The life and times of Marvin J. Perrett: portrait of a World War II Higgins boat coxswain

Coast Guard Magazine, Jan, 2005 by NyxoLyno Cangemi

My motormack saw what happened and quickly scooped up a bucket of seawater and shouted for me to close my eyes. I told him that my eyes were already closed, that's what the problem was. Just then a quick rush of cold seawater hit me, and it washed all the food into my shirt.

My motormack asked me if I wanted another bucket, I replied, 'sure do, that was some strong medicine.' Then I was hit with another bucket of cold seawater. Everyone on the boat started laughing, which broke the awkward silence of battle, if even for a minute. After that incident, the general consensus on the boat was, 'if he can handle that, then I guess we're alright.'"

After the invasion of Normandy, Perrett participated in the invasion of southern France, and Okinawa and Iwo Jima.

Feb. 19, 1945, Perrett nearly lost his life, but instead, he lost his boat, trying to save the life of a U.S. Marine. "In Iwo Jima, I carried 36 Marines to shore and dropped them off on the front lines," Perrett recalls. "One Marine, who was carrying a heavy and awkward machine gun tripod, tripped and fell close to my lowered ramp. In order to prevent injury to the Marine, I put my boat into reverse to avoid hitting him. Waves started coming over the back of my boat and water started to collect in the bilge pumps. Once I was far enough away from the Marine, I put the boat into neutral, which caused all the water in the boat to move forward. Before I could do anything, a wave came over the front of the boat and down she went."

Luckily for Perrett, a Navy boat crew witnessed the accident and came to Perrett's aid. Days later, Perrett received a new boat and continued with his assignments.

"There was always a fear of losing my life, but I had it made up in my mind that I was coming back home," Perrett states.

At the conclusion of his story, the ABC film crew Perrett had been waiting for finally arrives at the hotel lobby. Perrett bids his farewell to the cheerleaders and escorts the film crew to a remote boat marina where he treats them to a special event--a ride on a Vietnam War-era landing craft, which is a replica of the boat Perrett piloted in World War II. Navigating the waters of Louisiana with great ease and comfort, Perrett turns to the film crew, shrugs his shoulders and states, "I haven't lost my touch."

Story, layout and design by PA3 NyxoLyno Cangemi, 8th Dist.