U.S. Army Medical Corps – Lt Colonel

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.

Model:
four barrel hinge, round bottom
Year:
1942 - 43
Status:
in collection

U.S. Army Medical Corps – 91st General Hospital

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.

Model:
three barrel hinge, flat bottom
Year:
1943 - 45
Status:
in collection

U.S. Army Medical Corps – Lt Col. Philip Baxter

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.

Model:
three barrel hinge (fixed during war), flat bottom
Year:
1942 - 43
Status:
in collection

U.S. Army 52nd Medical Battalion

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.

Model:
three barrel hinge, round bottom
Year:
1943 - 45
Status:
in collection

U.S. Army Chaplain Corps – P. G. Kelly

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.

Model:
three barrel hinge, round bottom
Year:
1943 - 45
Status:
in collection

Jesus Holy Medal

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.

Model:
four barrel hinge, round bottom
Year:
1942 - 43
Status:
in collection

St. Christopher Medal

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

Model:
three barrel hinge, round bottom
Year:
1943 - 45
Status:
in collection

Crucifix – Raymond R. Hotaling

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.

Model:
three barrel hinge, round bottom
Year:
1943 - 45
Status:
in collection

Colonel Rank Insignia

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.

Model:
three barrel hinge, round bottom
Year:
1943 - 45
Status:
in collection

French Foreign Legion

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.

Model:
three barrel hinge, round bottom
Year:
1943 - 45
Status:
in collection

Shriners of North America

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.