The acronym "LVT" stands for Landing Vehicle Tracked. These vehicles were amphibious being both land and water capable and also known as "amtrac" or "amphibious tractor" and sometimes "Alligator." Two models were available in time for the Tarawa landings: the LVT 1 and the LVT 2. Both of these vehiocles were used to cross Betio's expansive reef and deposit Marines on the beach, saving hundreds of lives. In the 2nd Marine Division the 2nd Amphibious Tractor Battalion was the outfit that much of the successful landings depended. A relatively safe means to the beach over the coral reef did not exist without the LVT. Walking 800 yards in chest deep water was a deadly method of beach assault since the famed Higgins boats that were the backbone of the WWII amphibious assaults could not float over the reef. The LVT was the answer depositing men and supplies on Betio throughout the operation. The 2nd Amphibious Tractor Battalion took a heavy toll during the 76 hours of fighting.
Ed Caudle was a corpsman attached to the 2nd Amphibious Tractor Battalion.
An LVT 2 is shown here in the foreground and LVT 1 #49 "My Deloris" is shown in the background. Many improvements were made in the second model LVT for better reliability. For quick visual identification purposes the LVT 2 has the cab moved back compared to the first model.
Waves of LVTs heading for the beach as seen from the
air.
Heading for the beach.
LVT 1 New 7 December 2020
LVT 2 New 11 January 2021
LVT 6 New 28 January 2021
LVT 9 New 24 Nov 2020
LVT 10 New 27 Nov 2020
LVT 11 "Iron Mike" New 5 Jan 2021
LVT 13 "Wabbit Twacks" New 24 Nov 2020
LVT 14 New 24 Nov 2020
LVT 16 "Meat Grinder" New 13 April 2021
LVT 17 "Gwease Ball" New 5 Jan 2021
LVT 19 "It's Done" New 24 Nov 2020
LVT 20 "Avenger" New 24 January 2021
LVT 21 "Destruction" New 1 December 2020
LVT 23 New 8 Nov 2020
LVT 24 New 5 December 2020
LVT 26 New 30 Nov 2020
LVT 28 "Wiskey Sour" New 27 Nov 2020
LVT 29 New 27 Nov 2020
LVT 30 New 24 January 2021
LVT 31 New 28 January 2021
LVT 32 "Hey Mabel" New 20 January 2021
LVT 33 New 30 Nov 2020
LVT 34 New 30 Nov 2020
LVT 37 New 27 January 2021
LVT 38 "Sweet Flo" New 17 March 2021
LVT 39 New 2 December 2020
LVT 40 "Zombie" New 11 January 2021
LVT 42 New 7 December 2020
LVT 44 "Little Beans" New 1 December 2020
LVT 45 New 27 Nov 2020
LVT 49 "My Deloris" New 2 December 2020
LVT 50 New 1 December 2020
LVT 52 New 8 February 2021
LVT 53 New 23 October 2023
LVT 54 New 1 December 2020
LVT 55 New 23 October 2023
LVT 61 New 28 January 2021
LVT 64 New 15 March 2021
LVT 65 New 27 January 2021
LVT 66 New 22 February 2021
LVT 67 "Chicago Flash" New 11 February 2021
LVT 2-2 New 16 March 2020
LVT 2-9 New 29 December 2020
LVT 2-16 New 17 February 2021
LVT 2-27 New 17 February 2021
LVT 2-28 New 24 January 2021
LVT 2-42 New 24 January 2021
LVT2 bringing in
supplies to Betio.
Memorial marker for the Marines of the 2nd Amtrac Battalion lost at Tarawa. Many of them were missing in action until they were recently recovered. The dashboard controls of an LVT are afixed to the top of the sign.
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copyright 2000 T.O.T.W.
Created 14 January 2001 - Updated 29 October 2023
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