LVT (Landing Vehicle, Tracked) - Triangle VA
N 38° 32.666 W 077° 20.579
18S E 295809 N 4268826
The LVT was an amphibian tractor used by the U.S. Marine Corps in World War II for amphibious operations.
Waymark Code: WMC7AR
Location: Virginia, United States
Date Posted: 08/03/2011
Views: 10
The first LVT-1 or Crocodile was made of steel and unarmed. They were primarily used as support vehicles or for civilian rescue operations.
In 1943, the coral reefs of Tarawa at Guadalcanal made it hard for Navy boats to land, so the LVT-1 was modified by adding armor plate to its hull and arming it with 30 cal. machine guns. The LVT was able to transport troops across the dangerous reefs.
An LVT-1 is on display in the Leatherneck Gallery of the National Museum of the Marine Corps
in Triangle, VA. It is presented in a virtual setting of storming a beach at Tarawa.
Three-quarters of the LVTs were lost while transporting troops across the reef during the 3-day battle at Tarawa, but it had shown it could be an effective amphibious assault vehicle. Modifications and improvements were made to produce the LVT-3 or Bushmaster which was used during the invasion of Okinawa in 1945. The LVT-3 featured a hinged ramp at the rear and its cargo space could accommodate a jeep or an 105mm howitzer. The LVT-3 was used at Iwo Jima and Inchon. An LVT-3 is on display in the WWII gallery of the museum where it is possible to enter through the rear ramp and view the interior.
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