C-RATS

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. 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."

There were 4 choices of meat in each B group. Because there were several "vintages" of C's issued to the Marines 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.

B-1 Units

Meat Choices (in small cans):
   Beef Steak
   Ham and Eggs, Chopped
   Ham Slices
   Turkey Loaf
Fruit:
    Applesauce
    Fruit Cocktail
    Peaches
    Pears
Crackers (7)
Peanut Butter
Candy Disc, Chocolate
    Solid Chocolate
    Cream
    Coconut
Accessory Pack*

B-2 Units

Meat Choices (in larger cans):
    Beans and Wieners
    Spaghetti and Meatballs
    Beefsteak, Potatoes and Gravy
    Ham and Lima Beans
    Meatballs and Beans
Crackers (4)
Cheese Spread, Processed
    Caraway
    Pimento
Fruit Cake
Pecan Roll
Pound Cake
Accessory Pack*

B-3 Units

Meat Choices (in small cans):
    Boned Chicken
   Chicken and Noodles
    Meat Loaf
    Spiced Beef
Bread, White
Cookies (4)
Cocoa Beverage Powder
Jam
    Apple
    Berry
    Grape
    Mixed Fruit
    Strawberry
Accessory Pack*

*Accessory Pack

Spoon, Plastic
Salt
Pepper
Coffee, Instant
Sugar
Creamer, Non-dairy
Gum, 2 Chiclets

Cigarettes, 4 smokes/pack
    Winston
    Marlboro
    Salem
    Pall Mall
    Camel
    Chesterfield
    Kent
    Lucky Strike
    Kool
Matches, Moisture Resistant
Toilet Paper

How to make a C-Ration Stove

The small cans included in the meal were ideal for making a stove. Using a "John Wayne" pierce a series of closely spaced holes around the top and bottom rims of the can. 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. A whole heat tab had to be used.

A better stove was created by simply using the can opener end of a "church key" (a flat metal device designed to open soft drink and beer containers with a bottle opener on one end and can opener on the other commonly used before the invention of the pull tab and screw-off bottle top) to puncture triangular holes around the top and bottom rims of the can which resulted in a hotter fire and much less fumes. With this type of stove only half a Trioxin heat tab was needed to heat the meal and then the other half could be used to heat water for coffee or cocoa. A small chunk of C-4 explosive could also be substituted for the Trioxin tablet for faster heating. It would burn hotter and was much better for heating water.
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A stove was usually carried in the back pack or cargo pocket and used repeatedly until the metal began to fail.

How to Heat a C-Ration Meal

Choose the meal to be consumed.

Open the can lid leaving at least 1/4 inch metal attached.

Bend the still attached lid so that the inside of the can lid is facing 180 degrees from it's original position (inside up).

Bend the edges of the can to form a handle.

Set meal on stove and heat to desired temperature, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
"Outstanding" Ham & Mothers.

Open and heat a can of Ham and Lima Beans.

When hot, add one can of cheese spread and stir until all cheese is melted.

Crumble 4 crackers into the mixture and blend thoroughly.

Eat when the crackers have absorbed all excess moisture.

How to make a C-Ration Coffee Cup

Obtain the B (large, dry) can from the C-ration meal .
Follow steps 2 thru 4 in How to Heat a C-Ration Meal above.

Deluxe (reusable) Version*

Remove the top of the can completely.
Obtain 2 lengths of the bailing wire off of the C-Ration case.
Obtain a solid, sturdy stick about 4 inches long.
Notch out a groove around the stick near both ends.
Wrap each length of wire around both top & bottom ends of the can and twist the wire around itself leaving enough twisted wire to twist around the grooves in both ends of the stick 1 inch from the can creating a very nice handle.
Trim off excess wire.

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