Vietnam War Year 1963 Zippo Slim Lighter VIETNAM 1963 And US 11th AIRBORNE Div.

Description

Up for your collection is a
Year 1963 vintage polished chrome windproof
Zippo
slim lighter
featuring inscription
VIETNAM
and
a US Army 101st AIRBORNE Division
logo
. In the back, inscribed lettering: PLEASE ! DON'T TELL ME ABOUT VIETNAM BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN THERE. This original Zippo lighter has a slightly wobbled hinge, solid cam spring, nice click, and good snap. M
atching Zippo insert PAT. 2517191 sparks with a new flint, in excellent shape
. Pictures show details of this rare item which has scratches on case.
In the early 1960s, the United States Army began to explore alternative means for conducting future combat operations. One of the many ideas resulting from that effort was the concept of
helicopter assault
. To test this concept's feasibility, the
11th Airborne Division was reactivated on 1 February 1963 and re-designated as the 11th Air Assault Division (Test)
. This was done on the recommendation of the U.S. Army Tactical Mobility Requirements Board, also known as the '
Howze Board
' after its president Lieutenant General
Hamilton H. Howze
.
The 11th never existed as a full division during the test period. Although the intent was to create three air assault brigades, the reality was an air assault brigade (which was also parachute-qualified), an airmobile brigade, and both ground and air artillery elements (the air artillery was provided by armed helicopters known as
ARA
). There was also an aviation group to control the helicopters assigned to the division -
the
11th Aviation Group
, consisting of the
227th
, 228th, and
229th Aviation
Battalions. Elements of its original combat units – the
187th Infantry
, the
188th Infantry
and the
511th Infantry
were also reformed under the new division.
Worldwide shipping will be via USPS 1st Class Mail with delivery confirmation.
Note: International
parcels may be subject to import tax and Customs duty charges, which the buyer is responsible to pay.
Please visit my 'EAZYCOLLECTIBLES' store for more great war items. Thanks !