Vietnam War Era Prince Mfg. Co. “Rocky” U.S.S. Hancock (CVA-19) Navy Pilot’s Lighter

A few years back I picked up this (what I believe to be) a Vietnam War-era Prince Mfg. Co. “Rocky” lighter, featuring naval aviator wings and ship crest/insignia on the front, and engraved ship and name (U.S.S. Hancock [CVA-19]).

The U.S.S. Hancock was reclassified as an “attack carrier” (CVA) on Oct. 1, 1952, and recommissioned on Feb. 15, 1954, operating exclusively in the Pacific and playing a prominent role in the Vietnam War. Its triangle insignia is the original WWII insignia. The center of the patch bears a shield of red, white, and blue, depicting a carrier heading straight on with breaking waves at the base and a naval pilot wing along the top.