Top Photo: Servicemen climbing Lake Pontchartrain concrete beach from LCPLs at 10,000th Higgins built boat celebration in Louisiana on 23 July 1944. Gift of Louis Gilmore, from The Collection of The National WWII Museum 2008.379.017

Not even two months following the D-Day invasion in Normandy, Higgins Industries staged a reenactment of the landings in New Orleans on Lake Pontchartrain. The public reenactment was part of a July 23, 1944, celebration marking a milestone in production for the company founded and led by the bombastic Andrew Jackson Higgins, which had just finished its 10,000th boat for delivery to the US Navy. 

By 1944, Higgins Industries had evolved significantly. From making shallow watercraft to traverse the Louisiana bayou, the company eventually developed the shallow-draft “Eureka” boat that eventually won over a skeptical a US Navy. With their first military contract signed in 1937, the small company transformed into a huge operation with 20,000 workers at seven plants around New Orleans. The delivery of the 10,000th boat to the Navy was an achievement to be celebrated. (An additional 3,000 boats were built for the Allies and other American service branches). The event was also an opportunity to motivate the Higgins Industries workforce and to grandstand.

10,000th LCM [Landing Craft, Mechanized] produced by Higgins Industries, mounted on the platform decorated with American flags and the words: ''NAVY'S 10,000th Higgins BOAT - LCM.' Taken during ceremony honoring this production at Lake Pontchartrain. Gift in memory of Andres N. Horcasitas, from the Collection of The National WWII Museum 2008.379.024

Both Higgins and company Vice President George Rappleyea were instrumental in promoting the important work taking place at their plants and the role their landing craft played in the war. Rappleyea scripted and directed the central part of the July 23 program, a recreation of a portion of the Normandy invasion. They had the equipment and the manpower to carry out a stunning display of American war matériel. Just like they did off the coast of France, troops loaded into LCVPs (Landing Craft, Vehicle, Personnel) and LCMs (Landing Craft Mechanized) from FS ships anchored further offshore. PT boats also played a role in the show, patrolling the shores, as aircraft flew overhead, “defending” against enemy aircraft. 

The boats were operated by students from the Higgins Boat Operators School (by the end of the war 30,000 men had undergone training there). Unlike the landings in Normandy, the landing on the Lake Pontchartrain seawall was unopposed. Spectators watched as the landing craft climbed the stepped concrete seawall of the lake. The invaders were a force 225 strong from the 245th Combat Engineer Battalion based at Camp Shelby, Mississippi. This same unit would later clear mines and build bridges in the Saar-Moselle Triangle in early 1945. Rappleyea served as commentator throughout the demonstration. The institutional newspaper, The Higgins Worker, later described the start of the display: “At the ‘H-hour’ signal, the men disembarked from a Higgins cargo boat offshore into landing craft. As the boats charged in they leaped ashore, armed with rifles and in full battle-dress, to rush the beach, while planes and a Navy blimp circled overhead.” 

Hundreds of civilians standing on the seawall of Lake Pontchartrain in New Orleans watching the demonstrations of Higgins boats. Higgins pennant is flying from a pole attached to a covered review stand at the top of the seawall. Gift in memory of Andres N. Horcasitas, from the Collection of The National WWII Museum 2009.428.016

The 10,000th boat, the cause for the celebration, was an LCM produced at Higgins Industries Industrial Canal plant. The 56-foot-long tank lighter had been launched two days in advance of the Sunday afternoon event. It was then transported to the New Orleans lakefront and prominently presented on a festively decorated platform. A VIP viewing stand was erected for the occasion, and a 14-page souvenir program was sponsored by Higgins Industries and the Industrial Incentive Division of the Navy, Eighth Naval District . Several high-profile individuals took part in the speaking program. Higgins welcomed his guests after an invocation. A representative of the American Federation of Labor spoke along with three rear admirals, including Bureau of Ships chief Rear Admiral E.L. Cochrane. Cochrane’s remarks called Higgins “a pioneer” in the field of landing craft. He also praised the work and achievements of the men and women of Higgins Industries: “It is no exaggeration to say that the successes which our amphibious forces have been achieving against the strongholds of the enemy on both sides of the globe could not have been won without the contribution of the men and women of Higgins Industries.” 

The Higgins workers were well represented at the ceremony, having had a special invitation issued to them by their boss. The workers were also recognized that day, when a fourth star for continued efficiency was added to the Higgins Industries Army–Navy “E” flag signifying excellence. 

Six Naval officers and Andrew Higgins, in the center, holding and Army/Navy 'E' for excellence banner in front of the 10,000th Higgins Boat produced. Taken during ceremony for completion of the U.S. Navy's 10,000th Higgins Boat at Lake Pontchartrain. Gift in memory of Andres N. Horcasitas, from the Collection of The National WWII Museum 2009.428.010

A special international contingent was present: Higgins had invited an official party from Mexico. The mayor of Mexico City attended, as did Vice-Admiral Othon P. Blanco, undersecretary of the Mexican navy. With an eye toward the postwar future, Higgins wanted to foster the Pan-American relationship and was attempting to position his company to “serve the wants of a world at peace ... building for a better tomorrow.”

The Mexican delegation was treated to another special ceremony the following day, June 24, as Higgins launched the SS Veracruz. The launch festivities included guest Mexican singer Dr. A. Ortiz Tirado performing the Mexican national anthem. In his book Andrew Jackson Higgins and the Boats that Won World War II, Jerry Strahan states that then “thousands of Higgins workers enthusiastically waved flags and cheered ‘Viva Mexico.’” Ever on theme, the boat was christened with a bottle of tequila.  

Five LCPLs an LCM and an FS Freight Supply 170' long ship built by Higgins on the waters of Lake Pontchartrain during demonstration at Higgins Industries event. Gift in memory of Andres N. Horcasitas, from the Collection of The National WWII Museum 2009.428.013

In one of his books about Higgins Industries, History in a Hurry, Rappleyea wrote about the work at Higgins to “develop and improve the new kinds of boats needed to win a new kind of war.” They were writing history while making it. In publications like this and through spectacular events like the 10,000th boat ceremony, Higgins Industries helped to cement the company’s legacy long after the war.