Japanese Assault Boats; Shanghai, 1937

In 1937, while stationed with the 4th Marines in China, Lt. Victor H. Krulak wrote a report on the types of landing craft used by the Japanese during their invasion of Shanghai. It was this report that prompted the Marine Corps Commandant to appoint Krulak as the Marine "Boat Man." Krulak then worked closely with Andrew Higgins to design and test the "Higgins Boat" - the LCVP which made it possible for U.S. military amphibious landings all over the world during World War II.