Blog

The Type C or C-Ration was an individual canned, pre-cooked or prepared wet ration 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. After World War II, cost concerns later caused the C-ration to be standardized for field issue regardless of environmental suitability or weight limitations.

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.”

Here is a sample menu:

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*

*Accessory Pack

Spoon, Plastic

Salt

Pepper

Coffee, Instant

Sugar

Creamer, Non-dairy

Gum, 2 Chicklets

Cigarettes, 4 smokes/pack

Winston

Marlboro

Salem

Pall Mall

Camel

Chesterfield

Kent

Lucky Strike

Kool

Matches, Moisture Resistant

Toilet Paper

There was even a C Ration cookbook for the more adventurous GI…