Better known as a "Higgins Boat" on account of having been designed by Higgins Industries for maneuvering in the swamps and marshes of south Louisiana, these small craft were designated as LCVP once the military ordered them with a drop-down bow ramp. Only 36 feet long and 11 feet wide, they were lowered like life boats on davits from ships that carried them.

Powered by a single 225 hp Gray Marine diesel, they were comparatively speedy at 12 knots.  Built of mahogany plywood and pine cross members, the design incorporated an oak head stem that made them nearly impossible to damage by running up on most anything. With a draft of only 26 inches at the front and 36 inches at the stern they could be run right up on any beach and even over low obstacles or onto sloping sea walls.

Displacing 7.5 tons, the  little Higgins boat could transport one 3 ton vehicle, or a platoon of 36 men or 8,100 lbs of cargo.  It was through the one-way trip of the numerous Higgins boats that the majority of the Allied troops reached the beaches on D-Day in Normandy and most other amphibious assaults. Crewed by 3 men, the boat had no armor protection at all and only two .30  caliber machine guns. Their strength was one of numbers with over 20,000 having been build during WW II.