Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Higgins boat being offloaded at the Our Heroes Military Museum in Lincoln, ME
Episode 3326 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about how the Our Heroes Military Museum obtained a Higgins Boat. The featured story is titled Our Heroes Military Museum receives historic Higgins boat used in Vietnam. It appeared on the WABI5 website and was submitted by Josh Gabbard.
Gabbard reported that the arrival of a rare Vietnam-era Higgins landing craft at Our Heroes Military Museum is more than the addition of another exhibit—it is a tribute to the remarkable Navy boats that played a vital role in the Vietnam War. These rugged vessels carried American fighting men into dangerous riverine combat zones, proving that victory often depended on the courage of crews operating in small boats under constant enemy fire.
The Higgins boat is best known for its legendary service during World War II, when General Dwight D. Eisenhower famously called it “the boat that won the war” because of its critical role during the D-Day landings. Later versions continued that proud legacy in Vietnam, where they navigated the nation’s rivers and waterways in support of Navy and Marine operations. In the challenging river environment of Vietnam, dependable landing craft were essential for transporting troops, equipment, and supplies into areas unreachable by larger ships.
The museum’s newly acquired boat has an extraordinary history. After serving during the Vietnam War, it was later used commercially to harvest seaweed before being discovered through Facebook Marketplace. Thanks to generous community support, including donated transportation, the historic vessel has found a permanent home where it can educate future generations.
Museum officials plan to restore the Higgins boat and use it during educational events and historical reenactments, allowing visitors to better appreciate the sacrifices and achievements of America’s military. The restoration project will preserve an important piece of naval history while honoring the brave sailors, Marines, and soldiers who depended on these remarkable boats. Their service on Vietnam’s rivers demonstrated courage, ingenuity, and determination, making these Navy landing craft enduring symbols of American military excellence and the unwavering spirit of those who served.
Listen to episode 3326 and discover more about how the Our Heroes Military Museum obtained a Higgins Boat.
