20 Pictures of Engraved Zippo Lighters of Soldiers from the Vietnam War

In 2012, an American artist named Bradford Edwards put up a very unique collection for auction at Cowanâs Auctions Inc., which was sold for $35,250 on July 21. The collection was that of Zippo lighters featuring personalized engravings of words and pictures chosen by US soldiers, sailors, and airmen when they were deployed to Vietnam. Edwards collected the lighters during the 1990s on site in Vietnam. He named his collection Iâm not a Zippo collector; Iâm not somebody into the Zippo, per se, and believes that the lighters are an insight into the minds of the men who owned them. They also became an inspiration to and media in his art. Here are the pictures of some of those engraved Zippo lighters that so fascinated Edwards.
1 Founded in 1932 by George G. Blaisdell, the Zippo Manufacturing Companyâs metal reusable lighters are often considered âa legendary and distinct symbol of Americana.â Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 2 Because of their large windscreen and adequate fuel delivery, the lighters stay lit even in harsh weather and gained popularity as âwindproof.â
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 3 According to Bradford Edwards, the lighters served as more than just a means for lighting cigarettes. The soldiers would carry them around when they went on missions and use them to heat food, read letters from home, or setting huts on fire. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 4 The lighters were used so much during search-and-destroy missions that the soldiers often called those missions âZippo Missionsâ or âZippo Raids.â
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 5 According to Private First Class Reginald Edwards, âwhen you say level a village, you don’t use torches. It’s not like in the 1800s. You used a Zippo. Now you would use a Bic. That’s just the way we did it. You went in there with your Zippos. Everybody. That’s why people bought Zippos. Everybody had a Zippo. It was for burnin’ sh*t down.â
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 6 The phrase âZippo squadâ became such part of American military jargon for being assigned to burn down a village that the M132 Armored Flamethrower was nicknamed âZippo.â
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 7 So, it stands to reason that the soldiers liked to personalize their lighters so much. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 8 The soldiers would buy the Zippo lighters for $1.80 at the post exchange store, and they could get it engraved with a stock design from a wide selection or a message of their own at sidewalk tents. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 9 Most of the messages engraved on the lighters mirror the attitudes of Americans and the world towards the war in Vietnam at that time. While some are simply humorously rhyming lines. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 10 Some of the lighters feature proud emblems and words of the soldiers who are proud to be fighting in the war and the glory associated with it. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 11 There are also lighters that feature the messages of reluctant, unwilling soldiers who were fighting because they had no choice. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 12 Some have signs of peace, psychedelic designs, and even funny cartoon characters, Charles Schulzâs Peanuts being the most popular choice, especially Snoopy who fought against the Red Baron. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 13 Some were philosophical and pondered the meaning of life and death, while others dealt with the most popular subjects of that time among young people: sex and drugs. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 14 Playboy logos, nude women motifs, and Zig-Zag man were a few other choices for engravings.
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 15 Quite a few lighters feature dedications to their mothers, lovers, or loved ones, or sentimental messages about wanting to get home alive to their family.
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 16 The Vietnam War exacted over a million in casualties, at least half of which were that of civilians. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 17 In the 1970s, the increasing unpopularity of war started a large anti-Vietnam War movement in the Western world. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 18 The US began to withdraw its forces and by August 15, 1973, its direct military involvement was ended. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 19 The Vietnam War changed the dynamics between the Eastern and Western Blocs of Cold War Era and as well as between the Global North and Global South of the world. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 20 The war ended on April 30, 1975, with the fall of Saigon and the victory of North Vietnam. It was followed by the reunification of North and South Vietnams into the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions

3 According to Bradford Edwards, the lighters served as more than just a means for lighting cigarettes. The soldiers would carry them around when they went on missions and use them to heat food, read letters from home, or setting huts on fire. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 4 The lighters were used so much during search-and-destroy missions that the soldiers often called those missions âZippo Missionsâ or âZippo Raids.â
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 5 According to Private First Class Reginald Edwards, âwhen you say level a village, you don’t use torches. It’s not like in the 1800s. You used a Zippo. Now you would use a Bic. That’s just the way we did it. You went in there with your Zippos. Everybody. That’s why people bought Zippos. Everybody had a Zippo. It was for burnin’ sh*t down.â
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 6 The phrase âZippo squadâ became such part of American military jargon for being assigned to burn down a village that the M132 Armored Flamethrower was nicknamed âZippo.â
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 7 So, it stands to reason that the soldiers liked to personalize their lighters so much. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 8 The soldiers would buy the Zippo lighters for $1.80 at the post exchange store, and they could get it engraved with a stock design from a wide selection or a message of their own at sidewalk tents. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 9 Most of the messages engraved on the lighters mirror the attitudes of Americans and the world towards the war in Vietnam at that time. While some are simply humorously rhyming lines. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 10 Some of the lighters feature proud emblems and words of the soldiers who are proud to be fighting in the war and the glory associated with it. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 11 There are also lighters that feature the messages of reluctant, unwilling soldiers who were fighting because they had no choice. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 12 Some have signs of peace, psychedelic designs, and even funny cartoon characters, Charles Schulzâs Peanuts being the most popular choice, especially Snoopy who fought against the Red Baron. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 13 Some were philosophical and pondered the meaning of life and death, while others dealt with the most popular subjects of that time among young people: sex and drugs. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 14 Playboy logos, nude women motifs, and Zig-Zag man were a few other choices for engravings.
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 15 Quite a few lighters feature dedications to their mothers, lovers, or loved ones, or sentimental messages about wanting to get home alive to their family.
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 16 The Vietnam War exacted over a million in casualties, at least half of which were that of civilians. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 17 In the 1970s, the increasing unpopularity of war started a large anti-Vietnam War movement in the Western world. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 18 The US began to withdraw its forces and by August 15, 1973, its direct military involvement was ended. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 19 The Vietnam War changed the dynamics between the Eastern and Western Blocs of Cold War Era and as well as between the Global North and Global South of the world. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 20 The war ended on April 30, 1975, with the fall of Saigon and the victory of North Vietnam. It was followed by the reunification of North and South Vietnams into the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions


5 According to Private First Class Reginald Edwards, âwhen you say level a village, you don’t use torches. It’s not like in the 1800s. You used a Zippo. Now you would use a Bic. That’s just the way we did it. You went in there with your Zippos. Everybody. That’s why people bought Zippos. Everybody had a Zippo. It was for burnin’ sh*t down.â
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 6 The phrase âZippo squadâ became such part of American military jargon for being assigned to burn down a village that the M132 Armored Flamethrower was nicknamed âZippo.â
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 7 So, it stands to reason that the soldiers liked to personalize their lighters so much. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 8 The soldiers would buy the Zippo lighters for $1.80 at the post exchange store, and they could get it engraved with a stock design from a wide selection or a message of their own at sidewalk tents. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 9 Most of the messages engraved on the lighters mirror the attitudes of Americans and the world towards the war in Vietnam at that time. While some are simply humorously rhyming lines. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 10 Some of the lighters feature proud emblems and words of the soldiers who are proud to be fighting in the war and the glory associated with it. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 11 There are also lighters that feature the messages of reluctant, unwilling soldiers who were fighting because they had no choice. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 12 Some have signs of peace, psychedelic designs, and even funny cartoon characters, Charles Schulzâs Peanuts being the most popular choice, especially Snoopy who fought against the Red Baron. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 13 Some were philosophical and pondered the meaning of life and death, while others dealt with the most popular subjects of that time among young people: sex and drugs. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 14 Playboy logos, nude women motifs, and Zig-Zag man were a few other choices for engravings.
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 15 Quite a few lighters feature dedications to their mothers, lovers, or loved ones, or sentimental messages about wanting to get home alive to their family.
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 16 The Vietnam War exacted over a million in casualties, at least half of which were that of civilians. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 17 In the 1970s, the increasing unpopularity of war started a large anti-Vietnam War movement in the Western world. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 18 The US began to withdraw its forces and by August 15, 1973, its direct military involvement was ended. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 19 The Vietnam War changed the dynamics between the Eastern and Western Blocs of Cold War Era and as well as between the Global North and Global South of the world. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 20 The war ended on April 30, 1975, with the fall of Saigon and the victory of North Vietnam. It was followed by the reunification of North and South Vietnams into the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions


7 So, it stands to reason that the soldiers liked to personalize their lighters so much. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 8 The soldiers would buy the Zippo lighters for $1.80 at the post exchange store, and they could get it engraved with a stock design from a wide selection or a message of their own at sidewalk tents. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 9 Most of the messages engraved on the lighters mirror the attitudes of Americans and the world towards the war in Vietnam at that time. While some are simply humorously rhyming lines. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 10 Some of the lighters feature proud emblems and words of the soldiers who are proud to be fighting in the war and the glory associated with it. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 11 There are also lighters that feature the messages of reluctant, unwilling soldiers who were fighting because they had no choice. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 12 Some have signs of peace, psychedelic designs, and even funny cartoon characters, Charles Schulzâs Peanuts being the most popular choice, especially Snoopy who fought against the Red Baron. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 13 Some were philosophical and pondered the meaning of life and death, while others dealt with the most popular subjects of that time among young people: sex and drugs. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 14 Playboy logos, nude women motifs, and Zig-Zag man were a few other choices for engravings.
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 15 Quite a few lighters feature dedications to their mothers, lovers, or loved ones, or sentimental messages about wanting to get home alive to their family.
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 16 The Vietnam War exacted over a million in casualties, at least half of which were that of civilians. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 17 In the 1970s, the increasing unpopularity of war started a large anti-Vietnam War movement in the Western world. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 18 The US began to withdraw its forces and by August 15, 1973, its direct military involvement was ended. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 19 The Vietnam War changed the dynamics between the Eastern and Western Blocs of Cold War Era and as well as between the Global North and Global South of the world. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 20 The war ended on April 30, 1975, with the fall of Saigon and the victory of North Vietnam. It was followed by the reunification of North and South Vietnams into the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions


Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 9 Most of the messages engraved on the lighters mirror the attitudes of Americans and the world towards the war in Vietnam at that time. While some are simply humorously rhyming lines. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 10 Some of the lighters feature proud emblems and words of the soldiers who are proud to be fighting in the war and the glory associated with it. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 11 There are also lighters that feature the messages of reluctant, unwilling soldiers who were fighting because they had no choice. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 12 Some have signs of peace, psychedelic designs, and even funny cartoon characters, Charles Schulzâs Peanuts being the most popular choice, especially Snoopy who fought against the Red Baron. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 13 Some were philosophical and pondered the meaning of life and death, while others dealt with the most popular subjects of that time among young people: sex and drugs. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 14 Playboy logos, nude women motifs, and Zig-Zag man were a few other choices for engravings.
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 15 Quite a few lighters feature dedications to their mothers, lovers, or loved ones, or sentimental messages about wanting to get home alive to their family.
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 16 The Vietnam War exacted over a million in casualties, at least half of which were that of civilians. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 17 In the 1970s, the increasing unpopularity of war started a large anti-Vietnam War movement in the Western world. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 18 The US began to withdraw its forces and by August 15, 1973, its direct military involvement was ended. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 19 The Vietnam War changed the dynamics between the Eastern and Western Blocs of Cold War Era and as well as between the Global North and Global South of the world. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 20 The war ended on April 30, 1975, with the fall of Saigon and the victory of North Vietnam. It was followed by the reunification of North and South Vietnams into the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions


10 Some of the lighters feature proud emblems and words of the soldiers who are proud to be fighting in the war and the glory associated with it. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 11 There are also lighters that feature the messages of reluctant, unwilling soldiers who were fighting because they had no choice. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 12 Some have signs of peace, psychedelic designs, and even funny cartoon characters, Charles Schulzâs Peanuts being the most popular choice, especially Snoopy who fought against the Red Baron. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 13 Some were philosophical and pondered the meaning of life and death, while others dealt with the most popular subjects of that time among young people: sex and drugs. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 14 Playboy logos, nude women motifs, and Zig-Zag man were a few other choices for engravings.
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 15 Quite a few lighters feature dedications to their mothers, lovers, or loved ones, or sentimental messages about wanting to get home alive to their family.
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 16 The Vietnam War exacted over a million in casualties, at least half of which were that of civilians. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 17 In the 1970s, the increasing unpopularity of war started a large anti-Vietnam War movement in the Western world. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 18 The US began to withdraw its forces and by August 15, 1973, its direct military involvement was ended. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 19 The Vietnam War changed the dynamics between the Eastern and Western Blocs of Cold War Era and as well as between the Global North and Global South of the world. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 20 The war ended on April 30, 1975, with the fall of Saigon and the victory of North Vietnam. It was followed by the reunification of North and South Vietnams into the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions


Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 12 Some have signs of peace, psychedelic designs, and even funny cartoon characters, Charles Schulzâs Peanuts being the most popular choice, especially Snoopy who fought against the Red Baron. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 13 Some were philosophical and pondered the meaning of life and death, while others dealt with the most popular subjects of that time among young people: sex and drugs. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 14 Playboy logos, nude women motifs, and Zig-Zag man were a few other choices for engravings.
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 15 Quite a few lighters feature dedications to their mothers, lovers, or loved ones, or sentimental messages about wanting to get home alive to their family.
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 16 The Vietnam War exacted over a million in casualties, at least half of which were that of civilians. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 17 In the 1970s, the increasing unpopularity of war started a large anti-Vietnam War movement in the Western world. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 18 The US began to withdraw its forces and by August 15, 1973, its direct military involvement was ended. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 19 The Vietnam War changed the dynamics between the Eastern and Western Blocs of Cold War Era and as well as between the Global North and Global South of the world. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 20 The war ended on April 30, 1975, with the fall of Saigon and the victory of North Vietnam. It was followed by the reunification of North and South Vietnams into the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions


13 Some were philosophical and pondered the meaning of life and death, while others dealt with the most popular subjects of that time among young people: sex and drugs. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 14 Playboy logos, nude women motifs, and Zig-Zag man were a few other choices for engravings.
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 15 Quite a few lighters feature dedications to their mothers, lovers, or loved ones, or sentimental messages about wanting to get home alive to their family.
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 16 The Vietnam War exacted over a million in casualties, at least half of which were that of civilians. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 17 In the 1970s, the increasing unpopularity of war started a large anti-Vietnam War movement in the Western world. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 18 The US began to withdraw its forces and by August 15, 1973, its direct military involvement was ended. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 19 The Vietnam War changed the dynamics between the Eastern and Western Blocs of Cold War Era and as well as between the Global North and Global South of the world. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 20 The war ended on April 30, 1975, with the fall of Saigon and the victory of North Vietnam. It was followed by the reunification of North and South Vietnams into the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions


15 Quite a few lighters feature dedications to their mothers, lovers, or loved ones, or sentimental messages about wanting to get home alive to their family.
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 16 The Vietnam War exacted over a million in casualties, at least half of which were that of civilians. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 17 In the 1970s, the increasing unpopularity of war started a large anti-Vietnam War movement in the Western world. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 18 The US began to withdraw its forces and by August 15, 1973, its direct military involvement was ended. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 19 The Vietnam War changed the dynamics between the Eastern and Western Blocs of Cold War Era and as well as between the Global North and Global South of the world. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 20 The war ended on April 30, 1975, with the fall of Saigon and the victory of North Vietnam. It was followed by the reunification of North and South Vietnams into the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions


17 In the 1970s, the increasing unpopularity of war started a large anti-Vietnam War movement in the Western world. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 18 The US began to withdraw its forces and by August 15, 1973, its direct military involvement was ended. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 19 The Vietnam War changed the dynamics between the Eastern and Western Blocs of Cold War Era and as well as between the Global North and Global South of the world. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 20 The war ended on April 30, 1975, with the fall of Saigon and the victory of North Vietnam. It was followed by the reunification of North and South Vietnams into the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions


19 The Vietnam War changed the dynamics between the Eastern and Western Blocs of Cold War Era and as well as between the Global North and Global South of the world. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions 20 The war ended on April 30, 1975, with the fall of Saigon and the victory of North Vietnam. It was followed by the reunification of North and South Vietnams into the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. 
Image Source: Cowan’s Auctions


[source: wikipedia]







