR & we landed the 6th Rangers the first ashore Philippines
before Leyte on the 20th. Oct.1944..(we were assigned to a Navy Destroyer
Escort.) the only ARMY BOAT...... |
| Name: |
Steve Tillman - 02/21/00 20:04:06 |
| Comments: |
I enjoyed Jerry's book on Higgins very much. A very readible
History text. Quite something for a "Lucky Dog" guy. God bless and my best
to your Mother.
Steve Tillman
3440 Clayton Road East
Fort Worth, TX 76116
steven5ogl@aol.com
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| Name: |
Donald L Riley - 02/21/00 19:50:37 |
| Comments: |
Just found your website via a National D-Day Museum link.
I spent a lot of hours in a Higgins LCVP as a boat engineer. Fortunately
mine were in 1952 and 1953 aboard the USS Deuel, APA-160, and the landings
were not under enemy fire. |
| Name: |
cathy - 02/21/00 19:33:00 |
| Comments: |
I linked my Dad's world war two picture on my home page to
the Higginsboat.org site. My page can be viewed at
http://sites.netscape.net/cathyarnett/
and it is advertising the grand opening of the D Day museum,among other things.
It is a non commercial home page.
Thanks for honoring the D Day particpants like my Dad and others. This is
a wonderful idea ! |
| Name: |
Austin Oubre - 02/20/00 18:31:54 |
| Comments: |
Higgins boats are fine military tools and if wasn't for them
we may not have won the war. |
| Name: |
Harvey T. Jones Jr. - 02/20/00 15:28:27 |
| Comments: |
What a great project!!
My dad was a marine carpenter for A.J. Higgins from 1940 to 1945. I'm sorry
he's not alive to see this!
With Regards
Harv Jones Jr. |
| Name: |
Bob Maidt - 02/18/00 13:56:13 |
| Comments: |
Boat engineer on LCVP 24 on board USS MAGOFFIN APA199.
Terriffic little boat |
| Name: |
Welton Stein - 02/16/00 16:29:27 |
| Comments: |
Hope to visit the new display when completed. I operated
the LCM as a member of Co.C 593rd EBSR in the SWP for 2 years. |
| Name: |
cathy arnett - 02/15/00 21:13:56 |
| Comments: |
As a resident of the state of Louisiana, and as the daughter
of a D day participant, Floyd W.Hudgins, formerly of Richmond,VA., I would
like to take this opportunity to thank the organizers of the Higgins boat
project and the subsequent D Day museum in New Orleans. If someone would
like to contact me, I would be more than glad to help in any way that I possibly
can. My father's infantry was one of the first to participate in D Day, and
one of his comrades wrote a book entitled "If You Survive". My Dad, now age
82, still has vivid memories of the horrors of the war,and as a purple heart
recipient,he could have been one of the "consultants" for the movie "Saving
Private Ryan".
God bless our veterans, and thank you for all that you have done and still
continue to do for America, our freedom and please take time to view my home
page, at
http://sites.netscape.net/cathyarnett/
and therein is a picture of my Dad. Again, I look forward to becoming involved,
in some way, with this project, since I live fairly near New Orleans. |
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| Name: |
Oliver R. Smith - 02/15/00 20:16:18 |
| Comments: |
I attended Higgins Boat School in Oct. 1942. I was in Co."C"
543rd EB&SR. The Co. had 45 LCMs. I operated a "J" Boat similar to the
spoon bow LCPL. It had been a LCS, Steel on the freeboard & con. with
Rockets & Machine gun mount. We converted her on Mindoro Is. P.I. Removed
all steel & rockets. Built flying Bridge a very serviceable boat for
our work. The rockets & Machine guns went on one of our Gun Boats which
was a decked over LCM with a 40mm on the fordeck. We called her "Bordon's
Baby Battle Ship" |
| Name: |
stephen russell - 02/12/00 08:10:37 |
| Comments: |
Saw Higgins in every WW2 movie, & need copies (100) for
my project involving Adventure Cruise line theme.
Plus your PT type as well.
My PO site: 409 Burchett 318, Glendale CA 91203.
Bigger sizes of LVCPs would be ideal. |
| Name: |
Ivan J. Vikin - 02/11/00 08:10:05 |
| Comments: |
Thank you to everyone involved in the construction of the
Higgins Boat. We should never forget what the soldiers and sailors of the
US Armed Forces sacrificed for our nation during WWII. The concept of "Duty,
Honor, and Country" in my opinion has faded from the minds of Americans in
recent years. |
| Name: |
D Headley - 02/10/00 16:48:25 |
| Comments: |
Some Man! Some Boat! |
| Name: |
Scott Adams - 02/10/00 14:03:59 |
| Comments: |
Great job guys !! My grandfather worked on these boats during
the war and now my father has helped to recreate the past. Looks good dad. |
| Name: |
Matthew Meagher - 02/09/00 09:02:27 |
| Comments: |
I am in the eight grade and working on a school project about
the Higgins Boat and found your WEB site very helpful. Thank you for the
help and Thank you Veterans. |
| Name: |
Frank Minor - 02/09/00 05:30:52 |
| Comments: |
Good job! Thanks for preserving a little of our history. |
| Name: |
Robert "Skip" Cutler - 02/08/00 04:19:57 |
| Comments: |
Jimmy Duckworth and crew have done an amazing job putting
this project together. Many thanks to Mr. Duckworth Sr. for taking the time
to show "Das Boat" to both my wife and myself. |
| Name: |
David Hackshaw - 02/06/00 13:54:02 |
| Comments: |
During the early 50's, my father Bill Hackshaw, acquired
a Eureka 36 from the government of St. Lucia which was donated to them by
the U.S government. It was powered with a 250hp Hall Scott invader(I think
thats the correct wording). She was quite fast in those days, but I don't
know exactly her top speed and would like to know what it was. We used her
for many years, between the island of St.Lucia, to St. Vincent to the south,
and Martinique to the north. We used her for rescue work, sports fishing,
and a lot of partying. Her registration number in St. Lucia was R215, and
she was well know throughout the Caribbean. We have put as much as 45 people
on board and have had her into extremely heavy seas. We eventually repowered
her with a Chrysler straight eight, and later on with a Ford 6 cylinder diesel.
We had the stern bashed in once by another boat and we chopped off one foot
to repair it.
She was a real sweet old girl with a lot of memories, and is still talked
about amongst the older folks!!!
Thank God for Higgins! |
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| Name: |
Robert E Vedomske - 02/04/00 19:31:12 |
| Comments: |
Was a gunner on a Higgins in WW2 aboard The AGC11 USS Eldorado
from 1944 to 1946 two Invasions Iwo Jima and Okinawa |
| Name: |
Robert Lauer - 01/31/00 17:58:37 |
| Comments: |
Looking forward to seeing your efforts at the Museum.
Do any Guests have any information on DUKWs? Another understated Invasion
workhorse. |
| Name: |
Joe Knotek - 01/31/00 10:04:00 |
| Comments: |
Great, Great site. I spent many hours in those boats while
aboard LST 1164. |
| Name: |
Pete Hittle - 01/31/00 08:54:26 |
| Comments: |
I'll be in New Orleans 6 June 2000. Can't wait! My Uncle,
the late Mr. Roman Lukes was a Utah Beach and 4th Division Veteran. He was
a native of Sioux City, Iowa , but moved to Norco, Louisiana permanantly
in 1946, where he worked for over 35 years for Shell. |
| Name: |
A Monroe - 01/31/00 06:24:07 |
| Comments: |
Your web brings back memories. I think we use to use those
to go on liberty to the islands from the the big Boys.
Keep up the good work. |
| Name: |
Pat G. King, Sr. - 01/29/00 15:41:42 |
| Comments: |
I think that this project is long overdue and I want to thank
the people involved in getting this project off the ground especially Dr.
Stephen Ambrose. He is truly the veterans friend. I am submitting this entry
in memory of my dad.
SSgt. Gordon E. King
2nd Marine Division
United States Marine Corps
1941-1955
Hammond, Louisiana
Thank-you very much,
Pat G. King, Sr. |
| Name: |
delepeleire - 01/29/00 01:06:07 |
| Comments: |
Fantastic, only in my wildest dreams
Jean-Pierre Delepeleire- Belgium |
| Name: |
Ed Wey - 01/25/00 14:28:34 |
| Comments: |
Just visiting during my web surf of WWII. |
| Name: |
David Markowitz - 01/24/00 15:43:37 |
| Comments: |
I was driving one of them in July 42 at Cape Cod. I was with
the 1st Engineer Special Brigade. Africa, Sicily, Italy and Normandie. We
got Dukw in Africa and I think the Coast Guard took over after that. |
| Name: |
Mike Hayes - 01/24/00 11:55:53 |
| Comments: |
Congratulations to all concerned. Makes the hair on my neck
bristle with emotion! Thank God for the people who designed, made, crewed
& were transported in them. |
| Name: |
Richard Schell - 01/21/00 18:52:51 |
| Comments: |
As a member of a few of the USS Zeilin AP9/APA3 Beach Landing
Parties during WWII in the South Pacific. We all learned to love the LCVP
as an Extremely Reliable Boat, as long as she had a coxswain at her helm
and a working engine even when she was a little tore up, you knew you were
going to make it back to your ship |
| Name: |
liborio "frank" zambito,jr. - 01/20/00 19:26:42 |
| Comments: |
dear sirs
what a grand project. it felt good seeing these boats again. maybe some day
i can get to the museum. i served aboard the uss rockbridge apa 228 64-68.
we useto call them papa boats i don't know where this name came from.
i was a boatswains mate/ coxwain back then and spent many hours in these
boats. i often whish i had one.
iam courious about pa33-21 is it possible that the bayfeild was re named.
when i served at this time the ship apa 33 was the uss monrovia and was our
flag ship of the 8th amphibious squadren of the sixth fleet. ioften wished
i could go somewhere to show my family what i did in the navy as they did
not know me then. i am very glad to see projects like yours to keep these
traditions alive. the amphib forces are so much different now. i still think
we could out do them in a landing. well its getting late godspeed in your
efforts
good luck too all past and present members of the navy |
| Name: |
Cheryl Conatser Vandiver - 01/20/00 12:20:14 |
| Comments: |
R.A. McDerby is my "Uncle Mac" I value his stories as a
contribution to our history, and am thrilled to see his pictures on your
web site. Thank you for this comprehensive view. |
| Name: |
R.W.Cheadle - 01/17/00 15:20:27 |
| Comments: |
Very interested in your project. As ex-navy and a LCM cox...crew
aboard the U.S.S. Oberon A.K.A. 14 during WW II. We plan to visit New Orleans
in the later part of April and plan to visit the Museum at that time.
Any help would be appreciated.
Also we are considering New Orleans as a place for a future ships reunion.
R.W.C. |
| Name: |
CORPRAL - 01/17/00 12:30:53 |
| Comments: |
I LOVE HIGGINS BOATS! |
| Name: |
S. Cooper, BMC, USCG - 01/16/00 20:28:36 |
| Comments: |
I was looking through the internet for info on the Higgins
Boats when I found your site. I'm trying to locate plans for the Higgins
Boat, so I may construct a scale model for display in the Douglas Munro Memorial
at USCG TRACEN Cape May. Any help with locating these plans would be appreciated. |
| Name: |
Bill Judge - 01/16/00 09:52:46 |
| Comments: |
I was a boat cox on the LST607 |
| Name: |
David W. Murray - 01/12/00 13:57:40 |
| Comments: |
Great Project, Godspeed!
The Higgins story doesn't end with WWII, I commanded an Army Higgins-built
(1946) LCM-8 carrying Infantrymen of the 199th Light Infantry Bde. west of
Saigon in 1968-69. Andy Higgins saved my butt more than once. He didn't build
them pretty, but strong. It took two hits from a 75mm recoiless to sink mine,
and she got us out of the kill zone. Her model is in the Infantry Museum
at Ft. Benning. I owed her that.
I hope to get to see your LCVP.
Dave Murray
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| Name: |
Cathy - 01/11/00 08:44:48 |
| Comments: |
I really love this site! This is the best one ever! |
| Name: |
Lee, Jan, Paul, Matthew Cotaya - 01/08/00 20:35:50 |
| Comments: |
We enjoyed the commissioning of the craft as well as the
web page you all have made. |
| Name: |
Jane Higgins Barbier - 01/08/00 14:09:08 |
| Comments: |
Excited to find this website! Even though I never knew
my Grandfather, I am proud of his role in WWII. Thank you for all of
your effort.
Sincerely,
Jane H. B. |
| Name: |
carl borowski - 01/05/00 21:10:30 |
| Comments: |
I have been the owner/operator of a 1966 lcvp for twenty
years. It is a great craft that has seen service in the mooring and diving
businesss in southern Maine. Now it is for sale. |
| Name: |
Pete Frampton - 01/03/00 11:32:33 |
| Comments: |
I have just found this site, well done. I am the Historian
of the Royal Marine 803 LCV(p) Flotilla, we sailed these craft to Sword Beach
from Hayling Island.
Any one out there would like to read the account of our history please mail
me. |
| Name: |
Thomas Tiernan - 01/02/00 22:04:39 |
| Comments: |
My Family and I plan on being present for the grand opening
of the National D-Day Museum in New Orleans on June 6, 2000, and are anxious
to see the Higgins Boat model. We appreciate and thank you for your efforts. |
| Name: |
Courtnie Bourgeois - 01/02/00 19:02:06 |
| Comments: |
this site is wonderful! My grandfather, Pat Lambert, who
passed away in July of 1998 was involved heavily in the Higgins Boat Project.
I am very pleased with the website. Great Job! |
| Name: |
MICHAEL DOLLINS - 01/01/2000 20:34:24 |
| Comments: |
I WAS INTRODUCED TO THE PROJECT BY READING DR. AMBROSE. I
SINCERELY HOPE THAT WE AS A NATION NEVER FORGET THE SACRIFICES OF ALL OUR
VETERANS. ALSO I THINK THESE WEBSITES, PROJECTS, AND MUSEUMS CAN TEACH OUR
CHILDREN THE TRUE MEANING OF TEAMWORK, VALOR AND COURAGE THAT OUR VETERANS
TIME AND TIME AGAIN HAVE SHOWN TO THE WORLD. |
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