Aviation Art: The Lighter Side
In wartime, a customized Zippo was part of an airman's identity.
- By Rebecca Maksel
- AirSpaceMag.com, September 07, 2011
Cowan's Auctions
“Over 3 million individuals spent time in Vietnam over the course of the war," writes Sherry Buchanan, "and most of them had at least one Zippo. They were all imported through the base PX [Post Exchange store for U.S. goods] and were available for $1.80. Zippos were personalized at sidewalk kiosks by special machines that could do metal engraving. They had a wide selection of designs and templates—the customer could choose one or have their own made, just like a tattoo parlor. A number of them were acid-etched at the Zippo factory in the U.S. with official military emblems and crests. Others were crudely hand etched with hand tools, drills and metal-stamping rods by the GIs themselves.”
This lighter, featuring a basic parachutist's badge, was etched in Vietnam, or by the owner. The emblem of an open parachute over a pair of stylized wings indicates that the owner passed proficiency tests while assigned or attached to an airborne unit, and that he had made at least one combat parachute jump.
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Comments (4)
The Cowboys were next to us Taipans at Camp BearCat...we had a few brawls with them...ahh...youthful testosterone
Posted by Snake on September 8,2011 | 02:46 PM
I still have mine & will not part with it. Prior to my shipping to 'Nam' on 5 May 69, I was assigned to the Returnee-Reassignment Center @ Ft.Lewis, Wa. We processed Vets returning from Nam, got them clean Class A uniforms to travel home in, saw to it they got a steak dinner, tickets for flights, buses etc. & transportation to Seatle. Once they showered, ate & boarded trans to Seatle-Tacoma Airport, we would kick through the discarded combat fatigues they had traveled from Nam in. Kicking through those uniforms is where I got my Zippo. I took that Zippo to 'Nam' for my tour, 69-70 with the 1st Aviation Brigade in 2 Corps & that well traveld Zippo did a second tour of 'Nam'!~I watrch for them @ estate sales & garage sales.
They are treasured items from a difficult time in our National history.
Posted by MARK on September 21,2011 | 08:01 PM
The Zippo with The Association's song title, "Never My Love" on the cap, and Snoopy on the body really got to me. These are two, very personal messages on probably the one item that soldier was allowed to personalize. It's my favorite Zippo in your collection.
Posted by Mark W. on September 22,2011 | 11:45 PM
I enjoyed the pictures.
Wish that I had known that Rebecca was collecting pictures of these.
My crew had a Zippo engraved for me before I left Vietnam from my first tour in 1967-68.
It is one of my most prized possessions.
If Rebecca is still collecting photos, I'd be glad to send one.
Posted by Steve Cover on November 4,2011 | 07:23 PM