A Landing Vehicle Tracked or LVT was an amphibious armoured vehicle used by the United States Navy, Marine Corps and Army during World War II. Designed by John A. Roebling (originally as a hurricane rescue vehicle), the first LVTs could hold 24 men or 4,500 pounds (2,000 kg) of cargo. They were first used in landings on Guadalcanal in August 1942. Many types were produced with different armament, capacity and other features. In the course of World War II, about 18,000 were built.