A genuine Vietnam War era 1972 U.S. Army Medical Centre Zippo lighter. We believe this Medical Centre was located at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. This was the primary hub for the U.S. Army's medical training during that period, as the Medical Field Service School (MFSS) had relocated there from Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania, in 1946. By 1972, the MFSS had been re-designated as the Academy of Health Sciences under the Army Medical Department (AMEDD) Center and School, following a reorganization announced on December 10, 1972. This institution, based at Fort Sam Houston, was responsible for training medical personnel, including doctors, nurses, and combat medics, and was a key facility during the Vietnam War era, emphasizing skills like trauma care and jungle warfare medical support.

The front of the Zippo lighter has the acid etched design of the 'U.S. Army Medical Centre & School' and retains some of the original red enamel. It features the manufacturers machine stamped base that shows the correct period Zippo logo and date markings along with the trademark logo, on the base of the lighter either side of the Zippo logo are vertical lines one either side of the Zippo logo, this indicates the Zippo lighter was made in 1972. The lighter mechanism also features machine stamped Zippo markings and fits nicely in the case and appears to be in working order.