The Allied forces of the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and the Soviet Union had forced the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany. The following day, May 8, citizens around the world celebrated the news of «Victory in Europe (V-E) Day». It was the first hurdle on the path to ending World War II. V-E Day was by no means the end of the war. It would be another four months before Japan would surrender to the Allies in Tokyo Bay on September 2, 1945, known as «Victory over Japan (V-J) Day».

Black crackle Zippo with «VE» engraved on the front, the back and the bottom.

The  famous WWII  black  crackle  Zippo  lighter - windproof, waterproof & trouble proof. Produced by the Zippo Manufacturing Company in Bradford, Pennsylvania. During wartime they were black, with a rough crackle finish. 

Worn black crackle Zippo manually shortened to a rare small version.

Mint black crackle Zippo with U.S. Army Great Seal insignia original applied by Zippo on the front.

Black crackle Zippo with U.S. Air Force Pilot Wings insignia original applied by Zippo on the front.

Worn black crackle Zippo with the U.S. Navy Pilot Wings insignia original applied by Zippo on the front.

Black crackle Zippo with U.S. Navy Officers insignia original applied by Zippo on the front.

Black crackle Zippo with U.S. Marine Corps Insignia original applied by Zippo on the front and with the owner's name «STOCK» engraved on the back.

Worn black crackle Zippo with U.S. Coast Guard insignia original applied by Zippo on the front.

Black crackle Zippo with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers insignia original applied by Zippo on the front.

Black crackle Zippo with U.S. Army Medical Corps insignia original applied by Zippo on the front.

Worn black crackle Zippo with factory engraved monogram «JVW».

Worn red crackle Zippo – told to be produced for tank units – with US Half Dollar 1943 coin with walking Liberty on the front.

Red overpainted black crackle Zippo.

The 1st Special Service Force was an elite American-Canadian commando unit in WWII, under the command of the U.S. Fifth Army. The Force served in the Aleutian Islands, and fought in Italy, and southern France before being disbanded in December 1944. As a light infantry unit destined for alpine or winter combat it was issued various items of non-standard clothing, equipment and rations, including skis, parkas, haversacks and the Mountain ration.

White overpainted black crackle Zippo.

Gold tone Zippo with a British Half Penny 1943 coin on the front. 

Well worn light green overpainted black crackle Zippo.

Well worn green overpainted black crackle Zippo.

Camp Perry known as one of the largest rifle ranges in the United States. It was used to train soldiers during WWI and WWII. The camp also housed German and Italian prisoners of war during WWII. Camp Perry was also known for different shooting matches.

Green finish Zippo with plate on the front and «Rifle Firing, Camp Perry, Ohio» inscription and shooting scene.

Well worn black crackle Zippo with a sterling expert marksmanship qualification badge and a rifle clasp.

Leather wrapped Zippo with embossed Fleur de Lis and owner's prename «RAY» on the front.

Leather wrapped Zippo with cigarette case, both probably overlaid by hand in Africa with ornaments and a large letter «H».

Two Zippos custom decorated in Korea, using traditional artwork called «Nageon Chilgi», with black lacquer and mother-of-pearl inlays as decoration including personal initials/name. «Najeon» means mother-of-pearl and «Chilgi» refers to lacquerware. The Abalone shell is first carved, then applied to the case. Layers of lacquer are then applied. The artist would then hand polish the entire surface revealing the Abalone shell underneath.

The U.S. XXIV Army Corps participated in the invasion of Leyte in the Philippine Islands on 20 October 1944. From 1 April to 30 June 1945 the corps and its divisions participated in the invasion of Okinawa. In September 1945, after the surrender of Japan, the corps moved to Korea, where it remained on occupation duty until its inactivation on 25 January 1949.

Zippo with black lacquer and mother-of-pearl inlays as decoration.

Black crackle Zippo with the U.S. Army Shield emblem on the front.

Within the U.S. Army Aides-De-Camp were and are specifically appointed to general-grade officers. The usual tour of duty for aides is up to two years and the rank of the general officer being served is indicated on the device worn by the aide-de-camp.

Chrome plated Zippo with U.S. Army Aide-De-Camp insignia for an aide to a brigadier general on the front and a U.S. Air Transport Command emblem on the other side.

Black crackle Zippo with a U.S. Army Aide-De-Camp insignia for an aide to a brigadier general, attached between two M1 Garand .30-06 Springfield bullets, with an officer's silver rank star above on the front side. The back side shows a Royal Air Force (RAF) Medical Services Corps officer's collar badge, with the coat of arms of the University of Oxford on the lid.

Worn black crackle Zippo with the U.S. Army insignia on the front.

It appears to result from a rare exchange between an American and Soviet soldier during the brief period of their joint march and attack as Allied Forces against the German Reich.

Worn black crackle Zippo with a Soviet Russian Army officers cap badge red star soldered on the front and with the monogram «LK» engraved on the other side.

Worn black crackle Zippo with six coins applied: a Russian 15 Kopeks 1939 coin, a German Empire Wilhelm II ½ Mark 1916 and an Irish 3 Pence coin on the front along with a Swiss ½ Franc 1943 coin, a Netherlands 1 Cent and a British King George VI «Lucky» Sixpence 1938 coin on the other side.

Mildred was part of the American Red Cross Motor Transport Corps (ARC MTC) during WWII, a civilian organization supporting troops and civilians in wartime theaters. These women were trained to drive ambulances and supply vehicles both in the U.S. and overseas. The ARC operated extensively in North Africa, Italy, and Switzerland, where workers assisted with troop logistics, civilian aid, and post-war relief efforts. 

Chrome plated Zippo, engraved with details of ARC MTC service, belonged to Mildred. The front bears her name and «N. Africa 1944», alongside locations «Oran, Fes, Meknes, Rabat, Casablanca». The reverse marks the Italian campaign with «Italy 44-45-46» and cities including «Naples, Rome, Florence, Leghorn, Milan, Bologna, Venice, and Sicily - Palermo», concluding with the post-war station «Switzerland».

The U.S. Military Academy (USMA), also known as West Point, is a four-year federal service academy in West Point, New York. It was originally established as a fort that sits on strategic high ground overlooking the Hudson River. It is the oldest of the five American service academies and educates cadets for commissioning into the U.S. Army.

Mint black crackle Zippo with U.S. Military Academy insignia.

The U.S. Transportation Corps is a combat service support branch of the U.S. Army. It is also one of three U.S. Army Logistics Branches, the others being the U.S. Quartermaster Corps and the U.S. Ordnance Corps. The U.S. Transportation Corps is responsible for the movement of personnel and material by truck, rail, air, and sea. Its motto is «Spearhead of Logistics». One of the greatest feats of the U.S. Transportation Corps, via the Military Railway Service, was the rebuilding of France's shattered railroad network after D-Day and the transportation of 1,500 locomotives and 20,000 railway cars.

Worn black crackle Zippo with U.S. Transportation Corps insignia on the front and with three cut-out heads of coins on the other side.

The U.S. Army Quartermaster Corps is a sustainment, formerly combat service support, branch of the U.S. Army. The main function of the corps, supply operations included the development of quartermaster items, the estimation of requirements, the procurement of clothing, equipment, subsistence, general supplies, and their storage and distribution.

Chrome plated Zippo with a U.S. Army Quartermaster branch insignia on the front and a U.S. Army Physical Therapist Corps insignia on the back along with a U.S. Army officers collar insignia on each side.

Black crackle Zippo with U.S. Army Ordnance Corps insignia and a Palestine 5 Mils 1927 on the front and an Egyptian coin along with an Italian 20 Cents 1941 coin on the back.

The United States take over the North Atlantic air route – the shortest path between America and the European front. As way stations on this route both Greenland and Newfoundland acquired a new importance, as one of the terminal points.

Black crackle Zippo with a U.S. Army officers collar insignia and a U.S. Army Ordnance Corps insignia on the front, a Newfoundland One Cent 1942 coin and a Greenland 50 Øre 1926 coin on the back, and an applique of a half .30 M1 carbine cartridge and bullet on the side.

Multiple awarded Levin H. Campbell Jr. was the 16th chief of ordnance during WWII from 1942 until 1946 in the rank of a major general and temporary as a lieutenant general. His optimizations and major changes to the ordnance corps were war deciding. A letter from General Patton sums up his accomplishments. Patton said that his «admiration for Ordnance products does not stop with the M-1 Rifle.» He goes on to say that the «machine guns, mortars, artillery, and tanks of the United States are without equal».

Chrome plated Zippo with the unit insignia of the U.S. Fifth Army on one side and the U.S. Army Ordnance Corp insignia flaming bomb with two sterling rank stars applied and the owner's name «Levin H. Campbell Jr.» engraved on the other side. Double stamp on the top and the bottom.

Without oil WWII could never have been won. Gulf Oil was a major global oil company and the eighth-largest American manufacturing company in 1941.

Worn Zippo with diagonal lines and original manufacturing Gulf metal emblem on the front.

Well worn black crackle Zippo with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers insignia on the front.

Army engineers built airfields, roads, bridges, ports, military camps, hospitals, and dozens of other facilities, including the Pentagon completed in 1942. Among the most acclaimed of the combat engineers' achievements were the Alcan Highway, the Ledo and Burma Roads and the clearing of mines and underwater obstacles. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers supervised the Manhattan Project, the construction of the atomic bomb.

Black crackle Zippo with a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers insignia, a Royal Air Force insignia and a small British coin on both the front and back as well as a small U.S. Army Great Seal insignia on the side.

The 30th Infantry Division landed at Omaha Beach, France on 10 June 1944. With them came their Divisional Engineers, the 105th Engineer Combat Battalion. One notable campaign in which the 105th Engineer Combat Battalion participated was Operation Market Garden. Among others the batallion took part in September in the liberation of the Valkenburg in the Netherlands.

Well worn black crackle Zippo with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers insignia and a coat of arms of the Valkenburg on the front and two Netherland coins with the image of Queen Wilhelmina. In 1941 the Germans seized all the silver and copper coins. This was on the one hand because the old coins bore the image of Queen Wilhelmina, on the other hand the metal was used for the German arms industry. The people had to hand in their old coins in exchange for new zinc coins or paper money. However, many people kept their old coins and as a symbol of resistance and as a reminder of the royal family.

ALCAN Highway also known as the Alaska Highway was constructed during WWII to connect the contiguous United States to Alaska across Canada. It begins at the junction with several Canadian highways in Dawson Creek, British Columbia, and runs to Delta Junction, Alaska, via Whitehorse, Yukon. When it was completed in 1942, it was about 2,700 kilometers long. Y. T. Kelly served 1943 as a safety engineer in the corps.

Worn black crackle Zippo with different engravings: «Whitehorse», the owner's name «Y. T. Kelly», «Yukon» and «1943» on the front, «Fairbanks Alaska» and «Alcan Highway» on the back and «Safety Engr.» on the side.

Worn black crackle Zippo with engraving of the U.S. Army Signal Corps insignia on the front.

Well worn black crackle Zippo with U.S. Signal Corps insignia and womens name «Tamara» on one side and «Eddie M. Cain» together with «Italia 44-45» engraved on the other side with a U.S. Army officers collar insignia.

U.S. Naval Construction Battalions, better known as the Navy Seabees, form the U.S. Naval Construction Force. The Seabees nickname is a heterograph of the first letters «C B» from the words Construction Battalion.

Worn chrome plated Zippo with U.S. Naval Construction Force insignia on the front. The Seabees had a second Logo. It was of a shirtless constructionman holding a sledge hammer with a rifle strapped across his back standing upon the words «Construimus Batuimus USN» («We build, We fight» USN).

The need for a militarized construction force became evident after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. On D-Day Seabees were the first ashore as naval combat demolition units. Their task was to remove German defensive beach obstructions built to impede amphibious landings.

Well worn black crackle Zippo with Seabees logo engraved on the front and ownership details «W. W. Welker, 602 28 89, U.S. Navy» on the other side.

The U.S. 1st Cavalry Division started activities in New Guinea 1944 and after different battles the division took part in the invasion of Leyte. Later, the division invaded Luzon and fought its way as a «flying column» to Manila by 3 February 1945. After the surrender of the Japanese, the 1st Division was given responsibility for occupying the entire city of Tokyo and the U.S. 8th Cavalry Regiment occupied the 3rd Imperial Guard Regiment Barracks in Tokyo, which provided greater proximity to security missions at the American and Russian Embassies and the Imperial Palace grounds.

Well worn black crackle Zippo with different engravings: The insignia of the U.S. 1st Cavalry Division with 8 stars and the owner's name «Bob Smetkal» in original and Japanese characters on the front and the insignia of the U.S. 8th Cavalry Regiment with «1945» and Tokyo in Japanese characters on the other side.

During the war, many of the Army's Cavalry units were mechanized with tanks, which were an important weapons system in WWII.

Chrome plated Zippo with a U.S. Cavalry insignia on one side and a U.S. Armored Force Branch insignia on the other side.

The M2A4 light tank was a variant of the M2 series developed by the United States before World War II. It featured a 37mm gun and several machine guns but had light armor, designed for mobility. During the Guadalcanal Campaign in 1942, the U.S. Marines used M2A4 tanks to support infantry in the dense jungle and played a key role in early U.S. operations in the Pacific before being replaced by the M3 Stuart.

Chrome plated Zippo with a miniature metal M2A4 light tank applied on the front.

The 68th Armored Field Artillery Battalion (AFA) was part of the 1st Armored Division, famously known as "Old Ironsides," a key U.S. Army division during World War II. The 1st Armored Division played a critical role in major campaigns, starting in North Africa and Italy and continuing through France, Belgium, Holland, and Germany during the Allied advance in 1944–1945. After intense fighting in Italy, the division moved into Western Europe, contributing to the liberation of Nazi-occupied territories, including Belgium and Holland, and advancing into Germany. The inclusion of Austria and Hungary reflects the division's involvement in the final stages of the war and post-war occupation in Central Europe. Units like the 68th AFA provided vital artillery support, enabling mechanized operations and the steady progression of Allied forces into Axis-held regions.

Chrome plated Zippo that belonged to Private First Class Benjamin Lowder Humm from Rosiclare, IL, who served in the 68th Armored Field Artillery of the 1st Armored Division. Engraved with his initials “B L H” on the front and the places where he served during the war «France», «Belgium», «Holland», «Germany», «Austria» and «Hungeria» on the back side.

Mint black crackle Zippo with an U.S. Army Aide-De-Camp insignia for an aide serving a major general and a WWII U.S. Army Tank Destroyer officer collar insignia on the front and with a U.S. Army Coast Artillery Corps insignia and U.S. Army officer collar insignia on the other side.

Well worn chrome plated Zippo with U.S. Army Coast Artillery Corps insignia and a German iron cross medal as a trophy of the U.S. G.I. who owned this lighter and fought against the Nazis.

For the U.S. Army, WWII marked the high point in the history of American field artillery, best characterized by rapid movement, timely and accurate target location, massing of fires, and flexibility of control.

Mint black crackle Zippo with original factory engraving of the U.S. Army Coast Artillery Corps insignia.

The U.S. 93rd Chemical Mortar Battalion was an Army unit attached to U.S. Infantry Divisions during WWII. They were armed with 4.2 inch (107 mm) chemical mortars. Chemical mortars are so named because of their capability of firing not only high explosive, but also chemical, gas, incendiary and smoke marker shells. These mortars came to be acknowledged by U.S. Army commanders and GI's as being one of the most effective means of quickly striking at stationary targets, such as machine gunnests, prepared strongpoints, pillboxes and even German artillery positions.

Black crackle with painted U.S. 93rd Chemical Mortar Battalion insignia.

Well worn Zippo with original engraved U.S. Infantry insignia.

«In memory Ernie Pyle 1945» is engraved on the front of this black crackle Zippo in mint condition. Pyle was the best-known American war correspondent. He was killed on the island of Ie Shima by gun fire on April 15th of 1945 during the battle of Okinawa. There is a monument dedicated to his memory on the southern part of the island.

George Blaisdell, who had an intense and mutually appreciative correspondence with Ernie Pyle during the war, had this unique Zippo engraved as a token of great appreciation and in memory of him. Only some hundred pieces were manufactured and given to the crew of the U.S.S. Cabot.

«In memory Ernie Pyle 1945» is engraved on the front of this Zippo in used condition.

American troops from the U.S. 77th Infantry Division landed 1945 on Ie Shima (or Ie Jima) as part of the battle of Okinawa and there was heavy fighting from April 16 until the island was secured on April 21. U.S. journalist Ernie Pyle was killed during the battle. The U.S. 77th Infantry Division was inactivated on 15 March 1946 in Japan. The battle has been referred to as the «typhoon of steel» in English and «tetsu no ame» (rain of steel) or «tetsu no bōfū» (violent wind of steel) in Japanese. The nicknames refer to the ferocity of the fighting, the intensity of Japanese kamikaze attacks and the sheer numbers of Allied ships and armored vehicles that assaulted the island. The battle was one of the bloodiest in the Pacific.

Well worn Zippo with original engraved U.S. Infantry insignia and hand engraved geisha face, Mount Gusuku (or Tatchuu in Kunigami) as most notable geographical peak (172 meters), the year «1945» with the island name «Ie Shima» on one side and the year «1946» with the island name «Okinawa» on the other side.

The U.S. 83rd Infantry Division arrived in England on 16 April 1944 and, after training in Wales, the division took part in the Allied invasion of Normandy and landed at Omaha Beach on 18 June 1944. Following the division participated in several campaigns: Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace and Central Europe. On 11 April 1945 the division encountered Langenstein-Zwieberge, a subcamp of the Buchenwald concentration camp, where the troops found approximately 1'100 inmates.

Well worn chrome plated Zippo with engravings all around. On the front the name «Mel Vin. J Vowels» and the units shoulder sleeve insignia of the U.S. 83rd Infantry Division in triangle form. On the back the name «William J. Patterson» and the U.S. Infantry insignia. On all sides ornaments.

On 25 January 1945, the U.S. 14th Infantry Regiment sailed from New York arriving in Le Havre on 7 February 1945. The 14th then moved some 560 km across France. On 21 March 1945 the 14th took part in the U.S. 71st Division's breaching the Siegfried Line and the capture of Pirmasens. On 13 April 1945 the «Golden Dragons» cut the main Berlin to Munich highway. On 14-16 April 1945 the 14th participated in its heaviest combat as the U.S. 71st Division seized the town of Bayreuth, Germany.

Well worn Zippo with diagonal lines and original engraved U.S. 14th Infantry Regiment insignia on the front.

This organic unit of the U.S. 28th Infantry Division was called to active federal service on 17 February 1941, 10 months prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor. The regiment first entered the continent of Europe on the Normandy beaches following the D-Day landing. The regiment participated in the capture of Paris and was involved in the bitter fighting in the Huertgen Forest and the Battle of the Bulge. At one point the regiment was reduced to 300 men.

Worn Zippo with diagonal lines and original engravings: the U.S. 112th Infantry Regiment insignia on the front and on the other side «good luck, post 212 V.F.W.» – this Veterans of Foreign Wars post is the one from Bradford PA.

Elements of the U.S. 7th Infantry Division first saw combat in the amphibious assault on Attu Island, the westernmost Japanese entrenchment in the Aleutian islands chain. Elements landed on 11 May 1943, spearheaded by the U.S. 17th Infantry Regiment, and fought an intense battle over the tundra against strong Japanese resistance. The fight for the island culminated in a battle at Chichagof Harbor, when the division destroyed all Japanese resistance on the island.

Mint black crackle Zippo with U.S. 159th Infantry Regiment insignia on the front.

The U.S. 36th Infantry Division, which primarily consisted of Texas National Guard units, participated in the Italian Campaign and the liberation of southern France as part of Operation Dragoon. During these operations, they worked alongside various Allied units, including the Free French Forces, to achieve their objectives. The French 40e Régiment d'Artillerie d'Afrique served alongside and was integrated into U.S. units as part of the Free French Forces which were formed under General Charles de Gaulle. The New Zealand Division was involved during various battles in Italy. Especially during the Battle of Cassino in early 1944 where they played a key role in the efforts to capture the town and the nearby Monte Cassino abbey.

Well worn black crackle Zippo with three different unit insignia: That of the U.S. 36th Infantry Division, the French 40th Regiment of Artillery North African on the front and that of the New Zealand Division on the back.

Well worn chrome plated Zippo with U.S. Infantry insignia and a cartridge cal .38 super on the front.

Untouched, in original return box dated January 24, 1969 after repair by Zippo with a spare fluid tube and packet of flints.

The 23rd Infantry Division, also known as the Americal Division, participated in numerous campaigns across the Pacific theater during World War II, including operations and deployments in New Caledonia, Guadalcanal, Tulagi, the New Hebrides, Fiji, Australia, and India. The division was the only U.S. Army division formed outside the continental United States—established in New Caledonia in 1942—and played a key role in the early campaigns in the South Pacific, notably reinforcing the Marines during the Battle of Guadalcanal.

A well worn chrome plated Zippo, engraved with the owner's name «F. C. Dye» and his service number «O-314380» on the front side and locations where he served during the war «New Caledonia», «Guadalcanal», «Tulagi», «New Hebrides», «Fiji», «Australia» and «India» on the back side.

The U.S. 1st Infantry Division is a combined arms division of the United States Army, and is the oldest continuously serving division in the Regular Army with assignments in North African and European theaters during WWII.

Worn black crackle Zippo with distinctive unit insignia.

The U.S. 3rd Infantry Division is the only division of the U.S. Army during WWII that fought the axis on all European fronts, and was among the first American combat units to engage in offensive ground combat operations. During the war the U.S. 3rd Infantry Division consisted of the 7th, 15th and 30th Infantry Regiments, together with supporting units. The U.S. 7th Infantry Regiment fought German forces on three fronts, North Africa, Italy, and Northwest Europe. It conducted four amphibious landings against beach defenses earning a spearhead device on the streamers awarded for these battles. Elements of the regiment captured Hitler's retreat near Berchtesgaden on 4 May 1945 looting the town for several hours before retreating prior to U.S. 101st Airborne entering under orders on May 5, 1945.

Well worn black crackle Zippo with the insignia of the U.S. 3rd Infantry Division engraved on the front as well as the owner's initials and the name of the division and regiment.

During the Allied invasion of Germany U.S. forces including the U.S. 78th Infantry «Lightning» Division saved the opening and the destruction of the Schammenauel dam and captured the Ludendorff Bridge at Remagen, one of the last bridges across the Rhine. The GIs' actions permitted the Allies to transport troops and tanks across the Rhine River into the heartland of Nazi Germany.

Black crackle Zippo with various engravings: on the front the name of the owner and the unit with the shoulder insignia of the U.S. 78th Infantry Division including nickname. And, on both sides, his stays with sketches of the bridge and dam: «Scotland, Geneva, Switzerland, Luxembourg, England, Belgium, Le Harve France, Holland, Remagen Bridge on the Rhine, Schwammenauel Dam and 1945 Berlin Germany».

During WWII, the "Blackhawk" Division arrived in France in March 1945. It quickly proceeded to Germany, where it took part in the fierce fighting in the Ruhr area where the troops discovered and liberated the Attendorn civilian forced-labor camp on April 11, 1945. The U.S. 86th Infantry Division was recognized as a liberating unit by the U.S. Army's Center of Military History and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 1996. It then was ordered to move southward and crossed the Danube River on April 27, 1945, advancing into Austria where the division captured the crown jewels of Hungary in Mattsee on 4 May. After a short time back in the USA, the division left San Francisco, 24 August 1945, for the Philippines. The U.S. 86th Division was aboard ship in Leyte harbor when the Japanese surrendered. After landing on Luzon the unit was dispersed throughout the Island, participated at the occupation und was deactivated in December 1946. 

Chrome plated Zippo with U.S. Infantry and «Black Hawk» insignia including battle engagements in the «ETO» for European Theater of Operations and «SWP» for South West Pacific.

The U.S. 4th Infantry Division played a crucial role in World War II. They landed on Utah Beach on D-Day, June 6, 1944, and advanced through Normandy, capturing Cherbourg and breaking through at Saint-Lô. In August 1944, they helped liberate Paris. The division fought in the Hurtgen Forest in late 1944 and played a key role in defending Luxembourg during the Battle of the Bulge. They crossed the Rhine River and advanced into Germany in the Rhineland Campaign, continuing until the German surrender in May 1945.

Black crackle Zippo engraved with the insignia of the U.S. 4th Infantry Division and the date of D-Day «June 6 44» on the front. Untouched, in original return box from 1950 after repair by Zippo with post-war box. According to the address, the Zippo belonged to Sigmund J. Nalewjka, an Army veteran of WWII, he served In Europe and was wounded  during the D-Day Invasion. He received the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star.

During WWII, the U.S. 8th Infantry Division was sent to Europe to fight against the Axis. The division landed on Utah Beach, the westernmost beach of the five landing areas of the Normandy Invasion of WWII. It was divided into zones assigned Tare Green, Uncle Red and Victor. Shortly after its arrival, the division captured the French cities of Rennes and Brest. Following these actions, the division turned east towards the German border, taking part in the heavy fighting in the Huertgen Forest in November 1944. In early March 1945, the division had advanced into the Rhineland. It fought its way into the Ruhr region the following month. By war's end, the «Golden Arrow» division had advanced to the Elbe River in central Germany. On May 2, 1945, as it advanced into northern Germany, the U.S. 8th Infantry Division encountered the Neuengamme concentration camp Wöbbelin subcamp, near the city of Ludwigslust.

Black crackle Zippo engraved with «8th Co. F» and the the insignia of the U.S. 8th Infantry Division on the front, various important dates «6.6.44 Fr», «28.8.44 Paris» «25.12.44 Hurtgen» on the back, «Red Uncle» along with eight counting marks on the sides.

After several months of training and preparation for Operation Overlord, the U.S. 29th Infantry Division took part on the 6 June 1944 in the first wave of the D-Day assault. The U.S. 115th & 116th Infantry Regiments landed on Omaha Beach early in the morning and joined the battle of Normandy. In the spring of 1945 the division started its offensive in Germany.

Black crackle Zippo with different engravings: «29th Infantry Division», «D-Day» and the three ETO stays «England», «France» and «Germany» on one side and the year «1944» and the name «Snider» on the other side.

Well worn chrome plated Zippo together with his dog tag from Donald St. John with different engravings: His name, «Donald St. John», «Normandie» with the date of D-Day «6 June 1944», years of service «1943 - 1945» and his places of action «Scotland», «Wales», «England», «France» and «Belgium» on one side and «Don» on the other side.

Allied Supreme Commander Dwight D. Eisenhower issued this Order of the Day on June 5, 1944. Printed on small sheets of paper, original copies like this one were distributed to Allied forces ahead of the D-Day invasion of Normandy on June 6.

After France fell in 1940, the Allies began planning a cross-Channel assault, which was reaffirmed at the 1943 Quebec Conference. At the Tehran Conference later that year, Stalin pressed for more details, prompting President Roosevelt to appoint Eisenhower as Supreme Commander.

By May 1944, nearly 2.9 million troops were stationed in England, with a vast armada and air fleet assembled. Despite weather concerns and strategic disagreements, Eisenhower gave the final go-ahead on June 5. His official Order of the Day, drafted in February, was distributed to 175,000 troops on the eve of battle.

On May 8, 1945, the day of Germany’s unconditional surrender, Supreme Commander Dwight D. Eisenhower issued this farewell message to the Allied Expeditionary Force. Distributed across Europe, it expressed his gratitude for their courage and sacrifice, reminding them that their victory had freed millions from tyranny and restored hope.

The letter marked the end of a campaign that began with the D‑Day landings on June 6, 1944. In the following months, Allied forces fought through France and Belgium, crossed the Rhine, and finally joined Soviet troops to bring down the Third Reich. Eisenhower’s words served as both a farewell and a tribute, assuring the troops their efforts would be remembered for generations.

This copy belonged to Mr. Fred B. Chapman, who joined the 101st Airborne Division in England about four to five weeks after the Normandy invasion. Serving overseas for 18 months, he spent 45 days on the front lines in three major battles. On the reverse side of the letter, Chapman added a handwritten note, and on several accompanying photographs he wrote personal remarks—together offering a poignant record of a young paratrooper’s service and sacrifice alongside Eisenhower’s official farewell.

The U.S. 101st Airborne Division ♠ is a light infantry division renowned for its role in the D-Day landings and airborne landings on 6 June 1944 in Normandy (operation overlord) and in the liberation of the Netherlands and its action during the Battle of the Bulge around the city of Bastogne (Operation Market Garden). During the division's drive into southern Germany, the unit uncovered Kaufering, one of 11 camps in the Kaufering complex in the Landsberg region. The Kaufering complex was under the administration of the Dachau concentration camp.

Worn black crackle Zippo with U.S. Airborne collar, unit number «IOI» and a British Three Pence 1944 coin.

The U.S. 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment (506th PIR) was an Airborne Light Infantry Regiment of the U.S. Army during WWII with the nickname «Currahees». 1943 the regiment became part of the U.S. 101st Airborne Division ♠ and participated at important operations: operation Overlord (D-Day), operation Market Garden and battle of the Bulge.

Black crackle Zippo with the «Pair of Dice» U.S. 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment insignia on the front.

The owner's service likely began with the 98th Infantry Division, where he underwent training and was stationed in Hawaii for defense duties from 1942 to 1944. Later, for active combat, he transferred to the 82nd Airborne Division, participating in its daring campaigns in North Africa, Sicily, and later in Europe, including Normandy and the Netherlands. As the war progressed, he was reassigned to the 36th Infantry Division, fighting in the grueling Italian campaigns at Salerno and Anzio, and later advancing into Southern France. Toward the end of the war, he joined the 63rd Infantry Division, taking part in the final Allied offensives through the Rhineland and into Germany and Austria. This trajectory highlights the soldier’s active and dynamic role across multiple theaters of WWII.

Worn Zippo with «Infantry» in the center, «98th», «82nd», «36th» and «63rd» engraved on the front.

Chrome plated Zippo heavy crowded with different insignias including a German one as a trophy of the U.S. G.I. who owned this lighter and fought against the Nazis.

Worn Zippo with the U.S. Army Air Force insignia on the front and a British Three Pence coin on the back.

Black crackle Zippo with the U.S. Army Air Force insignia on the front.

Established on October 8, 1940, the US Second Air Force was one of the primary commands of the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF). Its primary mission was to train aircrews and support personnel for combat duty in various theaters of the war. The Second Air Force conducted extensive training programs for pilots, bombardiers, navigators, gunners, and other aircrew members. With the war's end, Second Air Force was inactivated on 30 March 1946.

Well worn black crackle Zippo with the U.S. Army Second Air Force insignia on the front.

Chrome plated Zippo from U.S. Army Air Force officer with various engravings: the owner's name «Edward R. Ford», his personal service number «O-22146» and the insignia of the U.S. Army Air Force on the front and his place of deployment «Italy-1944» on the back. Together with a portrait photo, his dog tag, his cigarette case and other personal items.

Very special, well worn black crackle Zippo with a framed picture of GI's darling and a U.S. Army officers collar insignia on the front and a U.S. Army Air Force insignia on the back with a centered Island 1 Eyrir coin underneath with a M1 Garand .30-06 Springfield bullet on the left and on the right of the coin.

Well worn black crackle Zippo with a U.S. Army Air Force insignia and a British One Penny coin on one side, a British Half Penny coin and a British Six Pence coin on the other side and a British Three Pence coin on the front side.

Air transport command was a U.S. Army Air Force unit that was created during WWII as the strategic airlift component of the U.S. Army Air Forces. The north African wing (redesignated north African division on 1 July 1944) was established June 1943 from a split of the Africa-middle east wing. Moved aircraft, supplies and cargo from west African transport hub. Operated the Mediterranean Air Transport service from Casablanca to Cairo and later from Algiers to Naples in 1944.

Chrome plated Zippo with a U.S. Army Air Force pilot badge and an Air Transport command emblem on one side and a U.S. Army officers collar insignia along with an Egyptian 10 Milliemes 1943 coin with King Farouk.

The U.S. Army Air Force Combat units of WWII was constituted as 8th Bomber Command on 19 Jan 1942, the command conducted the heavy bombardment operations. Redesignated 8th Air Force on 22 Feb 1944. Afterward, engaged primarily in bombardment of strategic targets in Europe. These missions, however, carried a high price. Half of the U.S. Army Air Forces' casualties in WWII were suffered by 8th Air Force – more than 47,000 casualties with more than 26,000 dead. Seventeen Medals of Honor went to 8th Air Force personnel and there were 261 fighter aces in the 8th Air Force during World War II.

Well worn black crackle Zippo with different decorations: a St. Michael the saint of the U.S. Army Air Force units, a U.S. Army Air Force insignia, an emblem of the «The Mighty Eighth», a skull on the side, three different American coins and the following statements engraved: «Momento Mori», «Carpe Diem» and «Tempo Fugato».

During WWII the Italian city of Naples suffered approximately 200 air raids by the allies from 1940 to 1944. Almost all of the attacks — a total of 181 — were launched in the first nine months of 1943 before the four days of Naples and the allied occupation of the city at the beginning of October. In Naples, the primary targets were the port facilities at the extreme eastern end of the Port of Naples as well as the rail, industrial and petroleum facilities in the eastern part of the city and the steel mill to the west, in Bagnoli.

Well worn black crackle Zippo with various engravings: the U.S. Army Air Force bomber insignia and the place of action «Naples» and «Italy» on the front and «VE» known as Victory in Europe Day, the owners name «Paul. J. Stein», his personal service number «35398924» and the date «8.15.45» together with «VJ» the day that proclaimed Victory over Japan Day on the other side.

The 99th Bombardment Group (Heavy) was activated and consisted of the 346th, 347th, 348th, and 416th Bomb squadrons. The 416th Bombardment Squadron played a crucial role in WWII. Activated in 1942, it deployed to North Africa and later operated from bases in Italy. Flying B-17 bombers, it conducted strategic bombing missions against Axis targets, including Operation Tidal Wave. The squadron's bravery and skill contributed significantly to Allied victories in the Mediterranean Theater.

Early chrome plated brass Zippo with square corners and diagonal lines. The emblem of the unit is engraved on the front, the owner's initials «REE» on the back and below a scene of the glamorous Faraglioni stones on the island of Capri, the name «Capri» and the year of the visit «1944».

The need for bomb disposal became evident during WWII, and various branches of the U.S. Military, including the U.S. Army Air Forces (USAAF) and the U.S. Army Ordnance Corps, established 1942 first U.S. Army Bomb Disposal units. These units were responsible for identifying, rendering safe, and disposing of unexploded ordnance.

Well worn black crackle Zippo with U.S. Army Air Force Bomb Disposal Squad batch in the Shape of a bomb on the front along with a «B» and «D», the owner's name «Benson» and the year «1942» engraved on the front and the owner's full name «Irving Benson» and map symbol on the other side. Irving L. Benson from St. Louis, Minnesota with the Army serial number 17110968 served from 1942 in the U.S. Army Air Corps as a pilot and a member of a Bomb Disposal Squad.

Chrome plated Zippo with U.S. Army Air Force insignia, a sterling lucky gremlin charm were popular with the B-17 crew and an emblem of AAF eastern technical training command on the front. From a soldier with the service number 36755043 from Chicago who started 19 June 1943 at fort Sheridan Illinois and was honorably discharged 5 September 1945. On the back, the side and on the top all training camps and stays are engraved. In chronological order: 1631st SURRC Ft. Custer, Mich 3 Jul 43, 1177th Tng Gp BTC # 10 Greensboro, NC 11 Jul 43, 74th AAF TTD Greeley, Colo 5 Oct 43, 24th TSS, AAF WTTC Ft Logan, Colo 5 Oct 43, 23d TSS, AAF WTTC Ft Logan, Colo 25 Oct 43, ORD # 3, Seymour Johnson Field, Goldsboro, NC 9 Dec 43, Camp Patrick Henry, Va., Hampton Roads, Va., SS Livermore 2-28 Apr 44 Brindisi, Italy, 90th Dep. Rep. Sq., 15th AF AAF SC/MTO Naples, Italy, SS Mt. Vernon 8-18 Jul. 45, Hampton Roads, Va., Camp Patrick Henry, Va., Camp Grant, III, Ft. Sheridan, III. 

Worn black crackle Zippo with U.S. Army Air Force pilot badge on the top, three different emblems (Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress airplane, Allison, SAAD) on the front and seven emblems (St. Christopher, Boeing airplane, British Legion, Masonic, ELKS, Pratt & Whitney and Wright engines) on the other side.

The Vultee Aircraft Corporation became an independent company in 1939 in Los Angeles County, California. During the WWII Vultee produced different combat airplanes like e.g. the P-66 Vanguard.

Zippo with original factory engraving of the Vultee Aircraft Corporation logo.

Zippo with original factory engraving of the Vultee Aircraft Corporation logo on the front and the recipients name «LT. J. C. OSGOOD» on the other side together with «COMMEMORATING MASS DELIVERY OF 123 VULTEE VALIANT BASIC TRAINERS VULTEE FIELD. CAL. OCTOBER 18. 1941» underneath.

John C. Osgood, Jr., United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Silver Star for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with the Fifteenth Air Force in the Mediterranean Theater of Action during WWII.

During WWII, Lockheed Aircraft Corporation played a crucial role by producing advanced military aircraft, including the P-38 Lightning fighter, Hudson bomber, and C-69 Constellation transport. The company supplied thousands of aircraft for the U.S. and Allied forces, significantly contributing to aerial combat, reconnaissance, and logistics.

Worn Metallique Zippo with an original factory-applied Lockheed Aircraft Corporation logo.

The Bell Aircraft Corporation was an aircraft manufacturer of the United States, a builder of several types of fighter aircraft for WWII.

Mint black crackle Zippo with original factory engraving of the Bell Aircraft Corporation logo.

The Bell P-39 Airacobra was one of the principal American fighter aircraft in service when the United States entered WWII. By the time of the Pearl Harbor attack, nearly 600 P-39s had been built. When P-39 production ended in August 1944, Bell had built 9'558 Airacobras.

Well worn black crackle Zippo with a miniature metal Bell P-39 applied.

First flown in 1944, the first delivery was not until June 1945 and only a few entered service before the end of the war. In the end, only 223 C-82As would be built, a small number for a wartime production cargo aircraft. Most were used for cargo and troop transport, although a few were used for paratroop operations or towing military gliders.

Well worn black crackle Zippo with a miniature metal Fairchild C-82 applied.

WWII saw the emergence of naval aviation as the decisive element in the war at sea. The principal users were Japan, United States and Britain. During the course of the war, seaborne aircraft were used in fleet actions at sea (Midway, Bismarck), strikes against naval units in port (Taranto, Pearl Harbor), support of ground forces (Okinawa, Allied invasion of Italy) and anti-submarine warfare (the Battle of the Atlantic). Carrier-based aircraft were specialised as dive bombers, torpedo bombers, and fighters. Surface-based aircraft such as the PBY Catalina helped finding submarines and surface fleets.

Worn Zippo with U.S. Naval Aviator emblem on the front and personal initials «F.B.» on the other side.

Black crackle Zippo with the insignia of the U.S. Maritime service and the applied number 44 on the front.

Black crackle Zippo with the U.S. Marine Corps insignia on the front. During WWII, the Marines performed a central role along with the U.S. Army, particularly in the pacific war.

Well worn black crackle Zippo with the U.S. Marine Corps insignia on the front.

The Marine Raiders are special operations forces originally established by the U.S. Marine Corps during WWII as the first special operations forces an elite force within an elite force to conduct amphibious light infantry warfare.

The Raider Battalions were put into action on August 1942 and landed assigned to the 1st Marine Division on Tulagi in the British Solomon Islands Protectorate as the opening phase of the Guadalcanal Campaign. During the New Georgia Campaign, the 1st Marine Raider Regiment was task organized for a new mission with the 1st and 4th Raiders. At the same time, the 2nd and 3rd Raider Battalions were temporarily attached to the 2nd Marine Raider Regiment for the invasion of Bougainville, the final combat action of the Raiders before their dissolution.

Well worn black crackle Zippo with scratched Marine Raiders insignia on the front and the year «1943» and the name «Bougainville» on the back side.

The 1st Marine Regiment, part of the 1st Marine Division, earned its reputation during some of the fiercest battles of World War II, including Guadalcanal, Cape Gloucester, Peleliu, and Okinawa. Known for its toughness and precision, the regiment became a symbol of elite U.S. fighting forces in the Pacific. The phrase «1st Time Every Time» served as an unofficial motto among members of the 1st Marine Regiment during World War II, reflecting their commitment to precision, discipline, and mission success—values that defined the unit’s legendary combat record.

Black crackle Zippo engraved with «1st TIME EVERY TIME» on the bottom side.

The V Amphibious Corps (VAC) was a formation of the United States Marine Corps that was active from August 25, 1943 to February 15, 1946. In 1945, the 3rd, 4th and 5th Marine Divisions landed at Iwo Jima as part of V Amphibious Corps, a large type of composited unit. More than 70,000 U.S. Marines conducted an amphibious assault to take the Island of Iwo Jima from fortified Japanese forces. Over 36 days nearly 7,000 Marines would be killed during the battle, which is regarded as one of the bloodiest of WWII.

Black crackle Zippo engraved with «V.A.C», the coat of arms and the owners name «R. H. Avery» on the front and a «B» on the other side.

The 4th Marine Division played a crucial role in several key battles during WWII in the Pacific Theater. While many Marines who would later serve in the 4th Marine Division were first stationed at Pearl Harbor, the division itself became prominent later in the war. The division led the assaults on the Marshall Islands and was heavily involved in the invasion of Saipan in 1944. In 1945, the 4th Marine Division was one of the main assault forces in the Battle of Iwo Jima. Additionally, personnel from the division or associated units participated in the battle for Guam or passed through during the campaign.

Well worn Zippo with diagonal lines with the owners initials «E. P. B.» and locations where he served during the war «Iwo Jima», «Guam» and «Saipan» engraved on the front side and «Pearl Harbor» and «Marshall Islands» on the back side.

Major General James Lewis Day (October 5, 1925 – October 28, 1998) was a U.S. Marine Corps major general who served in WWII, in the Korean war, and in the Vietnam war. James Lewis Day participated in combat action during WWII in the Marshall Islands, on Guam and on Okinawa, where for his heroic actions during the fight for Sugar Loaf Hill he was later awarded the medal of honor.

Black crackle Zippo engraved with his name «J. L. Day» and «Okinawa» on the front and with 29 special marks on the edges.

Submarines are very valuable attack vehicles. In WWII they were basically surface ships that could travel underwater for a limited time. The submarines of the United States were already very advanced and won the Pacific theatre. Charles Mc Henry (Avril 20, 1924 – December 19, 2011) served in the U.S. Navy during WWII aboard the submarine U.S.S. Finback. She arrived at Pearl Harbor in May 1942 and was dispatched to the Midway area in anticipation of a Japanese attack. Between 1942 and the end of the war, she embarked on 12 war patrols, 9 of which were designated successful. She sank a total of 69,383 tons of enemy shipping during the war, and rescued, among other downed aviators, future President of the United States George Bush.

Chrome plated Zippo with silver U.S. Submarine Warfare insignia for enlisted personnel plus personal items containing a launching button, a ring, a U.S. Submarine combat insignia and Charles Mc Henry's combat card, which he received after successfully completing his first patrol.

The German freighter Arauca was interned at Port Everglades end of 1939 and was acquired on 1942 by the U.S. Navy, renamed to U.S.S. Saturn (AK-49) and designated as a cargo ship and in 1944 converted to a storeship (AF-40). U.S.S. Saturn sailed to the Mediterranean carrying supplies for the invasion of southern France. After one trip to Iceland and several voyages to the Caribbean, she made another trip to Oran in March 1945. She then resumed her supply voyages up and down the Atlantic Coast until arriving at Norfolk, Va., on 1 July 1946, where she was decommissioned.

Chrome plated Zippo with a many engravings of a crew member of the U.S.S. Saturn named E. R. Ondracek with the rating of Electrician's Mate at the second-class level: six names of friends on the lid and «E. R. Ondracek, U.S.S. Saturn, Bermuda, Cuba, San Juan Riveira, Puerto Rico, Trinidad Oran, North Africa and Bizerte, Tunis on the front. «U.S. Navy E.M 2/c, Dec. 43 to June 46 aboard U.S.S. Saturn, Norfolk, VA., Bayonne, N.J., Boston, Mass. Phila.» on the lid and «Marseille, Toulon, Southern France, Naple, Italy, Palermo, Sicily, Argentia, Newfoundland, Reykjavik, Iceland and Straits of Gibraltar, Algiers» on the back. His name on the top and his address on the bottom. Twelve female first names on one side and two personal engravings including «One And Only Eleonor» with a heart on the other side. Another special and rare detail is the insert of this Zippo, which is also engraved with names on both sides and has a handmade base with a screw to reduce the fuel evaporation.

A very interesting version of a wartime Zippo, as this tells a story from a time when the United States was already supporting Allied forces in Europe without being involved itself in 1940. The first U.S.S. MC Calla (DD-253) was commissioned in 1919 and was in service for the United States Navy as a destroyer until 1940. Then the ship was transferred to the British Royal Navy, which used the boat as the second HMS Stanley (I73) in the long-range escort role. Until her loss on 19 December 1941 due to torpedoing by the U 574, HMS Stanley succeeded in sinking two German U-boats.

Worn Zippo with diagonal lines and original manufacturing engraving of the ships name «U.S.S. MC Calla», the ship number «253», the add-on «TO R.N» and the year «1940» on one side and the monogram «FB» on the other side.

The U.S.S. Oklahoma was on Battleship Row in Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. That was the morning the Japanese Empire attacked the United States by surprise. The Japanese used dive-bombers, fighter-bombers, and torpedo planes to sink nine ships, including five battleships, and severely damage twenty-one ships. There were 2,402 US deaths from the attack. Of those deaths, 1,177 were from the U.S.S. Arizona, and 429 were from the U.S.S. Oklahoma. The crew of the U.S.S. Oklahoma did everything they could to fight back. In the first ten minutes of the battle eight torpedoes hit the Oklahoma and it began to sink. A ninth torpedo hit the battleship as it sank in the mud. On 28 December 1943, Oklahoma was towed into drydock No. 2, at the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard but because of her age and heavy damages the USS Oklahoma was decommissioned on 1 September 1944.

Mint black crackle Zippo with original factory engraving of the ships name «U.S.S. Oklahoma» and the date «12–28–43».

In July 1941 the United States occupies Iceland, taking over its defense from Great Britain and attempting to thwart a potential invasion by Nazi Germany. In May 1942 the U.S. Navy established a Naval Operating Base (N.O.B).

Black crackle Zippo with U.S. Navy insignia on the front and original factory engraving «N.O.B. Iceland Christmas 1942» on the back.

The Battle of Attu, which took place on 11-30 May 1943, was a battle fought between forces of the United States, aided by Canadian Reconnaissance and Fighter-Bomber support, and Japan on Attu Island off the coast of the Territory of Alaska as part of the Aleutian Islands Campaign during the American Theater and the Pacific Theater.

Well worn black crackle Zippo with a U.S. Navy insignia, ATTU letters, a date plate '43 on the front and a bullet, a cut-out head of a coin and a U.S.N. plate on the other side.

Chrome plated Zippo with the U.S. Navy insignia on the front and the initials «EHB» on the back.

Chrome plated Zippo with different engravings: the U.S. Navy cap insignia and the owners name «Chester F. Bragiel» on the front and a horse cart scene with «Palermo – Sicily» on the other side.

The bombing of Pisa took place on 31 August 1943, during WWII. Aimed at disabling the city's marshalling yard, it also resulted in heavy damage to the city itself and civilian casualties. Fortunately, the most famous landmarks were left untouched.

Chrome plated Zippo with the owner's name «W^m J. Burmeister» engraved on the front and the «leaning tower» of Pisa along with «Pisa - 1945» on the back.

Pisa was liberated on 2 September by the Fifth United States Army. The tower still leaning as of old, was undamaged in the fight to take the historic city.

Chrome plated Zippo with small U.S. Army Great Seal insignia on the front and the «leaning tower» of Pisa on the other side with the name «B. D. Willis» and «Pisa 1945» engraved.

After nine months of bitter combat, on 11 May 1944 the Allies launched operation «Diadem» which was to break through the «Gustav Line» and open the way to Rome. Allied forces and specifically the U.S. Fifth Army liberated Rome in June 1944 and tanks paraded in triumph past Rome's ancient colosseum. Heston M^c Mann served in the 803rd Military Police Battalion which was activated 26 December 1942 at Camp Swift, Texas, disembarked at Naples on 3 October 1943 and was ordered to establish Military Police control over the city and port. Later, they served in Anzio, Rome, Civitavecchia, Leghorn, and then back to Naples where the battalion was inactivated 30 June 1946.

Heston M^c Mann used both a chrome plated Zippo as well as a Ronson lighter. Both with various engravings: his name, his service number «32713080», the combat unit «Co. A 803 M.P. Bn.» in which he served, the stations «Oran – Africa», «Naples – Mt. Vesuv» and «Rome» with the Colosseum on the front and the U.S. Army Great Seal insignia, the years «1943» and «1944» and the three camps «Upton, N..Y.», «Swift, Texas» and «Shanks, N.Y.» on the back.

During the liberation of Italy the main Allied effort centered on the port of Naples. In the city itself, antifascist forces began an uprising, later known as the Four days of Naples, holding out despite continuous German reprisals until the arrival of Allied forces. It took several offensives between January and May 1944 before the 30km front between Monte Cassino and the western seaboard was broken. The American Fifth Army has occupied Rome on 4 June 1944. In the period from June to August 1944, the Allies advanced beyond Rome, taking Florence and closing up on the «Gothic Line».

Chrome plated Zippo with various engravings: three training camps and the port of Naples (incl. active Vesuv) as the scene of the landing in Naples 1944 on the front and important stations on the other side from southern to northern Italy with «Cassino», «Anzio» and «Rome» and further stays with «Algiers», «Oran», «Toulon» and «Marseille».

Well worn chrome plated Zippo with owners name «R. Schweigert» engraved together with «Africa 44» and «Italy 44-45».

On December 7, 1941, the Imperial Japanese Navy launched a surprise attack against the Naval Base at Pearl Harbor in Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii. The attack led to the United States' formal entry into WWII the next day.

Well worn black crackle Zippo with two palm trees on the beach and «Hawaii 1945» engraved on the front and a nearly nude Hawaiian dancer next to a native house  and the state nickname «Aloha» engraved on the other side.

The alphabet of democracy referred to as the «A.B.C.D. Powers», America, Britain, China and the Dutch unite in the defense of Democracy in the Orient and the South Seas. They formed a circle around Japan and as a part of it, the Territory of Hawaii served as a crucial base for the United States throughout the war, providing a strategic location for naval operations, airfields, and logistical support. The islands of Oahu, where Pearl Harbor is situated, played a central role in the Allied efforts to counter Japanese advances in the Pacific.

Black crackle Zippo with various engravings: «Gam.», «A.B.C.D.», «Oahu» and «T.H.» on the front and «44 ~ 45» on the back side.

During World War II, the U.S. Army's activities in the Panama Canal Zone were focused on defending the strategically vital canal, crucial for Allied naval operations. In 1942 the zone saw increased troop deployments and the fortification of defenses. That same year, the U.S. also began interning Japanese, German, and Italian nationals in the Canal Zone, suspecting them of potential espionage or sabotage, to protect the canal from any Axis threats.

Well worn black crackle Zippo engraved with the owner's initials «W B» on the front and «Panama Zone» on the back.

With the entrance to the war, the United States sought a forward training area and resupply base to serve as a potential line of defense against the Japanese sweep through the Pacific. Fiji geographically and logistically was the best location and because of its central location, Fiji was selected as a training base for the Allies.

Well worn black crackle Zippo with a Fiji Florin 1934 coin on the front and a Fiji Sixpence 1942 coin on the other side.

Well worn black crackle Zippo with an Australian One Penny 1944 coin on the front and engravings on the back side.

Well worn black crackle Zippo with an Australian One Shilling 1943 coin that has the merino ram's head and a U.S. Filipinas Twenty Centavos coin on the front and a New Guinea One Shilling 1938 coin along with a Netherlands East Indies 1/10 Gulden 1941 coin on the other side.

Well worn black crackle Zippo from World War II, featuring a 1945 Filipinas Ten Centavos coin on the front and its reverse on the back. These coins, issued during the final year of the war under U.S. administration in the Philippines, highlight the connection between American forces and the Pacific theater.

During WWII, Guam was attacked and invaded by Japan 1941, shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor. The United States returned and fought the Battle of Guam from July 21 to August 10, 1944, to recapture the island from Japanese military occupation. More than 18,000 Japanese were killed as only 485 surrendered. The United States also captured and occupied the nearby Northern Marianas Islands.

Worn black crackle Zippo with different engravings and painted places of action on both sides: «Manila», «Guam» and «Tokyo».

Just weeks before the US dropped the most powerful weapon mankind has ever known, Nagasaki was not even on a list of target cities for the atomic bomb. In its place was Japan's ancient capital, Kyoto. The list was created by a committee of American Military generals, Army officers and scientists. Kyoto, which is home to more than 2,000 Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines, including 17 World Heritage Sites, was at the top of it. But in early June 1945, Secretary of War Henry Stimson ordered Kyoto to be removed from the target list. He argued that it was of cultural importance and that it was not a military target.

Chrome plated Zippo with «MILT, 1945, Kyoto, Japan» engraved on the front side.

Black crackle Zippo with U.S. Army Great Seal insignia original applied by Zippo on the front and a Newfoundland 5 Cents 1941 applied on the other side.

Well worn black crackle Zippo with four coins applied: a Great Britain 3 Pence 1916 and a British West Africa One Schilling 1939 on the front and a French 1 Franc 1926 Chambers of Commerce and a Newfoundland One Cent 1909 on the other side.

In 1943, during WWII, several U.S. military units and organizations were stationed in Algiers, Algeria, following the Allied landings in North Africa (Operation Torch) in November 1942. Algiers became a strategic headquarters for Allied operations in the Mediterranean and North Africa.

Well worn black crackle Zippo with a scene engraved on the front with a mosque in the foreground, a palm tree, a cactus in front of sand dunes, a sunset including the year 1943 and birds in the sky. The other side is engraved with «North Africa» and «Algier» with ornaments and the owner's name «Leo».

During WWII, Morocco, which was then occupied by France, was controlled by Vichy France from 1940 to 1942 after the occupation of France by Nazi Germany. However, after the North African Campaign, Morocco was under Allied control and thus was active in Allied operations until the end of the war.

Chrome plated Zippo with a Moroccan 1 Franc Empire Cherifien coin on the front and a Republique Française 1 Franc 1940 coin on the other side.

During World War II, Egypt played a strategic role in the North African campaign, and the United States Army was involved in several significant events in the region: the North African campaign, the Operation Torch, which had a significant impact on the overall North African campaign including Egypt, the second Battle of El Alamein and the Cairo conference that included President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Prime Minister Winston Churchill, and Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek. Egypt served as an important logistical hub for the Allied forces in North Africa and the Middle East. U.S. Army units were involved in establishing and operating military bases, supply depots, and airfields to support the overall war effort.

Chrome plated Zippo with beautiful engraved scenes on the front and the back with «Egypt», palm trees, the river Nile, the pyramids, a mosque and a bedouin on a dromedary. And on one side is the engraving of the owner's name «Jim Roth».   

Chrome plated Zippo with an Egyptian 5 Silver Piastres 1939 coin with King Farouk on both sides and additionally the owner's name «C. Westing» on the front and the owner's name in Egyptian letters on the back side.

Chrome plated Zippo from the same owner C. G. Westing with his initials «C.G.W.» engraved on the front and a smaller Egyptian 2 Silver Piastres 1944 coin with King Farouk applied on both sides.

Hitler sent his army to North Africa starting in February 1941 (Operation Sonnenblume). General Erwin Rommel's Afrikakorps comprehensively outfought British forces in a classic blitzkrieg. Within weeks the British had been pushed back into Egypt. Rommel's offensive was finally stopped at the small railway halt of El Alamein, just 150 miles from Cairo. Later, Rommel tried again to break through the lines of the Allies during the Battle of Alam el Halfa and was defeated by the British commander, Lieutenant General Bernard Montgomery.

Chrome plated Zippo with various engravings: «Cairo» and a dromedary before the pyramids with palm trees on the front and the owner's name «Andy Anderson» together with two large flowers on the front.

The Battle of Tripoli was an engagement on between the German-Italian tank army commanded by Erwin Rommel of Germany and Ettore Bastico of Italy, who held the town, and the Allies commanded by Montgomery. During the Liberation of Tripoli, Germany was deeply involved on a second war front, with Russia. This meant that a depleted Germany force fought in North Africa. After a short siege, the Germans withdrew from Tripoli, and the Allies entered the town.

Well worn black crackle Zippo with various engravings: the owner's name «Rusty» with the monogram «WMD» on one side and «Tripoli» along with a Libyan scene that includes a mosque, two palm trees and a bedouin on a dromedary on the other side.

The Teheran Conference, held at the end of 1943, was the first of the WWII conferences of the «Big Three» Allied leaders Joseph Stalin, Franklin D. Roosevelt and Winston Churchill. Its main objectives included coordinating the military strategy against Nazi Germany and planning the opening of a second front in Western Europe, which led to the D-Day invasion plans. Discussions were also held on the post-war reorganization and initial ideas for the United Nations were expressed.

Chrome plated Zippo with various engravings: ornaments ranking around the owner’s name «Jos. Scuto» on the front; a scene with a dromedary, a pyramid, a palm tree, and a bird on the back, with the place and time of service «Teheran – Iran» and «June 1 1942–43» engraved above the scene; and inscriptions in Persian Farsi on the top reading «Joshua Scuto», on the face «Wolf of Chorasan», and on the hinge side «Geri I love you». His full name was Joseph A. Scuto, and he held the rank of Technician Fifth Grade (TEC 5) in the U.S. Army during World War II. His wife’s name was Geraldine. Chorasan, historically a region in northeastern Iran, is known for its rich cultural heritage and strategic importance, linking Central Asia with the Persian heartland.

The U.S. Army unit with the engraved movement pattern was the Persian Gulf Command (PGC), also known as the Persian Gulf Service Command. This command was responsible for maintaining supply lines through the Middle East and Asia and supported the Allied forces, particularly the Soviet Union, with critical supplies under the Lend-Lease program. In 1943, 30,000 Americans helped guard the Persian Corridor, and a third of the supplies sent to the Soviet Union under the Lend-Lease Act were routed through Iran. The US also extended Lend-Lease assistance to Iran and began training the Iranian army.

Well worn black crackle Zippo with different engravings: the owner's name «W. C. Meyers» and his places of action «New Zealand – Wellington», «Australia – Melbourne», «India – Bombay», «Persia», «Iraq» and «Iran – Teheran / Qum / Ahwaz» together with the Iran emblem, the Iran lion holding a shamshir with the sun and the years of service «1943-44-45».

The CBI theater (1941-45) has been dubbed «the forgotten theater» of WWII. Once the United States entered the war, American strategy called for building up China as a source of manpower, as a base for bombers and the eventual invasion of Japan. CBI produced some of the most impressive feats of engineering and logistics in American military history.

Chrome plated Zippo with different engravings: the insignia of the U.S. Army Nurse Corps, the theater name of operation «China Burma India» and the CBI insignia on the front and the map of the CBI theater with the personal initials «EAK» on the back.

Chrome plated Zippo with different engravings: the theater name of operation «China Burma India», the CBI insignia with the years of service «1943-44-45», the illustration of the Taj Mahal on the front and the map of the CBI theater with the personal initials «HPH» on the back.

Black crackle Zippo with the insignia of the CBI theater.

Chrome plated Zippo with a British India Silver One Rupee 1944 coin on both side and the owners' name «Iona Spencer» engraved on the front.

Worn Zippo with «Riverside Calif.», «Hobart. Tasmania.» and «Bombay. India.» engraved on the front in an unusual and special make.

Well worn black crackle Zippo with a coin on each side. On the front a British Palestine 2 Mils 1927 coin with the inscription (פלשתינה (א"י PALESTINE فلسطين (Palestine in Hebrew, English and Arabic) and a British One Penny coin on the other side.

Well worn black crackle Zippo with various places of action and years of service engraved: «England», «Ireland», «France», «Belgium», «Holland» and «Germany» and «42 43 44 45». Version with patent error «203695».

Well worn black crackle Zippo with two silver coins from Germany as a trophy of the U.S. G.I. who owned this lighter and fought against the Nazis: a 5 Reichsmark 1939 coin with Paul von Hindenburg on one side and a 2 Reichsmark 1938 on the other side.

Well worn black crackle Zippo with a German 2nd class iron cross 1939 clasp as a trophy of the U.S. G.I. who owned this lighter and fought against the Nazis.

Guernsey, along with the other Channel Islands, was occupied by German forces during WWII. The German occupation of the Channel Islands began in 1940 and lasted until the end of the war in 1945. Guernsey, being one of the Channel Islands, was liberated by the Allies after the German surrender in May 1945. The liberation of Guernsey occurred on May 9, 1945, one day after Victory in Europe (VE) Day.

Well worn black crackle Zippo with applied monogram «W L R», metal eagle of the German Kriegsmarine as a trophy of the U.S. G.I. who owned this lighter and fought against the Nazis and a Guernesey 4 Doubles 1945 coin on the front and a United Kingdom One Shilling 1945 coin with Scottish Reverse together with a Swiss 2 Rappen 1941 coin on the other side.

Well worn black crackle Zippo with a Newfoundland 5 Cents 1945 coin and an Irish Half Penny coin on the front and a Portuguese Escudo 1940 coin on the other side.

Well worn black crackle Zippo with an Island 1 Krona coin, an Island 25 Aurar coin and a British Six Pence 1926 coin on the front and a British Half Penny 1945 coin, a British Half Crown coin and a Island 5 Aurar 1942 coin on the back with an applied half .30 M1 carbine cartridge with bullet on the side.

Well worn black crackle Zippo with various coats of arms or crests applied which are engraved with a crown and crest that includes the two Latin words «Coelestia Cano» meaning «I sing of the heavens» on the front and the monogram «G.B» with various small crests on the back. In addition, three places of action are engraved on three sides: «England», «France» and «Germany» together with some ornaments.

Well worn black crackle Zippo with a British Farthing 1944 coin. Its name is derived from the Old English word «feorthing», meaning «fourth part», as it originally represented one-quarter of a penny.

Chrome plated Zippo with the owner's name «Capt. O. L. Culbert B. E.», his serial number «O-281776» and a place & date «London – 1942-3-4» engraved on the front side and an applied U.S. Army Corps of Engineers insignia on the back side.

Chrome plated Zippo with various engravings: the owner's name «Nelson L. Charles», his service number «33234084», «England» as the first place of deployment with the date «July 27th 1943» and the further stays «Liverpool», «Exeter» and «Taunton» on the front and the map of England with the stays on the other side.

More than 59,000 American nurses served in the Army Nurse Corps during WWII under fire in field and evacuation hospitals, on hospital trains and ships, and as flight nurses on medical transport planes.

Chrome plated Zippo with various engravings: the name of the nurses «Lt. Nelda J. Goodwin», her service number «N-779069», the date of her arrival in England «OCT. 17th. '43» and the insignia of the U.S. Army Nurse Corps on one side and the map of England with all related or important city names.

In 1945, several U.S. Army hospitals were active in Le Havre, France, including the 53rd Field Hospital, the 128th Evacuation Hospital, and the 12th General Hospital. These hospitals provided a wide range of medical services, from treating soldiers near the front lines to offering surgical care and long-term rehabilitation. U.S. Army nurses served in all of these hospitals, including many holding the rank of 1st Lieutenant. These nurses, part of the Army Nurse Corps, played crucial roles in patient care and held leadership responsibilities, helping manage medical operations during the later stages of the war.

Chrome plated Zippo with a 1st Lieutenant rank insignia above the U.S. Army Nurse Corps insignia on the front, «Le Havre France, '45» engraved on the back and the owners initials attached on the front side.

Chrome plated Zippo with a U.S. Army Dentist Corps insignia on the front.

Lt. Colonel Jacob Brem served as Executive Officer in command of the U.S. Army 182d General Hospital, arriving in England in April 1944.

Chrome plated Zippo with a U.S. Army Medical Corps insignia on one side, a Lieutenant Colonel rank insignia on the other side and various engravings on both sides: «Taunton 1944», the owner's monogram «JB» and his service number «O-285742».

The caduceus was formally adopted by the Medical Department of the United States Army in 1902 and was added to the uniforms of Army Medical officers.

Well worn black crackle Zippo with a U.S. Army officers collar insignia and a U.S. Army Medical Corps insignia on one side and a Lieutenant Colonel rank insignia on the other side.

The 91st General Hospital was activated on 20 June 1943 at Schick Hospital, Clinton, Iowa. After training 13 March 1944, the organization embarked with destination the European theater. First moved to the United Kingdom, later reached Le Havre harbor on 26 September 1945. The bulk of the organization took up temporary quarters at Camp Philip Morris (one of the Cigarette Camps around Le Havre) to await the final transportation to Liège, Belgium. The organization was equipped with 1,000 beds, which could be expanded to 2,000 beds and was equipped with 55 officers, 1 staff sergeant, 83 nurses, 450 soldiers and 20 trucks and 8 trailers.

Chrome plated Zippo with the name of the owner «Gene C. Tanner», his unit «91st Gen. Hosp. U.S.A.» on the front and the period of service «1944-46» together with the countries of service «England», «France» and «Belgium» engraved on the back. The style of engraving is the same as on the following Zippo of Lt. Col. Philip Baxter, who also served in the 91st General Hospital in Liège, Belgium.

In order to furnish as near to the front lines as possible, a higher type of medical treatment than first aid or emergency medical care, hospitals, either «fixed» or designed for easy movement, «mobile» hospitals were established. Mobile hospitals, such as surgical, evacuation, and convalescent hospitals were usually assigned to Field Divisions and Armies. Lt. Colonel Philip Baxter served in four «fixed» General Hospitals: 187th (Everleigh), 177th (Le Mans), 15th and 91st (Liège) where he assumed command on 17 October 1945.

Chrome plated Zippo with the owner's name «Philip Baxter» engraved on the top of the lid and all the General Hospitals he served in mentioned on both sides along with a Lieutenant Colonel rank insignia on the front and a British Half Penny 1937 coin on the back. The style of engraving is the same as on the previous Zippo of Gene C. Tanner, who also served in the 91st General Hospital in Liège, Belgium.

First deployed to a combat zone during WWII, the U.S 52nd Medical Battalion took part in seven campaigns, with three in Italy, two in France, and one each in Germany and Central Europe. During the invasion of Southern France it was assigned to the U.S. 3rd Infantry Division. The Battalion was assigned to operate an evacuation holding hospital at Istres, which grew to a 1,000-bed facility with a turnover of some 600 patients per day.

Well worn black crackle Zippo with an applied distinctive unit insignia of the U.S. 52nd Medical Battalion along with a Swastika HJ emblem as a trophy of the U.S. G.I., who owned this lighter and fought against the Nazis, on one side and a 1914 German iron cross medal along with three crossed swords from ribbon bar on the other side.

Throughout the WWII, Army Chaplains carried out field burials, provided medical and moral support as well as helping the soldiers they were with to solve practical personal issues.

Well worn chrome plated Zippo with engravings and ornaments all around: on the front a cross, the insignia for military chaplains, the owner's name «P. G. Kelly» and another cross as well as the places of action «England», «France», «Belgium», «Holland», «Luxemburg», «Germany» and «Ireland» on the back.

Black crackle Zippo with the U.S. Army Great Seal insignia, which was used on officers' caps, on one side and a religious lucky charm on the other side.

Well worn black crackle Zippo with an applied St. Christopher Medal, the patron saint of travelers.

Private Raymond R. Hotaling was enlisted 16th of June 1944 at Fort Dix New Jersey.

Black crackle Zippo with hand painted monogram «H» together with his personal belongings including crucifix, dog tag and sweetheart bracelet.

Colonel, the highest field-grade officer, ranking just below the General officer grades.

Worn black crackle Zippo with a Colonel rank insignia and a U.S. Army officers collar insignia on each side.

The French foreign legion was involved in different battles during WWII especially in Africa: 1940 in Dakar (French West Africa) and Gabon (French Equatorial Africa), 1941 in Keren (Eritrea) and Marocco (French Morocco), 1942 in Bir Hakeim (Libya) and  El Alamein (Egypt) and 1943 in Djebel Mansour and Djebel Zaghouan (Tunisia).

Black crackle Zippo with an applique of a French foreign legion soldiers head with a Sahara kepi.

Black crackle Zippo with an applique from the Shriners of North America. According to the original owner, the Zippo was hit by a bullet during the war and repaired on both sides.

Well worn black crackle Zippo with stamped letters «Lee. Townsend».

Well worn black crackle Zippo with a brass heart applied on each side.

Black crackle Zippo with the engravings: «Don» with a heart on the front and «Fran» with a heart on the back.

Well worn black crackle Zippo with the owner's name «TIDMORE» hand engraved with points on the front.

Well worn black crackle Zippo with the owner's name «Peter S. Hitchcock» and his service number «O-1327543» engraved on the front.

Black crackle Zippo with various engravings: the owner's initials «D S » and the combination «Dave & Bea» on the front and the insignia of a Brigadier General and the Service Command on the other side.

Worn black crackle Zippo with different engravings: «Jane Holley» and the date «1942» on the front and «Art Holley» on the other side.

Worn black crackle Zippo with the painted name «Jim» on the front.

The Chicago Cubs are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago, Illinois. The Cubs enjoyed one more pennant at the close of WWII. Due to the wartime travel restrictions, the first three games of the 1945 World Series were played in Detroit. Indeed, the '45 season, and others during the war years, almost didn't happen. Some officials thought professional sports an unnecessary drain on resources needed for the war effort. Fortunately for fans, President Franklin Roosevelt had overruled them, with a letter in 1942 to Kenesaw Mountain Landis, the commissioner of baseball. «I honestly feel that it would be best for the country to keep baseball going,» Roosevelt wrote in what became known as the «green light letter.» «Everybody will work longer hours and harder than ever before. And that means that they ought to have a chance for recreation and for taking their minds off their work even more than before.»

Well worn black crackle Zippo with double stamp on the top and the bottom.

Well worn black crackle Zippo with brass initials «NVG» applied on the front. The hinge has once broken and self-repaired by soldering a new, three barrel outside hinge.

Original Zippo boxes from WWII in various colors and conditions.