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

[yokota57]

LTC W.C. Lemke, USMC / VMA-323 "Death Rattlers" Japanese Amita "Zogan" Lighter

 

LTC Willard C. Lemke, USMC was CO of VMA-323 Nov'52-Jan'53. The lighter and box are in my collection. Cadet and headstone photos courtesy of findagrave.com. VMF-323 USS Sicily (CVE-118) photo is via the web.  COL Lemke is interred at Arlington. Rest in Peace. 

[KASTAUFFER]

Beautiful lighter! I have a similar one I will post later in this thread.

 

Kurt

[KASTAUFFER]

[yokota57]

Yes, very nice Amita "Zogan" lighter. I think I saw this one elsewhere on the Forum? Thanks for the pix!

[Matt-M]

Love these Japanese made lighters!

[yokota57]

Here is a pic of my Japanese "Vulcan" VMF-115 lighter from later in the '50s. Of course Kastauffer's "Zogan" was much more expensive in the day compared to a "Vulcan", "Penguin" or "Wellington". These would have been less than $1. at the PX//BX or ships store. The Amitas were probably $10. to $20., a fortune in those days!

[Matt-M]

What is a "Zogan" lighter?

[yokota57]

"Zogan" is the Japanese word for what is known in the Western world as "Damascene". Damascene is the process of inlaying/fitting of gold and silver into an oxidized steel base. The Japanese firm "Amita" was/is the largest producer of these items. Look closely at the photo of the wood box and paper and you will see they use the term "Damascene" for their English speaking customers. Thanks for the question.  **I think damascene may have its own Wiki page. Check it out.

[Matt-M]

Thank you!

[turmanator]

Bunch of good looking lighters gentlemen ... but of course I'm partial

[Guest 4mygal]

A mug to complement your collection. Mug Dated 1952. Unit designated VMA-323 in June of 1952. VMA-323 supported ground forces in the Battle of Pusan Perimeter, Battle of Inchon, Battle of Chosin Reservoir, Sui-ho Dam.

[yokota57]

Great mug! Thanks for posting it. YK57

[Siamundo]

Those are some great looking lighters. I was not familiar with the Amita brand prior to this post. Nice.

[yokota57]

USMC VMFA-542 "Tigers" Lighter

Chu Lai, RVN 1966-1967. F-4B "Phantom II". Japanese-made "Penguin".

[digi-shots]

USMC Lighter, 9th Regiment

Here’s a Japanese made PENGUIN lighter..

 

[yokota57]

1st Marine Aircraft Wing CG Mess, MCAS Iwakuni (*Asst Wing Commander 1959-1960). Japanese-made "Coronet". LTGEN Louis Bentham Robertshaw, USMC (1912-2003). USNA '36; China '37-'39; CO VMSB-132 Henderson Field, Guadalcanal, Fall 1942; Korea, CO MAG-33; Danang RVN, CG 1st MAW May '66-Jun '67. Retired 1971.

[yokota57]

USMC VMA-324. AD&A4D. Japanese-made "Vulcan".

[yokota57]

USMC VMA-212 "Devil Cats". AD/FJ/A4D. Japanese-made "Super Ace".

[yokota57]

USMC Marine Attack Squadron 331 ("Bumblebees"). AD A4D A-4. 1952-. MIB Japanese-made "Vulcan".

[yokota57]

USMC VMF-235 Death Angels "Ride Nunc" (Laugh Now). NAA FJ-2 "Fury". Japanese-made "Wellington". One of my faves, back for a second look.

 

VMF-235 FJs. Even better in COLOR.

[yokota57]

USMC VMF-333 "Fighting Shamrocks". MCAS Beaufort, SC. F8U/F-8 "Crusader". Japanese-made "Vulcan".

[yokota57]

USMC / VMO-6 (Marine Observation Squadron Six) 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, Korea. HO3S / HO5S / HTL-4 / OY-2. Japanese-made "Penguin".

[yokota57]

USMC / Headquarters & Maintenance Squadron 11 (MAG-11) Group Supply '64-'65. NAS Atsugi, Japan. Japanese-made "Coronet". 

[yokota57]

USMC / VMF(AW)-513. F3D-2 "Skyknight". NAS Atsugi, Japan. Japanese-made "Wellington".

[yokota57]

USMC / VMF(AW)-531 (Marine All-Weather Fighter Squadron 531). "The Grey Ghosts". MCAS Cherry Point, NC. F3D-2 / F4D-1. Japanese-made "Vulcan".