2. When we were operating our radio nets in the outback wilds of Fort Riley, KS, wed put our Good article. A whole heat tab had to be used. Because there were several "vintages" of C's issued to the Marines and Seabees in Vietnam, more than 4 items may be listed in the B groups as well as the brands of cigarettes included in the accessory pack. I was a cold war veteran spending my 3 years in Germany, but we were issued them for field trips, alerts and exercises. Water was critical. Well presented and will share with fellow Vietnam veterans and family. This was so insightful to read! This is a very nice Vietnam Era Survival Kit & Ration Packaging collectors set, with great display potential. The heat tabs gave off exhaust like tear gas, which could drive guys out of a tent or bunker, so a little C-4 was just the thing burned hot and clean, and no danger of exploding because C-4 was a stable substance. Ham and Limas was the favorite for this purpose. The ham and eggs were inedible. Pall Mall, Luckies, Winston, Salem and Benson & Hedges Menthol were five of the brands found in Vietnam era field ration packets. Food was of secondary importance. We would do the same process one more time and it would be ready to eat after you wiped it down to get as much black exhaust crap off and open it with your P38. C-Rations FSN 8970-577-4513 Specification MIL-M-35048 First procured in 1961, the Meal, Combat, Individual (MCI) weighed just under 2 pounds and was produced in 12 different menus. A plastic spoon. I was a helicopter crew chief in 1967 with the 25th Infantry out of Cu Chi. Twelve different menus are included in the specification. Due to health concerns, cigarettes were eliminated from the MCI accessory packs in 1975. Vintage C Ration Accessory Pack, No Cigarettes $8.00 $5.85 shipping or Best Offer Vintage 1971 Vietnam Era Military C Ration Can Fortified Peanut Butter Kern Food $14.44 Was: $16.99 $4.31 shipping Only 1 left! $50: VE-1123 Vietnam period shoulder bag for machine gun . The popular brands like Winston, Marlboro, Kools and Salem were always in short supply and benefited the non-smokers who used them to barter. Other then that, fantastic blog! In 1975 they stopped putting cigarettes in rations which raised hell with US troops everywhere. We took them camping, my sister wanted corn dogs, which the bears ate as they passed thru our camp. I liked the Cs better. At the time no one wanted the egg I always made it in a c rat can. New Reproduction C-Rations Available. Abandoned my country, Vietnam, in 1975, but that did not make me hating them. The blue heat tabs emitted a gas that would burn your eyes and c-4 was harder to locate for us. Gentlemen, I was wondering if you ever ate at a local shack/stall in town or did you ever go fishing? This is the official Quartermaster's description of C-Rations used in Vietnam "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. It was intended to be issued to U.S. military land forces when fresh food (A-ration) or packaged unprepared food (B-Ration) prepared in mess halls or field kitchens was impractical or not available, and when a survival ration (K-ration or D-ration) was insufficient. Many boxes of C's had WWII dates, but the smokers still smoked the cigarettes from those old boxes. Pingback: Remember C-Rations? Great articlebrings back many memories of the bad old days. Ive also created a poll to help identify my website audience before leaving, can you please click HERE and choose the one item best describing you. after this became the way of doing it. Interesting article but a really dumb question? I have an entire case of unopened C rations from 1969 for sale on Ebay right now. always seemed to get to to the carton last an last was trash eating. Coffee, tea and hot chocolate were plentiful and everyone had a stash. Also read a lot about their c-rat experiences too. During the monsoon season or in areas with rivers and streams, this is a moot point as water is plentiful! Ron Perron Welcome back. We always had plenty of rice. I served in Co. B, 1/12th, 1st Air Cav I 1967-68. Fortunately I was able to run down a medic with some antacid. We just heated ours with a ball of C-4, i.e., after opening the can. They are not any where near as sensitive as civilian explosives. Not sure how the armor units split their meals. Original was from a formerly unopened original accessory pack. Daddys description was not very glowing! Open can of peaches with P-38. Cigarettes were bad for your health along with bullets. Marines were not great cooks, but they were inventive. Glad to be on my way back to Goliad, TX so many of my buds were not so lucky. We burned and buried the last ones in the system in1986 in the Sinai desert. The photo above shows an original VN era Marlboro cigarette pack from a . As an infantry unit our year was pretty much the same as yours. made it somehow. Everything was always better with Tabbasco Sauce to spice it up. a b -1-a unit was the topstobasco was the best.didnt have much time to cook in the 4th inf .but there were times ! Little known or unpopular brands. For the new guys flying for the first time, we never let them know how to do it. Left out the crew chief version of a stove. While on this maneuver I celebrated my birthday by having grape jelly with my pound cake. It was reported in the media that each soldier in Vietnam had a hot meal each day. (LogOut/ MACTHAI advisor here. The ration had to contain meat, bread, canned fruit, and some kind of dessert. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); My c-rations in 1965 that I ate in Vietnam were dated 1945 being 20 years old ! Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use. I got pretty good at stealing C4 to cook with , and those LRRP rations . Best dessert was peaches & pound cake, but you had to trade for stuff. $50: VE-1125 Vietnam Grenade Carrier. My last CO loved them. A couple of days later our friend David called and told us that there was a problem with the sauce. Thought it was really good. I was hoping you could help me identify a certain piece of equipment that soldiers used to cook/reheat their meals during the Vietnam War. Semper fi !! Hey Fred, I was with the same unit as you except I was in B Company, August of 69 through June of 70. It replaced the earlier C-ration, which it was so similar to . The coffee, sugar, creamer and hot cocoa came in paper envelopes. If I admit to actually liking and trading for ham & lima beans, does that imply Im strange beyond? Pork Slices Ingredients: Shop with confidence. I do! Ham and eggs were definitely the worst.with the consistency of the congealed fat from a canned ham but ham & mothers referred to ham & lima beans. Vietnam Veteran Keeps Vow, Eats 40-Year-Old CakeFriday , July 24, 2009. Jerry. In Thailand, sriracha sauce was even better than Tabasco. It tasted like the congealed fat from a canned ham. The K-ration, developed by University of Minnesota physician Ancel Keys, provided three complete and balanced, 3,000-calorie meals in compact packages. recovered jeep. Moak got the drab olive can as a Marine helicopterpilotoff the Vietnamese coast in 1973. Hi, C-rations and m-60 mechine gun and GOD are what got me through tough times . Use the removed lid to cut 4 thin slices from the biscuit, toss the unused biscuits. [1] Although officially a new ration, the MCI was derived from and very similar to the original C-Ration, and in fact continued to be called "C-Rations" by American troops throughout its production life as a combat ration (1958-1980). In and around Quang Tri with side trips to Hue, Khe San & Dong Ha. On rare occasions when allowed piled stones put tab in middle for stove. so what did you feed your dog in nam? Wow brings back a lot of memories. in Nam and why I dont like fruit cocktail to this day.In the last part of my tour, it was pecan roll and coffee. Tastes just like it always did, Mikolashek mumbled with a mouthful of cake as Moak laughed and clapped. Need Easy, Nutritious Food While Blacktail Deer Hunting. The section on C-rations brought waves of memories of those days. You brought back a lot of memories. Any leads would be greatly appreciated! You did what you had to do and made it home to an undeservedly rough reception. Tellander Sgt USMC. The last two I couldn`t eat and they found botulism in the beans and I almost starved . This is the official Quartermaster's description of C-Rations used in Vietnam "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. I also still have my P-38. In Vietnam I was with Regional and Popular Force troops in Rung Sat Special Thanks for this article and thanks all American officers and soldiers in the field of VN war. There was a time shortly after making my second move to a new area we got resupplied with a case of fresh onions by mistake. Hill 55 out of DaNang. The Meal, Combat, Individual ( MCI) was a United States military ration of canned and preserved food, issued from 1958 to 1980. It consisted of three meals sealed in a plastic bag together with items such as a can opener/spoon, matches, toilet paper, etc. t004. Hi mates, good paragraph and fastidious urging commented here, I am genuinely enjoying by these. Thanks Freddy Wright. Hats off to all of you guys! I could not find a meat and beans recipe. When I was in AIT training, I can remember eating the fortified chocolate wafers made at the Wilber Chocolate factory in Lititz, PA. Since I didnt smoke, the cigarette 5-packs (except Chesterfields, which nobody wanted) came in handy for that. One thing I remember about Cs was the fruit. Give me an address and Ill send you one. fruit cocktail about to down it and a 60mm blasted my can out Honestly, the scrambled egg chunks or beans and weenies werent bad cold, but the rest needed to be heated in order to be palatable. It was a great job. On the way we had C-Rats, I liked the Ham and Lima beans, they were easy to trade for as a lot of guys like you did not like them. While serving in the Central Highlands with the 1/12th Inf. We would take the white bread can open a tiny hole in it and put a few drops of water in ithold it over a ball of C-4 to instantly steam itopen the can cut the bread add peanut butter and jelly, and wow warm peanut butter and jelly sandwich on hot bread. As a Army pilot, I knew this well. Nuac mam.gag. It got to taste good warm after you got used to it. My older sister, younger brother and I could only imagine what those canned meals tasted like. When we shut down to eat we would use our really long pliers to hold the meal as the ship was running down. Fine. Scottie Hill CW4(Ret) Ret. There was a reason they were called Ham & Motherfuckers. I have so much respect & admiration for them. That went for Officers and enlisted men. The Army colonel popped open an old military 'C' Ration can of pound cake from 1969 at his retirement ceremony, and dug in. Vietnam C Rations and Stuff Cigarette Coupons Free Printable Free Coupons By Mail Newport Cigarettes Nostalgia Marlboro Cigarette Vintage Metal Signs Okinawa American History Vietnam War - included in each C-Ration; great for batering if a non-smoker Military Life Military History Military Food Veterans United Military Signs Military Ranks Every thing else not to bad. Pall Mall, Luckies, Winston, Salem and Benson & Hedges Menthol were five of the brands found in Vietnam era field ration packets. Abovecrew members on a UH-1 helicopter deliver C-rations to soldiers in the field during the Vietnam War. Brings back a lot of memories. Ive heard so many stories of my fathers childhood in Vietnam; How hed rush out to the roadside and beg American soldiers for their B-Unit snacks, or how he, along with his brothers and cousins, would rummage through the wilderness in hopes of finding c-ration meals, but I was never quite able to picture the things he described in my mind. Nate Hill, Pres, TAC Tankers Assn. Hated Ham and Lima beans. Pour out all of the heavy syrup, and 3.) The only drawback was that hot water was needed to make the meal edible, however, the weight of extra water was offset by the lightweight meals. Read about all of these, noticed that none of you brothers mentioned using the tin of peanut butter as a stove. Stand tall and thank you for your service. A Marine tank commander serving in Vietnam in 1968 noted his unit was frequently supplied with older stocks of C-rations, complete with early 1950s dates on the cans. I liked Ham and M..f That meant I always had plenty to eat. Silly me ! Posted March 31, 2018. The line units were pulled out of the field on occasion, usually about once a month for three days, to enjoy home cooking, barbecues and ice-cold beer and soda a reward we always looked forward to. Issued as one boxed ration per person per day. Gen. Walter S. McIlhenny. The first and last time I ate that meal. Miss those soldiers from our lives deeply. C-rats. I have the greatest respect for the grunts they did it with ingenuity and a lot of common sense. Those wonderful recipes that you made up so the Cs were more palatable. Medevac. As a historian, these are important details as even food technologies change. I remember that there were no hot meals and you learned the hard way what each unit in the box contained. P-38! It had a flavor I can not duplicate to this day. It's one of the most celebrated feats of World War II: On June 6, 1944, more than 160,000 troops stormed the beaches of Normandy during the D-Day invasion . Its even a little moist, he said, wiping his mouth. c-4 was the best for heating, some 4th inf. Ahh, comfort food in the middle of the jungle. This isnt Larry Craft from Pittsburgh, is it? The popular meals and cans of pound cake, peaches and fruit cocktail were prized and worth their weight in gold many soldiers hoarding them to barter for items during evening chow breaks; only one of each are included in every case of meals. It`s the meal that had the pound cake. My two favorites were green eggs and ham and yes, ham and lima beans. The Meal, Combat, Individual (MCI) was the name of canned wet combat rations issued by the United States Armed Forces from 1958 to 1980. I cannot tell you how happy I am to have stumbled across your post! WWII US Army Marine Corps K- Ration inner wax box ration Dinner ad vertisement by noviopera. it seemed like that to me :)) , and shredded beef ( per my visual to call it as such) . Yes they did in WWI, WWII and right up to Vietnam. This brought back memories from 68-69 in the jungles of the central highlands. Almost never saw heat tabs , we called them c tabs they didnt want us to have flames. DONT HOW THEY PRESEVERED THEM BUT THEY DID A GOOG JOB TSGT CLARENCE C WOODY USAF. The ration was very heavy, weighing 5 lbs . These were the times that made it ok. Among the necessities or near-necessities were P-38 can openers, pocket knives, heat tabs, wristwatches, dog tags, mosquito repellent, chewing gum, candy, cigarettes, salt tablets, packets of Kool-Aid, lighters, matches, sewing kits, Military Payment Certificates, C rations, and two or three canteens of water. Vietnam C Ration Cigarette : Top Picked from our Experts I collect all of the C-Rats rejects and I have plenty to eat. Was in army boot basic in 1980 Jan I Remer those c and b rations still have my P38 on my Dog tags from boot camp. It was such a shock to my system that I had diarrhea for a week! Voilatoasted cheese sandwich. In addition to the two carboard parts, you will need four cigarettes & two pieces of foil. We were the first army division in the first corps at that time. Missed the initial one 4 years ago. Since Cs were pre-cooked, they didnt need to be heated up, but it helped. I was with the 173rd Airborne/2ndBn 503rd Infantry. Every C-Ration meal contained a single four-pack of cigarettes; ten different brands were primarily offered, but like the meals, some were more popular than others. BTW, I did some shows with Justin Wilson in New Orleans. The Meal, Combat, Individual (MCI) was the name of canned wet combat rations issued by the United States Armed Forces from 1958 to 1980, when it was replaced by the Meal, Ready-to-Eat (MRE). Elements of a United States Military Meal, Combat, Individual ration, as served in Da Nang, South Vietnam during the Vietnam War, 1966 or 1967. I destroyed my taste buds eating my Moms cooking. Ur full of it Old Marine. OK, now that your memory is refreshed, do you remember how you cooked your C-Rations. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Smith Bravo Co. 2nd Plt 1st Bn 1st Mar Rgt 1st Mar Div, Old memories got there 170 pounds left at a 110 pounds. I can't find my links right now, but a little bit of searching should turn them up pretty easily. Great detail Great Job from an old army Grunt. Loved the lerps when we could get them. As I remember our C rats were marked 1941 &42. I mixed the cocoa powder, coffee powder and creamer in hot water for a tolerable beverage. Meals such as beef stew, spaghetti and meatballs, chili and others were a wonderful diversion from the mundane canned food we were subjected to. Dec 18, 2011. Brought back lots of memories. Canned meals for use in the field. Dan DMZ M/co 1969 USMC Hill 461 Sieara Rock Pile , Stud, LZ MAC chopper down! God bless you all. Do you remember your special recipes? Found four P38s still in the brown paper wrapping that I brought back from Nam in Dec. 72. Military C-Ration Peanut Butter Can Unopened Cinderella Foods Inc Dawson Ga $13.00 $17.05 shipping I just put the pound cake into one of my scenes. We had would get rations of beer and soda dropped off often in the jungles. https://charliecompany.org/2012/04/20/c-rations/ Reply With []. to a pack. Took me back,soldier. My Vietnamese would give me a rice ball, or a cooked and salted ballof chicken, or some fish with Nuoc Maum sometimes I carried a can of chili when I could get it at the PX in Saigon. Oh, the memories. Sold by kragsr4c07 in Great Falls Buy Now! From Sylmar, CA. Others were downright awful (Ham and Lima beans) and passed over left behind for the Cherries when it is their turn to pick out meals. While there me and a buddy were starved one night so we go to the helicopter pad and find loads of empty cases of c rats, we start searching after about 10 minutes my buddy finds a can, lights up his zippo and with his southern twang says Michael, I cant hardly believe someone left a can of ham and M F ers behind. . Might you, or anyone else have an idea? C-ration cigarettes were discontinued in 1972. Smilesnada but smiles. I have a few fng stories about Cs. The 10-in-1 Ration included packages with 10 cigarettes each. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. My dad died in Vietnam in 1965. I ate a years worth 199LIB 11b20 September 69 September 70. I did that too but I wondered sometimes if a 7.62 round could ignite it. The menu is comprised of one meat (meatloaf, beef tips, chicken, etc), mashed potatoes, veggies, cake or pie, ice-cold milk, lemonade and steaming, hot coffee. Always enjoyed the meals when I was out in the field. I do remember about a week after I was out in the field we received a case of onions by mistake. Reproduction WW2 German MP40 Transit Case $350.00 WW2 K Ration Heavy Duty Cardboard Packing Box (10 in 1, K Ration, Heffenreffer Beer.) Close to Mom!s chocolate cookie mix before she put on the cooking ban to bake. And in spite of all their faults, I do sometimes miss C-Rats, especially the Pound Cake! This would include various survival items and rations. My dad knows what its called in Vietnamese, but has no clue what it is in English. Spicy Beef, One of my favorite meat dishes in a case of Cs. Where can I buy this rations ?I like this food too much. 1 empty C-Ration box 1 toilet paper pack 1 book of matches 1 plastic spoon 1 P-38 can opener Open all 5 cans with the P-38 leaving the lids slightly attached on 2 biscuit cans. Three of us hailed a cab & that older gent stopped & bought us a six pack. $79.95 Vietnam Us Army This stove was satisfactory, but did not allow enough oxygen to enter which caused incomplete burning of the blue Trioxin heat tablet, causing fumes which irritated the eyes and respiratory tract. It would explain a lot of the stupid decisions Ive made over the years. I was an infantry radio operator with the 196th Light Infantry Brigade, Americal Division, located in the Hiep Duc. There wasnt a USMarine anywhere near Saigon. The desserts and the B units got better, too. Scan of original thanks to Dave Stieghan. I get a lot of the cans of fruit cake. My dog would not eat the ham and lima beans. I was an US ARMY Veterinary food inspector from 1967 to 1987. USMC. That was like eating the congealed fat from a canned ham. Vietnam Us Army Usgi C Ration Boxes Sold by militarydepotga in Woodstock Buy Now! Once I got some pancakes that had been stuffed down an elephant rubber. Service. I was the lucky one that LIKED ham and Lima beans! Ive eaten both and they do indeed taste the same.