VIETNAM WAR ENGRAVED ZIPPO LIGHTER DATE CODE 1967

VIETNAM WAR ENGRAVED ZIPPO LIGHTER DATE CODE 1967

HISTORY

During the Vietnam War Lai Khê was a garrison town as the ARVN 5th Division was based there for most of the 1960s/70s.

Lai Khê was also the Headquarters for the U.S. Army's 1st Infantry Divsion (The Big Red One) from October 1967 until January 1970.

Other U.S. Army units based at Lai Khê included:

• 121st Signal Battalion (1965-1970)
• 2nd Surgical Hospital (1968-March 1970)
• 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry (April–December 1969)
• 5th Battalion, 7th Cavalry (April–December 1969)
• 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment (February 1969)
• 6th Battalion, 15th Artillery (May 1967-July 1968)
• 18th Surgical Hospital (December 1967-February 1968)
• 2nd Battalion, 33rd Artillery (July 1967-April 1970)
• 173rd Assault Helicopter Company (1966 - March 1972)
• 554th Engineer Battalion (October 1969 – 1971)
• 337th Radio Research Company, 303rd Radio Research Battalion, 509th Radio Research Group (ASA)
• 4th Platoon of the 45th Medical Company (Air Ambulance) [AKA "Dustoff"] (June 1966 - February 1969)
• 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry
  • Bravo Troop
  • Echo Troop - formed here on September 1, 1970

On 28 July 1971 a PAVN/VC sapper attack on the base destroyed four U.S. helicopters and damaged a fifth.

ITEM DESCRIPTION

Original period Zippo lighter from the Vietnam war. Engraved to both sides from a soldier that had obviously been based at Lai Khe Army Base during the period 1967-68. The Zippo date marks to the base of the lighter shows it as dated to 1967 which is spot on.

As we know there are many Vietnam War era soldiers Zippo lighters being offered for sale as genuine but do pass muster when checking the issue dates, this is not one of those lighters. In the US genuine Vietnam War Zippo lighters are commanding high prices.