Higgins, Andrew Jackson (1886-1952), an American shipbuilder, designed and built landing craft used during World War II (1939–1945). His boats were used to take troops and tanks ashore for amphibious assaults. The wooden “Higgins boat,” or Landing Craft, Vehicle, Personnel (LCVP), became famous for its extensive use in the Allied invasion of Normandy in 1944. Higgins Industries also made torpedo boats and plywood cargo planes. The company was based in New Orleans.
Higgins was born on Aug. 28, 1886, in Columbus, Nebraska. He began building boats when he was 12 years old. He organized his business in 1930. He died on Aug. 1, 1952.
