Coast Guard Zippo

USCG Winnebago (WHEC-40) was an Owasco class high endurance cutter which served with the US Coast Guard from 1945 to 1973. Originally intended for World War II service, she was commissioned only weeks before the end of the war and consequently did not see combat until her deployment in the Vietnam War more than 20 years later.

Winnebago was built by Western Pipe & Steel (WPS) at the company's San Pedro shipyard. Named after Lake Winnebago, Wisconsin, she was commissioned as a patrol gunboat with ID number WPG-40 on 21 June 1945. In the postwar period, her ID was changed to WHEC-40 (HEC for "High Endurance Cutter" - the "W" signifies a Coast Guard cutter// I agree with Lovejoy on this one for price.. If you find a buyer that was on that ship.. he might pay more...If I had this, and was for sale. I would get a nice photo of the ship and frame the lighter with it. I always get more money if I take a little time to frame it..