My dad was Navy in the Pacific...he drove landing craft... Higgins Boat or LCVP (landing craft vehicle personnel) it was 35' 9" long the beam was 10', 225 HP diesel, Gray Marine, with 2 - 30 Cal. machine guns mounted on the rear of the boat. It would hold 20-25 men and their equipment or a jeep with 4 personnel. Made of mahogany with steel plate 1/2" thick to deflect small arms fire.
He as captain (coxswain) of his boat, would drive the Marines and combat engineers in to their beachhead.
He also would lay smoke screens to cover battle ship and destroyers and an LVT(R) (landing vehicle tracked rocket)
He joined at age 17 with a parents signature.
He was in Okinawa, Saipan, Eniwetok, Ulithi, and Tulagi.
Most of the vets were just mere kids when they served and so many gave their life for us before they could even experience it.
He is 81 now and still kicking.
WW2 vets are dieing at the rate of around 18-1900 per day.
We owe more than we can ever repay to all vets deceased and living.