HELP SAVE ONE OF THE LAST WWII HIGGINS BOATS
June 6, 1944, will forever be known as D-Day. Early that morning, thousands of small wooden landing craft, known as Higgins boats, headed for shore, poised to change the course of history. The Higgins Boat LCVP (Landing Craft, Vehicle, Personnel) became famous for its crucial role during the Normandy landings and nearly every major amphibious operation during WWII. They are often referred to as “The boat that won the war”.
Today, nearly 80 years after the end of WWII, there are only nine surviving Higgins Boats in the United States out of nineteen known originals in the world. Even fewer of these surviving examples are restored and seaworthy. In 2020, the WWII Veterans History Project had the privilege to acquire one of these rare boats. Over the coming years, we will restore this landing craft to its wartime condition and bring our LCVP back to the water it belongs.
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The Next Chapter Begins
Built during the height of WWII in the 1940s, our Higgins Boat has seen a lot over the past 80 years. In recent years, the boat was found in California before being brought to Texas in the 1990s. After lying on the ground for nearly 20 years, a call to action was placed looking for someone to save this Higgins Boat. The WWII Veterans History Project answered that call and is working diligently to bring the boat back to life. In April 2020, an incredible team, including several veterans who donated their time, raised the LCVP and sent it on its thousand-mile journey from Texas to Florida to begin its next chapter.
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Why #SavingHiggins Is Important
Although it is a heartbreaking fact, we must come to terms with the reality that one day, there will no longer be WWII veterans to give firsthand accounts of the war. Historical artifacts, like this original WWII Higgins Boat, combined with our library of oral histories, will allow future generations to have a greater understanding of the service and sacrifices of our greatest generation. Restoration efforts to make this vessel seaworthy again are urgent to give our nation's last surviving WWII veterans the chance to experience the Higgins Boat one last time.
ALL HANDS ON DECK!
We need your help to get one of the last surviving WWII Higgins Boats back in the water. Today, just nine of these original boats exist in the United States. Fewer are restored and seaworthy. Contribute to #SavingHiggins today and do your part to preserve this rare piece of American heritage for future generations.
