3-8-2023
C Rations of the Vietnam War
Soldiers of World War II had their K-Rations and post-Vietnam Era soldiers had their Meals Ready to Eat (MREs) but during the Vietnam War Era we had our Meal Combat Individual C more commonly called C-Rations.
Each case contained a variety pack that you either loved or hated and had absolutely no choice as to which meal you received:
Beans, w/Frankfurter Chunks in tomato Sauce B-2 Unit
Beef, Spiced Sauce B-1A Unit
Turkey, Boned B-3A Unit
Pork, Sliced & Cooked B-1A Unit
Spaghetti w/Ground Meat B-2 Unit
Beans w/Meat Balls in tomato Sauce B-2 Unit
Chicken & Noodles B-1A Unit
Ham & Eggs, Chopped B-1A Unit
Beef Slices & Potatoes w/Gravy B-2 Unit
Ham, Sliced & Cooked B-3A Unit
Beefsteak B-3A Unit
Turkey Loaf B-3A Unit
Each meal contained the canned meal, the B Unit, Canned Spread (butter), Canned Fruit and an accessory packet:
Salt
Coffee
Chewing Gum
Cigarettes
Cream Substitute
Matches
Plastic Spoon
Sugar, Toilet Paper
During my tour in Southeast Asia (1968 – 1970) we drew our rations in the mess hall at Zero Dark Thirty as we ate breakfast and prepared to hit the road, convoying to wherever we were tasked. It’s been so long ago that I don’t really remember having a truly bad meal, although I probably had more ham & eggs than beefsteak. We usually heated our canned meal by placing it near on the engine exhaust about an hour before our lunch stop. Convoy speed was a whopping 25 MPH so we really did get nowhere fast.
We often stopped along the highway where no houses were and took our lunch break sitting under a tree or in the shade of the truck, but rarely did we make it out of the cab before the kids came from out of nowhere begging for the candy and cigarettes.
In today’s era of political correctness C-Rations would be taken off the market due to the cigarettes, coffee, matches and toilet paper all being hazardous to your health.
So tell me what was your favorite and least favorite meal? Do you still have your P-38? – RTM
The Real Truckmaster 