The most recent entries are on the main Guestbook
page, |
which can be accessed through the link below. |
| Name: |
RAY H JOHNS JR. - 09/30/00 23:03:26 |
| Comments: |
MY FATHER OPERATED A HIGGINS BOAT IN THE WAR. |
| Name: |
Bob Higgins - 09/30/00 15:09:48 |
| Comments: |
can't wait to see the museum |
| Name: |
Tim Maynard - 09/29/00 7:35:41 |
| Comments: |
Great web site! We have just located what I think is an LCVP
in a lake in Indonesia where I work as an aircraft mechanic. It is 72 feet
deep and complete, except for guns. I expect they stripped all unnecessary
weight after the fighting, for use as cargo transport. Plan more dives to
inspect it. Plywood decking is even intact! Would appreciate any info, and
I thank those who have been so helpful already!
Thanx, Tim |
| Name: |
Jack Butler - 09/28/00 21:44:37 |
| Comments: |
See my 09/22/00 post and click on the
Mortar
Gunboats link. My article ends with Okinawa in Summer 1945. Have heard
that mortars and/or artillery were used on rivers in Vietnam. Anyone have
any details of there, Korea, or anywhere?
Jack |
| Name: |
Kenneth E. Griswold - 09/28/00 20:03:15 |
| Comments: |
I concur with Gen. Eisenhower's assessment of the Higgins
boat, followed by the tremendous efforts of Citizen Soldiers. I am proud
to have served in Europe during WWII. |
| Name: |
Gary James Harris - 09/25/00 00:02:51 |
| Comments: |
Outstanding and well deserved. I hope Mr. Higgins knew how
much he contributed. |
| Name: |
John M. Strozier - 09/24/00 20:40:41 |
| Comments: |
This site is very interesting as I also have a "HIGGINS"
boat it is a 1946 model with a flat head engine #12313 The boat is in original
condition it is now being restored. |
| Name: |
Jack Butler - 09/22/00 21:10:44 |
| Name: |
DOC DONALDSON - 09/20/00 21:43:49 |
| Comments: |
MY COUSIN PEGGY, WHO LIVES IN RESERVE, LA. WAS ONLY 18 OR
SO WHEN SHE WENT TO WORK FOR HIGGINS DURING THE WAR. SHE RODE A LABOR BUS-
WHICH ORIGINATED FURTHER UP THE RIVER, IN CONVENT - ALL THE WAY TO THE INDUSTRIAL
CANAL. |
| Name: |
Casmir F Albrycht - 09/20/00 21:28:49 |
| Comments: |
Making plans to visit museum this NOV 00 |
| Name: |
John Anderson - 09/20/00 19:05:56 |
| Comments: |
Hey Jimmy, Let's get the old "Crocodile" LCS Mk II into the
museum! |
| Name: |
Don Hight - 09/19/00 10:06:44 |
| Comments: |
I am looking forward to visiting the museum! |
| Name: |
Carlton Conner - 09/18/00 22:01:10 |
| Comments: |
Too young for WWII, I joined the Navy in late '46 and after
boot camp and Diesel school, was assigned to the amphibious force. Served
on 2 LST's and 1 LSM. One of my duties was as engineer on LCVP's. We just
called them VP's and I didn't know they were Higgins Boats until years later. |
| Name: |
Don Clement - 09/17/00 22:31:26 |
| Comments: |
Looking forward to seeing the museum again and bringing delegates
from the Lower Mississippi Valley SAME Region Training Conference to the
Museeum on Friday, 22 Sept 2000. |
| Name: |
Boudewijn De Backer - 09/17/00 09:05:58 |
| Comments: |
with thanks to the American brothers who give her lifes for
liberating us in expl Bastogne (1° Airborne div;.)Belgium |
| Name: |
Jennie Tarabulus - 09/14/00 23:29:56 |
| Comments: |
Hope to come see the museum in person, in New Orleans. |
| Name: |
Joe Genovese - 09/14/00 18:56:19 |
| Comments: |
I just wanted to convey that as a 32 year old American male
(history major at that) I believe that Dr. Ambrose is the most eloquent and
powerful historian in the nation. He has helped me to realize the enormous
sacrifices that the WWII (and all vets for that matter) made for this country
and how fortunate I am to be able to grab a book and a beer, drive down to
the beach, and relax. It is the small things that were worth fighting for.
Thank you,
Joe Genovese |
| Name: |
BOB GIEGER - 09/14/00 9:45:52 |
| Comments: |
VERY INFORMATIVE. I PLAN TO VISIT D-DAY MUSEUM DURING MONTH
OF SEPTEMBER, 2000. |
| Name: |
Johnny Tedesco, Jr. - 09/12/00 21:30:40 |
| Comments: |
It was an honor to view such a great site. |
| Name: |
Bruce D. Hartog - 09/11/00 20:14:24 |
| Comments: |
I feel like I'm home with this Higgins Boat Site. I operated
a Mike-6 LCVP and the launches on the USS. Henrico APA-45 from the end of
65 to the Henrico's decommissioning in 1968. I would love to get behind the
wheel again. What an honor that would be!
Bruce D. Hartog |
| Name: |
Kirt Garcia - 09/10/00 00:45:52 |
| Comments: |
Just saying Hi!! |
| Name: |
Kelly Cottle - 09/04/00 19:24:18 |
| Comments: |
I am a model builder (plastic) and the photograph were very
interesting I am going to build a diorama of the beach landing soon .
Thank you Kelly |
| Name: |
John & Dolores Sameluk - 09/04/00 07:46:00 |
| Comments: |
The museum is a great tribute. New Orleans is fortunate to
be the host for this marvelous exhibit. |
| Name: |
Mark Bartos - 09/02/00 16:10:34 |
| Comments: |
Great project! We have owned a 1958 Higgins since 1962. My
father was a WWII Vet who knew the history of the Higgins Company. It is
wonderful to see the interest in the company and preserving the place that
Higgins Boats had in the war. |
| Name: |
elliott miller - 09/02/00 10:46:57 |
| Comments: |
i hope to visit the museum in late september 2000, coming
all the way from essex ct. |
| Name: |
Rita Walker - 08/31/00 10:04:19 |
| Comments: |
Ingenuity at it's best! |
| Name: |
jim housley - 08/31/00 09:34:32 |
| Comments: |
served aboard the
USS
Magoffin, APA-199. "60-64" drove LCVP's & LCM's. Meny landings, was
a beach master too. Great memories. |
| Name: |
Gird Astor McCarty - 08/29/00 19:28:54 |
| Comments: |
My wife and I are coming to New Orleans the week of September
2nd to visit the D-Day museum. This trip has been a great desire of ours
after I read Mr. Ambrose's books on D-Day, both of them. We look foward to
a reawakening of our childhood memories of the events we read and heard about
when we were children. I was eight and my wife was seven at the time in history
that is depicted in the history books. I cannot wait to visit this GREAT
MONUMENT to the AMERICAN ability to adapt, improvise and overcome any problem
that faces THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. We were good then and we are now.
GOD BLESS AMERICA.
G.A. McCarty
|
| Name: |
Flo Morrissette - 08/28/00 13:15:33 |
| Comments: |
My 20year old son is on the higgins and i hope he will have
fun when he gets shore leave and i am very proud of him and that he is in
the navy and i know that he made the right choice when he went in the navy |
| Name: |
Carolyn - 08/27/00 20:17:56 |
| Comments: |
Hello. My father was on Omaha Beach on D-Day. Through the
years, he would not talk much about the experience. Now that he is older
he will talk a little more about it. Thanks to websites, such as this one,
I can get information to ask specific questions to get him to open up. Thanks
for the info!! Carolyn |
| Name: |
Frank E. Nipper - 08/27/00 18:11:48 |
| Comments: |
I was too young to be in WWII but I was well aware of the
horrible event. I have the greatest of esteem for all those, in whatever
capacity, who participated in winning that conflict. I am greatly intrigued
by the history of it.
This was (and is) a great work. |
| Name: |
m. cullen - 08/22/00 16:24:36 |
| Comments: |
Growing up in New Orleans (born,1946), I didn't realize how
important Higgin's Shipyard was until viewing the D-DAY museum - a "must
see" when visiting the Big Easy! |
| Name: |
T.D. BURNES - 08/21/00 17:52:54 |
| Comments: |
Thanks, I served aboard the USS CAVALIER APA 37...I HAVE
A WEB SITE AT
http://cavalierpa37.homestead.com.
I was a radarman (RD1) when I left the ship in 1958.
Terry |
| Name: |
Arthur Habighorst - 08/20/00 08:29:45 |
| Comments: |
Thank you for a very interesting summary... |
| Name: |
jimmy e howell - 08/19/00 16:40:56 |
| Comments: |
i served on the uss talladega apa 208 in vietnam i was an
lcvp and lcm6 coxwan in operation starlight and operation dagger thrust 1
and 2 the old higgins was one tough cookie if any of my old ship mates see
this please write me i was on the TA 64-67 welcome home |
| Name: |
Mike Lyden - 08/18/00 23:14:32 |
| Comments: |
I visited the D Day Musuem on July 22 and it was a very moving
experience. I spent quite a bit of time looking at the Higgins Boat on display
and wish to thank everyone who participated in the project.
Mike Lyden |
| Name: |
Blaine W. Price - 08/18/00 20:37:49 |
| Comments: |
I ran LCVP"s on the LST 45,,,APA 37 ,, AGC 12 ,, APA 228,,,
They were some boats and could handle most any sea in reason,, too bad they
are no longer in the New Navy,,,... |
| Name: |
EM3 Candelario A. Martinez - 08/17/00 18:53:26 |
| Comments: |
My shipmates and I were probably one of the last group of
sailors to use the lcvp in a deployment of us forces. That was in Beruit,
Lebanon in 1983 aboard the USS Fairfax County LST1193. I will be Interested
in seeing yours when it is completed. |
| Name: |
Fr David Landers - 08/15/00 15:41:24 |
| Comments: |
I really enjoyed watching D-Day Museum presentation on t.v..
I was born in New Orleans, served two Episcopal churches there. Dr. Ambrose
taught me some history (War between States) at LSU in Baton Rouge. Please
tell him congratulations and thank you. Wish my father could have seen it.
Davidson T. Landers+ |
| Name: |
Don Howell - 08/15/00 15:15:43 |
| Comments: |
Last November, I saw a photo in the Denver Post of a LCVP
on Lake Ponchartrain and learned about the National D-Day Museum. The number
on the boat looked familiar and then, bang, came the recognition! APA 33
was the USS Bayfield, flagship of Admiral Don Pardee Moon, Commander Assault
Force U (Utah Beach) for the invasion of Normandy. I was his Assistant Flag
Lieutenant at the time. We hope to be in N.O. between Thanksgiving and Christmas
to visit family, friends and eat (underline eat) at Arnauds, Commander's
and Mandina's out on Canal. But, particularly, I look forward eagerly to
visiting the Museum. |
| Name: |
Ron & Sheila Bennett - 08/14/00 11:53:48 |
| Comments: |
We visited the museum while attending the Navy Musicians
annual reunion. Some of our members performed there on Saturday 12 Aug. An
outstanding museum w/excellent displays--very moving. We particularly enjoyed
the lectures by BM2 Perrett, coxswain of a Higgins LCVP on both Normandy
and Iwo Jima -- remarkable man, excellent presentation. Please send me his
complete name. We will be back to visit again--and again! |
| Name: |
kathy - 08/10/00 10:49:46 |
| Comments: |
this was a very interesting project. with all the informations
include. but mostly the impotant facts were there.
this was a great project. |
| Name: |
michael cinelli - 08/09/00 22:01:20 |
| Comments: |
very well done i look foward to more information on the subject
on landing crafts thx,s mike |
| Name: |
Smith Enterprise, Inc. - 08/09/00 16:20:16 |
| Comments: |
We are very pleased to see this craftmanship revived.
We'll be visiting the museum in New Orleans next week.
When we return we believe it possible to become a sponsor.
Ron Smith and Sonja Sommers |
| Name: |
George Stahlberg - 08/09/00 15:17:09 |
| Comments: |
My father landed at Utah Beach on June 7. He said the Channel
crossing and the ride in on an LCVP was one of the worst experiences of his
life! He was one of the first (4th Infantry IVY) to enter Paris, and was
at the Bulge. |
| Name: |
WARREN M. FORDHAM EN-1 USCG SERVED - 08/08/00 14:25:11 |
| Comments: |
Had many experiences The Higgins LCVP when I was younger
even had some in still left in the Coast Guard in my early days. |
| Name: |
Mark R. Toft - 08/08/00 02:02:42 |
| Comments: |
My dad was on an LCVP(R) during his duty aboard the USS Knox
(APA 46) at Saipan, Tinian, Leyte, Lingayen Gulf and Iwo Jima. Thanks for
keeping him fairly dry! |
| Name: |
Joseph B. LeVangie - 08/07/00 12:55:54 |
| Comments: |
Trained on LCP prior to Invasion of No. Africa. Was coxswain
on LCPR. Operation Torch. Ship sunk Nov 12, 1942 U.S.S. Tasker H. Bliss.
Landing made at Fedela. Great landing boat. Am looking for a photo of LCP
or LCPR. Hope some day soon to visit your musenm. God Bless the Higgins Ind.
Also had Captain Gig duties while in port with Higgins LCP. Thank You W.W.II
veteran |
| Name: |
Wesley E. David - 08/07/00 11:52:35 |
| Comments: |
I served in the Pacific during WW-2 aboard the USS Dade,
APA-99, an attack transport from which Mr.Higgin's LCVPs were launched. Hats
off to the men who had to hit the beach. How lucky I was not to have been
one of them. Congratulations for a wonderful, much needed website and museum. |
| Name: |
Bruce Thackwell - 08/04/00 16:34:51 |
| Comments: |
I am amazed to find your site I would like to build a Higgins
for a Tsonga community on Lake Sibaya in Moputoland KwaZulu Natal South Africa.
I hope to see more of your project.
Best regards, Bruce Thackwell |
| Name: |
Michael Melonas - 08/03/00 18:36:38 |
| Comments: |
I read Stephen Ambrose's book "D-Day". This is where I learned
of the Higgins Boats and how they won the War. (The opening scenes from "Saving
Private Ryan" must have been taken right out of Ambrose's book.) In the book,
Ambrose goes into detail about how Higgins had the insight to realize that
War was inevitable and how Higgins stockpiled raw material to build these
boats later, when they were needed. Thank God for Higgins and others who
designed and built reliable parts for use by our men and women on the front
line. |
| Name: |
jim vandiver - 08/03/00 16:22:06 |
| Comments: |
A friend from Louisiana told me the Higgins Boats were made
of wood. I had to see what they looked like and now find these are the boats
that did the beach landings. The guys inside surely were unprotected from
small arms fire! In the pictures you don't see anyone looking over the edge
and I presumed that was because the sides offered protection. I wonder if
there was any protection like extra thickness on the sides.
Jim in Virginia |
| Name: |
marianne cloud - 08/03/00 11:01:12 |
| Comments: |
i think the museum is a great tribute to the WW2 veterans.
both my parents were in the navy during this war. marianne cloud |
| Name: |
PETE GREENE - 08/03/00 01:30:36 |
| Comments: |
Really feels good that they made a new LCVP like I spent
many a trip in. I was on Bayfield during Korea and this gives me great joy. |
| Name: |
T. D. Burns - 07/31/00 09:14:54 |
| Comments: |
I served in the Amphibious Corps aboard an LSM during WW
II. Our organization acquired the old LSM 45 from Greece and had it towed
to Freedom Park, in Omaha, NE. We are having a national LSM reunion there
in September. I am writing the history of the Amphibious Corps and, in
particular, the history of the LSM 45 for the archives room aboard the 45.
I searched this site for additional information about the famous Higgins
Boat and found it very helpful. |
| Name: |
Ted Riordan - 07/29/00 08:02:56 |
| Comments: |
I served as a "papa" boat (LCVP) Assault Boat Coxswain in
the mid sixties (AKA 57, APA 228). It could do most anything demanded of
it. One memory: during Panama Canal uprising in Jan. 1964 we had to keep
Marines supplied on the north side of the canal. Lots of shallow, tropical
water had to be passed to get to the grunts. Near the off-loading beach the
boats had to give a "wet" ramp to the working parties. There were many crocodiles
thereabouts, so one papa, with the ramp lowered to just above water level,
cruised back and forth with a "bow hook" armed with a 12 gauge standing on
the ramp. There to keep the crocs from biting the work party. Great boat.
Thanks Higgins.
"Zama" |
| Name: |
Carey R. Holliday - 07/26/00 21:30:08 |
| Comments: |
Congratulations. The job is well done, and greatly needed. |
| Name: |
GEORGE E. PIERCE - 07/25/00 06:29:12 |
| Comments: |
WAS LOCATED IN SO. ENGLAND 1/1/44 TO 6/27/44 AT SALCOMB BY
THE SEA . TRAINED WITH UNIT LCP(L) TILL 5/29/44,THEN WENT TO WEYMOUTH/PORTLAND
FOR DEPARTURE 6/5/44 .WE HAD 40 SOME ODD BOATS @ WERE TOWED ACROSS CHANNEL
TILL D DAY LOST A LOT TO ROUGH SEA AND BEING TOWED. WE WERE TO LAY A SMOKE
SCREEN BUT WE PICKED UP SOLDIERS FROM SWAMPED CRAFT .RAN ERRANDS TILL STORM
CAUSED US TO LOOSE THE BOAT I WAS ON .WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM ANYONE FROM
THI UNIT. THANKS
GEORGE |
| Name: |
Richard J Perry - 07/21/00 04:19:25 |
| Comments: |
Went in D-4 on Omaha 2nd Armored Div 66 th REg Tank name
Gillie would like to hear from anyone else that was with me! I will go to
see the museum in Aug 2000. |
| Name: |
doug mansfield - 07/20/00 13:15:10 |
| Comments: |
Wonderful Web page, great photos, very educational. Can not
say enough about it, keep up the good work!! |
| Name: |
russelld.cockrell - 07/19/00 20:21:25 |
| Comments: |
I have enjoyed the article on the National D-Day Museum on
the pc and look forward to visiting the site soon.
Thanks for everything. Russ |
| Name: |
barbara and richard skudlarick - 07/18/00 12:05:42 |
| Comments: |
A wonderful tibrute to America, industry, workers, and all
those who stayed at home and contributed twenty-four hours a day, till victory!! |
| Name: |
Richard L. Roth - 07/16/00 06:29:23 |
| Comments: |
I landed at Omaha Beach on D 9 I will come to visit the museum
this fall. Thank you. |
| Name: |
John Brunger - 07/15/00 19:28:09 |
| Comments: |
Recently read books by Stephen Ambrose. Just visited the
D-Day museum. Great place. Suggested that a separate book be added for
registration of D-Day Veterans visiting the New Orleans D-Day museum. John
Brunger- Vietnam Veteran |
| Name: |
Wendy - 07/14/00 04:02:01 |
| Comments: |
I live in new orleans and I plan on visiting the museum.
I know my father would have been proud to see the wonderful museum.....keep
up the great work.. |
| Name: |
Kurt Marquardt - 07/13/00 02:02:58 |
| Comments: |
Can't wait to see the museum. |
| Name: |
Gary Horst - 07/12/00 20:48:19 |
| Comments: |
Will be visiting in a few days. Will revisit with comments
later. |
| Name: |
Steve Larson - 07/12/00 09:58:08 |
| Comments: |
Visited the museum - it's great. |
| Name: |
CDR Raymond J. Evans USCG - 07/11/00 11:37:57 |
| Comments: |
Went ashore with the First Marine Division at Guadalcanal
and personally lost two LCP(L)s on beaches. I was a signalman at the time.
There is no doubt Higgins boats were critical to winning WWII. |
| Name: |
Thomas E Gernon III - 07/09/00 21:09:25 |
| Comments: |
My father, Thomas E Gernon Jr.,was a tool & die maker,
and worked at Higgins from the beginning of the war until Higgins Industries
went out of business trying to readapt to a post war economy. He would have
been delighted and excited about this project. He died in 1976. |
| Name: |
Joe Sporer - 07/09/00 12:32:09 |
| Comments: |
I am proud to have been a crew member of LCT 765 during the
Normandy invasion. God bless all either taking part in the invasion and those
who wish us well. |
| Name: |
Welton Stein - 07/08/00 22:15:57 |
| Comments: |
Operated LCM 32 Co.C 593rd EBSR in New Guinea and Borneo.
Crew members were Frank Simmons, George Wander and Lewis Apodaca. The LCM
was a real work horse and never failed in its operation. Always dependable.
W.S. US army amphibs. |
| Name: |
BJ PARRISH - 07/08/00 18:20:25 |
| Comments: |
ANDREW JACKSON HIGGINS WAS MY GRANDFATHER AND HE WOULD BE
PROUD TO KNOW HE HAS NOT BEEN FORGOTTEN FOR WHAT HE DID. EVERYONE SHOULD
READ THE BOOK BY JERRY STRAHAN.
"ANDREW JACKSON HIGGINS AND THE BOATS THAT WON WORLD WAR II". |
| Name: |
EARL TAYLOR - 07/08/00 07:52:19 |
| Comments: |
I served with a Navy Landing Craft Unit in the South Pacific
SLCU #24. We will have a REUNION in Chicago in September 2000. We used the
LCVP in all our landings.
Please get in touch with me. We have a lot of pictures and information you
could use. I was a coxswain. |
| Name: |
Jean P. Hawkins - 07/06/00 19:38:37 |
| Comments: |
Thank you for keeping this history alive |
| Name: |
John T. DiPoalo - 07/06/00 14:29:16 |
| Comments: |
Enjoyed your website. Brought back those memories of when
I was 18 years old, and in a Higgins going to Normandy in 1944!
Thank you very much, PFC John T. Di Poalo
Co. K, 313 th Inf., 79th Div., 3rd Army |
| Name: |
Jerry Wood - 07/05/00 19:03:06 |
| Comments: |
Great Site..looking forward to really exploring it! |
| Name: |
Harper H. Coleman - 07/04/00 14:12:01 |
| Comments: |
Attended opening celebration. Sat.--Tues. great display
I am member 4th Inf. D-Day 1st wave vet. |
| Name: |
HENRY L. TUSSY - 07/04/00 11:04:13 |
| Comments: |
Correction on previous mail. My mother ship was the LST 516.
NOT 526. MISTAKE IN TYPING.
Henry L. Tussy MM2c. D-Day veteran on LCVP. Ohama Beach. I was on beach from
June 6th till last day June operating LCVP. no knows what these small vessells
could do. till you were there. I lost 3 or 4 during this time due to mines
or under water obstacles. and one large storm, few days after D-Day.
Would like to hear from some of the guys, not too many of us still alive.
Thanks to Higgins, and you guys and girls that put this together.
Henry L. Tussy MM2c US Navy 381-88-26
<hjtussy@pcweb.net> |
| Name: |
Al Adcock - 07/02/00 14:27:36 |
| Comments: |
I have every intention of visiting the D-Day Museum this
year. I am writing a book concerning landing craft of WWII and I will need
to do some research in your facility, assuming you have an archive section. |
| Name: |
Jerry Denzer - 07/02/00 13:20:07 |
| Comments: |
I had the pleasure of being a LCVP (Higgins boat) coxswain
from 1988-1999. It was a very versatile boat. I wish I had one of my own. |
| Name: |
wil navarre - 07/02/00 10:18:58 |
| Comments: |
Outstanding American/ Significant Contribution to Democracy! |
| Name: |
Jay Hendrickson - 07/01/00 16:12:50 |
| Comments: |
Excellent site, I am researching the Higgins Helicopter project,
any one that remembers the Helicopter, please feel free to contact me.
Regards
Jay Hendrickson
Platt-LePage Aircraft Archives |
|
