Infantry of the 90th US Infantry Division boarding a LCVP.

infantryofthe90thusinfantrydivisionboardingalcvp.jpg

Tense looking infantry of the US 90th Infantry Division boarding LCVP's (more commonly known as Higgins Boats) prior to landing on Utah Beach. Note the battered ramp of the boat in the foreground, perhaps caused by many of the training exercises un the run up to D-Day.

Picture taken by Harold A. Barclay aboard the LCI(L) 326 commanded by Lieutenant Samuel W. Allison USCGR who received the Silver Star on this day. It carried troops of the 359th Infanty Regiment as well as its crew and black soldiers of the 320th Balloon Bn who were tasked with flying a barrage balloon over the vessel.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Higgins_boat

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landing_Craft_Infantry