Next to the Higgins sculpture. Plaque

A large plaque with single bronze border and bronze text inscription mounted on a raised stone platform. The plaque contains a brief biography of Andrew Higgins who designed and manufactured the LCPVs boats which were used extensively in amphibious landings in World War II. 

              ANDREW JACKSON HIGGINS

                                  (1886-1952)

     Andrew Jackson Higgins, designer and manufacturer of

World war II landing craft known as "Higgins Boats," was born

August 28, 1866 at Columbus, Nebraska. His parents were John

Gonegle Higgins, a prominent lawyer and judge, and Annie Long

O'Connor Higgins. Higgins attended schools in Omaha and served

in the Nebraska National Guard. In 1906 he moved to the southern

United States, entering the lumber and shipping business.

     Higgins' expertise would win him fame in World War II, when

Higgins Industries of New Orleans, Louisiana produced more than

20,000 boats. Many were LCVPs (Landing Craft Vehicle, Personnel),

a key to the success of Allied amphibious invasions, including

D-Day on June 6, 1944 at this location.

     Higgins died on August 1, 1952, and is buried at Metarie Cemetery

in New Orleans. In 1964, U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower,

Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force, said

Higgins was "the man who won the war for us."