Higgins Boat

The Landing Craft, Vehicle, Personnel (LCVP) or Higgins boat was a landing craft used extensively in World War II, one example of which is the Normandy invasion. The craft was designed by Andrew Higgins of Louisiana, United States based on boats made for operating in swamps and marshes. More than 20,000 were built, by Higgins Industries and licensees.

Typically constructed from plywood, this shallow-draft, barge-like boat could ferry a platoon-sized complement of 36 men to shore at 9 knots (17 km/h). Men generally entered the boat by climbing down a cargo net hung from the side of their troop transport; they exited by charging down the boat's bow ramp.

Higgins Boats in Days of Infamy
The Higgins Boats were used to land the US Marines on Hawaii when they landed in 1943. Notably larger and more durable than the Japanese own landing craft, they were envied by soldiers in the IJA.