C-Rations Were No Joking Matter – Sort Of

No one knows for sure who first said, “An army marches on its stomach,” but feeding Korean War troops was a critical part of their overall welfare.

“Field Ration, Type C,” known better as “C-rations,” were the primary combat foods issued to every American GI. When fresh fare wasn’t available, they ate pre-cooked, canned foods which often consisted of a main course, often spaghetti and meatballs, hot dogs and beans, or beef stew. Hard bread or crackers, and chocolate or hard candy rounded out the meal. C-rations also included cigarettes and chewing gum, coffee, and packets of accessories such as matches, toilet paper, and a spoon.

Because of the sudden onset of the Korean War, leftover C-rations from World War II were utilized until more could be manufactured. These foods helped sustain the troops, although their limited variety was the brunt of many jokes and complaints.

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