Jump to content

USN LIGHTERS Zippo, Penguin, Vulcan, Prince Rocky, Ronson, Konwal,etc.


Recommended Posts

Salvage Sailor

Sailor, would the old WWII Navy Ship USS Biscayne have had a lighter?

Thanks.

Ronnie

 

Aloha Ronnie,

 

Unlikely as Biscayne has a short USN service life (WWII only), but quite likely during her Coast Guard service as USCGC Dexter (WAGC-385), later WAVP-385 and WHEC-385

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thank you Sailor for the reply. I will look for one of those lighters. It will be as close as I could get I suppose.

Thanks again for the info.

Ronnie

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Charlie Flick

Time for another naval lighter. This time it is for the fabled Seventh Fleet. This standard sized lighter is a Konwal "Super".

 

Seventh Fleet Konwal.jpg

 

The reverse side bears the 3 star flag of a Vice Admiral. I don't know who the Admiral was since I don't have a good handle on when this lighter was made. I am guessing anywhere from 1955 to 1975. Can anyone narrow that down any further?

 

One thing that I liked about this one was that it came unused in its original Konwal box. It still has the Lifetime Guarantee. It shows Konwal Co., Inc. as having an address in Tokyo.

 

Seventh Fleet Konwal back.jpg

 

Regards,

Charlie

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Charlie Flick

This next one gets us back to NavAir. This Konwal "Baby" small sized lighter is for fighter squadron VF-143 known as "The Pukin' Dogs". That name refers to the winged chimera with its mouth open, which someone thought closely resembled a dog in digestive distress. The name stuck. Its motto "Sans Reproache" means without reproach.

 

VF-143 Pukin Dogs Konwal.jpg

 

This Squadron is still operational today, although re-designated as VFA-143, and is based at Oceana NAS flying F/A18-Es. This lighter, however, is a Viet Nam era item as revealed by the back side with its engraved image of an F-4 Phantom II. That helps to date this lighter as anywhere between 1962 when 1974. Although is traces its lineage back to the early 1950s, the Squadron was re-designated as VF-143 in 1962 when it started to transition to the Phantom.

 

VF-143 Pukin Dogs back.jpg

 

The Pukin' Dogs had a remarkable seven deployments to South East Asia. It continued to fly the Phantom until 1974 when it became operational with the F-14 Tomcat. The photo below shows a VF-143 F4-J Phantom launching off of the USS Enterprise in 1973. I believe that this particular aircraft was shot down and its crew made POWs.

 

F-4J VF-143 launching from USS Enterprise 1973 ed.jpg

 

Regards,

Charlie

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Charlie Flick

The last one for this evening will be a Storm King brand lighter bearing the insignia of the USS Glennon DD-840. The Glennon was a Gearing class destroyer launched in 1945 but too late to see action in WW2. It spent most of its career in the Atlantic Fleet seeing no combat until 1972. At that time it was sent to join Task Force 77 as a naval gunfire platform off of Viet Nam.

 

USS Glennon DD-840 Storm King.jpg

 

The image below is a nice study of the Glennon, probably from the late 1940s or early 1950s.

 

USS Glennon.png

 

The Glennon's career came to an end when it was decommissioned in 1976. Rather than being scrapped it was sunk as a target off of Puerto Rico in 1981.

 

Regards,

Charlie

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Time for another naval lighter. This time it is for the fabled Seventh Fleet. This standard sized lighter is a Konwal "Super".

 

attachicon.gifSeventh Fleet Konwal.jpg

 

The reverse side bears the 3 star flag of a Vice Admiral. I don't know who the Admiral was since I don't have a good handle on when this lighter was made. I am guessing anywhere from 1955 to 1975. Can anyone narrow that down any further?

 

One thing that I liked about this one was that it came unused in its original Konwal box. It still has the Lifetime Guarantee. It shows Konwal Co., Inc. as having an address in Tokyo.

 

attachicon.gifSeventh Fleet Konwal back.jpg

 

Regards,

Charlie

 

 

 

When I get home from the road, I will check my Dad's lighter I posted on the first page, the shield looks similar in make, I'll see if its a Konwal, and if it has the 3 star on the back...my guess is its Japanese because at the time the Flagship was homeported in Yokuska, so that may help narrow it down...I don't recall which Flagship was first actually homeported in Yokuska. As my Dad stated, it was required they purchase stuff for the ship in Japan when homeported there.

 

I know my dad served under Admiral Moorer and Schoech while attached to COMSVNTHFLT...

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Salvage Sailor

Before they were NCIS.....

 

post-2322-0-85179300-1516159538.jpg

 

UNITED STATES NAVAL INVESTIGATIVE SERVICE (NIS) Naval Intelligence 1966, Penguin full case - VERITAS = Truth

 

They were an arm of the Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) established in 1966 and became a separate entity in 1969. It wasn't until 1992 that they became NCIS

 

Lighter Naval Investigative Service NIS Penguin 001.jpg

 

Naval Investigative Service plaque 001.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 months later...
Salvage Sailor

Tiny USN Wave lighter made by Hilborn-Hamburger to fit in a blouse pocket - Measures 1 1/4" x 7/8"

Lighter Waves Hilborn Hamburger 001.jpg

 

187183366_Waveminilighterblg.jpg.3990054c01819d2f4c8cfcff4e86d54e.jpg

 

Lighter Waves Hilborn Hamburger 002.jpg

 

WAVES Trainee 001.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Salvage Sailor

USS CONSTELLATION (CVA-64) Penguin lighter, Vietnam Era (pre-1975)

Lighter CVA 64 Penguin 001.jpg

 

Lighter CVA 64 Penguin 002.jpg

 

CVA 64 USS CONSTELLATION Hiborn Hamburger 001.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Salvage Sailor

USS PIVOT (MSO-463) Aggressive class Minesweeper in service 1954 to 1971

Vietnam era Market Time lighter made by Prince Rocky

Ligher USS PIVOT MSO 463 Prince Rocky 001.jpg

 

Ligher USS PIVOT MSO 463 Prince Rocky 002.jpg

 

Ligher USS PIVOT MSO 463 Prince Rocky 003.jpg

 

348820267_USSPIVOT.jpg.bce7c432545bd15a6eac75c6f0b2745b.jpg

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This next one gets us back to NavAir. This Konwal "Baby" small sized lighter is for fighter squadron VF-143 known as "The Pukin' Dogs". That name refers to the winged chimera with its mouth open, which someone thought closely resembled a dog in digestive distress. The name stuck. Its motto "Sans Reproache" means without reproach.

 

attachicon.gifVF-143 Pukin Dogs Konwal.jpg

 

This Squadron is still operational today, although re-designated as VFA-143, and is based at Oceana NAS flying F/A18-Es. This lighter, however, is a Viet Nam era item as revealed by the back side with its engraved image of an F-4 Phantom II. That helps to date this lighter as anywhere between 1962 when 1974. Although is traces its lineage back to the early 1950s, the Squadron was re-designated as VF-143 in 1962 when it started to transition to the Phantom.

 

attachicon.gifVF-143 Pukin Dogs back.jpg

 

The Pukin' Dogs had a remarkable seven deployments to South East Asia. It continued to fly the Phantom until 1974 when it became operational with the F-14 Tomcat. The photo below shows a VF-143 F4-J Phantom launching off of the USS Enterprise in 1973. I believe that this particular aircraft was shot down and its crew made POWs.

 

attachicon.gifF-4J VF-143 launching from USS Enterprise 1973 ed.jpg

 

Regards,

Charlie

 

 

 

 

Charlie, VF-143 was part of Carrier Air Wing 7 (tail code AG) when I was on the USS George Washington CVN-73..when I was doing indoc when I first reported aboard, a few months after commissioning, we had our training in their ready room!

 

They were F-14 Tomcats at that time.

 

Seeing this makes me wish I could have collected air wing (and KEPT, aka not lost) the Zippos I had from CVN-73..as they were the first ones the ship had...I had the enameled chrome and the brass ones..lost years ago... :(

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My Father got this Zippo Slim Lighter back in the early 1960's brought it and sent home to his mother and it sat in her dresser drawer until she died 10 years ago. The box has oddly enough seen better days but the lighter itself has never been used.

 

post-3656-0-06720100-1521935604_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Brian Keith

USS Ranger Lighter, VN Era

I picked up this lighter some time ago, no veteran history attached. It is marked, Captains Cabin Joe Coleman USS Ranger CVA-61

Lighter is marked on bottom, SHARP, SPECIAL QUALITY, JAPAN

Captain Joe Coleman was the skipper of the USS Ranger (CVA-61) operating off the coast of Viet Nam during 1969-1971.

From his Obit:

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (NNS) -- Nearly 150 Sailors, family, friends and Jacksonville community leader gathered for a memorial service, Jan. 19, to honor retired Rear Adm. Joseph "Joe" Lustrat Coleman, 91, who passed away, Jan. 14 (2014).

Coleman was born in Atlanta, Sept. 10, 1922. He entered the Naval Aviation Cadet program in 1942 and earned his wings of gold and commission as an Ensign in 1943.

Throughout his naval career, Coleman logged 3,200 flight hours and performed 550 fixed-wing landings at sea. In combat, he served aboard USS Swannee (CVE 27) during World War II, and commanded USS Mispillion (AO 105) and USS Ranger (CVA 61) during the Vietnam War. Coleman retired in 1975 after 32 years of service.

So much history in a small package. One wonders who was the person that was given this special lighter by Capt. Coleman. One of Bob Hopes performers who played the Ranger during the Christmas Season in 1969? Was it a US politician? Was it given to a sailor as a Good Job! Like the coins are nowadays? Alas, that is now lost to time.

Thanks for looking!

BKW

 

post-1549-0-97289300-1521947532.jpg

 

post-1549-0-43646400-1521947554.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Salvage Sailor
USS PORTOBAGO (YTB-413) (YTB-413: dp. 345 (f.); 1. 100'; b. 26'; dr. 10'; s. 12 k.; cpl. 14; class. Sasaba)
 
post-2322-0-11305100-1522290241.jpg
 
Portabago (YTB-413) was laid down 11 July 1944 by Ira Bushey and Sons, Inc., Brooklyn, N.Y.; launched 30 September 1944; and delivered to the Navy 11 June 1945.
 
Following delivery Portabago was placed in service and assigned to the Pacific Fleet for occupation service, 21 October 1945—1 September 1947. Since that time she has continued to provide tug service for Navy ships in the Yokosuka area.

 

This is exactly what you expect to see on a Tug Sailors' lighter, lots of scratches, dings and wear right through the chrome finish to expose the brass beneath. Made by Prince Rocky of Japan

 

Lighter USS PORTOBAGO YTM 413 Penguin 001.jpg

 

Yokosuka Naval Base 001.jpg

 

USS PORTOBAGO (YTB-413) Assisting USS OKLAHOMA CITY (CLG-5) Flagship of the Seventh Fleet at Yokosuka Naval Base, 1962

 

Lighter USS PORTOBAGO YTM 413 Photo.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

USS PORTOBAGO (YTB-413) Assisting USS OKLAHOMA CITY (CLG-5) Flagship of the Seventh Fleet at Yokosuka Naval Base, 1962

 

My Dad was aboard the OKC when that pic was taken!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

post-32632-0-87044000-1522379924_thumb.jpg U.S.S.England CG-22 Slim line Zippo 1975. Laid down 1960, scrapped 2004. Leahy class, Vietnam and Desert Storm vet.

 

post-32632-0-58222700-1522380231_thumb.jpg Marked on the bottom; //// ZIPPO ///. Much more info on this ship @ Navisource.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...
Salvage Sailor

USS PROTECTOR (AGR-11) Guardian class radar picket ship 1950's Beta lighter - These Cold War early warning radar pickets were converted liberty ships deployed to defend against the Soviets in the pre-satellite era.

post-2322-0-85077000-1527367828.jpg

They were posted on the high seas on long isolated duty deployments with rotating crews which rarely saw land, liberty ports or US waters.

post-2322-0-85167200-1527367848.jpg

 

1536259789_AGR11USSPROTECTOR002.jpg.04e887e21bc085705c2764a49839011a.jpg

 

Radar Picket Squadron Two 001.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

USS PROTECTOR (AGR-11) Guardian class radar picket ship 1950's Beta lighter - These Cold War early warning radar pickets were converted liberty ships deployed to defend against the Soviets in the pre-satellite era.

 

They were posted on the high seas on long isolated duty deployments with rotating crews which rarely saw land, liberty ports or US waters.

 

Very nice grouping...my dad spent his last year aboard the Interdictor, AGR-13...he also spent 2.5 years in Japan attached to ComSvthFlt...he said all in all, the Interdictor was the best duty...best chow, lots of space, they even had basketball courts in the unused cargo holds. The Interdictor was homeported at Treasure Island...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...
Salvage Sailor

 

1382305586_ASR12USSPENGUIN001.jpg.752ae553d3f55520ed88251246e4cf98.jpg

USS PENGUIN (ASR-12) Penguin class leader Submarine Rescue ship in service 1944 to 1970

Originally laid down as Fleet Tug USS CHETCO (ATF-99)

 

1966 full size Zippo

USS PENGUIN ASR 12 1966 Zippo Lighter 01a.jpg

 

USS PENGUIN ASR 12 1966 Zippo Lighter 02a.jpg

 

USS PENGUIN ASR 12 1966 Zippo Lighter 03a.jpg

 

1105389059_ASR12USSPENGUIN004.jpg.699390637aaadf9348380ee402a71afe.jpg

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...
Salvage Sailor
USS Richland (YFD-64/AFDM-8) was an AFDM-3-class medium auxiliary floating drydock built in California for the U.S. Navy. Originally named USS YFD-64, she was towed to the Philippines and Guam where she served until war's end. In 1946 she was placed back into service to support submarine maintenance at Guam for the next forty years.

 

YFD-64 was redesignated AFDM-8 on 1 August 1946, placed in service at Guam on 1 January 1947. The floating drydock supported Fleet Ballistic Missile submarine maintenance at Guam for over forty years. She was named USS RICHLAND on 6 April 1968.

 

US NAVSTA GUAM, APRA HARBOR
"GUAM IS GOOD", Vietnam Era Penguin Lighter and 7" Deck Jacket Patch

Vintage Guam is Good USS AFDM-8 Vietnam Era Penguin Cigarette Lighter Pat. 19531 01.jpg

 

Vintage Guam is Good USS AFDM-8 Vietnam Era Penguin Cigarette Lighter Pat. 19531 03.jpg

 

Vintage Guam is Good USS AFDM-8 Vietnam Era Penguin Cigarette Lighter Pat. 19531 05.jpg

 

USS AFDM 8 001.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...
  • 5 months later...
Salvage Sailor

USS OPPORTUNE (ARS-41) Bolster class Rescue Salvage vessel in service 1945 to 1993

 

US Made by Zippo

USS OPPORTUNE ARS-41 Zippo Lighter.JPG

 

ARS 41 USS OPPORTUNE 005.jpg

 

USS OPPORTUNE (ARS-41) Bolster class Rescue Salvage vessel in service 1945 to 1993

Vulcan Lighter made in Japan 1950's

USS OPPORTUNE ARS-41 Vulcan Lighter a.jpg

 

USS OPPORTUNE ARS-41 Vulcan Lighter b.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Salvage Sailor

USS OPPORTUNE (ARS-41) Bolster class Rescue Salvage vessel in service 1945 to 1993

Made in Japan by Vulcan

USS OPPORTUNE ARS-41 Lighter 01.JPG

 

USS OPPORTUNE ARS-41 Lighter 02.jpg

 

 

USS OPPORTUNE (ARS-41) Bolster class Rescue Salvage vessel in service 1945 to 1993

Made in Japan by Vulcan

USS OPPORTUNE ARS-41 Lighter 03.jpg

 

ARS 41 USS OPPORTUNE 003.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...