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

[JimF4M1s (Deceased)]

That's funny, toilet paper was sometimes in short supply. We didn't collect it, but we hoarded it.

[browningautorifle]

We didn't collect it, but we hoarded it.

At least you had room to carry rolls and such...not us so much.

[old tanker]

At least you had room to carry rolls and such...not us so much.

True enough. On the tank we'd keep four rolls nice and dry in a fifty caliber ammo can. But for our hapless foot-borne bretheren, the best thing to ever come out of Green Bay....

[browningautorifle]

I have those still here by the metric ton...can't seem to un-hoard them.

[henry r]

In another 10 years just put your hoard on ebay then go on a holiday.

[browningautorifle]

I've been saving this stuff since about 1977...already...

[Flying10uk]

The "Government Property" toilet paper sold for £6.74 including U.K. postage. At this price it would be somewhat irritating to the successful bidder if a visitor to their home accidentally used the said roll because they were unaware of it's desirability and value as a collectable.

[BEAR]

I have those still here by the metric ton...can't seem to un-hoard them.

Jim, ingrained in every soldier's mind is the times he was in the field, cold, wet, hungry and out of rations and accessories and he needed a cat hole. Hence the hoarding behavior is born. It will never leave us and as soon as you are convinced you don't need it any more (usually by the wife's constant urging) you get rid of it. Murphy's Law states that you will desperately require it in less than two weeks.

My fear is that they will find me dead, buried under hundreds of pounds of C ration/MRE toilet paper and matches. News reports will tell how I valiantly attempted to cut my way out with my vintage P-38 but, alas, it broke before I could free myself.

BEAR (BDY)

[shadycon]

In the early 70's while stationed in Ger., our ration cases were dated 1950,51,52. Just like the above pic. Not bad hot and or mixed with Cambell's soups. The crackers and cigs were stale. We would trade a case to the locals for a bottle of liquor. The good ole days!
Service and supply, 6/10 FA, Bamburg, Ger.

[BEAR]

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)