Editing LCM-8 (section)

== Modifications==
A modified version, the '''[[Zippo]] boat''', carries [[flamethrower]]s.<ref>{{cite web|title=Tango - Zippo Conversion |website=Warboats.org |url=http://www.warboats.org/zippo.htm |quote=The first Zippo boats were ATCs carrying an M132A1 flame-throwing armored personnel carrier |access-date=26 August 2015 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150410024352/http://www.warboats.org/zippo.htm |archivedate=10 April 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|journal=Smithsonian Magazine |date=February 1999 |url=http://www.smithsonianmagazine.com/issues/1999/february/letters_feb99.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061129010823/http://www.smithsonianmagazine.com/issues/1999/february/letters_feb99.php |url-status=dead |archive-date=2006-11-29 |title=Letters |quote=Another type of boat carried a flamethrower that could shoot a stream of burning liquid several hundred yards. These boats&nbsp;... were called "Zippo" boats }}</ref> Another modified version, the '''LCM-8 Mod 2''', was used to fulfill command, personnel, salvage, and firefighting functions. There is also another version with an aluminum hull. This version was carried aboard all of the [[Charleston-class amphibious cargo ship|Charleston class LKA]] ships, as the steel version was too heavy to be lifted by the ship's 40 ton fore and aft booms, preventing more than two from being lowered (via the two 70 ton fore and aft cargo booms) at one time. They are now mostly carried by [[pre-positioned ships]].{{Clarify|date=February 2009}}

A third modification was as a transport for PBRs ([[Patrol Boat, River|patrol boat, river]]) from repair stations at [[Da Nang]] (YR-71) and [[Bắc Giang|Tan My]] (PBR Mobile Base 1) to outlying points at [[Cửa Việt Base|Cua Viet]], and the Cua Dai rivers. PBR main propulsion jet pumps were easily damaged by ocean [[Seawater|salt water]] which necessitated the boats being carried by another craft to their duty stations. These transport LCMs were classed as mini-docks and each had a boat ramp in the well deck. The voids (built-in float chambers under the well deck) would be systematically flooded, allowing the front end of the craft to sink, so a PBR could be floated in or out of the well deck. The pumping mechanism would then be reversed to clear the water out of the voids, restoring the craft to the normal floating position.

A fourth modification was the Army Version for Vietnam Rivers Logistic with a liveaboard cabin and crewed by six men consisting of Coxswain, Assist. Coxswain, Engineer and assistant and two deckhands. All crew could handle the two [[M2 Browning|M2 Browning .50 caliber machine gun]] turrets and other small arms and were frequently engaged by the Vietcong on the rivers and canals of the Mekong Delta. One unit, an Army Reserve Unit out of St. Petersburg, Florida, was called to active duty in 1968-69 received a Unit Commendation of merit for delivering record tonnage in their 12-month tour.<ref>http://combatvets.com/231st 182 Men came back alive.</ref>