Vietnam War field rations, were WW2 K-Rations still being used?

[Merle]

Well, this is my last ration story (until I remember another one).

In the mid 70s I was a Scout Platoon Leader in the 9th Division at Ft. Lewis, WA. As a scout we often had meals interrupted by recon and screening missions. One evening I left the Battalion TOC tent with a new OPORD and yelled at my driver to fire the jeep up because we we on a mission.

Our jeeps did not have tops installed and we were forever wet and cold in the winter time. This time my driver was "Johnny on the spot" and the jeep engine was already running with him sitting on the hood draped in a poncho trying to capture as much engine heat as he could.

We took off and after about one mile there was a loud "bang" under the hood and smoke poured out from underneath. My driver stopped and suddenly hung his head in shame. As I jumped out and opened the hood I noticed a strange barbecue like smell in the smoke. When I trained my flashlight into the engine compartment I noticed a red gooey substance all over the inside. Confused at first, I thought we had hit an animal and it had exploded all over the engine and hot exhaust manifold, but looking closer I saw the remnants of a C ration can with the bent top clearly reading "Spaghetti w/ Meat Sauce".

For the rest on the field exercise the Battalion Commander joked that I was riding in a "Roach Coach (PX food service truck) and when we finally got back to garrison it took my driver three days of pressure washing before the Motor Pool NCOIC accepted it to be turned in. Never did get rid of all that smell.

BEAR (BDY)

just be glad you didn't hit a skunk & have it land up there!!! don't ask how I know......

[browningautorifle]

In the mid 70s I was a Scout Platoon Leader in the 9th Division at Ft. Lewis, WA.

I was there walking around with you...

[Peter Laidler]

Toilet paper wasn't really an issue for us because we had those foil wrapped packs of BISCUITS, AB that were said to control your bowels - as in Biscuits, Ar5e Blocking! The effect has just started to wear off................

[BEAR]

Yeah, we had something along the same lines...... but different. It was called the "Elephant and Monkey" solution.
Attachment 87355

[harry mac]

That was to spread things around so it dried faster...UK issue on rolls was same but had broad arrows. Wax like...

Like wiping your arse with a crisp packet!