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Due to an incredibly high demand for display case options, we are proud to offer one of our LIMITED EDITION series of HISTORIC DISPLAY CASE EXCLUSIVES. This incredible “Piece of History“ is professionally encased in a glass display case with plush padding and a tightly sealed display case. Each display features a historical photograph and a short description that corresponds to the artifact displayed. This display case measures a perfect 4.25 inches tall x 3.25 inches wide.

This series is a VERY RARE limited edition of only 10 pieces, meaning that each “Piece of History” display is unique. The lifebelt artifact you receive may vary slightly from the display shown.

The Allied invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944, known as D-Day, marked a turning point in World War II. Among the various innovations and strategies employed during this pivotal operation, the Landing Craft, Vehicle, Personnel (LCVP), commonly referred to as the Higgins Boat, played a crucial role in the success of the Utah Beach landings. Designed and manufactured by Andrew Higgins, the LCVP became an iconic element of the amphibious assault, facilitating the rapid and efficient deployment of troops, vehicles, and supplies onto the contested shores.

This incredibly rare and very historic piece of WWII D-Day history is an original “Higgins Boat” Landing Craft, Vehicle, Personnel (LCVP) bolt recovered from a U.S. landing craft that was destroyed while landing in one of the first initial waves on Utah Beach. On D-Day, Utah Beach was divided into three designated landing sectors of TARE GREEN, UNCLE RED, & VICTOR. Utah Beach spanned from the Normandy villages of Saine-Martine-de-Varreville to La Madeleine.

This D-Day Utah Beach LCVP was discovered and preserved on Utah Beach during the historical preservation of the beachhead during the 50th D-Day Anniversary in 1994. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to own a VERY RARE piece of WWII D-Day history.

Development and Design of the Higgins Boat

Andrew Higgins, an American boat builder and entrepreneur, played a pivotal role in the development of the LCVP. Prior to World War II, Higgins had established himself as a skilled designer and builder of shallow-draft boats suitable for operations in marshy areas. Recognizing the need for a versatile landing craft capable of navigating varied coastal terrains, Higgins designed the boat that would later become the LCVP.

The LCVP was characterized by its flat bottom, which allowed it to approach the shore and navigate in shallow waters. It featured a distinctive bow ramp that could be lowered to facilitate the rapid disembarkation of troops and equipment. With a capacity to carry up to 36 fully equipped soldiers or a medium-sized vehicle, the LCVP was a versatile and essential component of the Allied amphibious assault strategy.

Utah Beach: LCVP's Crucial Role

Utah Beach was one of the five landing zones on the Normandy coast where Allied forces landed on D-Day. The successful execution of the amphibious assault at Utah Beach hinged on the effective use of the LCVP. As the first wave of Allied troops approached the beach, the LCVPs played a pivotal role in overcoming the formidable German defenses.

The LCVPs allowed for the rapid and simultaneous landing of infantry and equipment. The flat-bottom design of the boat enabled it to navigate the tidal flats and sandbars, ensuring that troops could disembark directly onto the beach. This proved crucial in minimizing the time exposed to enemy fire and establishing a foothold on the beachhead.

The bow ramp of the LCVP facilitated a swift and organized disembarkation process. Under intense enemy fire, the ability to unload troops and equipment quickly was a decisive factor in the success of the Utah Beach landings. The LCVP's design allowed it to navigate close to the shoreline, providing a tactical advantage in deploying troops directly into the heart of the conflict.

Furthermore, the LCVPs played a vital role in transporting crucial military vehicles and equipment to the beach. As mechanized units disembarked from the landing craft, they contributed to the establishment of a rapidly advancing Allied front. The LCVP's versatility in transporting both infantry and vehicles made it an indispensable asset in the opening phases of the Utah Beach assault.

Legacy and Impact

The success of the LCVP at Utah Beach marked a turning point in amphibious warfare. Andrew Higgins' innovative design, initially met with skepticism, proved instrumental in the Allied victory on D-Day. The Higgins Boat's success was not confined to Utah Beach; it played a pivotal role in subsequent amphibious operations across the European and Pacific theaters of war.

The legacy of the LCVP extends beyond World War II, influencing the design and development of subsequent generations of landing craft. Its impact is evident in the continued use of amphibious assault vehicles in modern military operations. The lessons learned from the deployment of the Higgins Boat at Utah Beach continue to shape military strategy and the design of landing craft today.

The Landing Craft, Vehicle, Personnel (LCVP), or Higgins Boat, emerged as a game-changing asset during the Utah Beach landings on D-Day. Andrew Higgins' innovative design, characterized by its flat bottom and bow ramp, facilitated the rapid and efficient deployment of Allied troops and equipment under intense enemy fire. The LCVP's success at Utah Beach marked a watershed moment in the history of amphibious warfare, influencing subsequent military strategies and shaping the design of landing craft for decades to come. The Higgins Boat stands as a testament to the power of innovation and effective engineering in the face of the challenges presented by one of the most significant military operations in history.

D-Day Landings at Utah Beach:

Located on the eastern shore of the base of the Cotentin Peninsula, Utah Beach was a late addition to the areas scheduled for invasion. The original plan for Operation Overlord did not call for a landing on the Cotentin, but General Dwight D. Eisenhower, supreme commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force, added it to ensure an early capture of the port of Cherbourg at the northern tip of the peninsula.

The Utah landing area was approximately 5 km (3 miles) wide and was located northwest of the Carentan estuary on sandy, duned beaches. Compared with German fortifications at Omaha Beach, the defenses at Utah, based on fixed infantry positions, were sparse because the low-lying areas immediately behind the landing area were flooded and the Germans could control the flooding with locks. Four causeways exited the beach through the flooded lowlands and severely restricted movement inland. Indeed, all land traffic was restricted to established routes, especially through the important crossroads towns of Carentan and Sainte-Mère-Église. Defenses along the causeways consisted mostly of strongpoints equipped with automatic weapons. Some 3 km (2 miles) inland were coastal and field artillery batteries. The defending forces consisted of elements of the German 709th, 243rd, and 91st infantry divisions.

The assault sectors at Utah Beach were designated (from west to east) Tare Green, Uncle Red, and Victor. The invasion was planned for Tare Green and Uncle Red, with the number 3 causeway almost in the middle of the landing area. H-Hour (that is, the time at which the first wave of landing craft would hit the beach) was scheduled for 0630 hours. The beach was to be assaulted by the U.S. 4th Infantry Division. The plan was to cross the beach and seize control of the coast roads, link up with airborne troops who were to have been dropped inland five hours earlier, and then be prepared to attack toward Cherbourg. The 8th Infantry Regiment was to attack first; supported by 32 special amphibious Sherman tanks in the first wave, it was to land opposite Les Dunes de Varreville, a well-fortified area.

The landing plan went wrong from the beginning. Strong currents beset the landing craft, and the area was obscured by smoke from the preceding shore bombardment. But the main problem was the loss of three of the four designated control craft to mines. The fourth control craft eventually rounded up the confused landing craft looking for directions and, using a bullhorn for communication, led them in. The force landed 1,800 metres (2,000 yards) east of the designated landing area, in the less-defended Victor sector and almost astride causeway number 2.

The assistant division commander, Brigadier General Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., quickly realized the error. Uttering his famous remark “We’ll start the war from here!” he ordered the division to advance. Three hours later exits 1, 2, and 3 had been secured, and by 1200 hours contact had been made with paratroopers from the 101st Airborne Division around the town of Pouppeville. By the end of the day the 4th Division had pushed inland about 6 km (4 miles), and its westernmost units were within a mile of the 82nd Airborne’s perimeter near Sainte-Mère-Église.

For an assault that had begun with such terrible confusion, the Utah Beach landings ended as a spectacular success beyond the most optimistic expectations. The 1,800-metre error had placed the landing force away from the heavily defended area of Les Dunes de Varreville and into a less-defended section of beach. Twenty thousand troops and 1,700 motorized vehicles had landed at Utah with surprisingly few casualties—fewer than 300 men.

The Germans had not counterattacked the seaborne assault, owing to the success of the Allied airborne troops in holding the roads that led to the beach approaches and also to confusion among the German commanders as to exactly where the main attack was taking place. The Germans, however, were in a position to counterattack in the Cotentin Peninsula at the end of D-Day.

Hour by Hour Landings at Utah Beach:

5:00am: The first wave of American forces departs from the USS Samuel Chase, bound for the TAR GREEN sector of Utah Beach. The wave includes five landing craft, carrying the 8th Engineer Battalion of the 4th Infantry Division.

5:30am: The first wave of American forces arrives at the TAR GREEN sector, and begins to encounter heavy resistance from German defenses. Despite the intense fire, the engineers are able to make their way onto the beach and begin clearing obstacles and laying down a protective screen of smoke.

6:00am: The second wave of American forces departs from the USS Samuel Chase, bound for the TAR GREEN sector of Utah Beach. The wave includes ten landing craft, carrying the 22nd and 121st Infantry Regiments of the 4th Infantry Division.

6:30am: The second wave of American forces arrives at the TAR GREEN sector, and begins to unload their cargo onto the beach. The engineers continue to clear obstacles and establish a foothold for the infantry.

7:00am: The third wave of American forces departs from the USS Samuel Chase, bound for the TAR GREEN sector of Utah Beach. The wave includes fifteen landing craft, carrying additional troops and equipment for the 4th Infantry Division.

7:30am: The third wave of American forces arrives at the TAR GREEN sector, and begins to unload their cargo onto the beach. The engineers continue to clear obstacles and provide support for the infantry as they advance inland.

8:00am: The fourth wave of American forces departs from the USS Samuel Chase, bound for the TAR GREEN sector of Utah Beach. The wave includes twenty landing craft, carrying additional troops and equipment for the 4th Infantry Division.

8:30am: The fourth wave of American forces arrives at the TAR GREEN sector, and begins to unload their cargo onto the beach. The engineers continue to clear obstacles and provide support for the infantry as they advance inland.

9:00am: The fifth wave of American forces departs from the USS Samuel Chase, bound for the TAR GREEN sector of Utah Beach. The wave includes twenty-five landing craft, carrying additional troops and equipment for the 4th Infantry Division.

9:30am: The fifth wave of American forces arrives at the TAR GREEN sector, and begins to unload their cargo onto the beach. The engineers continue to clear obstacles and provide support for the infantry as they advance inland.

10:00am: The sixth wave of American forces departs from the USS Samuel Chase, bound for the TAR GREEN sector of Utah Beach. The wave includes thirty landing craft, carrying additional troops and equipment for the 4th Infantry Division.

10:30am: The sixth wave of American forces arrives at the TAR GREEN sector, and begins to unload their cargo onto the beach. The engineers continue to clear obstacles and provide support for the infantry as they advance inland.

11:00am: The seventh wave of American forces departs from the USS Samuel Chase, bound for the TAR GREEN sector of Utah Beach. The wave includes thirty-five landing craft, carrying additional troops and equipment for the 4th Infantry Division.

11:30am: The seventh wave of American forces arrives at the TAR GREEN sector, and begins to unload their cargo onto the beach. The engineers continue to clear obstacles and provide support for the infantry as they advance inland.

12:00pm: The eighth wave of American forces departs from the USS Samuel Chase, bound for the TAR GREEN sector of Utah Beach. The wave includes forty landing craft, carrying additional troops and equipment for the 4th Infantry Division.