lighter 33

One of the icons of the Vietnam War is the Zippo lighter.  Sure they are wind-proof and guaranteed by the manufacturer to light every time – if it didn’t, it was replaced for free – perfect for Vietnam.  Everyone had one – even if they didn’t smoke cigarettes.  Next to a P-38 can opener, a lighter came in handy for lighting a heat tab or C-4 when cooking meals or making coffee in the field.

Tattoos are popular today and allow recipients an opportunity to “advertise” those things they feel strongly about.  Could be a picture, scene, saying or even foreign characters.  Back in the day, engraving Zippo lighters was the rave in Vietnam.  Every one of them was unique and “advertised” a bravado saying, homage to their units and reminders of those back home.

I had one with a saying, but have absolutely no idea what happened to it.  Today, the Vietnamese and personal vendors are selling those that metal detectors have uncovered throughout the country.  Some are real and others counterfeit – made to look like they survived the elements for the last forty years.  I have included about forty pictures of various engraved lighters from the internet for your viewing pleasure.  If you still have one, take a picture of it and send it via my email and I’ll add it to this blog.

lighter 26

lighters27

lighterr29
lighter38

lighters28

lighter29 lighter30

lighter31

lighter32 lighter34

lighter9 lighter8 lighter5 lighter6
lighter3 lighter20 lighter21 lighter22 lighteer7 lighter\ lighter2\ lighter19\ lighter18 lighter17 lighter16 \
lighter14

 

lighter13

 

lighter12\ lighter11\

lighter10

 

81

80




77
76

 

 

 





 

75

74

 

 

 

 

73

72

 

 

 

71

66

 


61
53

 

 

 

60

 

59

57

 

 

 

56

55

 

 

54
52

 

50

 

32

51

49

 

48

47

 

 

 

46

45

 

 

44

42

 

 

 

40

 

41

 

37

36

 

 

 

verlinken zu http://www.cowanauctions.com/

33

 

 

 

30

 

29

28

 

23

 

21

 

20

 

19

 

 

 

17

 

 

 

11

10

 

9

8

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

0

 

3
2



1

 

1

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is 271538868_1326007617859677_7422362403426455703_n.jpg

Donated by Izek Penes

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is 271349011_1759686120902396_5705228073277396385_n.jpg

2

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is unnamed-1.jpg

Donated by Paul Miarecki

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is unnamed.jpg

1

2

 

1

2

 

1

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is img_0389.jpg

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is img_0389.jpg

Donated by Art Estrella was in the Air Force at CAM RANH BAY in 1970 in a C-130 unit as a Propeller Specialist .

7

 

Here is a link to view additional lighters from the Vietnam War: https://www.buzzfeed.com/katienotopoulos/zippos-from-the-vietnam-war?sub=1726407_519276

Do you still have your engraved Zippo for your days in Vietnam?  If so, send me a picture and I’ll add it to this article. 

Thank you for taking the time to read this. Should you have a question or comment about this article, then scroll down to the comment section below to leave your response.

If you want to learn more about the Vietnam War and its Warriors, then subscribe to this blog and get notified by email or your feed reader every time a new story, picture, video or changes occur on this website – the button is located at the top right of this page.

I’ve also created a poll to help identify my website audience – before leaving, can you please click HERE and choose the one item best describing you. Thank you in advance!