Posted: 4/20/2026 4:39:31 PM EDT
We just finished a commemorative 1911A1 for a soldier named Noel Troxclair who was pictured in 1971 while stationed Vietnam in front of the V100 we are restoring today. That photo led to the accurate marking along with the recovered history of the machine and so far it is the only known V100 that has nose art, all the correct markings along with first hand accounts and photos documenting it's service. There are fewer than 30 V100's in the US, making Super V a very rare example. (Noel is the soldier on the right) April 20, 2026 
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Originally Posted By birdbarian: That's an amazing pistol and very generous of you. Hope you can get it to him soon if you have not already. IIRC he lives in Florida. Thank you. Noel lives and works in Texas and it is on the way to his FFL as we speak. He seems pretty excited to get it and we are also working on a commemorative Zippo, since the one found in the V100 is what really got the ball rolling on this project. |
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You ought to do some commenorative Zippo lighters as well. Replicate the one you found and returned. It wouldn't be very expensive and would make a nice pairing with the 1911. Just a thought.  eta. Nevermind. I just read the post two posts ahead. I have great ideas. Just not timely. 
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He took whatever he wanted to and he laid it all to waste. But his bodyguards and silver cane were no match for the Jack of Hearts. Bob Dylan
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Originally Posted By Jack-of-Hearts: You ought to do some commenorative Zippo lighters as well. Replicate the one you found and returned. It wouldn't be very expensive and would make a nice pairing with the 1911. Just a thought. eta. Nevermind. I just read the post two posts ahead. I have great ideas. Just not timely. Making copies of the lighter that was found is definitely something we have done and plan to do more of if someone asks. The commemorative we are working on now will have the V100 with the nose art, vehicle number, registration number, etc., as well as the engraved autographs of the surviving Super V crewmembers that helped with this project, one of which having passed away a week before Christmas '25. Additionally we have designed a really nice, fully machined desktop display that holds the Zippo, which will also have engraving. Who knows, maybe 50 or 100 years down the road someone will see it and do a search and rediscover the story again. |
I wanted to update this post as well since there was mention of the commemorative Zippo in the works. UPS shows delivery confirmation to Don Tillman and Noel Troxclair a couple hours ago. Commemorative 504th MP Charlie Company Zippo Cadillac Gage V100 Super V May 31, 2026 |
mildly retarded and always inappropriate
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| You mentioned in your other post on the commemorative lighter that several of the vets associated with the project had passed and it's crazy to think that major combat operations in Vietnam ended something like 55 years ago. That puts most Vietnam Vets in their 70's today. In another 10-15 years there will only be a handful left. The last of the WWII vets will be gone within the next few years, they are all in their late 90's now. |
Unapologetic UkeBro
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Originally Posted By surplusnut: You mentioned in your other post on the commemorative lighter that several of the vets associated with the project had passed and it's crazy to think that major combat operations in Vietnam ended something like 55 years ago. That puts most Vietnam Vets in their 70's today. In another 10-15 years there will only be a handful left. The last of the WWII vets will be gone within the next few years, they are all in their late 90's now. You are correct and we are very fortunate to have made contact with these surviving veterans and have them share their stories as that window of opportunity is closing. I spoke with Don Tillman last night and a lot has changed since he was here in Sept '22. I asked him about that lost Zippo, specifically where he bought it. He said he purchased it from a papa san in Quang Tri City and the same man did the engraving by hand while he watched. That phrase "War is harmful to children and other living things" is included on the frame for the commemorative lighter as well, reproduced from a photo taken of the original Zippo. I figure if it meant enough to Don for him to pay someone to put it on his brand new Zippo, it's important enough to add to any tribute or commemorative pieces we do for the same period. Here is a photo of that lighter. 
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