Zippo lighter with U.S. Naval Air Station Lemoore, California emblem

This Zippo lighter commemorates Naval Air Station Lemoore in California, which was commissioned in 1961 and became the Navy's newest and largest master jet air station on the West Coast. NAS Lemoore has been home to numerous carrier-based aircraft squadrons and remains an active naval aviation facility today. Based on the brushed chrome finish and design style, this lighter was produced during the Vietnam War era, when such commemorative Zippos were popular among military personnel as keepsakes and gifts. Military Zippo lighters from the 1960s and 1970s are highly sought after by militaria collectors, veterans, and Zippo enthusiasts who appreciate their historical connection to American naval aviation and military service. These lighters represent tangible links to specific bases, ships, and units, making them valuable both as collectibles and as pieces of military history. The Naval Air Station Lemoore designation adds geographic and institutional significance that appeals to collectors specializing in California military history and naval aviation memorabilia.