A Special Connection Between D-Day and TECO

TECO Headquarters

Todd Thompson, President of Thompson Equipment, has a very special story to tell on D-Day.

Higgins Boat full of soldiers.

"My great grandfather Horace Thompson Sr., the father of TECO’s founder, Horace Thompson, Jr., was the head of the US Army Corps of Engineers in New Orleans. He had a need for a vessel that could work on the river side of the Mississippi River levees.  His friend Andrew Higgins developed the solution, which was ultimately mass produced in New Orleans and used in WWII as the Higgins Landing Craft. "

Higgins Landing Craft
statue given to Horace
Thompson by Andrew Higgins.

"In appreciation, Higgins gifted Horace a bronze statue of the Higgins Landing Craft with the inscription 'Happy Landings', which is on display in our offices." he adds. 

Mr. Thompson goes on to say, "Obviously this is a meaningful day for all Americans, but in New Orleans and at TECO, we feel particularly proud of the accomplishments of our forefathers every 6th of June."

A warm "Happy Landings" to all of you from TECO on this very special day.