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.