Welcome to the Forum! Thanks for posting your USAF lighter. Keep them coming!

The Wolfhounds is the harder to find. The Air Commando does appear frequently.

I just started collecting military lighters, this is the first one I won on ebay bidding  314th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron 

I was an USAR E4 for a few years in an MP Unit prior to going into law enforcement, and since retirement I've decided to write a book - or at least try. My story is about two men who enlisted in 1939 to become Army cooks and the lifelong friendship they developed. I have general information about the School for Bakers and Cooks at Ft. Meade and am trying to find a veteran who can provide a living history interview. I know that's a very tall order at this point but I still want to try. What I'm really seeking is intangible information, none of which can be found in the archived military sources I have. Topics such as what the classes were like, their daily regimen, how they spent their free time, their classmates and the friendships they made, what the instructors were like, the Drill Sergeants, PT, schedules, cool things they learned, stupid things they did, details about facilities, graduation and assignments, life after graduation, etc. I want my audience to be able to know my characters, not just read about them like they came from a textbook.    As you can imagine, my quest to find a veteran from that timeframe who went to Meade (or to a similar training facility) has been unsuccessful. So far I've contacted the VFW, VA, Am Legion, Nat'l WWII Museum, Nat'l Quartermaster Museum, an editor for Flags of Our Fathers, a military historian, the Gary Sinise Foundation, several culinary industry networks, and miscellaneous veterans groups. If you have other suggestions or the ability to help me locate a veteran using your network, I would love to document their history in any way they feel comfortable. I could send a list of questions, set-up a Zoom call, or visit in person - whatever works best for them and their family. Or, if they're agreeable, someone could give them my contact information and they could contact me at their convenience.   I want to get it right, please feel free to share my request with any person or organization you think may be of assistance so as much factual information as possible can be gathered before it's gone forever.   I thank you for anything you can do to assist. Mark   814-221-0168 [email protected]

Thanks a lot 

Dom - is this in France? I would be very cautious on this one. More photos are for sure needed if you want the group's opinion on it.  Hope all is well my friend. 

Thanks, CinamonToastCrunch. You’re right that based on appearances alone I would have definitely leaned towards “fake” for them, especially the last one with the strange wear marks around the Master Parachutist Badge. I think you’ve just pointed out for us the importance of source documentation and provenance. (The only one I would have thought was authentic is the Canal Zone lighter.)   One of the things I’ve tried to do for myself and my family is separate out the items (“artifacts” in museum lingo) that belonged to me personally when I was in Vietnam versus the items that I have traded for, bought, or somehow otherwise acquired over the last ~50 years. Since I collect some of the same things I actually wore or used (jungle jacket, boonie hat, lighters, knives, jungle boots, CIB’s, jump wings, other insignia, etc.). Otherwise they would have no way of sorting them out on their own.

I have still have my copy and when I get home from work I will look at the information for you.   Leigh    

March 21st 1967 the day he was awarded the DFC his two best friends Capt. Tony England and Lt. Terry Forbes were Killed.