'Agent for change': Nebraska National Guard Museum dedicates Higgins boat
One of the most famous figures of World War II was a Nebraska native, and now a piece of his ingenuity will be permanently residing in his home state.
By News Channel NebraskaSEWARD, Neb. – One of the most famous figures of World War II was a Nebraska native, and now a piece of his ingenuity will be permanently residing in his home state.
Boat-builder Andrew Jackson Higgins, who was born in Columbus and went to school at Creighton Prep in Omaha, was credited by Dwight Eisenhower with playing a major role in the Allied victory in WWII.
Higgins designed a landing craft, often referred to as a Higgins boat, which was used extensively by Allied forces in amphibious landings in the war.
“A Nebraskan doing what Nebraskans do,” District 24 State Sen. Jana Hughes said of Higgins’ work. “They are inventors, they’re creative, and they do things that you can count on.”
The boats were typically constructed from plywood and could transport approximately 36 soldiers.
Higgins served in the Nebraska National Guard before building boats in New Orleans.
Eric Hollenbeck, the star of Craftsman on the Magnolia Network, revived a Higgins boat and helped return it to Nebraska, where it will be permanently housed at the Nebraska National Guard Museum in Seward. It was officially dedicated at the museum Tuesday morning.
“We figure the boat is going to tell a million stories,” museum executive director Jerry Meyer said Tuesday. “Those are things we as historians love. This will be an agent for change in the museum.”
The boat will make a journey through Higgins’ hometown of Columbus on Wednesday.