SKYTROOPERS HOMEPAGE                            INDIVIDUAL C RATION MEALS
C RATIONS

"The single most important asset we have, is the man or woman
who steps forward and puts on the uniform of this great nation."

Commercially prepared meals were used in the field. These meals came in a case inside a cardboard sleeve containing 12 meals. Each meal was in it's own cardboard box, which contained the individual items sealed in cans. A can opener (called both a "John Wayne" or a "P-38") was needed to open the cans. The accessory pack with each meal was sealed in a foil pouch.


"The Meal, Combat, Individual, is designed for issue as the tactical situation dictates, either in individual units as a meal or in multiples of three as a complete ration. Its characteristics emphasize utility, flexibility of use, and more variety of food components than were included in the Ration, Combat, Individual (C Ration) which it replaces. Twelve different menus are included in the specification.

Each menu contains: one canned meat item; one canned fruit, bread or dessert item; 
one B unit; an accessory packet containing cigarettes, matches, chewing gum, toilet paper, coffee, cream, sugar, and salt; and a spoon. Four can openers are provided in each case of 12 meals. Although the meat item can be eaten cold, it is more palatable when heated.

Each complete meal contains approximately 1200 calories. The daily ration of 3 meals provides approximately 3600 calories."



C rations might be issued to all branches of the service but it was the main source of food for the grunt in combat in Vietnam. The meals in the case of C rations would not always be the same from one case to another as the date of production on any case of C rations may vary widely.

 

SKYTROOPERS HOMEPAGE                            INDIVIDUAL C RATION MEALS